Pete Waterman: ‘Music is irrelevant on cheating X Factor’
Former Pop Idol judge Pete Waterman, has hit out at ITV’s X Factor saying that it has nothing to do with music or talent.
In an interview with NME.com Waterman was asked if he minded not being a judge on the show. He replied:
“No! No, because I was offered it and turned it down. People see these talent shows as ‘the way to do it’. But they’re not.”
He added: “Don’t get fooled by ‘The X Factor’. The fundamental question is this: What do you know about music? Are you in this for music or fame? And the musical genre – pop, rock, whatever – is irrelevant here.”
“I’m still a cheerleader [for reality music shows] but what you’ve got now is not the show I was on ['Pop Idol'], which was why I walked off series two,” he said.
He concluded: “The cheating has taken over! It’s irrelevant that there’s even music on these shows.”
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The man talks a lot of sense and he has principles as well.
Well, the current series of X Factor hasn’t done the show any favours. Good singers being voted off early, the way Simon refuses to criticise his own acts after a weak performance and Jedward turning the show into a joke.
Sadly this man does talk a lot of sense. The problem is though that A and R men no longer go out talent spotting, instead they wait to be contacted and they are by the thousands who want to give it a go. This means regional singers will stay regional singers and although it might not pay aswell, sometimes if at all, and life is therefore one constant struggle after another for the dedicated singer and musician in the regions.
The reality tv talent programmes do show how you can get a chance to further yourself without the years of struggle and dedication to your art. This I know is a bone of contention for those who can’t risk losing what they have on a talent show but for the lucky 12 or 10 acts who do get through they may stand a chance of surviving in the regions having been given a taster of what it is like to perform in front of a large audience.
How else can a singer do this? The costs involved in promoting yourself for even a small venue is upwards of 6 thousand pounds for say a regional civic hall. The reason why it is upwards is due to the fact that this is the open the door fee. Everything else is on top. If a regional singer takes a chance on investing in his or her career for one evenings performance inclusive of small orchestra you could be talking the best part of 30 – 35 thousand pounds inclusive of the open door fee.
The only people who seem to condemn this programme outright are those whose careers have been established with one hell of a lot of luck.