Producers set their stalls out very clearly tonight, effectively anointing Louisa as the winner after her performance from the pimp slot in the first round of songs, and hammering home the message that the final needed Reggie N Bollie in it after their pimp slot in the second round.
If the votes play out as they have pitched for, that will leave us a singoff of Ché against Lauren tomorrow. And while Lauren’s treatment tonight fell short of a full-blooded hatchet job, there were pretty clear signals that it would be Ché who makes it through such a scenario.
(One possible caveat is whether they might feel obliged to go to deadlock if Ché lags significantly behind Lauren in the phone vote, a possible explanation for the widely-unexpected save of Luke Friend over Rough Copy in 2013 – but then, they have hardly cared about being subtle so far this year. It’s also worth noting that a singoff wasn’t confirmed, as far as we could tell, perhaps giving themselves wiggle room to do without one if Lauren is clearly bottom and they wish to preserve some kind of suspense about relative positions going into the final).
Here’s how we saw the night’s events unfold.
Reggie n Bollie kicked things off with yet another VT of their lives being transformed. Reggie amusingly mangled his words as he tried to tell Lionel Ritchie that they could never have dreamed of meeting him, instead saying it was “not a dream come true, it’s a dream we never had”. Lionel told them: “performing is everything.” Cheryl twice explained we would “see a different side” to the pair. What that meant was a slower song than we’re used to. There was a prison backdrop and plenty of red.
Simon referenced his burglary last night and said, “I think that was your worst performance of the series so far. The vocals weren’t great, you’ve lost your sense of fun.” Rita explained: “it wasn’t the best but it was decent.” Cheryl promised more fun in the second performance. But the comments were far from a mauling, and it was pretty clearly a setup for a return to form in the second round.
Lauren’s VT involved her performing ‘Best of My Love’ to Lionel Ritchie, before at the last minute deciding to change her song to ‘Take Me Home’, with a mention that she had already performed it at judges’ houses. Rita and a producer were shown being very accommodating about it, but there was nonetheless a sense that she was putting them out. Staging-wise, she was stuck at the back of the stage again to isolate her from the audience, though at least she got a golden backdrop.
Comments were expertly pitched not to motivate votes, with muted praise and criticism that felt fair rather than overly harsh. Cheryl’s praise was around changing the song at the last minute; Simon liked the song, but said she was “panicky and screechy… calm down a little bit”. Nick gave the line that has preceded some eliminations this year, “that was the first time I felt your nerves”, and it was “wobbly in parts”. Rita said nothing about the performance apart from saying, “we’re going to absolutely murder it again,” in reference to her second song, and noted that “illness is not an excuse”.
Ché got a sympathetic VT showing him joshing with Grimmy over last week’s lyrics flub, and getting all emotional as he got his dad on the phone with the latter’s idol (although we were disappointed that they missed an opportunity for Lionel to start the conversation with “Hello, is it me you’re looking for?”)
The staging was golden, featuring an array of female backing singers and dancers also in gold. Comments were as good as could have been hoped for, Rita saying: “You just reminded why I love the song,” which Cheryl also mentioned as well as saying he was “back in the game”. Both praised his vocals. Simon suggested it was his best performance yet, that he “may have booked his place in the final”, and said he “looked like a star… it was great”.
“Louisa is pristine, she just needs to learn how to perform,” was what Lionel said of The Chosen One, and we anticipated the pay off to that in judges’ comments – we weren’t disappointed, as Cheryl and Simon told us she had connected. She was then shown having fun with the West Ham football team (in the process fulfilling a dream for her dad, just like Ché had), in a segment that however seemed slightly rushed, before promising her own “little twist” on ‘The Power of Love’.
Like Lauren, she started at the back of the stage, but lighting was much more focused, and the reverb had been switched on. The glowing red violinists turned more angelic towards the end as Louisa was given angel wings in the backdrop. “Little angel face,” Cheryl called her. “Better than incredible” was how Simon put it, with one shout out to her age and another mention that “you want to win the show, and I like people who want to win”. Grimmy called it “shutdown season”, like the winner had already been decided. Rita referenced seeing who would be “potentially going to win the show”. They all but declared her the winner there and then.
The recap of first songs, after phone lines opened, made clear how much more reverb effect Louisa had been granted than Lauren.
Ché’s second VT had him testifying to how Grimmy had become like family. We saw him being styled like a star, he was namechecked twice as a finalist, and he had a chat on the phone with Mark Ronson (who produced the Amy Winehouse song he was about to sing), which again played up the portrayal of Ché as a serious musician. Styling was simple and classy, with a cosmic backdrop, as he started on a set of stairs but – unlike Lauren in either of her stagings tonight – got to walk down towards the audience midsong.
Grimmy teared up after the performance, and Che came over to give him a hug. Rita called it “gorgeous”, and Cheryl’s voice cracked as she said “Amy would have loved that”. However, Simon rained on the parade, criticising some things that weren’t Ché’s fault – the production and arrangement – before calling it “good, but a bit ordinary”; it felt like a clear attempt to keep a lid on any momentum Che might be gaining through the highly-charged atmosphere. Grimmy was too emotional to speak, other than calling it “spectacular”.
Louisa was up next, in modern styling and staging – an all-white trouser suit channelled the power woman look of Sharon Stone in Basic Instinct, and her abstract backdrop was in clean white, black and red lines and polka-dots. A white-clad choir added support, and the song choice of ‘It’s a Man’s World’ suited Louisa’s powerhouse vocals perfectly; Rita was on her feet for much of the song, and the other judges joined her for the ovation.
In our view it was easily Louisa’s best performance of the series. Simon called it “a masterclass… all I pray is that people don’t think you’re safe, because you have earned your place in the final… I’m proud of you as a performer and I’m proud of you as a person”. Nick referred to “passion and power like never before”. It also had the effect of memory-holing Ché, with no ad break between the performances.
As Plinkiplonk put it in the comments, “just how often have we seen Lauren dressed all in black while Louisa was dressed all white? Why not just give them signs with ‘good’ and ‘evil’ round their necks?”
Lauren got a surprisingly sympathetic second VT, showing her Nan and referencing how she sleeps in the living room of their cramped flat and would like to do well to be able to help them afford somewhere bigger; but the red carpet section (“I’ve achieved more than I ever thought I would”) had hints of “journey over”. Staging again had her marooned high up on a big plinth right at the back of the stage, from where she couldn’t do any of the ‘Running’ she sang about. In a dark-feeling set, she had what looked like a backdrop of heavy rain, giving way to pulses of abstract blues and blacks that resembled the iTunes visualizer.
Cheryl said she was “running out of compliments” and told Lauren to stick with current songs as they suit her. (They had also, of course, landed her in her first singoff last week). Simon compared her to “watching Eastenders”, ostensibly because Eastenders has highs and lows and Lauren’s second song was better than her first, but it’s interesting to wonder what other subliminal connotations might have been intended – that Eastenders is depressing? That Lauren is like an Eastenders character, rather than a popstar? He went on to say watching Eastenders was “exhausting”, before calling it a “great performance”. Nick said “you’re 100% you”, and Rita said she could “sell records” and “I’m very happy to be part of your journey”.
Cheryl introduced Reggie n Bollie in the pimp slot by saying it was time for a “party”. The feelgood VT told about how they had put their music dreams on hold to move to the UK, work hard and raise families, and doubted that they would be able to revive the dream so they’re grateful that they’ve been given the opportunity. Cheryl told them “we need you in the final”. The crowd had been given glowsticks – as had Cowell – and their backdrop featured colourful circles and backing dancers clad similarly; Reggie N Bollie themselves were in the colours of the Union Jack. The confetti started falling mid-performance, and all four judges stood to applaud.
Cowell said: “This is the Reggie N Bollie we love”, and “the final would not be the final without you two in it”. Nick said he was “desperate” to see them at Wembley next week, and both Rita and Cheryl repeated the message that we needed them in the final, before Cheryl pleaded for people to pick up the phone.
Louisa ended the night a shorter-priced odds-on favourite for the win, and Lauren a shorter-priced odds-on favourite for next elimination. The intentions seem clear, and it seems reasonable to expect that the voting public will play ball. Are you expecting anything to interfere with the script? Let us know what you reckon below.
X Factor images ©SYCO/THAMES TV/PA
The pimping of Louisa was as blatant as ever, but to be fair to her, I think she sounded great tonight (the reverb certainly didn’t hurt), whilst Lauren was quite shouty in the first song in particular.
I wonder why they allowed Lauren such a sympathetic 2nd VT? It felt quite reminiscent of Alex Burke / Haenow VTs.
To make her upcoming elimination all the more emotional?
Read all sofabets summations this x factor season and I generally agree with 95% of all thats been written
With week 6 however, I agree 100%
I do hope Lauren will get through but it will be a close call with Che
Louisa will win it and RnB will get through to the final week
The angel wings for Louisa combined with all the vocal effects, were astonishingly manipulative. I did note that the vocal effects/additions were heavily used in Reggie N Bollie’s second song too, as there were certainly more than two people singing that song!
It is a shame for Lauren, as her vocals (given her obvious illness) could have used a little help from production. She was clearly “in the know” that she was primed to leave, as she was VERY careful with her comments, describing her first performance as “not perfect” and not taking Simon’s bait from his digging. Isolating her from the audience in both performances, especially when she’s scared of heights… Not nice.
Finally though, we can commend Louisa for actually delivering decent performances, which up to this point have relied entirely on being propped up by judges’ comments.
I must be the only one who hated both of Louisa’s performances tonight and I’m sticking to it. No subtlety or colour – just belting it out in your face. I thought she was the least appealing of all the contestants tonight and her styling was horrid. The dumpy white suit reminded me distinctly of the week Melanie Masson went out singing “Never Tear Us Apart”. I remain skeptical that they’ll get Louisa across the finish line.
You’re right. That was amateur night as far as Louisa’s runs are concerned. She pales in comparison to Christina Aguilera.
It is like listening to a kid version of the Christina performance.
If they were not pimping Louisa, Simon would be liable to comment that the song is too big for her and that she shouldn’t have chosen it because it invites comparisons to the Christina performance. In this case, the comparison is unfavorable. The styling didn’t help either as it reminds audiences of the much better performance.
Agree completely. I actually preferred Louisa last week – I know she was ill – but her slightly broken voice and vulnerability made for more interesting performances. The standout last night for me was Che covering Amy Winehouse, and I haven’t liked him up to now. It was perfect, beautiful and a genuine “moment”.
I would say the votes this week will be a lot tighter than anyone suspects.
You’re analysis depends on votes being cast purely on singing. They’re not.
Was it really that manipulative for Louisa to have the reverb effect in “The Power Of Love”? Surely it was just a copy of the original, which had the exact same effect.
Either way, her second song was a lot better, and that seemed to be with little modification.
Breaking the rules again by not announcing the format of the elimination before the vote opens. They really do make this up as they go along. Credit to EM (I hope I’ve remembered correctly) for pointing this out last time they broke this rule.
I don’t think they’re breaking any rules, because you vote for who you want to stay in, not who you want to get rid of.
But your vote(s) may be different depending on the way elimination works. Some people vote tactically.
I advise everyone to watch Louisa’s The Power Of Love performance back. The vocals aren’t in sync with Louisa’s actions. I noticed two instances where she moved the microphone away from her mouth and “finished” the note while the vocals were still sounding the same.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iDM1gnzOrxw
It’s around the 2:00 mark.
I’m not an expert about the technical terms for these things but something seems very dodgy and unnatural there.
But props to Louisa in the It’s A Man’s World performance. She was brilliantly and actually did *perform* for once. She commanded the stage for the first time since Billie Jean.
It’s a real shame that Lauren has been stitched up. She was clearly the most consistent act of the night and I just knew Simon was going to criticise her after what I personally thought was a fantastic performance of Take Me Home.
I think a Che vs Lauren bottom two with Lauren leaving is set in stone but the optimist in me hopes it’ll be Che vs Reggie n Bollie with Che exiting.
The vocals on both of Louisa’s performances didn’t quite match what she was doing. Definitely some old school “One Direction” sound production magic coming into play.
That was just the mega-application of reverb and echo effects.
The sound sync thing I’ve seen countless times on live shows
Beyonce, Ed S, Adele…O2, Glastonbury
Anybody anywhere
Just modern production tech stuff
Autotune, Reverb, Sustain etc
When they turn off…then you notice how bad some of them are…Lana del Ray for shure
That is Reverb with Echo on top. It makes vocals rich, wet and spacious.
Thanks everyone for educating me. 😀 I’m not an expert in the technical area with things such as reverb. They’re all alien to me.
I am very, very wary of what’s going to happen this week.
I accept the logic that they would want Louisa and Che in as dependable acts to make it a good show, with R&B as the fun factor. But I’m not that certain.
Taking it in turn:
Louisa – Clearly the chosen one, it’s not even subtle. I wasn’t a fan of either performance – too shouty for me – but accept where the show is leading the audience. My girlfriend really wasn’t a fan though, and I wonder where they’d be if many viable alternatives hadn’t been nuked.
Che – Intrigued. Generally positive with no disaster or stand out. Question is whether dampening is to stop him winning overall or drag him into bottom two. Where is the show with that lyrics mix-up? It was unforgiving of Tamera.
Lauren – V interesting. The second song suggested a younger route for her to take which could avoid her stealing Louisa’s votes by making her Radio 1 rather than Radio 2. (see Lauren Platt). I felt her second song was best performance of the night. Would the show really be damaged by having her in the final playing a younger card?
R&B – Fun factor is undeniable but show normally goes for dependable and good at this stage. They’ve been name checked for the final but I don’t think it’s certain.
I disagree with some of your points Scott.
Firstly, I think Che is certainly not a threat for Louisa. His treatment seemed to be to prevent a sustained bounce.
Secondly, I think the producers would rather have Lauren out this week because (a) she could potentially split the vote with Louisa in the final since they aren’t too dissimilar and (b) having a Rita vs Nick vs Cheryl is more interesting and dignifying for the new judges and Cheryl – who didn’t get an act to the final last year – rather than one of Cheryl and Nick missing out.
Thirdly, I think the only way RnB will miss out on the final is if they are in the sing-off with Louisa which seems very unlikely. If they end up in the bottom two with either Che or Lauren, Simon and Co could easily just say “look it’s your second time in the bottom two, these guys deserve a second chance” or “who would I want to see more in the final? Reggie N Bollie”.
Manipulative, pimping,…whatever you want to call it, Louise is simple at a a different level, and that’s why she is given the favourable comments and production.
Hopefully the public agree…and Chirstmas will be paid for :-))
Excellent article, as always. They’ve all been so spot on this year in terms of identifying intentions – always objective and to the point, and it’s good to have that clarity of things that we don’t all pick up on.
Lauren got off lighter than I thought she would this week, but I can’t lie her first song was a mess. But her vt’s were a lot more sympathetic than anybody else’s were. They’re either confident that the worlds biggest plinth will do the job, or they’re happy to risk her in the final.
Personally, after the blatant pimping of Louisa in round one, and Reggie and Bollie in round two (Altho admittedly Louisa’s second performance was a show stopper despite the tired song choice) it suggests to me that it is still close in the voting. They’ve bookended the show two weeks running with the two most favoured acts. It must have worked with Louisa last week to bump her forward two slots in round two and repeat that method again with Reggie n Bollie this week.
I think Che was the most forgettable this week – Simon admitted it when he reminded everyone how much better his first song was during his comments of the second. Judge waterworks may come in his favour, but he was memory holed by the best performance of the night so I’m unsure as to how effective those tears will be. Simon poured cold water on the affair and Nick was not contributing much, comment wise, either. That said, I can’t see Louisa dropping bottom two and I’m not sure that Lauren will have gathered enough support to be in the top two. It’s not the free money many may have expected in my opinion.
Also a little thing I noticed this week with Lauren – she mentioned always wanting a garden at her tiny little flat. Jade Ellis mentioned that during her time on the show too, it made me smile a bit that they managed to get Lauren to drag it into conversation.
Just caught most of the performances. Not much to add.
Agreed Louisa’s second performance was the best she’s put in during the live shows… finally, some mild goosebumps! She also looked comfortable enough moving to make me think she might be able to do some light choreo with a year of training. Can (finally) actually see her on a pop stage now. Comparing her two performances this week… I think an error this series has been expecting a slightly self-pleased 17 year old to do “deep” effectively just because she’s got a really big voice. Much better to have her do mostly higher energy, lighter stuff.
Interesting you should say that Nissi – I thought the camera angles on It’s A Man’s World were strange, not the classic pimping ones. After a while I realised they shot it like a live performance rather than a talent show one. That gave it a professional feel, gave her more star power.
Speaking of camera angles, I think the strange side shots of Lauren during her first number were one of the biggest ways she was deramped last night. Despite following Lionel’s advice to look down the camera, she was unable to pull this off effectively due to them shooting her from a different, side camera.
Yeah I noticed that too, very weird.
What a borefest of a semi-final that was! I’m not even sure if Reggie n Bollie’s final performance was much good, but I do know that I found it refreshing after a slog of ballads.
Louisa finally did a performance I liked though, with her cover of Xtina’s cover of ‘It’s A Man’s World’.
I agree that it might turn out to be fairly close in the voting. I don’t think there was much to seperate any of the contestants last night, their postivie and negative qualities all sort of cancelled each other out. That said, I think Lauren is still the one most likely to be voted off by the judges if they are doing a sing-off. It feels like more of a “made redundant” than the full on sacking that previous eliminated contestants this year got, but I get the impression they think she is no longer required, which is a shame.
XF bashing seems to have become a national sport, particularly on here. Anyone who thinks last night was a crap show needs to rewind a few years and get a grip. Louisa’s second song last night was absolutely astonishing and possibly the best thing I have ever seen on the show, but half the people on here are still turning their noses up. Incredible.
funny isnt it, maybe they would prefer another Ben Haenow type winner.
Sad really that most cant seem to embrace that for once X factor is going to get a credible winner who is going to last longer than one album before being dropped
Not if that kills the show. And that’s what’s they’re doing. Louisa will get signed anyway. And the show never needed a credible winner to increase its ratings. Since they started the quest for the holy grail it has only gone downhill. I have absolutely nothing against Louisa winning. I think she’s young, cool and talented, but in the process to ENSURE she wins by any means, they have just made everybody else sound shit. Why endure so many crap performances and not be entertained? That’s me as a viewer. Then there will be no more XF, no more betting, no more fun. Sod it!
I get that, but what’s the point? She’s going to be signed now, win or lose.
I guess they think/know that the show needs to produce a credible. succesfull winner at least once in a while (Leona, Alexandra, Little Mix) to preserve some sort of sense that it’s worthwile to enter, to vote,to root.
Unfortunately I think they don’t consider that it’s not a simple All is well if it ends well situation. It will be harder and harder to get talented, good people on the show if they end up loosing more than they gain by taking part in all this charade.
I’m a bit annoyed with all of the X Factor bashing too. We need to be the supporters of the show – after all, we want it to stick around so we can make some more money off it!
That being said, I thought 7 out of the 8 performances last night were of a poor quality. It wasn’t a great show overall. And look, I think it’s clear that some people are never going to allow themselves to enjoy a Louisa performance! People will obsess over a deficit in likability that I’ll be honest, I haven’t noticed myself. Let it go, just let it be.
As for who goes, I can see all the reasons why they might want Che in the final for balance and variety etc. But he had a shocking draw last last night Che -Louisa – Che – Louisa, he is on a come down after an undeserved bounceback, whereas Lauren is possibly in line for a bounceback herself. She also got a fantastic, sympathetic VT showing her sleeping in her lounge. I’d be surprised if Che isn’t bottom this week, in which case against Lauren both Simon and Cheryl would have to save him. I’m not convinced they are that bothered about him to go against the public’s wishes at this stage, I think they have Lauren well under control now and she may even be allowed in the final to show how good Louisa is.
Your reasoning about Ché’s slots in the running order, and sympathy comedown are exactly the reason why I’ve had no interest in taking Lauren’s elimination at such short odds. That being said, I don’t think it would be difficult for judges to eliminate Lauren on majority verdict in the sing-off. Lauren’s biggest supporter Nick would have to vote for her to go. Simon has consistently preferred Ché to Lauren throughout series, so it seems obvious he’d send her home. It would just come down to Cheryl, who I think would have no problem justifying sending Lauren home either.
This potential sing-off reminds me an awful lot of the Lauren Platt vs Andrea sing-off last year, and I expect it to go the same way (but no way would I take 2/5!)
Although they may feel they have Laurens vote under control it is the fact that getting Lauren out this weekend would give a huge vote transfer boost to Louisa and be the icing on the cake to guarantee her the win next week. For that reason alone i think they will send Lauren home. I’m not involved in the elimination market but think the price is fair enough but also thought luke friend would go ahead of rough copy a few years ago and Andrea sent packing last year. So you never know
exactly.
A quick scroll on all sorts of social media shows that the most common combo of favorites is Louisa and Lauren. Vote transfer guaranteed.
Another interesting trend is that Che is really behind in support on social media and YT. (Louisa and RnB on top, followed by Lauren and followed by Che) Facebook likes seemed to be a rather good illustration of B2, right?
If they can get Lauren I am sure they will.
And Luke Friend was one of my favorites and I also see paralells between his and Laurens journey. (both had unexpected ‘moments’, both had surprising saves vs Tamera and 4th Impact at quarterfinal stage)
and yes, I agree that Luke being saved in the semi wasn’t something I could have predicted… but I think the circumstances are different this time.
I don’t think they saved him because they thought it was the right thing to do with the big percentage gap betweem him and RC.
At semi final stage Luke was on an upwards spiral, peaking. His Run performance was out of this world. He had a 10% growth from the previous week.
Lauren shone in weeks 2-3, was ok wks 4-5 and borderline disaster yesterday. Her usually saving grace, her voice, was suffering from illnes and I am sure it will stop her from killing the sing of tonight.
And Nicky McDonald was closeing in on Sam. and the last thing they wanted was Nicky winning. I think Luke seemed like a better obstacle in his way then RC could have ever been .
Meanwile now I don’t think that Lauren (or Che…) are a theat to win, and whilst Reggie n Bollie winning isn’t what they wanted but it wouldn’t be such a disaster either(as Nicky winning would have been), it would add variety to the list of winners for sure.
And Che would add more t the final in the sense that more categories and judges would be represented…
Being ‘fair’ to acts is something that seems to matter less and less ever since 2011. So I truly think Lauren’s only shot would be a miracle top 2 tonight. Otherwise she might as well reserve a cab already.
I didn’t see either of Lauren’s VT’s mention her being in the bottom 2 at all.
Not very sympathetic imo
Can’t really comment. I seem to have watched it but paid no attention wahtsoever. I just felt really pissed all the way through. I remember some of my husband’s comments, like laughing at Louisa’s wings (she’s gonna fly) and saying first thing post show is to get her teeth fixed (the fangs). Also said he can’t deny she can sing but finds her weird.
He didn’t like RnB and didn’t really understand how they we still there. Really bad on first song and the second looked like a Twister board. Lauren and Che didn’t get any interesting mention that I recall. Sorry guys! Fun has really gone for me.
I loved the Twister board theme for Reggie and Bollie. Twister is fun for the family – and that’s exactly what they’re supposed to be.
I think Louisa has always been the most credible winner in terms of someone who deserves a shot at a career in music. Is she anything like as good as the judges have made out? No. Is it completely unfair that she has had such ridiculously helpful treatment whilst others have had indifferent treatment at best and blatantly underhand unhelpful treatment at worst. Yes. Thats what puts me completely off her.
this!
Everyone one of the 4 remaining acts have had help in getting to this stage in the competition
But not equally stoney. Louisa & RnB have had so much more beneficial treatment that it’s laughable.
Yes of course. But that’s no different from any other year. The luck of the draw is being on the right horse. This year was the 1st year I had faith in tptb getting their plan A across the line. But none of the remaining contestants should feel hard done by. None of them have been given the Andrea type mauling from last year or Anton from this year.
Louisa was plan A even before show was aired, even auditions, but she is not remotely as significant a winner as they have hyped her up to be on the show.
The pimpimg has been bad really, at least pimping of Fluer and even RnB this year was more helping an underdog and feel to it. Doesn’t matter who wins if you on it. Been a strange series.
But that’s the whole point of this site existing – to read the producers’ intentions and try to make money out of it.
You can’t grumble about the show using underhand techniques to try and get their desired winner, on a website that focusses on the underhand techniques that they use.
And the nail gets whalloped on the head
Got to be a sing-off. Absolute joke to leave it this late with no explanation.
I don’t think anybody is complaining about not making money this year. Producer intention has been blatantly obvious from the start.
I think the frustration and the negativity surrounding the show mainly comes from what an unpleasant watch it has caused for the seriess once you can see these things.
It’s been said here already plenty of times but every single act has been kneecapped to save the chosen one at the expense of creating a decent series (IMO). Yes, Louisa is a good choice of plan A but when we can spot that the majority of viewers are not given a chance to like anybody else, personal feelings on here are always likely to be negative. we spend a lot of time here discussing the show, and I’ve made a decent amount this series but I’m not going to apologise for liking some contestants more than others.
That’s isn’t Phil’s point Martin – he’s saying why come to a site which exploits X Factor manipulation to complain about X Factor manipulation
Hmm fair point, I ran away with that one a bit. Whatever, if I wasn’t watching with the sofabet glasses on now I probably would have turned off years ago. It all adds to the fun and games for me.
It’s possible to have conflicting feelings simultaneously. You can bet and still have a favourite and be upset when your favourite is nobbled. I don’t think saying words to the effect of “if you don’t like it don’t come to the site” is helpful.
I, for instance, don’t bet to make money (well I do, obv, but that’s not my principal motivation). I bet to give me an interest in the show. As it happens I’m probably going to do quite well this year but I still have a slightly nasty taste left in my mouth by it all.
I think things always get a bit factious on the site as we get to the latter stages of the show because people become invested, financially and emotionally, in different contestants. At this stage, if you don’t like what someone is posting it can sometimes be better to just ignore it.
Feel free to ignore this post. 😀
I don’t think anyone is questioning the validity of the feelings, the the forum used to express them.
This has always been a free forum. Thank you Daniel! I think people are allowed to vent whatever feelings they have.
My point made a few comments back is simple: XF has become unwatchable. If they kill the show by making everybody sound shit there will be nothing to bet on. So it is a concern. People watching, normal viewer not versed in tptb manipulations, will just think the talent pool has run dry and think it’s not worth watching. I don’t want to watch anymore, not because my favourite is not going to win, but because as an entertainment show it is failing to entertain me.
I get that EM. If sofabet becomes that kind of board then I will probably stop posting and become an occasional lurker. Some people would probably be quite happy about that but for me it’s the human interaction that makes the site interesting. People’s feelings also give some good insights into what producers’ intentions are.
There isn’t a “no feelings” rule and as far as I’m concerned that’s a good thing.
I’m not questioning anyone’s right to post what they like, it’s easy enough for me to skip the mush , I was just digging into why it was posted.
EM: you seemed to be saying that this is not the forum to express what you call “mush”.
Lia: I think that’s a really good point. Particularly in the live shows they make a lot of acts sound and look bad in order to manipulate the results and that makes for a bad show. I’ve lost interest. Didn’t watch the semi-final on catch up. Won’t watch next week. Don’t care anymore. If I’m losing interest (and I was a fan of the show) then others will be too.
Funnily enough, last year I backed 3 during the course of the show -Lauren, only the young & Ben, where as this year I have gone all in on Louisa. Last year’s show was more enjoyable but I guess that might have to do with the clash with the rugby & the reduction in number of Tv shows. Is it just me or have the themes for the songs been shit this year too?
The big difference for me is that I won’t sit here and complain about the producers, and their “underhand” tactics – I’ll bet on them! I haven’t done that great on Next Eliminations this series but a Louisa win will be one of my largest single Tv Specials wins, comfortably into £xxxxx and that will make X factor 2015 an enjoyable on in the end!
I don’t think there’s anything contradictory in moaning about the manipulation whilst trying to benefit from it. Yes we are here to have a bit of a punt but that doesn’t mean that we have to agree with the underhand tactics the producers employ. Its supposed to be a TV talent show. It should be much fairer than it is.
The only people who are going to win on Louisa are those that backed her after the first audition episode or those who are prepared to risk losing a fortune. Either tactic is pretty cavalier in my book. Nobody can claim any great skill in reading the producers intentions as it has been blindingly obvious for so long.
If anything the blatent pimping of Louisa has hindered us all as her price has been prohibitive since the start of the series. Maybe if they had been more subtle about it we could have all been on her at a much better price.
For what it’s worth, I completely agree with what you’re saying – the treatment of Louisa has completely put me off her (I’ve always been a fan of the underdog) and I’d like nothing more than for Lauren or Reggie and Bollie to win just to spite them.
I just worry that people are getting too emotionally attached (not necessarily yourself). I genuinely love reading everyone’s comments on here, it’s like having a directors commentary of a show I actually really like (maybe less so this year), but let’s keep in mind the show isn’t fair towards anyone except their chosen ones in the slightest.
Poor Lauren. I’m proud of her being still there without any help from production team / judges. Runnin’ is an amazing song, but covering it as original won’t work.
Che – amazing voice, but poor age old song choices. RnB is just fun, even they don’t know wha they are doing!
Louisa, once again proved she can belt but that’s it. It’s a Man’s world appeared as a tribute act to Christina Aguilera, even the dress is same. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ZltsUE_GhM
Power of Love is a song that needs lot of dynamics and phrasing. Louisa’s attempt was just shouting added with lot of reverb, echo and power (natural & boosted via equaliser)
It is Game Over alright I’d say, be intersting to see the votes next week, a short live show series, plenty double eliminations etc. If Adele does do final will either be on her own or with Louisa. They might be nervous for a male solo in final with new viewers but doubt it. Lauren goes tonight and Louisa has a shallow win without the real stand out moment in the series. RandB have a half decent career. Wonder where will vote transfer from 4I go this weekend. If my niece anything to go by, switch off, she didn’t watch last night, be interesting if watches tonight.
Louisa vocal sounded double tracked last night so there may have been a vocal track low in the mix on the backing track.
Wonder will they do the bus trick again tonight and be intersting if they say how many votes cast.
No word on sing off or not yet, it will only happen if they need like last year.
Louisa’s Balmain X is truly a stunning dress, but can’t help thinking that would bring a bit of controversy and reference to one of the most discussed (dark) subject in music these days.
Quite funny how several people have complained about this series. I have found it much better than recent years to be honest and Anton for sure got the worst treatment if we look overall. Lauren being in the semi is because TPTB wanted her to be there not otherwise. They could have easily dropped her at Judges Houses if they so wished
And they could’ve dropped her last week when she was in the bottom 2. And they needn’t have given her the pimp slot in week 2, or allowed her to have a moment in week 3.
I think the biggest hatchet job in the series was actually Kiera Weathers, and they could have easily have done that to Lauren instead of Kiera if they had wanted to.
Finally catching up now. It’s so blatant isn’t it?! Had to laugh at the WHO WILL MAKE THE FINAL thing at the start, and only three acts were shown. Guess who wasn’t?
On the subject of compaining about the mainpulation – they’ve almost gone too far with with it. It wasn’t obvious to the average viewer that Little Mix were being helped. It certainly wasn’t obvious until the business end of the series that Fleur was getting helped. I can’t comment on 2012/3 as I didn’t get involved.
What’s going on with Louisa though completely eclipses the treatment Fleur got last year, and is still getting this year to be honest. This is right up there with the desperation to get Misha B over the line despite the public continually rejecting her, or Cher Lloyd getting pushed into the final over Tesco Mary by engineering an emergency sing-off.
Couldn’t disagree more. Marcus collins had to sing hey ya by outcast in the final of the littlemix year to ensure he was out of the running on the 1st song. And the treatment nick mcdonald got in comparison to Sam Bailey was on another planet to whats happening this year. Sharon and lois laughing at him when he’s voice cracked. And being given candy to sing in the final was miles harsher than anything that’s happened this year
Right one hour to go would anyone disagree that that shoud there be a sing off the order of favouritism is
1. Louisa
2. Reggie n Bollie
3. Che
4. Lauren
Anyone who disagrees with that has stumbled on this site by accident.
Could very easily be the voting order too, but maybe Lauren will poll better than Ché
Red & Black on Man’s Word? That’s just getting cocky, producers!
There is red and black and Red and Black though. Not all red and black is equal.
This is a very good point to be filed alongside colour vomit isn’t lethal
Similar to the red and black of Reggie N Bollie for “What Makes You Beautiful”, but even less Red and Black than that. I think the rule is that a healthy dose of white negates the Red and Black effect. In Louisa’s performance it was white, white, white all the way, with a small amount of red.
Lauren goes against anybody. The only possible way I can conceive Lauren not going tonight is if a) she somehow manages to be first or second in the vote. I find this highly unlikely but not impossible given that Che’s second round was below par, and Reggie & Bollie probably had their worst two performances this week. That said, they had the mother of all pimping. B) she is in a sing off with Reggie n Bollie. They could get away with saving RnB as its their first b2 and they need fun in the final but I’d be less confident in that scenario than with the other two.
No, Lauren goes against anyone. She only stays if she avoided bottom 2 by some miracle. But if it didn’t happen last week can’t see it happening now.
Oh yes obviously they will give it a good go, but with the other two it’s a no brainer. I’m 10% less certain if she were bottom with Reggie n bollie.
RnB Vs Lauren sing off is my ideal scenario as there might actually be a bit of value backing RnB to be saved. Some people seem to think the judges would have trouble saving them. I don’t.
Rnb would still be huge favourites to stay in that scenario
I reckon there would be enough casual punters who wouldn’t have that knowledge though. Made a killing off Stevi being saved over Jay last year – people still haven’t learned.
The fact that rnb are 2nd in the outrights would make it a no brainer though
Lauren wasn’t good yesteday and probably will be weak in the sing off too because of her voice, because she is ill. So it will be a walk in the park to save the boys against her.
I would love to see a RnB vs Che sing off though. They would still be saved. But I am curious what the justification would be after che slayes them in vocal gymnastics.
I think its fairly easy for che to out sing lauren in a sing off
Sorry to be a bit Graham Norton here but when Simon said “You mugged me” after the second R&B song – was he implying they carried out the burglary?!
That thought did occur to me. I don’t think they’ll need to do this but some of the potential put downs on them in the final could be quite harsh…
good luck everyone!
ETA who fill fall at the last hurdle… ?
*pic of Lauren flashed *:D
WHO… WILL… FALL…
Shot of Lauren.
Fucksake.
They have victim blaming (I hate your dress / song choice / staging / backing dancers) and “acts of God” (via VTs, recaps etc) down to a fine art. It’s as if these things have nothing to do with the show at all and are somehow preordained by forces beyond anyone’s control.
Louisa comes out first in the cheesy group song with a star background.
She gets the opening line, the closing line and the central position. Considering there are three males and two females, you’d have thought Ché would be in the middle.
Lauren’s piece to camera after the recap of her first song…. “I’ve done what I can and that’s it. Semi final now, there’s no going back, I’ve literally got to go… go…. GO”
Still no word on sing off to stay in the competition, if they get result they want it may be least votes.
Cheers Donald; not watching live and was about to ask if that had been confirmed.
If Lauren is not bottom of the vote after everything I read last night then she must have a very loyal core support.
which we know she doesnt, from the way last week panned out….
She was done no favours last week and I think they would have bumped her last week were it not for Celina’s fainting.
Voted five times for her so fingers crossed!
Will say Lauren Platt bounced to third last year after getting pretty well nuked in the Semi so not impossible.
Possible she isn’t in my view. She’s on a bounce vs Ché who is on a comedown.
Jason D definitely going home with that staging :—)
Was LITERALLY just thinking the same thing – red and black, slutty background dancers – it’s as if he doesn’t want to be back for the final…
They’re having a laugh, aren’t they? Sia is now on the Mother Of All Plinths…..
And like Jason Derulo she is an act that Scowell would not have signed in a million years.
If that is the case I will assume Louisa, but more probably Reggie and Bollie are 3rd instead of Che (if Lauren leaves that is)
I dont think they would mind doing some more damage to Che and saving him over Lauren, but if they can they will try to keep 2 acts clean of sing off for the final, to make the endresult just a bit less obvious.
Jason D saying something fresh and different/original is needed gives the perfect line for an RnB save in a sing-off. Not that I am saying he is scripted, but that’s the line that could be taken.
and poor Lauren banged for being strong willed, well, there’s the excuse to send her home. ‘ you should have listened to those who know better’..
mind you I don’t think BOML would have done her any more favours….
Please expand. I’m not watching live.
BETTING ENDS!
Good luck everyone – hope I don’t live to regret turning down a very attractive cash-out on Lauren there.
What site is that, that allows you a Cash Out option on X Factor bets? Thanks in advance.
Betfair Exchange, it’s only if you call something that’s more likely to happen after you place the bet. It works in a similar way to sport betting.
So what is happening now ? Are they counting to see if Lauren is bottom, so they can replace the singoff with another ad break ?
I am pretty sure this is how they handled things when tesco Mary was booted against Cher. It wasn’t until they were actually announcing results that it was clear that there would be a sing-off.
X Factor winner’s single is a charity single again then – so they’re not confident the winner will sell on her – or ‘their’ own merits.
That’s not a new thing – the charity single was scrapped a few years ago in favour of the money from the winner’s single going to the charities instead.
No, it’s a reaction the the Rage Against the Machine thing – “if you try and stop us getting to number one you hate kids”
there won’t be time for a sing off now, will there?
SINGOFF CONFIRMED
Sing off it is
R ‘n B safe, i.e. Lauren is toast.
Save Order:
Reggie and Bollie
Louisa
Bottom two: Che v Lauren
No great surprises there. Spot on, production team.
What a surprise. Bye Lauren.
Come on Betfair, get the market up.
As expected…Louisa and R&B into the final. Bye lauren
Simple, clean, effective.
Lauren third in the vote then. Pity there’s not a market to bet on vote ranking order.
I wonder if anyone give odds on Che being bottom in the votes… the announcements were so ambiguous until the very end, I refuse to believe lauren would not have left straight away if she was last. Which would also mean definitely no deadlock… let’s see, shall we ?
Be careful how they handle this one. Remember Luke v Rough Copy from 2013. It looks like they’ll grab the opportunity to take out Lauren but semi final sing offs especially can be unpredictable at times.
And not entirely certain Lauren is 3rd in the vote, sing off was always on the cards looking at the timings – again caution!
As I was saying!
I’m guessing olly mentioning the vote being close was between lauren and che at the bottom. Goodbye lauren
MARKET UP.
Poor Lauren.
This is Lauren’s worst performance by miles. Tuning wise she’s all over the place. She’s almost giving them an excuse to ditch her… as if they need one.
Interesting they’re giving her gold lighting though.
She knew the score. Bless her.
This is a mess!
Lauren tears, cruel stuff really.
Fluffed her lines as well lol
my heart is breaking.
Blue lighting for Che. Not his best vocal but better than Lauren. They can send her home without it looking unfair.
Lighting has no role in the sing off dude!
I think they used to – the implication being gold was through and blue was out. Then they realised it was a bit obvious so have been mixing it up since. 😀
You misunderstand the whole point of the sing off my friend!
I really hope Reggie & Bollie win this next week. It’s exactly what the show deserves. Could it happen?
Lol you really think they would care? Rnb and louisa will be the top 2 and will both be signed regardless
I feel genuinely bad for Lauren. That song wasn’t a good choice, but I don’t think it matters. She didn’t stand a chance. Pretty awful to see someone sent out there still sobbing. This series really is a hot mess.
She was crying when they sent her out to sing?
Full on bawling.
Well the sing-offs have suddenly left the judges with no choice but to do exactly what they’re about to do. How convenient for them!
I reckon they changed the backing track for Lauren’s song. I remember they did that for Rachel Adedeji too back in the day. She knew where the song was going, but the track didn’t follow her… poor girl.
Rabbit hole dude – sabotaging the sing off makes no sense
Lovely comment from Nick there. Very gracious of him.
Grimshaw looks so uncomfortable. When you dance with the devil Nick, the devil doesn’t change…
The tears make the show look really bullying.
He got paid. Wouldn’t be surprised if a “surprise” bonus was announced yesterday to him and Rita….. That’s the way to get people to follow the script.
Lauren gone. Dead last.
And there we are. A perfect hit by the producers.
So they had got Lauren bottom of the vote then. The Sing Off wasn’t necessarily needed.
I have to geuinely say, hand on heart, I feel like I’ve just won dirty money. Am I just getting soft?
No. You have a heart. It would be much worse if you didn’t care.
I said I wouldn’t bet against her earlier in the week and I’m glad I didn’t.
You could give it to charity mate?
That’s what I’m doing. Sort of. If Louisa wins, I’m not going to buy the single – I’ll give the equivalent plus a portion of my eventual winnings (still got Rita top mentor & a Louisa/R&B straight forecast on) to the charities. Cut out SyCo. Fuck ’em.
Reggie & Bollie MUST win this competition now.
Well that was unpleasant.
I wonder if we’ll get the maestros professional gambling insight on tonight’s result?
Haha! You’ve been waiting for this moment haven’t you?
That was unneccessarily cruel. She knew she was going, but Simon had to rub it in that she was last in the votes. And Cheryl – sending Lauren home because she was crying ? WTF ?
Trying to shift the blame from the judges to the public. It’s the public’s fault that Lauren didn’t make the final, not enough people voted for her.
HERE COME THE BUSES!
Here come the buses!
For the record I don’t find Laurens treatment at all worse than Lauren Platt of last year after week 4. It’s definitely a sofa bet myth this year. Others have been treated far worse in the past and I hope this site can get back to looking at the producers intentions in the way we make money rather than mixing emotion far too much
The question should be now has Louisa got this sealed or how close are RnB to her?
Quite a few takedowns have been far more lethal than this year. The 2011 series was far crueller for some of the acts (Lauren hasn’t even had a tenth of what was chucked at Janet for example). This hasn’t been a horrible series overall; the issue is has the manipulation become too obvious, even if it isn’t at an extreme level.
It’s obvious to 100 or so sofa bet commenter and however many readers but we need to remember the reality that 95% of those who watch the show have no idea about the manipulation. They can sometimes see it but don’t realise to the extent as they are not looking for it
For instance your casual viewer isn’t going to see Lauren standing on a plinth and start crying wolf and how unfair it is for her.
This series actually proved that despite the manipulation TPTB are as on point as ever on their take downs. Literally every single one
I don’t think they wanted Seann out as early as he went. I don’t think they wanted Alien below Keira. I think they would have been happy to have Keira out first show and Max / Monica or even Mason along with Alien in the second show.
It was always intended for a Louisa win though.
it’s the subtle ones that are worst in my opinion. They make the contestant look bad or boring whereas the extreme ones, like Maloney’s laser eyes, make a contestant memorable. Even Anton is memorable for his headbutt and mad eyes. It’s also easier to comeback from those sorts of things since they’re not directly to do with musical ability.
Messing with the sound, dressing them inappropriately, barriering them from the audience, giving them unflattering and unengaging camera angles… All these are just as deadly as cruel comments and ridiculous songs but much less noticeable, so it looks as if the artist is a bad performer.
Death by a thousand cuts is much worse than being run over by a bus.
But at the end of the day why do you care so much? Should be used as a way of making money rather than having some emotional connection. Learnt my lesson with all of that. This year taught us not much new about how TPTB go about their business
I guess because although its a TV show, these aren’t ‘characters’, they’re still people? It can be awkward to watch and thanks to Sofabet, all the more awkward when you the viewer knows what to look out for and what’s coming while the contestant hopes in vain.
If it was a fictional TV show or less of a thing that sells itself as giving people a lifeline to a better life I woiuldn’t be bothered by it at all, but as it is it’s taking people with not great lives, giving them a stage, and then building them up to knock them down, possibly including dragging their personal life and past through the press. Doesn’t make for comfortable viewing when you see behind the curtain.
Precisely.
With Lauren my heart broke a bit more because everyone was raving what a lovely person she is (just as it came across on out screens…) but they still allowed her name to be dragged around rag mags with exagerated, untrue stories (re 4th Impact, re her already having a career in music…) and get bullied all over social media just because it was a slow year and hardly anything from the show was making headlines ….
she is a lovely person, she has a good voice and charisma and managed to sell more songs then the others …. and yet they allowed her to be bullied and be torn down just to get the show into the papers/buzz….
i wont lie, it made me sad. sorry.
Why shouldn’t I care? Why does it bother you that I do? You’re the one who has a problem with me caring. I don’t.
You talk as if you think that the default position should be that we don’t care. My default position is that I do. I love people and I use money. If you want to live the other way around that is up to you but don’t expect me to agree with you.
This one was worse because she came on stage crying her eyes out, singing a song through tears – implication being she knew just how badly she’d been stitched up.
What’s doubly cruel is that whilst I’m aware it happened in 2013, they went to all the effort of a sing-off despite the intended target already polling rock-bottom. It would have been kinder to just say Lauren’s bottom, let her do an epic encore performance, then go and play with the buses.
God I’d love to have a drink with Kitty Brucknell at some point, I bet it’d be a fascinating conversation.
and it was worse because they toyed with her all along, allowing her to be bullied, despite proving herself on the charts and winning people over with her personality…
sorry. i know there is hardly hope for a decent career but God Lauren, I am rooting for you, You’re up there with Ruth Lorenzo and Rebecca Ferguson as my favs that made me passionate. 🙂
For the record I didn’t see people shouldn’t care
My point is this site is great for the fact we share views to try and make money. This isn’t digital spy or whatever other tosh forums there are out there. I enjoy this site for the reason it is very observative and interesting.
Yes we all get emotionally invested but in reality you either choose to watch the show as it is and give u a chance of making money. Or you don’t watch it if it disgusts you thar much and don’t bother betting on it.
The choice is yours
There’s already been a discussion on this. You can see it here.
https://sofabet.com/2015/12/05/x-factor-2015-week-6-game-over/#comment-68492
As I said, it’s the point in the series when people start to get upset and fractious with one another. In fact it usually happens before this – perhaps it’s a bit delayed because it’s a short season.
I think if you change the site to one where people can’t say what they want about the show then a lot of posters will turn to lurkers and that will benefit no-one.
I choose to watch the show, bet on it and be disgusted by it.
I don’t understand why that bothers you so much.
@dean … yep. fair point, i guess some of us got a bit too emotionally attached and put it on display this year .
I think the only time Ive seen this amount fangirl/fanboy behaviour on sofabet was when good ship Marcus C was smooth sailing on dark X factor waters. Don’t know what happened to us this time round 😀
People get stressed out every year. Last year there were arguments about stupid things too.
A week after the final it will all be forgotten.
Vote Che!
Seems like she knows she’s on her way home. Apt lyrics in the song though…
“This is my fight song
Take back my life song
Prove I’m alright song
My power’s turned on
Starting right now, I’ll be strong
I’ll play my fight song
And I don’t really care if no body else believes in me
‘Cause I’ve still got a lot of life left in me”
I thought it was particularly callous that Cheryl said one of the reasons she would send Lauren home was that Lauren was so emotional at this point and she worried about her going forward. That is positively mean and evil!
Hardly. It was a rational point; unless someone said something horrible backstage they didn’t ask her to come on stage in a wreck. Indeed it’s probably the last thing the show needed.
Is it rational for a judge who is known for her caring side to use a contestant’s tears against her, as evidence that she shouldn’t go forward? Usually those tears would evoke Cheryl’s kind side, not induce her to stick the knife in. Lauren had every reason to be very upset. She had been ill and had not done justice to her songs this weekend, and I suspect knew very well she was on the way out. We had seen all along that she has a tender heart – look how involved and upset she was at some of the earlier eliminations. So she was very likely to be distressed at this point. Then add the fact that she was told, by her mentor, “we don’t make excuses because of illness” while being able to remember the sainted Louisa being given every excuse for being ill just one week previously – that would have seemed very unfair.
To go out of something you love and have that sense of unfairness would upset even someone with the hardest heart. I am not surprised she was crying so much and it didn’t need an unkind word backstage to start it. So let’s be rational: if Lauren had thought she had a chance of going to the final, after her performances and the critique this week, there would have been no tears and she would have later performed happily in the final with no problem. Her tears were her reaction to an upsetting situation. So what on earth was Cheryl thinking?
I am no Lauren fan, though I think she has a great voice. I just feel this was very harsh and painful to watch.
I thought for half a second maybe Simon was actually “thinking” as he said he was and decided that saving a sobbing Lauren through to the final would be some good drama.
Uhh, no, of course not. He’ll get the final 3 he anointed weeks ago thanks.
the show is fixing it for che. His bus was the only one seen !!!
Haha, but there’s that, and then there’s this.
https://sofabet.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/bus-02.png
Now that is what is called a “shit eating grin”.
Or as Chandler from Friends might put it, “Could your smile be any faker?”
Che’s bus is front and centre. They’ve learned their lesson from last year.
Let us remember 2010 when ratings were high and the semi-final sing-off was very controversial. Ahhh, good times
*che’s unfinished bus. Hilarious really.
I really felt for lauren, she knew exactly what was going on and the whole thing was uncomfortable. The only saving grace was Nick being as nice as nice as he was.
What did he say?
And how is Che’s bus unfinished?
He explained that he had to send her home because he was Che’s mentor, however he personally invited her onto his Radio 1 show when she eventually releases a single. I hope he continues to champion her there.
Getting her onto the Radio 1 playlist would be worth more than anything Cowell could do for her.
that sounds good, but I wonder if it has any more substance to it than when the mentors say ‘yes we will keep on touch forever and ever’ and then block then on twitter/unfriend them the next morning 😀
I can safely say we won’t be hearing lauren murray on radio one any time soon. Unless she phones in for a competition.
Yeah I cant see anyone signing her. She needed to win to have any chance of having a decent career.
You don’t need to be signed to release a single. I think Lauren has plenty of possibilities and having an pathway to radio 1 airplay will make her a desirable prospect for a lot of producers, writers etc.
I’ve got studio quality music software, mic and keyboard in my living room which I never use. There are loads of people doing stuff and some of it is excellent.
Alan, you are talking out of your hat. The winner will be stuck with Syco songs and a Syco dictated path. If at any point she wants to deviate or do anything different she will be cut adrift. Ask Leona. Or ask Jess Glynne, who entered X Factor and didn’t win.
Jessica wrong AGAIN.
You do need to be signed to have a career. Unless she can find her own promotion/video/recording/marketting etc etc
Which obviously she can’t. You name me one successful artist who has forged a career without being signed?
your enthusiasm and positivity is lovely, jessica but sadly the industry (…as it is an industry…) isn’t working like that. we can’t be that naive.
Linda Chorney. Grammy nomination. Unsigned. Nobody’s puppet. You’ll have never heard of her. She won’t care.
https://www.reverbnation.com/lindachorney
I’m really surprised at you Stoney. You’ve become a vindictive, triumphalist piece of work. I thought better of you. I even used to like you.
Now now, there’s no need for name calling is there?
Still ill give you that one, i understand your grieving and all that.
I think you just proved my point. Again. It’s actually quite funny (odd) to see a grown man be spiteful, but then I suppose it takes attention away from your previous post about naming an unsigned act who made a success of her career.
*shrugs*
Please be sure to use the next week to carry on reminding us what happened to Fleur last year. Enjoy it while you can 😉
Holy Christ he’s playing with himself.
Stoney lost money last year on Fleur and he was confident of the win. He accepted it and moved on.
Not sure if you had money on Lauren or not Jess, but at the end of the day this forum as it says below the Sofabet is for TV betting analysis. While I accept the emotional connection you need to stop defending Lauren like she was your sister and getting into heated debates/arguments over it. At least now Lauren is out this site can hopefully move on just a little bit over the next week.
Dean, I have deliberately avoided posting much about Lauren recently. Many other posters clearly like her too. I know what happened to Stoney last year. I was expecting a Fleur win too. i just didn’t scream it all over the forum.
I’ve seen him calling Lauren a racist this year so he’s hardly exempt from being a fan boy. if you think he’s some sort of hard done by victim here then that’s your choice. I don’t agree. I posted a response to Alan. Stoney jumped in and started willy waving. Maybe it’s him you need to talk to.
They were only finishing putting Che’s name on the bus as they went out because they went out to them straight after the sing-off results were announced.
Nick said that he was looking forward to Lauren making a record and invited her to come on to his radio show to promote it.
Why were they still sticking his name on when an enourmous picture was already there?!
They were showing us that the singoff result wasn’t a foregone conclusion. They must have put Louisa’s and R&B’s names on really quickly after the vote was announced.
Yeah it was almost as if Nick knew the outcome before the other 3 judges gave their votes……
Yeah must have just been a coincidence though lol
Rita signing with louisa in the final. Which means rnb will get cheryl and che will get nick lol.
With Louisa getting rita I can’t see them risking che with adelle
They’d never do it you Stoney, would they? Risk Che with Adele.
Lol i don’t think it would make much difference too be honest but it would be a needless risk at this stage.
If Adele was to do it could be a game changer, would be surprised if it does at this stage. They have got Plan A to final.
Could be worse:he could get Simon!