Sting calls X Factor: ‘televised karaoke!’
Rock star Sting has hit out at ITV’s X Factor, calling the show a mere ‘televised karaoke.’
He told the London Evening Standard that the show is “a soap opera which has nothing to do with music”.
He added: “I am sorry but none of those kids are going to go anywhere, and I say that sadly.”
Sting said the acts are “humiliated when they get sent off”.
He continued: “How appalling for a young person to feel that rejection. It is a soap opera which has nothing to do with music.
“In fact, it has put music back decades. Television is very cynical.”
Stng also said that the show quashes individuality and encourages singers to “conform to stereotypes”.
He added: “They are either Mariah Carey or Whitney Houston or Boyzone and are not encouraged to create any real unique signature or fingerprint.
“That cannot come from TV. The X Factor is a preposterous show and you have judges who have no recognisable talent apart from self-promotion, advising them what to wear and how to look. It is appalling.
“The real shop floor for musical talent is pubs and clubs, that is where the original work is. But they are being closed down on a daily basis. It is impossible to put an act on in a pub.
“The music industry has been hugely important to England, bringing in millions. If anyone thinks the X Factor is going to do that, they are wrong.”
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Lets be honest Sting is right the programme has become like a karaoke machine. Why do they have to do theme weeks instead of a song that will show off their particular style of singing. We know that there are many talented acts that for some unknown reason do not get to the judges stages, some are better than the acts in the live shows. X-Factor puts them in the limelight then throws them out, lets them make one or two albums and then discards them for the next one. This year even though we have our favourite acts there is no-one really outstanding. The only amazing singer to come out of X-Factor is Leona Lewis and they whip her away to America and it’s taken 3 years for her to put on a show here. X-Factor seems to be all about making money for the producers etc, the judges bicker like children and it seems to get less about the singers and their futures. Why not choose the finalists and then give them a month with a voice coach before the programme starts and let them choose their own songs each week.