The X Factor

Based on the UK's singing competition, this American Idol-like show is a talent contest consisting of four groups of contestants - all competing for the title of the X-Factor.

There were only three seasons, but undoubtedly the highlight of the show was judge Simon Cowell's brutally honest persona and a welcome comeback of judge Paula Abdul. The bad auditions were also a highlight of the show, especially hearing the tone-death contestants trying to belt out a tune and those who believe they're natural-born talents but ending up falling flat on the notes.

Some of the drama in the show were intense, especially those contestants who sang well but just missed the cut. Overall, you get to see some really good talent here.

However, the series wasn't too popular with other singing shows, as you could tell that some of the contestants acted like the show is more of a chance to make it based on sympathy instead of exhibiting good singing, and the judges' mentoring element of the four contestant group just didn't make a connection with me I think. It dragged the show, I thought.

Overall, it's not a terrible series - it just really is another singing reality show meshed in in what is an overly large number of those repetitive TV programs - it really didn't generate to much new material or uniqueness.

Grade C+

This kind of show has been seen and done a dozen of times. Due to my travels I was able to see The X-Factor in the UK, Germany and Australia already and the US Version is not much different but bigger.

Obviously you need to like casting shows to enjoy the program, having said that, people giving this a 1 star rating should be banned from further reviews and ratings since there is more to the production of a TV Show than the likable factor. This program is produced and directed very well, there is a nice flow and speed going on, the scenery shots from the cities alone are worth more than 1 star so what's it to ya? Let me be very clear, it is Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul and LA. Reid, you get exactly what is on the package and someone who's rating 9 stars for American Idol and 1 Star for The X Factor is a hypocrite. If you like American Idol you like this show, if you don't like American Idol you won't like this either. Opening the age limits is a fantastic decision because that gets really interesting later when the contestants will be split into Boys, Girls, Groups and over 30s and receive personal training from the judges and coaches. This is where the show will be different from Idol and since it has worked in other countries very well, it will work in American just fine, despite the hypocritical ratings on this website.

If you're looking for something entirely different you won't find it here, but if you feel entertained by great voices and quirky auditions this is a great show to watch. As long there are 20,000 people auditioning in every city this show clearly deserves it's space.

The United States version of X Factor is unwatchable. Mr. Simon Cowell is nothing more than an egomaniac Svengali with absolutely no eye or ear for true talent. The show's graphics look as if they were thrown together by college freshman at the Art Institute. The host is a train wreck with no entertainment value, charisma or repoire with the contestants. He makes Nick Lachey look like the Ryan Seacrest of reality/talent show hosts. The editing is forced melodrama at warp speed where a judge is speaking to one contestant and tells them that they "didn't make it through" but then, wait for it... they were actually talking to the other contestant! Fooled ya! It is hard to understand the producer's unquenchable penchant for sophomoric television techniques and overblown sob stories. Newsflash: Horatio Alger is not an X Factor contestant, nor are any of the current crop of contestants anything more than individuals that the producers feel will elicit an empathetic response with the viewers and provide drama that overshadows any diminutive factor of marginal talent they may possess.

Mr. Cowell is a lucky little man who found himself in the right place at the right time and his time needs to be up. Not a single act that he has "discovered" or "created" will have any of their songs remembered in twenty years. Genius never made a song for money or fame and those are the only things that motivate this man and his weak minded minions. There is not a single grain of true "X"/it factor in any of them, as evidenced by the fact that he chose to put through an inferior singer named Tiah Tolliver in tonight's episode instead of one of the greatest voices since Aretha Franklin in Melanie Amaro. He knew that Ms. Amaro was the "hit me over the head with a frying pan" obvious threat to his little protégé Tiah Tolliver and chose to get rid of her as his first instinct in order to prove that he is a "hitmaker." Even the staged realization that he had made a mistake in sending Ms. Amaro home was a blatant attempt to recover some of the shine he knows he lost by dismissing Jennifer Hudson on "American Idol" in 2004. Mr. Cowell has no greater ability to discern talent that you or I. He was simply born in the right country at the right time and fell into the right circle of influencers. Caesar from Planet of the Apes would have a better nose for talent and the "it" factor than Mr. Cowell.

I personally challenge Simon to produce his little breast fetish pet Tiah Tolliver and allow me to produce Melanie Amaro in a head to head, nationwide, single release with a televised performance and see which woman truly possesses the "X Factor." The only way Simon will reclaim any of his lost soul is to face the failure of this show due to the weight of his ego. HELP SAVE SIMON COWELL NOW AND BOYCOTT "X FACTOR"!

OK...let's talk shop...we like that everyone can join the party....but its the same old same old....well except for the judges wanting you to see how they live...so contestants visit their spreads....(a mini version of the Real Houses of the Rich and Famous)...

These should go home:

Lakoda ??? (girl group), have you noticed they never say thank you to any of the judges after high praise compliments...I hope they leave tonight all seasons...fall, spring. summer and winter....don't like their attitude...they are full of themselves...

Drew is another one that is just plain bad...what are they saying she is a star..huh...she also never says thank you..not an humble person ..

Marcus Canty nice guy but the vocals were as weak as the stage performance was strong

The Glee group replica....too many too many participants....the one lead girl should stay she has a great voice....others GO

Leroy Bell, I don't like his attitude...he does not appear humble...something is not right with him..but love love love his voice....not a friendly guy...

For the ones to watch:

Stereo Hogz, Melanie, Astro and Stacey

I've seen thousands of movies and hundreds of TV shows, and I can tell a good one when i see it. And this is not one to throw away... Of course, you must be into this kind of TV shows, but if you are that person I really think that you gonna like it... maybe not everyone will love it, but i'm sure it deserves at least a 7 from the most critical critic... And men, there are some good voices in this show... no spoilers but I gotta warn you that there's a very ugly scene in the beginning of the season, which I think that judges could have stopped before getting to the votes (if you have seen it you know what i'm talking about) All the things considered, a good family show for a nice evening.

Enjoy it !