Why The X Factor Has Lost It's Credibility

 

THE JUDGES: SIMON COWELL, CHERYL COLE, DANNII MINOGUE & LOUIS WALSH.

The X Factor was created in 2004 in a bid to find new musical talent for the dying British music industry. In a time where we all listened to artists born and bred in the States, shows such as Pop Idol, Pop Stars and the X Factor were seen as the way forward for the British music industry. Produced by music mogul Simon Cowell, who headed up the series as a judge alongside Boyzone and Westlife manger Louis Walsh and manager of Ozzy Osbourne, wife Sharon. The introduction of ex Aussie artist Dannii Minogue led to Osbourne's exit at the end of the Series 4, her replacement Popstars: The Rivals winner - Girls Aloud singer, Cheryl Cole was introduced in Series 5 and quickly won the hearts of many across the country. The problem? What exactly does she know about music?

Many would also argue that fellow female, Dannii isn't a credible judge but her recent performance in Series 7 and her overall decent mentoring during her time on the show sets her apart from the under qualified Cheryl. Time and time again, Cheryl has made bad song choices, bad choice of artists (including the recent controversial decision to exclude Gamu) and general negligence, despite always being blessed with the strongest category, has highlighted her inability to properly mentor any up and coming artists.

But it's not just the weakness of Cheryl that is the issue. Louis Walsh's attitude towards the show since Osbourne's exit has exposed what a mockery the show has become. An individual who should know his fair share about the industry, is treating the show as a joke, choosing acts that have no talent (Wagner) or no potential success (Storm). His comments during the show are just as fake and insubstantial as fellow judge, Cheryl and his constant sniping at Cowell as neither entertaining nor useful. Never is any valid criticisms offered and the number of times he over praises an act is almost unbelievable. If I had a pound for every time that man said "he/she will go all the way", I'd be a rich man.

Not only are Cheryl and Louis useless but this year has seen an appearance of a unconstructive Simon Cowell. The one person you could always rely on, the man who would say exactly what we were all thinking, was Simon Cowell. But the last couple of series' he seems to have past that baton to Dannii Minogue and instead joins Cheryl and Louis in completely unsubstantial comments. While no one can fault his mentoring, the steady improvement made by One Direction highlights his ability to really work with an artist but it doesn't excuse the frustrating Saturday night he offers us when him and two of his other judges speak out of their asses.

But I really think the X factor has lost all credibility with all the rule changing, fixing and controversial politics. Why do the judges have any influence whether any act does through or not. Why can't the audience decide who goes through? Can't they follow a similar system to BBC's Strictly Come Dancing, where the judges scoring system are combined with audience votes? Acts like Katie Waissel and Wagner never should of progressed as far as they did.

Maybe it's about time Syco listened to what the audience really want? Perhaps Louis Walsh should just quit, he clearly doesn't take anything seriously? Hopefully the Americans will take Cheryl away too, then we can have a panel of real judges - more akin to that of American Idol. Who should be the judges on the next X Factor? Cast your votes in the sidebar on the right.