X Factor & Strictly: Should the judges voting be axed?
This weekend has seen the departure of two of the biggest characters in reality TV right now; Rachel Hylton and John Sargeant.
Rachel was pushed by the judges who – finally – voted her off while John voluntarily jumped, but the ironic thing is, while we the voting public were all studiously voting to keep the very likeable John in Strictly, many of us were equally studiously avoiding voting for the noxious Rachel. And while she was saved several times by the judges, poor John took the judges opinion into account over the public’s and left.
Fortunately, Simon Cowell and Cheryl Cole finally recognised that given that Rachel had been in the bottom two no less than three times, it was probably a fair indicator of the fact that she isn’t liked by the public. They also wisely acknowledged that although Rachel can undoubtedly sing, her talent wasn’t enough to carry her through what is as much a popularity contest as one about talent, and that’s where Strictly came unglued over John.
Those of us who sit at home on a Saturday night have most likely never had anything to do with the world of professional performing; we just know what we like and what we don’t. That old joke, ‘I know everything about art, I just don’t know what I like’ seems to apply to the judges of these shows though and they are only looking at the technical abilities of the person whereas we either like a person or we don’t.
We don’t really care if they can pas de duex or hit top C or whatever… if we like them, they stay, if we don’t, they go. In theory…
But that all went a bit awry with John and it took way too long to sink in over Rachel.
I personally think that the judges shouldn’t be allowed to vote in any of these shows, or at least if they do, it shouldn’t actually affect whether the contestants stay or go. Only the public vote should do that because unfortunately, the judges do tend to forget that these shows are primarily entertainment, not pro-singing and dancing workshops.
John left because he feared he could win which, he thought and so did the judges, would make a mockery of the show. I think they have it the wrong way round! I don’t care about who has the fanciest footwork – I watch because I like the people in the show.
Likewise with X Factor, Leon Jackson was the winner last year but the fact is, Rhydian was in a league way above Leon in terms of singing ability, but he came second. Why? Because we liked Leon more. Yes, most people liked Rhydian too but on technical ability, he should have won.
Similarly, Ray Quinn only missed out on winning the X Factor because Leona Lewis is both a world class singer and a very pleasant and likeable girl. If he’d been up against Rachel Hylton in the final, he’d have won hands down… because he’s likeable and she isn’t.
So I think the judges on reality TV shows need to start taking a bit more notice of us, the viewing public, and act accordingly. We don’t only care about how well a person can sing or dance, we care about the person just as much. Unlike the judges, we don’t have an ulterior eye on a recording contract or a live tour, we just know who we like and why, and at the end of the day, we are the ones who keep these shows on air by our phone voting.
So do you think the judges should be allowed to make the final decisions or should our votes be the only deciding factor in who stays and who goes on reality TV shows? Let us know.
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I have always been a big fan of Louis and thought that the way he was replaced was a disgrace. However, his re-instatement seems to have gone to his head and I am sorry to say Simon, it was the biggest mistake ever to bring him back. His comments and behaviour are just like a stupid schoolboy in the playground. Grow up Louis, have you not got any true friends who will tell you what an idiot you are as you obviously never watch yourself. The girls are much better and give constructive comments, whilst yours are just bitchy and irrelevent!
The public are stupid. Eggnog, Daniel Evans, Chico, Leon etc. And besides from next week onwards on the X factor it is just down to the public vote anyway… get your fact straight. And please cut the self-righteous rubbish. Its a massive recording contract, and people voting for egppnough is not about entertainment or skill its either “oh he’s the same naionality as me and therefore deserves to win this competition even though he has no skill (or likability for that matter – he acts like a d**k)”, or its about “he’s 16, awww he’s 16, hes young, aww he has an undeveloped fetus-like face… VOTE!!!!!!!”. End of.
And btw Diana FTW! (a true bit of talent)
Totally agree!! WE pay for the show and I’m sure most people who have voted, have the phone bills to prove it. Thats why I like ‘I’m a Celebrity get me out of Here’ as WE get to keep the best and get rid of the rest!!!!!!
omg get over the whole eoghan thing!!!
everyones opinions are different
some people hate diana
in my opinion eoghan is really good and its great he’s got so far instead off insulting everyone just say the good things about the people you like!!
Ray – likeable? In which universe?
X-Factor if the sing off at the end of the show is for survival, to which Rachel sang note perfect.
Why did Simon vote her off because of previous weeks, surly thats note the rule, who sings best in the last 2 is the rule.
Going by Simons and Cheryl rule, Rachel fate had already been decided before the poor cow opened her mouth!!!!
Is thant fair????????????
It should be the viewers vote only then we would just have the best talent in the show and the worst go, it would not be tactical or who they like and think can do better. They all have the same chance each week to prove themeselves so when after weeks and weeks and weeks did the judges keep Rachel in because she had not shown her best, that was her fault all the other acts had improved, they voted not on her talent as she has none but sympathy, Cheryl even said she felt sorry for her being a single mum of 5 kids, they are supposed to judge on the nights performance. We are the ones that buy the albums so we should choose. I think all the artists left now are worthy winners.
Trudy – as has been demonstrated the public don’t just vote on talent most recent example – Laura, or perhaps a more definitive one where the public had all of the say – Leon winning over Rhydian.
Well, donmt want to put the cat amongst the pidgeons, but I never thought Laura was a good singer. She just shouted and warbled a little bit. Thats if you could understand what she was singing at all. She always looked uncomfortable to me, whether that was just her, or what Cheryl told her she should wear, obviously I dont know.
As for Leon versus Rhydian. I think Ryd will do alot better than Leon to be honest. I just think that Leon appealed to a wider range of people as he was more generic. Dont get me wrong, I do like Ryd’s singing, infact, I love his impossible dream, and Bridge over troubled water, but he’s a more specific singer if you get what I mean. At the end of the day, now-a-days, any singer who Simon see’s as a money spinner (sorry but its true, Same Difference), will get a recording contract anyway, so it doesnt really matter who wins.
Rachel Hylton is the new Billie Holiday, a blues,jazz singer extraordinaire, the British public obviously do not want class, they want pop drivel!
However talent like hers will not go unoticed and I bet she she gets the rewards she deserves.