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FM
Former Member

Has anyone ever watched American Idol, and the recent USA X Factor?   I am not sure what's going on, and I'm not saying that American singers/performers are better than Brits on the whole; but the standard and quality of the acts on the American talent shows compared to ours is frightening. 

 

The majority of the auditionees on the USA X factor over this past weekend was very very good; sure there were a few duds for good measure, and for entertainment value, but the quality of the good acts was MAJORLY superior to ours over here.

 

Why is this?  Anyone got any ideas?  Is it that they're more confident over there or what?  or is it that the UK's talented music acts are less likely to go on the talent shows over here, because going on the British talent shows can be a kiss of death to someone's career, and it's hard to be taken seriously as a musician, after being on a British talent show?  Whereas, once someone has been on an American talent show; they generally tend to go on to success...

 

Views? 

 

 

 

 

 

Replies sorted oldest to newest

I watched some of the last series of American Idol(was interested in Steven Tyler from Aerosmith being on the panel with J-Lo!), and liked the fact that it was still a very basic audition concept - singer stands in front of judges with no backing music, just their voice.

 

I hate the X Factor in this country because it has changed so much, now there's a live audience for auditions, and the judges often can't hear themselves think over the cheers or boos. Stupidity and the ridiculous seem to be more important than real singers, and don't get me started on the backing tracks!

 

America seems to genuinely celebrate true talent. We don't do that as much here.....we are more likely to jump on scandals and lurid newspaper headlines about the acts instead of concentrating on what's important.

Katerina

I`ve always watched American Idol and have just caught up with X Factor USA. Some great singers.

 

Simon Cowell & co take it more seriously and treat it with more respect than they do the shows here. They put through the odd no hoper but mainly the best of the auditionees.  

They`re actually looking for a winner who is going to succeed and have longevity.

That`s why it attracts so much talent.

 

Our X Factor is treated like family viewing. They put good talent through but it`s mixed with too many no hopers.

They don`t really care about the winner`s long term future after they`ve made dosh from their Christmas hit. ( Leona Lewis being the exception)

 

I love this girl! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Scotty
Last edited by Scotty
Since you ask, I think they are all pretty run of the mill. The only reason I watch is for the pantomime quality. I sat in on some popular culture lectures a coupla decades ago, and find myself constantly astounded at how tacky it all is. They really have plumbed the depths this time around. Better use of chords, better use of human interest, better faux arguments, better scripts in general. Exceptional entertainment! But somehow for the wrong reason.
Garage Joe

Scotty, that girl WAS amazing, and almost reduced me to tears.. Her voice was easily as good as Beyonce's: and I don't say that lightly, as Beyonce has an outstanding voice...

 

This girl was amazing too.  Stacey Francis..

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iUTWlvKjBR8

 

As Cuppers said, the quality of the acts on the American show is way superior to our x factor every year..., But I do think it is perhaps because when people come on our shows, they're treated as a joke, and they are virtually guaranteed to ruin any career in music they may have.  So I think it could be right, that the really talented musicians and singers won't enter.  I know a few semi professional musicians and singers, and some that are training at college, and uni, (on music and performing arts courses, and degrees,) and none of them would EVER enter x factor; they all say that it would bury their career before it had started. 

 

I also agree with Katerina that America seems to celebrate talent - rather than just wittering on about scandal like we do, and America doesnt seem to care if a female is overweight or older (like over 35,)  Here, all that is important is being stick thin, and having big hair and an overly made-up face.  Singing talent doesnt seem to come into it.   Another thing is that they spend 20 seconds on good singers and 5 minutes on someone uber-shite..

 

On our x factor, I thought the girl with the flashing costume that cost two grand was bleeding awful, and I am not even sure why...  I just couldnt stand her arrogance and over confidence...  She was just a karaoke singer...

 

It's tragic: even our best x factor entrants/winners do not come anywhere near the standard of the American ones.  I mean our most successful  winner and export from our talent shows is Leona Lewis.    IMO, she is at best, average.  And has the personality of a wet mop.

 

Will Young was the best IMO, and he was only 'pretty good;'  Not absolutely. brilliant. 



FM
Last edited by Former Member

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