X Factor

[Jester]

So I missed the first couple of audition shows, since I was on vacation and apparently Comcast had a very short run for them On Demand, but been watching #3 and #4, and it's vaguely entertaining. A couple of standouts, a couple of funny moments, but can't really say it's all that different from other singing competition shows.

Sadly, the one person who I know that I KNOW would crush the audition and probablby get far in the competition based upon her voice, which is spectacular, would not be allowed in, because of her background. I'm talking about my friend Cat, who is a former stripper and adult film actress. And there is no way they would let someone with that background be a face for their show.

Pity, really, because her voice really is phenomenal.

So, any other thoughts on this show? Is it a good show, is it new, or is it just yet another slightly varied copy of Idol?

[Imprl59]

I think the real difference between this show and AI will come after the auditions when the judges start working with the contestants though. 'Course then it will be a The Voice clone.

I'm trying to watch it becasue I like Simon but at this point it just seems like Simon Paula and Imitation Randy trying to pretend its 2002 again.

[Jester]

Also, while Simon still has his moments, he is not nearly as vicious as he sometimes was on AI, other than occasionally to Paula. But now that he has a live audience behind him, rather than just a room with the other judges, the talent, and the crew, he seems more reserved and less likely to unleash. Damn shame...that's half the fun.

[NorthernZel]

Sadly, the one person who I know that I KNOW would crush the audition and probablby get far in the competition based upon her voice, which is spectacular, would not be allowed in, because of her background. I'm talking about my friend Cat, who is a former stripper and adult film actress. And there is no way they would let someone with that background be a face for their show.

Pity, really, because her voice really is phenomenal.

Are the X Factor rules really that strict in the US? 'Cos over here, the production team would be all over a sob story involving tough upbringing, beating the odds, yada yada yada.... (Admitted, that angle was more brought in "Denmark's Got Talent", but that show got axed). Not that I expect your friend to buy all that BS, just that I don't think that <whatever TV channel runs this thing> would disqualify her just because of her background.

[Jester]

Sob story? No, it's not a sob story. She danced for a long time because she enjoyed it. Ditto for the adult film work. She made her own choices, did it for the enjoyment and the money, and makes no apologies for it. And while she just turned 42, she looks fantastic, and I guarantee that she could still do it if she wanted to. And perhaps she still will at some point. No, this is not a sob story or a tragedy. And she, like me, is brutally honest about life and herself, and would never attempt to MAKE it into a sob story.

But it is probably not the background that a record company is going to want to invest a highly public recording contract is, however good her voice is. And even if a record company would do it, a tv show in this country never would.

The US is replete with Puritanical mores and morals, even though many of those standards are hypocritical and oftentimes held by people who are equally hypocritical.