Props to producers. With the announcement of this weekend’s double elimination, intrigue levels in our comments section went through the roof. There’s not a scenario or exit that hasn’t been considered (with the exception, perhaps, of a Fleur departure).
Playing devil’s advocate here, it is possible that there’s no grand plan for the double elimination beyond a short-term ratings chase. When last done in week 4, that was arguably the case beyond the targeting of Jack Walton. We’ve reached a stage of the competition when previously producer-favoured acts have left but got a record contract anyway (Ella, Tamera), and you can make a case for keeping each of the contestants in the competition another week.
Of course, the evidence of tonight’s show could prove very different. Producers have been so ruthlessly effective in getting rid of their targets that we would rather wait for their cues. The song choices in themselves don’t suggest an obvious target to us, in that each could be spun either way. Nonetheless, here’s a primer on what we’re looking out for tonight.
Stevi Ritchie is the hot favourite for next elimination, priced generally around 4/6. Brian Friedman has talked of a big effort for ‘I’m Still Standing’, and why not give the remaining novelty act another huge, fun production whilst he’s still in the competition? It’s what he’s there for. Now that he’s been in the bottom two, and it’s still not the end of November, there’s no need to nuke him by giving him something akin to Wagner’s ‘Creep’.
If he was tonight’s target, I’d expect something more like the colour vomiting and Blonde Electra-style costumes they gave Rylan’s Week 8 Supremes medley in 2012. If they are trying to help him bounce, they might give him more gold and purple, and a chance for plenty of banter afterwards of the kind that rescued Rylan in Week 7.
The two groups come next in the elimination market. We want to reiterate the message in our midweek article that there’s still everything to play for here. We’ve preferred the staging given to Stereo Kicks in the last few weeks but Simon’s positivity about Only The Young has been stronger than necessary. Mel’s comment last Saturday about still not knowing the individual members of Stereo Kicks teed up a name-checking VT this week. It’s been long enough coming as it is. To a lesser extent, it would be useful for Only The Young too. If either group got it over the other tonight, that would be a sign of producer preference.
Stereo Kicks have ‘Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me’ which is promising for them, having previously been Joe McElderry’s Week 7 pimp slot. Having said which, Stacey Solomon had the Week 8 pimp slot for ‘Something About The Way You Look Tonight’ which Only The Young will cover. It was their acclaimed audition song, which is a positive, though a slight departure from the all-out fun they have offered in their best moments on the live shows. Judges’ comments suggesting they have lost their fun factor would be a red flag as far they’re concerned.
The flash vote allows producers two opportunities this weekend to leave Only The Young hoping they are last announced safe. The cup may truly runneth over for their shouty supporter.
It will be fascinating to see how Lauren’s return to her audition-acclaimed ‘How Will I Know’ turns out. We’ve been promised some sort of surprise, which suggests they will change up her slowed-down version in some way. It feels like a make-or-break moment for Lauren, given her poor treatment last week, discussed at length in our midweek article. Again, judges’ comments promise to be very revealing. Louis has previously name-checked her as a finalist, so any doubts from him should be seen as a warning sign, as would any Devlin-esque suggestions that she’s better off sticking to what she does best (singing whilst sitting down).
Ben got a mild version of that critique for last week’s ‘Cry Me A River’ which seemed at odds with the exemplary golden staging it was given. ‘I Will Always Love You’ strikes us and many of our commenters as the song choice with the biggest potential to swing wildly in either direction, in that it gives him a chance to have a “moment” or fall flat on his face. We do think it’s for the best that song choices haven’t pigeonholed him as a rock performer – their record in the contest is Jamie Archer levels of mediocre.
It’s worth bearing in mind that he’s been quoted earlier this week as desperately missing his fiancé. Any sort of VT dedicating the song to her, and further reference to their relationship after the performance would play right into his demographic.
Andrea is doing Whitney once more with ‘I Have Nothing’, which as has been noted by our commenters, sets up the possibility of “one-trick pony” accusations. Producers have blown so hot and cold on Andrea that they could have anything in store for him this week. We maintain that week 5 was a positive: Mel’s tears at the end of her comments, reiterated by Dermot, were one example. If the knives are out for Andrea tonight, Mel could do with borrowing one of them to chop some more onions before she speaks.
That leaves Fleur doing ‘I’m Every Woman’ on the back of her extraordinary pimping last week. As one astute commenter noted, given tonight’s flash vote, it may be the best moment to put her on first instead. Her only other early slot in the running order came for the previous flash vote in week 4. We expect nothing but positivity for Fleur, and the treatment of her main rivals might tell us more about how she polled last week. If they all get deramped again, it would be a sign that Operation East is still in full swing.
Tonight’s show promises to be an intriguing one indeed. Let us know your continuing thoughts below.
Thanks for calling me astute (as it was me who said about Fleur going first, not sure if anyone else did?), but I am not as wise as most of the guys here 🙂
For tonight, my mind is set on Stevi going tonight, I think TPTB realise that is quite a realistic option for them and then we will see on the rest of the show what happens. Who will be in the bottom two for tomorrow night, that can only be decided between 8 and 10 tonight.
Stevi going tonight is a foregone conclusion IMO
I hope they don’t manage to get Andrea in the bottom 2 tomorrow even though i feel they will be out to get him all guns blazing
Intriguing indeed tonight. Not a punting proposition at the minute but that will no doubt change during the show.
I did mention yesterday that it will become clearer if Fleur pimping worked last week tonight. If it didn’t that a problem for TPTB.
They will for sure put a few under the bus tonight. I still believe Stevie could be useful to them until next week. Be interesting to see what they do with him.
My guess is he will be walking like an Egyptian.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2844464/X-Factor-s-Fleur-East-wows-metallic-dress-channels-Tina-Turner-s-retro-look-ITV-talent-show.html
Stevie getting the Rylan treatment and on a plinth. Fleur seems to be on a plinth of some sorts also!
Isn’t that just for the shoot?
Don’t think so, looks like all set up for green screen and at rehearsals, it says “as she took to stage for a dress rehearsal” in the article also.
Looks like the rumour Laurens brother will perform on stage with her is correct. Perhaps he can be used as a human shield against Simon!
Didn’t last week’s Lauren VT imply that performing with her brother was one of her ambitions? If she does it this week, isn’t that a “dream accomplished / journey over” signal?
Probably but maybe keeps her around a week then goodbye next week?
Stevi a goner for sure. All the signs are there. I thought we would have had another week, let him bounce, THEN a double elimination and at that point, Stevi would be gunned for. However, I can’t see Stevi surviving a double elimination.
Reckon Ben might finally get his moment tonight wheras I think we could be seeing the early signs of a Janet Devlin job on Lauren.
Impossible to call pre-show this week and will only be betting in play.
I think tonight will all be about the arrangement of the songs and judges comments. In play def only way to go for me.
Can’t back Stevi at 1.7 when he has to finish bottom. Out tonight so unable to play 🙁 had little bits on oty and Lauren before the double elimination shout.. Will hope Stevi finishes 2nd bottom and goes tomorrow.. Otherwise will be first losing week for me 🙁
for those who suspects an act being seem with cakes/pastries/donuts is a sign of a de-ramp…
https://twitter.com/TheXFactor/status/536111917719236608
I’ve been laughed at before as a result of suggesting this, but seeing these things I can’t help thinking producers are having a laugh at us.
Brilliant 🙂
I’m kind of half expecting Stevi not to go tonight. Would a shock elimination tonight be more beneficial for the show than Stevi going? I guess if Stevi left tonight, it would be hard to call who would be in danger and who would leave on Sunday since the joke act would have left.
Some of the songs are now out on iTunes.
Have you got a link? Can’t find them.
On the front page of iTunes there’s a banner for The X Factor 🙂
Not for me. I must be doing something wrong. Can you give a link?
http://www.apple.com/uk/itunes/?cid=wwa-uk-kwg-music-itu
http://www.apple.com/itunes/?cid=OAS-US-DOMAINS-itunes.com
You need to download iTunes, then go into the store to hear the previews.
thanks
True, just had to install iTunes crap in order to hear it.
If the judges are hardh on Lauren with her little brother there it’ll likely provoke a sympathy vote.
It seems as if Fleur’s family will be joining her on stage..
http://www.radiotimes.com/news/2014-11-22/fleur-easts-family-to-join-her-on-stage-for-tonights-x-factor-performance
Had a listen to iTunes previews… apart from Andrea they were all only 30 secs… his was 90 secs… so hard to get proper sense of some…
Andrea, ‘I have nothing’… dull and cheesy song… very faithful to the original… Andrea does his typical growly/shouty power house vocals… yawn!
Lauren, ‘How will I know’… starts as the Sam Smith version… but then picks up tempo into something closer to the original… vocals sound crisp and clear… ended just as picked up…
OTY, ‘Something about the way you look tonight’… a poppy and uptempo pop version of the song… imo it seemed a bit odd with all the ‘hey hey hey’ing… I think they are one of those acts who give a better performance than recorded vocal…
SK, ‘Don’t let the sun go down on me’… faithful to original… no real personality or emotion in the vocals… dull…
Ben, ‘I will always love you’… sounds like the Dolly version with guitar… gritty vocals… not sure… I expected more…
Fleur, ‘I’m every woman’… to me the song is super cheesy and clichéd… so Fleur sounds very karaoke… a bit meh…
Stevi, ‘I’m still standing’… awful vocals, even for Stevi… sounds like they have slowed the song down a fraction… so it sounds off… plus his vocals seem slightly out of time… assume it’s on purpose to de-ramp… I guess TPTB def want him not to be still standing… (sorry, world’s worst pun!)
all in all a bit dull and underwhelming…
Stevi appears to be a goner… as for the other 2 in the B3… multiple possibilities… the staging and judges comments will give a better indication of TPTB intentions…
I’ve just listened to the iTunes previews too. I think Only The Young’s clip sounds the most promising. Stereo Kicks sounds very underwhelming vocally. Despite the tempo picking up in Lauren’s track near the end, she still sounds half asleep and bored. I agree with the notion that Fleur’s track sounds cheesy. With her family joining her on stage, I just get the feeling her performance will look very amateur. Shock exit?
Dream on. She’ll get a standing ovation be called the new Whitney and probably top the vote
Also found OTY clip the most promising/professional.
Maybe Fleur pimping last week was needed and didn’t really work. Bringing the family on seems bit desperate again, Notice price has dropped at few bookies also. Looks like they going for Stevie, best watch show but few quid at current Fleur odds won’t break the bank.
She topped the ds main page poll and was high in telemix poll. Top 2 I believe. I agree they are pulling out all the stops for Fleur but not for the reasons you guys on here are hoping for. Good luck with the bet though
Thanks! Not really hoping but it is a possibility. Interesting hour ahead. Just listened on iTunes SK not great at all, Stevie sounds bad.
Whatever happens with Fleur, props to stoney for stubbornly backing her from the very beginning, great call.
Haha I might even get a mention in a write up if she wins. Of course if she goes out tonight in the flashvote ill have mountains of egg on my face!
Hear hear, Stevie sounds bad on iTunes, would love to get stuck in but nervous.
I can’t work out whether the desperate Fleur pimping is to ensure she’s safe since she’s vulnerable in the vote or because she’s not far from the top and needs an extra push.
Not sure what the staging is like, BUT….Lauren is wearing Red & Black tonight :/
And she’s up first…
Lauren on first? It’s ridiculous. Her slots have been so bad. Worried for her, but more likely in the B2 tomorrow. Stereo Kicks on last. SIGH
Massively unconvinced by Lauren. Anyone else?
Not great and I am a fan. Price won’t move much in next hour, give a bit of time. SK have pimp slot, must have worked for Fleur or they need it. A night to be very careful I reckon, app voting v running order too much of an unknown. Maybe top and tail working and middle struggles.
Strong vocals, but that colour vomit behind – urgh 🙁
There’s nothing left of Lauren but a pair of smoking shoes.
Did you hear the weird music in her vt, like a cartoon or a glutch. Banal comments, end of journey feel, overhyped version, even the enfing was limp.
See ya.
That performance confirmed to me what I knew all along. It’s Lauren’s vocals that are the problem, not her performance. I’d be surprised if she avoided the bottom 3.
Really positive comments has given me hope.
Watching Lauren felt really weird… I switched my attention to her brother…
Another distraction from her performance. Still not sure if that was supposed to be helpful or not.
“I’ve never heard a guy sing this song.” Not even Rik Waller?
LOL… Simon cant remember the names of half the acts this year … let alone a contestant back from 2001!!
10/10. Backing Ben in the outrights not a stupid idea right now.
Rather you then me
Am I allowed to be sarcastic yet? 😉
we’d be disappointed if you weren’t ;p
Not a moment or a train-wreck for Ben in my opinion. Quite a serious deramp from the judges though.
Also note that Simon said “I think people will vote for you” rather than “I want people to vote for you”. I guess we’re still going for a Fleur win then!
The song itself was a deramp.
So goodbye. Please don’t cry. We both know I’m not what you dreamed of.
Ha, didn’t pick up on those lyrics! Not as bad as “Start spreading the word. I’m leaving today.” though!
Dermot just referred to Andrea as a “gladiator”. I should start a drinking game for everytime they make an Italian reference.
What the hell is this from oty. A mess
extremely positive VT and judges comments… 1st act to get a call out for people to vote… and Simon was especially positive… it’s like they have 2 alpha groups now!
OTY still have the producers’ favour, but was that enough? Hmm.
They would get saved in a sing-off with Lauren though. There’s just the risk that they go tonight.
Joe Dolce on the VT. Brilliant.
More Food & Italian references….couldn’t make it up! haha
There was a fairly nauseating close up of a full english in Ben’s vt too.
And eating again
LOOOOL@ THIS VT I think we know whats coming for Andrea from the judges
“My favourite part was eating cake”……yeah, I think they’re out to get you, Andrea.
Red and Black flag alert… and another Italian VT complete with cake.
What was that red drape covering the screen. They are really going for him this week!! Love watching it when you know the producers are so against him!
LOL Dermot. Couldn’t make it up!
the knives are definitely out for Andrea, but he’s just so loveable that I can’t even imagine what it needs to take him down.
He manages to turn around all the negatives they try to throw at him.
Again Simon’s comments are perfectly judged I think. Just nice enough to seem reasonable and just nasty enough to deramp any momentum Andrea had.
That was some VT for Andrea again, laughable at this stage. They are trying hard. Even Dermot. Thought OTY was very distracted spraying Louis and Dermot brought it up. Em…
“That wasn’t perfect” says Simon to Andrea, yet praises the hell out of OTY who were godawful.
The bias is laughably clear this year….
Lauren on first in my view isn’t a bad thing. Fleur with another late slot though. Couldn’t make this up and Andrea in the worst slot
Fleur is sooooo plan A.
1 word WINNER
OTY were pushed, but they still have some problems. I finalyy realised that one of my problems with their performances, probably the biggest I have is that their camerawork is always rubbish. It is all over the place, doesn’t capture them as a group, the big shots always loose them, their close ups are not well chosen. They are not very well sold by the cameraman,
This week my other problem was that the song was a it overproduced for my taste, It was brilliant and worked well the way they performed it in the audition, but this performance had simply too much going on (musically…way too much happening on the backing track)
They had a lot of pimping via social media and radio 1 throughout the week, with the shouty guy… let’s see how much steam that gathered for them.
New Betfair Favourite.
Back of the net
They just set up Stevie clothes and singing debate. Fleur going no where near home after that. Lauren position not looking great.
I’m kind of expecting Jake Sims’ sister on stage, after Fleur and Lauren got their siblings
I didn’t think OTY’s performance was as bad as some here are saying, but I wasn’t mad on it. It was their biggest misstep since that awful sing-off performance a few years ago. I would be 90% about bottom 3 for them I think, and at least a little worried about them going tonight.
A few *weeks ago
And next up on stage, it’s Stevi’s family and friends.
Admittedly Lauren went first but most FB likes by far
I’m watching on delay. Perhaps a different show as that was easily Laurens best performance and had great comments. She ain’t going nowhere.
WTF have I just watched? Is it just me or did the dancer they went close up on look a bit like Fleur?
I am going to go and put some more money on Stevi to go tonight. They actually tarred and feathered him on stage.
I took 8/13 before the show. Very risky. Should be ok though
Put small money on him to go this weekend pre-show. I’m after piling on him to go tonight now having seen the performance. Bounce completely neutered.
Ha ha, broke all records there.
End of the journey comments by Cheryl…
Ok, I think they’ve nailed him.
This names thing is wearing so thin now.
Red. Black. Fire. Just saying.
Vocally that was good, but what’s with the whole end of the world thing?
Think it was the sun going down – literally
Surprisingly good by SK. Today has not been good for my positions.
The producers are going to do everything for these guys, and you know what, I have to concede that it was all very well set up tonight.
Here’s what I think.
RED:
Lauren
Stevi
AMBER:
Ben
OTY
Andrea
Stereo Kicks
GREEN:
Fleur
https://m.oddschecker.com/m/tv/x-factor/double-elimination-combo
Stevi goes tonight. Lauren and OTY bottom 2 tomorrow with Lauren to go.
If Lauren goes if be surprised personally
Lauren has now overtaken SK as third favourite to be eliminated.
is it just me… or does Emeli SAnde look like she should be downstairs in Downton Abbey?!
What the hell is/was Lauren wearing? Bottom 3 for sure, if not out now.
Have covered my Lauren position just in case, Stevie is short but had a nibble.
God that song was even worse than I thought it was going to be. Second worst act of the night behind Stevi.
SK pimp is desperation for me. B3 I say but saved
Tonight is honestly the first time (judges biased comments ignored) that Fleur blew the rest of the competition away. Rightly favourite at this point
I agree with your first point. Fleur was the professional to everyone else’s amateur. I’m still not entirely sure she beats Andrea.
looks like they are calling in the order they sang
What. The. Fuck?!
yikes… did not see that coming…
is this the end of the OTY shouter guy… boooo
Kind of saw that coming. Poor performance. Stevie lives to fight another day!
I saw that one coming, but still sad. I actually liked them.
Stevi did play the “one more week” card. He’s been lucky its at least one more day
Not a massive surprise. It just didn’t work for them tonight, and they got screwed over by the dynamics of the sympathy bounce and their prolonged comedown. Could have done with bottom 2 v Jay last week!
I’m not sure about tomorrow. Stevi is surely bottom 3 but I wouldn’t be 100% that means he’s going home!
Glad I didn’t have any money on tonight, and will probably continue that policy tomorrow!
Saw it coming thought a group was in trouble
Lauren vs. Stevi B2.
At this stage I beliebr it would be a positive for Lauren but I say Stevi v SK
Thought that OTY song choice was one that viewers wouldn’t connect with, but shocked Stevi out polled them. Great news for Lauren tho, as realistically they were the last act whose exit she might be able to benefit from. Can’t call the other act in b2 tomorrow.
I love OTY, but not shocked that they didn’t last the weekend. Stevi is surely a goner tomorrow? It would be a disaster if otherwise (unless Andrea…)