Well its all over and Matt Cardle, who in my opinion was indeed the most talented of those participating, won the vote and has become the winner of X Factor 2010 with Rebbecca Ferguson coming a close second and One Direction third.
The programme has had its many critics and its persistence has given rise to the emergence of what I call the Cappuccino Anarchists who tried to discredit the show by campaigning to get Wagner, who unfortunately was as talented as a tomato sandwich, win. But they did not succeed.
I was in two minds as to whether the anti X Factor brigade was justified in putting so much energy into attacking the concept but I am, on balance, in favour of what we have simply because it gives those who would not otherwise be known an opportunity to exhibit their talents and no one can deny the fact that Matt Cardle and Rebbecca are top acts. The question to the oppositionist brigade is whether they think that young people like the ones in the final could ever break the net and make it without the help they got?
The biggest challenge for any future events is to ensure that there is some fairness in who is involved and that the 'show' does not become the playground of PR practitioners who are desperately trying to outplay each other. There should also be some way to make sure that the event is not dominated by Simon Cowel who is of course incredibly successful in his own right but uses the programme to inflate his already big ego. He is, however, an animal lover and about the same age as me so maybe he is right and I am wrong? But hey seriously lets have less control and give others the opportunity? What do you think Simon?
Come off it, Nick. you know that there is no way SyCo will allow less control.
ReplyDeleteYou are right that this show gives exposure to people who might not otherwise get recognised. But if the money that gets pumped into this by the media and the premium phone line calls was actually spent on providing subsidised public venues for showcasing new acts then we might get not just new talent, but also a much broader range of choice in the music available to us.
Popularity must never be used to measure value or quality - that way lies dominance of 'The Birdy Song',the end of diversity in music, and the continued rise of the SyCos.
Hi there..
ReplyDeleteI agree that artificially induced popularity is no substitute to real talent but on the other hand would Matt or Rebecca (I exclude one Direction in the equation) would have made it in the big bad world if they were not given this chance? Rebecca especially a shy girl from Liverpool, or Liona Lewis for that matter? Where would they be today? Maybe the 'show' should be democratically controlled or less commercial but how would it be produced? Who will pay for it all? :-)
http://www.strongerunions.org/2010/12/14/union-busting-x-factor-style/
ReplyDeleteSyCo and his anti-trade union activities - come on Nick - condemn the show and its producers!
"would Matt or Rebecca (I exclude one Direction in the equation) would have made it in the big bad world if they were not given this chance?"
ReplyDeleteBut what makes them more special than any of the other shy and talented people? Only that the hand of SyCo has decided to pluck them from obscurity and God-like bless them with his patronage for the price of their souls. Nick, we won't agree on my analysis, but in your heart as a music lover, and as a champion of diversity, and as a socialist, and as someone who values satisfying the human longing for beauty, you know you are wrong. It's not a matter of not enjoying the performances or the drama - it's about the ravenous machine driving all that. Matt and Rebecca are not the problem, they are merely the bait on the hook.
Anon at 22.58
ReplyDeleteI totally condemn SC and his money making machine. I have made this clear on other entries on here and in letters published in 2 newspapers. I think that the control he has over the production and promotion of the 'show' is def not healthy for a progressive nation that believes in democratic values. Its like having a monopoly, on top of that I fail to see what talents he brings into the entire event, but I would insist, and I think you agree with me, that people like Matt and Rebecca are talented and should be helped. Yes they are used but then what other options do they have at this stage? Perhaps the TUC could organise something similar with Jon of the Rogers and myself being the judges? On second thoughts maybe not..??
Anon at 23.08
ReplyDeleteShouldn't you be in bed by now? lol
Well I agree with most of what you said but then there is are a lot more annoying things on national telly, especially now that we have 321.5 channels to watch, it is inevitable that a lot of rubbish will be produced to feed the public. Telly shows are today the opium of the people what is fed to us by the capiatalist (or is it mixed economy) system. Lets get the TUC to have a talent show then!