American Idol 9 Episode 1

Yes, I'm at it again. YES.

It's been nine years since the first season in 2001 - at the time I was 7. Yes, 7. I'll admit, I can name all 9 winners, their runners-up and around half of the top 12 of each season but there are only a handful of the acts who come out of Idol who I actually like. Needless to say, Idol isn't a talent search anymore like it was meant to be. I mean yeah sure maybe some of the winners really had talent and some really made something of themselves but right now, I watch Idol for the freaks - it's just entertainment. It won't launch critically acclaimed stars nor will I like most of them but I'm open - someone might come out this year, you never know.

As many (or all) of you know, last year I attempted to live blog American Idol episodes - I only got past a few though. So this year, I'll try to watch the show again - I can't guarantee you that I'll make it to the end of the season but I can try, can't I?

This season sees Paula gone, replaced by guest judges during the auditions and ELLEN for the rest of the season. Will it be any good? Hmm.

So these're my notes - while watching the show. Nothing edited. YES! lol.

• The girl in pink (who went first) murdering Natasha Bedingfield's Pocketful of Sunshine is pathetic. The game doesn't know anything - IT'S A COMPUTER.
• The next girl wasn't that bad actually. It's OK but nothing spectacular. I'd say round 2/3 of Hollywood at the very least.
• LOL at the 'holding room entertainment' aka guy in a blue and white striped shirt saying 'holla' waaaaaaaaaaaaaay too much. He reminds me of someone I know. Doing a Britney song? Can't sing. It was amusing though. That's what Idol has become really - amusing. Not so much of a talent show anymore.
• That Hirsh girl had a interesting voice and the song choice was cool. I LIKE that Wolfe girl, nice, nice voice.
• This guy can sing. And that food looks good. lol. BIG voice, if he doesn't know how to use it properly it can get excessive. But nice voice.
• Next guy. He sounds like Chris Brown and the Eagles? WTF??!?!? Enough said.
• And the truckload of rejects.
• Wannabe 'otaku'. My best friend will be ready to kill her. Girl can't sing. Even if she was in Japan.
• These 2 guys (plus give and take 2 or 3 other guys) can totally form a boyband if ever they get rejected (hopefully not.). Gorgeous vocals.
• Guy in glasses up next. I have a bad feeling. Or not that much. A little too whine-y. Good at some points but I'm not convinced.
• Is this a wannabe Adam Lambert parade? lol.
• This Ashley Rodriguez girl is pretty good. That song's hard to sing. (I SAID IT BEFORE KARA DID. I DID.)
• The guy with the shattered wrists reminds me of a less intense Bo Bice. And I LOVED Bo Bice. He should've won. But anyway, I will be watching him.
• Day 1 - END. 17 golden tickets given.
• First girl day 2. ONE BIG NO.
• Parade of rejects #2. *goes and takes a nap* GUY IN THE KING SUIT! lol.
• Mike Davis. Guy in the boat. Might work in a group but solo he's a bit weak. He can hold a melody though.
• 16 year-old girl. Portuguese. Let's see what she can do. Sob story. Sounds like an Americanized Gabriella Cilmi. She doesn't sing like an excessive 40 year-old though. *ahem* Charice *ahem* I like her.
• This Joshua guy has a GORGEOUS, GORGEOUS DAMN SMOOTH VOICE. OH MY EFFIN' GAWD LIKE AAAAAHHHHHH. Smooth. Lacks some technique but with a little work it'll be brilliant. SIMON DOESN'T KNOW WHAT HE'S TALKING ABOUT. I DO. (lol) But PLEASE, no one turn him into anther Archuleta, PLEASE.
• More rejects. Including a less enthusiastic William Hung.
• Justin Williams. Another sob story - cancer. Doesn't change how I'll look at his voice though - nothing will. Interesting voice. I like. High notes are a little iffy for me but it was pretty good.
• Someone singing CASCADA?? CASCADA? You have got to be kidding me. It sucked. A LOT.
• Seems like this next guy has a voice. HE DOES. *faints*
• Last contestant of the day. Hmmm. Nice voice. She sounds like someone but I can't quite put my finger on it. I disagree with Kara - not a very good singer, still needs some work, but VERY nice voice.

Well that's it. Might not be able to do a live blog tomorrow night but I might. lol.

American Idol Top 11 - Week 2

It's country week. hmm.

Michael Sarver - I didn't like his performance that much, it was a bit too rushed for me but I don't know if the song's really like that. It's like the song doesn't have any dynamics - there's no high point or low point in it. I'm so-so about the whole thing.
Allison Iraheta - I know she can sing, she has a voice but I'm not convinced. There's nothing really moving about her for me - kinda like Carly last year.
Kris Allen - He's getting better I think. If he keeps on choosing good songs - he'll be a very strong contender. I don't know if it was a technical error or what but the high parts got fuzzy.. hmm. He reminds me a bit of Elliot - he can definitely go the same route as him.(NOTE: it was a technical thing..)
Lil Rounds - Gorgeous, gorgeous voice. The song doesn't match that much but what the heck - BRILLIANT VOICE. She did however, NAIL THE LAST NOTE.
Adam Lambert - I didn't like the arrangement, it's so strange and his voice was a bit weak at the start. He's strange. Plus the screaming at the end was just too much. I agree with Simon! I really don't like him.
Scott MacIntyre - He was so-so this week, nothing outstanding but the performance was OK.
Alexis Grace - Brooke White sang this better and though they have different voices and stuff - I do like Brooke's version better. Not a very good week for her but she better get through!
Danny Gokey - Again, it was so-so. There were high points and there were low points but it's enough for him to get through. yay!
Anoop Desai - YAY! The Anoop we all knew and loved during the earlier stages is BACK! I loved it, it was definitely A LOT better than last week's. yay!
Megan Corkey - BEST PERFORMANCE OF THE NIGHT! It fits her voice perfectly and the arrangement is brilliant. LOVE IT. She's definitely the most current pop of all of them.
Matt Giraud - Nope. Once again it's nothing special - Carrie Underwood immortalized this song and this is nothing compared to her version. I don't like him.

Almost everyone was so-so this week for me - all but a few. hmm.

American Idol Top 13 - Week 1

haha. Yes! I'm finally doing an episode recap again..

'Lil Rounds - Brilliant start. She's slowly becoming a Fantasia-like singer, big voice, consistent song choices and lots of personality. I loved the performance, she
Scott MacIntyre - He has a nice voice and I like it but I'm afraid that if he keeps on singing ballads like this, he might become a one-trick pony. I don't however, agree with what Simon said. So what if it's not popular? Ugh.
Danny Gokey - I liked him during the earlier stages, and I still like him. Although I thought he was pushing a bit too much, the performance was OK.
Michael Sarver - I didn't like him during the top 36 but he does actually have a nice voice and I quite enjoyed his performance. What I'm afraid of though is him becoming somewhat a Daniel(of X factor last year in case you don't remember..) who can only sing ballads.
Jasmine Murray - From the contestants who've already sung, lemme guess who Simon will most likely sign because of what they sang today. Scott, so he can turn him into an inspirational ballad-singing machine and Jasmine, so he can make her a young, American Leona Lewis. She has a voice but her top 36 performance proved that all she can sing are ballads, that's it. Not convinced.
Kris Allen - When I first heard the name today, I had no idea who he is. So I wiki-ed and he's Man In The Mirror guy! haha. So-so performance, he has the possibility of becoming a Jason Mraz-ish singer(I SAID IT BEFORE RANDY DID!!!! IT'S TRUE! MY IDEA!) although he sounds like he came straight out of a flop boyband. Plus that note towards the end was just sad.
Allison Iraheta - I never liked her, still don't. It's not that she's bad or anything, I just don't like that kind of voice in particular, I hear too much of it here in the Philippines that I can get annoying at times. I didn't like Carly that much last season but I like her better than Allison!
Anoop Desai - I agree with the judges, the didn't go very well with him. It was kinda flat and bland but I just hope he stays another week... I liked him, not very sure about it now.
Jorge Nuñez - JORGE! Gorgeous voice, but it's average. Still, DROP-DEAD GORGEOUS VOICE. It makes up for everything.
Megan Joy - I love her voice, but I quite liked the song choice. Cutesy, perky and nice. She better get through..
Adam Lambert - He pulled the theme the best out of everyone but I don't know, there's still something if-y about him for me. I liked the performance though..
Matt Giraud - I like his voice but the performance had a lot of flaws. He'll get in but he didn't do very well, I think.
Alexis Grace - She pulled it off. Not brilliant but not bad. Loved her, still do. TOP THREE, here we come! haha.

I said last weekend that the talent isn't as good as it was last year but this episode made me think twice. So, let me rephrase. The talent isn't as diverse this year. You don't have a bunch of big voices, a rocker, an alternative singer, an adult pop singer and heaps of variety.

American Idol: Thoughts.

I know I said I'd do live blogs and all but I haven't had the time, so let me just list down some thoughts on this season. I might do a recap for the top 13, but it depends.

• Can someone please explain to me why Tatiana Del Toro got into the top 36 THEN got into the wildcard round instead of Norman Gentle? Norman can actually sing, sort of like the girl from the Ting Tings. They both don't have the most gorgeous voices but they can hold a melody AND entertain us, keep us interested whereas all Tatiana can do is cry and say 'Thank you'.
• Scott MacIntyre has got a gorgeous voice, but somehow he sounds a lot better when I just listen to him. In fact, a lot of the top 13 sound better when I don't watch them perform. Jasmine Murray, for example. I wasn't convinced by her when I watched her but I got the live recordings and now I'm a fan.
• I've got my favorites, Alexis Grace, Danny Gokey, Jorge Nunez, Scott MacIntyre, Anoop Desai and Megan Corkey, let's just see how they do!
• I agree with Simon on the Jorge Nunez thing, I don't see why he should work with a dialect coach. He's Spanish for heaven's sake so it's natural that he sings like that, it's the way he is. Isn't Idol about taking raw talent and making it into a superstar? I can't wait to see him kick butt if they ever do a Latin week.
• I didn't find Lil Rounds' performance as brilliant as everyone says it is. Sure, she's got a beautiful voice, the song really matched her and the performance was very good, outstanding but there were people who were as good as her that night, some even better.
• Ricky Brady is AMAZING but he still didn't get through. This is so unfair.
• Over-all, the talent this is isn't as good as it was last year. The people who got cut last year were better than a few of the top 13 and last year gave us Cook, Archuleta, Brooke, Carly, Michael and pure, raw talent. Watching an episode of Idol last year was like watching professionals do their thing. I wonder what it'll be like this year.

American Idol Auditions - Week 1

American Idol may now have the reputation for destroying and sanitizing the winners but we can't deny the fact that it's so fun watching a 'star' being made, even though we know they're gonna be murdered.

Well guys, it's my first live blog thingy, so take it easy on me!

OMG! Eeew. Simon Cowell during the first season. What was he thinking? Then a montage of auditions and 'special idol moments', very predictable. AND a montage of Ryan saying 'This is American Idol'..haha. Yeah, yeah, Idol changed Cook's life, but they murdered his music! Gar. Montages everywhere, can they think of anything more interesting? Why do they have to cut to a break after the flashback? Garrrrrr.

So they're in Arizona for this episode. I like the guy in a can costume thingy! They're introducing Kara DioGuardi. Look, I know her and I can name five other people who know her, so why did Ryan just say that you probably don't know her if you're Jewel or the other artists she worked with.

The first contestant of the year! Eep! Haha. Love his hair and he's Vietnamese! Twan Win. OK, he's not very good at all, and he's like going out of tune! Corny dance though. What is it with unconventional hair this season?

Well the next contestant's mom's a singer, she might be anywhere near good. Hmmm. Not bad but the high notes are a bit awkward. She can sing though and she is different. She's in a band, and she hasn't told them. OOOH.

The first rocker of the season. Nope. Not very good. He's crying? Already? They're fighting? Strange. So no yes' yet. Hmmm. There's another guy, nice voice. If he doesn't murder the melody of FLYING WITHOUT WINGS that much. HE GOT THROUGH! He seems Pinoy. oooooooh. YES! But he should really stop murdering songs.

Then there's a really nervous guy. He's got the strangest voice, it sounds so strange. Can he even sing? Haha Bulgarian. He sang a Kara song? Whoa, and he's having a panic attack.

An ad, again? What the? And it's back!

Haha. Another auditionee murdering a song, and another one and another one. Guy with a guitar! X-ray. That's his name. That is straaaaaaaaaange. Did he even use that guitar? So this next girl founded an organization. She reminds me of Marie Digby. HEY! She's good. I like her, she'll be a very good popstar! haha. Will remember her, Arianna.

Ad break. Back from break and it's day two! An hour has passed already? haha.

Guy with a deep voice. Elijah. Not very good, can he even sing? Next up, girl who just turned sixteen, she's like the typical giggly 'like, yeah, like um, duh.' girl. OH. She's Kara's biggest fan. Is she any good? Maybe if she was picked up by Disney(note: I just wrote that before Randy said HSM..), it would work but no, not for the mainstream market, no. A girl who was named after Stevie Nix(is that the right spelling?). They like her. OOOH.

Is back. haha.

Oil/builder guy! haha. He's kinda good, a few technical problems here and there but he has a voice! Will watch out for him. Ah yes, the obligatory montage of bad auditions.

Bikini girl. She can't really sing well. I mean, there are good parts but she's more for Disney, I think. Maybe her and giggly girl can star in a TV show. I agree with Kara, she doesn't have any soul or 'groove'. OOOOH. Catfight. THEY PUT HER THROUGH TO HOLLYWOOD? NO! WHY? GAR.

They're saying how to pronounce Kara's name. haha. Next guy. No. Not good enough, his voice is too weak. Girl who can't believe this is happening! haha. No for me. There's something shaky about her. She called him Sim-y? What the? OH! She's through? I have my reservations.

Girl with no family with her, she's interesting. I like her! YAY! She's through! Emo-looking guy's next. He makes horror films! He's not bad, I can see him out with an album anytime soon. YAY! He got in too! AAAAHHHH! I LOOOOOVE him! haha.

And they're back!

Blank guy who sang in the closet late at night. His voice is like a higher and less better James Morrison. So he's through? haha.

And the episode's almost done, I can tell. There's the sum up thing and the worse auditionees singing the same song. One last audition!

And we're back!

The guy's got really bad tunnel vision, and he's a singer songwriter. Is he any good though? He reminds me a bit of Guy Sebastian, I'm liking him! I like him! He's good! haha. YAY! He's through! WHOOT! I'm rooting for him! Scott. Will remember that name.

And the live blog is done! Was it any good? haha.

American Idol!

Well, American Idol starts in exactly four minutes here so for the first time in at least a couple of months, I am sitting in front of the TV and waiting for the show to start.

How this season's Episode Recaps will work:

I will do a live blog, which means the stuff I write will be written as I watch the show, making it 'fun' to a certain extent.

So, the first live post will come in the next two hours but I'll start writing in like 4 minutes.

This Year's X Factor Winner!

...is Aledxandra Burke.

I must admit, I'm happy that Eoghan didn't win and JLS got close(so at least they get a contract with Louis and they're not bound by X Factor terms..) but there is one problem with Alexandra winning.

You see, she's got this big, gorgeous voice and she knows how to use it. Does that description remind you of an X Factor alumnus?

Of course it does.

I'm worried for Alexandra's sake that Simon might turn her into another Leona Lewis. Don't get me wrong, I think Leona's got a gorgeous voice and I think she deserves what she's gotten since she won but do we really need another Leona clone?

Alexandra's different from Leona in the fact that Leona sings ballads and Alexandra sings up-tempos. Although Alexandra can do both, I think to show people that she's not going to be turned into another Leona Simon should emphasize on her uptempos and maybe a few ballads.

Still, congratulations to Alexandra and JLS for making the top two! I expect amazing albums from them next year!

The X Factor FINAL!

You guys don't know how figgin' excited I am for this year's final.

WESTLIFE ARE GONNA BE SINGING! WESTLIFE! DO YOU HEAR ME, WESTLIFFFFFFFFFFFFEEEEEE! AAAHHH!

And here I was thinking that they'd stick to their pact of not performing for the next nine months before they go back into the studio. Oh well, at least we're assured that they're still in fact together.

OMG! OMG! OMG! OMG! (I think I stopped breathing when it was confirmed.)

Enough of the freaking out.

Rumor has it that Westlife, who were supposed to sing with Alexandra, are singing with JLS(seriously Louis, do you really want to make it obvious that you're trying to turn JLS into the next Westlife?) Beyonce's singing with Alexandra and Boyzone(what's this, a boyband-fest with Louis heading it?) are singing with Eoghan(poor guy..).

As I DON'T live in the UK, I won't be doing a live coverage of the final. I'll be doing it a few hours later, once I've gotten access to the show(via my favorite torrent site!) in full and THEN I'll do a live blog where I'll make the entry as I see the performances.

But I'll most probably know the winner before I even watch the final. Tsk. Tsk.

X Factor 5 Live Show - Week 9

WHAT THE CRAP HAPPENED THIS WEEK? Diana shouldn't have gone, even if I thought her first performance wasn't very good.

The Boy: Eoghan's performances tonight were a little strange. At least I was kinda weird-ed out. Something about the second song just made me really uncomfortable.

The Group: JLS WERE AMAZING THIS WEEK. Now wasn't I right since the very beginning, they are SO gonna win! I loved their first performance and their second one was mind-blowing but is Louis trying too hard to make them the new Westlife? This is the second week in a row that JLS have sung a song Westlife covered, first it was You Light Up My Life(from TLA) and this week it was I'm Already There(from Back Home..). Their performance of IAT even had similarities to last year's Westlife X Factor performance of the song especially the pyro at the end. Wanna see?

This is the Westlife performance from 2007: 

And THIS is the JLS performance of said song:

Sense the similarities? They're all in suits, they all walk from the back to the mic stands and at the end, the take the mics off the stands and walk in front of them and fireworks start exploding. Oh, and the smoke machine!

The Girls: DIANA SHOULDN'T HAVE WENT, I CANNOT BELIEVE SHE WENT. Seriously, she deserved to be in the final over Eoghan. She had a better voice, a quirkier image and she had the makings of a star. WHY? Alexandra though, was amazing tonight. I never really liked her during the earlier stages but now I'm seeing that she has what it takes. I say it's JLS vs. Alexandra for the winner!

The Results Show Performance: Il Divo - Amazing Grace. I never really liked them.

The sum-up in one sentence: EOGHAN SHOULD'VE GONE, NOT DIANA!

What I want to happen next week: Alexandra and JLS to battle it out after Eoghan goes.

X Factor 5 Live Show - Week 8

I can't believe Ruth went this week, it should've been Eoghan. NOOO!!

American themed this week, I haven't seen Britney's performance yet, but I might watch it sometime tonight.

The Boy: Eoghan did OK, but he was by far the weakest in terms of vocals. He's cute, he can sing songs OK, but he doesn't have Alexandra's powerhouse voice or Diana's amazing control and quirk. He should've gone instead of Ruth this week, really.

The Group: Their first song was a bit disastrous, but their second song was amazing. One thing though, isn't Louis pushing it too hard with the Westlife thing? I mean, those outfits resemble their opening outfits during the Face To Face tour and that song was one of the band's favorites on their 2006 release, The Love Album, that Louis and Simon picked for them. Still, they're amazing singers and they are so in the final!

The Girls: Amazing stuff from the girls tonight and like last week, that's all that needs to be said.

The Over 25: Let me repeat it again, RUTH SHOULDN'T HAVE GONE. She's an amazing singer and performer, she had every right to be in the semi-final. Garrr.

The results show performance: Britney's Womanizer, and Miley Cyrus sang at the end of the live show(pre-recorded..)

The sum-up in one sentence: EOGHAN SHOULD'VE WENT, NOT RUTH!

What I want to happen next week: Eoghan to go, so Alexandra, Diana and JLS can let the competition begin.

X Factor 5 Live Show - Week 7

Argh, I didn't do this last week. Gar. Gar. Gar. But it's back, so rejoice!(I think..)

DANIEL FINALLY WENT LAST WEEK! YEEEEESSSSSSSSSS! I'm so happy that we don't have to suffer seeing another beautiful song being murdered.

Take That week! I'm loving their new stuff, but watching all their old videos keeps on slipping my mind(maybe I should do it tomorrow morning..), so I quite enjoyed this week's show. So what did I think?

The Boy: Eoghan's performance was good, it was strong, and I loved the song for him. I've heard it before, but I had no idea it was Take That, so for once, I enjoyed it! Although, for a short while there, he was being overpowered by the choir of girls, did he not know the notes, or was it really meant to be like that? He still deserved to go through, though.

The Group: JLS were consistent again this week, they sang the song beautifully, definitely didn't deserve to be in the bottom two. On the song choice issue, I side with Dannii, she had every right to choose the song she did(see my comment below.).

The Girls: Eep! Alexandra and Diana were AMAZING! Brilliance. What more can I say?

The Over 25's: Ruth's performance was consistent, and it was very good. Rachel. She has a beautiful voice, over-sings a bit, but that can be remedied, by choosing the right songs. You hear the gorgeous Take That version that was very slow, very gentle but slowly built up to a grand-ish ending, and it was a HUGE hit, so everybody pretty much knows that song by heart, and then you hear Rachel's over-sung, shrill-ish version and it's like, "I'm not convinced," so I think it was her time to go.

The results show performance: The AMAZING new Same Difference single, which was clearly mimed, but amazing. Then Rhydian's new single as well!

The sum-up in one sentence: The right things happened at the right time this week, so I'm happy.

What I want to happen next week: Everyone to rock next week, but I think Eoghan is closer to the bottom two than everyone else.

X Factor 5 Live Show - Week 5

It was Mariah Carey week, and with that comes a lot of pressure, so how did everything come out?

The Boy: Eoghan was so-so this week, nothing special, but enough to get him through to next week.

The Girls: Let me get one thing straight, LAURA SHOULDN'T HAVE GONE HOME! She had one of the best voices, and I can't believe she was sent home. Diana couldn't perform this week, and it was so devastating to see what she was going through, I know how much laryngitis can affect your voice and your chances of being able to perform. Alexandra's performance was strong, and I think pulling off a song like that takes a lot of time and effort so what she did was amazing.

The Group: JLS were mind-blowing this week, I adore their performance. One note though, if Louis is pushing for them to be a vocal harmony group, JLS have to work on their harmonies. They're there, you can hear them and they sound good, but they need to push their voices, they lack the power that Westlife had during their early days. You listen to a JLS harmony and then a Westlife harmony during the early days or as a four-piece and you hear the difference. Nevertheless, they're amazing singers and with a little more work, they might even claim Westlife's throne! haha. Has anyone else noticed that this is the second time they've talked about Westlife and JLS in the same sentence? haha..

The Over 25's: I just want to strangle Daniel and send him home. Seriously, his voice is so lounge-y(in the negative way, as always..) and one-dimensional. I can take one-dimensional voices, as long as they know how to manipulate that dimension into different sounds and structures. His voice is lounge-y enough and he still sang a song that made the performance even worse! Rachel's performance this week didn't sell for me, because I don't think her voice matched the song, but she went through, so good for her. Ruth was strong this week, I don't think she should've been in the bottom 2.

The results show performance: Mariah Carey's Hero with the final 12 'singing' at the end. No microphones, were they really singing?

The sum-up in one sentence: Almost everyone got past this week, except Daniel, he really should've went.

What I want to happen next week: DANIEL HAS TO GO! I've had enough of the unworthy safe weeks for him. JLS have to maintain, and Diana has to bounce back next week give us the best performance she's ever given.

X Factor 5 Live Shows - Week 4

Here we go again! Let's get this recap rolling..

The Boys: Well, Simon and Louis are now equal, with one act each remaining. The only difference is that Eoghan sucks and JLS rock! Haha. I still think that Simon's patterning Eoghan after David A., and the similarities are obvious. Still, he could've done something different with the song choices. Austin's performance was so-so, and the song was really difficult but someone had to go(haha.)

The Girls: Diana was once again amazing. I mean, the way she handled the vocals on that song amazingly but I've got to agree with Simon, the routine was a bit cheesy, but isn't disco cheesy? Alexandra's vocals were consistent, and the song choice was OK, once again, enough to let her through to next week. Laura was brilliant tonight, and the song choice was good as well. Which is why all three girls still deserve to stay for another week!

The Group: JLS were amazing for yet another week! A bit rough at the start but they did what they had to do. They showed that they could definitely sing a song, and do it well minus all the choreography and stage design.

The Over 25's: WHY DID DANIEL JUST SAIL THROUGH TO NEXT WEEK? His vocals were too lounge singer-y, his song choice was just bad and he just sucked this week. Let me get this straight, Daniel is not very versatile, he can't successfully pull off a disco song or something a bit more on the fast side, and that just can't cut it in music. Rachel wasn't as good as last week, and everybody noticed it but I don't think she should've been in the bottom two, it should've been Daniel(again!). Ruth was OK this week, and the song really fit her voice.

The results show performance: Will Young's Grace. Good performance, but I still can't forgive him for murdering Westlife's Evergreen!

The sum-up in one sentence: JLS definitely stood out this week, but disco week is finally done and over with so we can go back and concentrate on the less cheesy elements of the music industry.

What I want to happen next week: Once again, I want Daniel to suck, so he can finally go, and my favorites to keep being amazing!

X Factor 5 Live Shows - Week 3

So what happened this week? Who rocked, and who totally sucked? Let's find out!(No photos of the Popjustice playsheet this week, I got bored..)

The Boys: There's nothing better than hearing Simon and Louis fight over whether the Westlife version of That's Life was better or not than Scott's no so hot performance this week. I love how Simon said that he didn't pick all their hits, as if saying that he wasn't the only one responsible for their success, which he says a lot. Eoghan's song was so corny, if you ask me. I mean, an Archuleta-minion trying to sing a song that's possibly cheesier than what Girlband did last week? Disaster in the making. Austin's performance was strong, nothing special though, but enough to get him through to next week.

The Girls: These girls just don't stop, do they? Alexandra's performance was consistent, but still, I don't see anything out of this world from her. She's not as good and different as the other two girls, but she has a voice, and she uses it. Laura was, in one word, amazing. She took on a Billie Holiday song, and did it amazingly. And once again, Diana was one of my favorites, she just keeps on giving us strong performances and with that gorgeous voice of hers and the fabulous song choices, she'll go far in this competition. My only worry though is that if she wins, Simon might turn her into this stereotypical 'jazz' singer, which I don't want her to become.

The Group: JLS were strong tonight although I'd have to agree with Cheryl, those capes at the start were not only hideous, they were a nuisance. What did they have to do with the performance? But the song was good and the vocals were strong, considering they're an R&B group. They've just glided their way back next week, that's for sure.

The Over 25's: Daniel was horrible, again. I can't seem to think why anyone would want him in the competition, is it pity or something? I mean, I know the guy's wife died, but the fact that he dedicates almost every song to his wife is kind of too much. Maybe dedicate one or two songs, but every time you ask him why he chose a song we get the same reply, 'It's for my wife'. And he doesn't have a grip on his voice, he doesn't know how to use it properly. Rachel was strong this week, and she definitely deserves to come back next week. Ruth though, stole the show. Her vocals were drop-dead gorgeous, and the song fit her like a glove, just as good as Fantasia's version.

The results show performance(new!): Hero by the top twelve. It was OK, but I wish Diana got more solo parts.

The sum-up in one sentence: Nothing much happened this week, but my prediction last week came true, Daniel and one of the boys were the bottom two, but Daniel should've went.

What I want to happen next week: Daniel to suck, again, but JLS, Diana and Ruth to be amazing again.

X Factor 5 Live Show - Week 2

I was meaning to start the recaps during bootcamp, but I had tons of projects and requirements to get done, so I'm only starting it now. So what in the world did I do? I(proudly) stole a playsheet from Popjustice, watched the show on my iPod, and took pictures of my ratings on my phone(crappy camera, sorry..). Note: The MacBook shown in the pictures is not the computer I usually use. I'm lazy, so I used this, the iMac is on a desk. Wanna see? Of course you do.

(Click to actually see what I wrote)

The Boys: I think as the competition advances, Simon tries harder and harder to pattern the boys after the successful American Idol contestants. Last week Eoghan sang 'Imagine', picked by Simon. Yes, he's young like Archuleta, and yes, he's vulnerable as well, but seriously Simon, WHY TURN HIM INTO ANOTHER ARCHULETA? What really hit the home run was when Austin sang Billie Jean in the same arrangement that David C. used. Yes, someone else used the arrangement before him, but Cook made it popular again. See? See? See. Scott, on the other hand, sounded a bit Leon-ish, or like a guy in a talent show here.

The Girls: Cheryl is a good mentor! Or is it just that the girls are really good to start with? Either way, the girls were strong this week. Alexandra was so-so, not much change from last week, but still good. Laura was a step better, but my favorite of the night was Diana. Her song fit her, and she did it beautifully. Based on tonight's performances alone, I think one of the final two is in this category.

The Groups: Let's face it, whatever Louis says, he's still gearing more towards JLS. Girlband sang probably one of the cheesiest songs of the night, if not the cheesiest, and those floating globes on the display? Eeew. As much as I adore Louis for masterminding Westlife(the best boyband EVER), he did all the wrong things with his girl groups. JLS however, WERE AMAZING! OK, fangirl mode, but seriously, they can sing, they can dance, and the songs they sing go well with their voices. I can imagine next year, when Westlife release their next album and JLS(hopefully!) release their debut, A CHART BATTLE! First it was Spice Girls vs. Westlife, and next year, JLS vs. Westlife, very possible.

The over 25's: Can I just get one thing straight? DANIEL SHOULD GO! I mean, from what I see, he's trying to be another Rhydian(although Rhydian was better..), but he just can't get the personality and training that Rhydian has. Plus, the songs he sing are SO CORNY! Ruth and Rachel are light-years better in terms of vocals, but I don't see Simon's point that Ruth should sing in Spanish just because she's Spanish. Simon was well aware that Jasmine Trias(AI, Season three, didn't like her that much..) is Filipino, but he didn't tell her to sing in Filipino.

The sum-up in one sentence: Girlband went, but Daniel should've gone based on tonight's performances.

What I want to happen next week: JLS and Diana to rock again, and Daniel and any of the boys to suck, so they can go.

X Factor!

Whoot! Britain's number one talent search is on season FIVE!

OK, corny much but seriously, I can't believe there've been four winners already(some guy, Shayne Ward!!!!, Leona Lewis and Leon Jackson!!!!!) and this season's kinda promising as well. There are a few people I'm rooting for, but the episode recaps will start during the second round of boot camp.

Just thought you guys would like to know.. and to get you guys excited and maybe even hooked!