Originally Posted By SFH 999HAUNTS wrote: "They should let a regular person like me sit in." Actually, it would be interesting to see if they could get a pool of "regular people"... perhaps via a quiz on the website that tests your knowledge of pop music... and choose someone from that pool who can handle being on TV AND won't put people to sleep or cause them to change the channel... and have them be a judge for an episode. Still, though, they need a pro to replace Simon. I don't see the show dying so soon. As long as it makes money, they'll keep it going.
Originally Posted By WorldDisney <<"They should let a regular person like me sit in.">> Isnt that why they hired Ellen Degernes in the first place? She's the first judge with no real musical talent or experience and I thought the whole idea is she is judging from a 'fans' perspective, not a musical one? And I seen A.I. here and there, but I never got into it. I do like Simon though and I think it will be a HUGE blow when he leaves since he is really the personality of the show. But I'm guessing it will survive since the show has taken a life on its own. Paula Abdul left and it doesnt seem to be a major hit in the ratings this season so who knows?
Originally Posted By danyoung >So X Factor is a singer/musician competition only?< >No musicians, simply singing.< That's not what I've read. The X Factor is going to include bands as well as individual singers.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Sounds like a different concept than the UK version. The UK has groups (i.e. multiple singers), but they don't play instruments.
Originally Posted By Labuda "Paula Abdul left and it doesnt seem to be a major hit in the ratings this season so who knows?" You're comparing apples to oranges, man. Paula leaving doesn't REALLY affect the show one way or another - she didn't add much to it. Simon, OTOH, have you seen how much it matters to the contestants to get HIS approval? They *know* he's the one who's honest and able to call whether someone is actually good or not. Paula just handed out warm fuzzies.
Originally Posted By u k fan To clarify, in the X-Factor you must audition without instruments, but can play instruments if you get to the finals. Plenty have: Laura White, Two To Go, Journey South, Tabby, Ben Whatsisname. All played instruments in the later rounds. In the UK they changed the format in the last season so that contestants auditioned for the judges and an audience as in Britan/America's Got Talent and acts were allowed to use backing tracks if they wished. It'll be interesting to see if this happens in the US in order to help distinguish it from AI. There have also been rumours of a fifth category made up by either splitting up the over 25's by sex or adding a "best 3 losers" type category!!!
