‘The X Factor’ USA season 2 review (part 3): What will change post-Tate Stevens
In the first two parts of our expansive review of “The X Factor” USA season 2, we did our best to try and list out some of the issues currently plaguing the show when it comes to the judging panel, the host, the producers, and of course the part that really matters the most, the contestants.
But what can really change for season 3 airing in 2013? This is really a critical question here, since we honestly believe that this will be the show’s last year if the downward trend continues. There need to be some serious changes made, and we hope that Simon Cowell learns from his mistakes and realizes that it is not casting a big-name star that matters most for the show, but casting people who will get viewers to stick around. In closing out our review on this fine Christmas Eve, perhaps you can think of this as a wish list for the show so that it brings a far greater product to TV moving forward. Of course, these are things that you can control, as there is no guarantee another Tate Stevens, Rachel Crow, or Emblem3 walks through the doors.
1. Revamp the judges panel (again) – L.A. Reid is already leaving, and Britney Spears (who is far too expensive and far too terrible a judge) should go with him, even if she makes funny faces. We concede that Simon will probably stay, and Demi Lovato should, as well, given the great chemistry that is already there. Our personal suggestion is that he either goes for someone country here (Brad Paisley, anyone?) or a hip-hop artist (will.i.am was great on “The Voice” UK, and Diddy would be, too) who has experience collaborating with young artists to replace Reid. As for Britney, we understand that the show wants the female star power for the red carpet; you’re not going to get Katy Perry or Rihanna, but a Gwen Stefani or an Alicia Keys could be a possibility.
2. Hire Jim Cantiello as host – He’s brilliant on the “X Factor” pre-shows, and he genuinely cares more than just as some hired mercenary who is there just to plaster a name on screen. Simon had the idea right when he hired Steve Jones for season 1; he just picked the wrong guy. Cantiello also comes cheaper than either of the current hosts, which makes the show easier to retain.
3. Raise the age limit to 14 – As great as Carly Rose Sonenclar was, we’d rather wait on her for two years than watch a 12 or a 13-year old girl have a nervous breakdown over being eliminated (see Rachel Crow, Beatrice Miller).
4. Give more artistic freedom – Make this more of a genuine collaboration. What makes “American Idol” superior is that the contestants at least have some say in the songs they are doing. Opening up the song catalogue to pieces beyond just “Hallelujah” and the Whitney Houston songbook will help that.
5. Show progression – This is a big one. What make s”American Idol” great is that you start on a small stage and slowly build up to the enormous performances of the finale. “X Factor” contestants are basically told that they must be pop stars overnight. It’s too intimating in between the lights and the sound, and it is almost intimidating to watch, as well.
6. Just have fun – It’s simple, but it’s true. Everything seems too planned out, and everyone is so on edge versus the friendly, relaxed vibe of “The Voice.”
What do you want to see change for the show next season? Be sure to share some of your thoughts below! As said earlier, be sure to also check out part 1 and part 2 of our season in review.
Photo: Fox
george
January 5, 2013 @ 8:46 pm
One of the biggest problems with xfactor is their viewing and voting procedure. The televise on the weekdays, where some people are unable to view due to second and third shift jobs. Lots of teens are unable to view, being a schoolnight. Then then they allot two hours to vote, unlimited votes per pn, 50 votes per ip add.. this voting system is a joke and in no way, can reflect on the size of anyones fan base. They should make, all performances immediately available on the internet. increase the amount of time allowed to vote, to lets say 12 hours. but lower the number of votes allowed per PN and IP ADD. to a reasonable amt, like 5 per.. this would allow the fans unable to view, the chance to recap via internet, and vote.. The could also make all performances immediately available on itunes, and count the itune purchases as votes.. The discription of a judge is an unbiased individual, who can act without prejudice. Having the judges as mentors is just plain wronge.. It should be 4 judges, with 4 seperate mentors.. They should also figure a way to make the voting worldwide. XFACTOR is losing more and moreviewers every year. The obvious winners are being placed in 2nd, due to a flawed voting system.. AND YES I AM ONE OF THE VIEWERS, WHO WILL NOT WATCH THE PROGRAM NEXT YEAR….
Danny
January 1, 2013 @ 5:14 am
The main problem with both US and UK shows is the judges which Cowell is selecting. Back in the year 2010, UK Judges, Louis, Dannii, Cheryl and Cowell were on the British Panel, and millions of viewers were tuning in, but now, since they have been replaced by the new UK judges, the show is loosing votes as the new judges are not a patch on the old ones. Even when Sharon Osbourne was on the show back in 2008 was good, as they worked well together. Judges on the US show are not much better, I personally wanted to see 2 British judges (Preferably Cowell and Cole) along side 2 American judges (Preferably Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson, judges who have stared on “American Idol”) Cowell has worked with all these judges in the past, and it has all went well, so I think a panel like that for the US show would be better. Also, the current US presenters are awful, and deserve to be replaced. Olly Murs, the British Extra Factor Presenter would be ideal as he does brilliant at his current role in the UK version. These are the 2 main problems that the shows have, along with hundreds of minor problems. If both the shows can get a panel sorted for the next season, featuring judges with past experience working together, this will attract viewers from all across both nations.
Frank
December 25, 2012 @ 11:30 am
I don’t like XFactor’s format in terms of staging songs. I believe it has a lot to do with trying to save money. I mean unless you were Fifth Harmony, one of Simon’s 2 groups, you got very “Spartan” sets as background until the finale. I don’t think this article used the right show to compare needed improvements. It should have used “The Voice”. Now that is a show. All their judges can sing and they do with the contestants a lot. Also they do a lot of duets between the contestants. They have great guest stars. They have elaborate sets. In other words they “want” to stay Number 1 and they will.
Simon turning against Carly the last 2 weeks to keep from having to pay her a fortune at the end was a tactless ploy and a damn shame to see. I won’t ever watch his shows again, regardless of what changes he makes because of this low-handed display of selfishness and cruelty and I would bet good money that the millions of Carly Rose supporters won’t watch XFactor again for the same reason and so his show will be cancelled after next season. That is a given, right Carly Rose fans?
David
December 24, 2012 @ 4:31 pm
Pretty much agree with every claim. I was really liking this season of the x factor until the live show started. They honestly had a lot of talented people. The format of how the show works ruined them for not letting them be themselves. That’s why I enjoy AI more. Contestants show progression as the show advances. They get mentored too but to songs that they want. In other words is up to them if they do good or bad since the song choice and arrangement is what they wanted not like in the x factor where acts don’t have a lot of say on what they do on stage.
Spurfect one
December 24, 2012 @ 1:39 pm
The only good thing to come out of this years x factor was Carly Rose Sonenclar. The world now knows of this child progidy and what a treat she was to watch even though she got treated rather shabby in the end, which i thought was a disgrace. I agree the whole actual show needs a new format. They should go back to what they were doing in the uk some time ago were the auditionees auditioned in a room with the judges and no one else. I also think Demi lovato was out of her depth when it come to mentoring and judging, infact one of the worst i have seen, she is a ok singer but thats about it. I think the whole concept of a act being judged when the producers choose your songs, stage production and make over is not moral or does it do anything constructive for the acts. There is also too many sob stories and side plots which is reminiscent of a soap opera.
Carly Rose sonenclar has had over 80 million youtube hits and amassed over 600000 fans on twitter, imo she was the real winner of the show because she becae the most well known worldwide, were as tate will realistically only have moderate success in america.
Moses Solomon
December 24, 2012 @ 12:08 pm
The basic problem is that X Factor UK was a needed follow-up to Pop Idol, but in the US, American Idol is still going strong, so there’s no void for X Factor USA to fill. Except for the many well-documented missteps (starting with the sacking of Cheryl Cole after the first two episodes), the show has no distinct talent-related identity, unlike The Voice, which has acquired the reputation as the place that singers with serious career goals want to go to. Carly Rose Sonenclar was the best shot at someone exhibiting an actual “X Factor” (because of her age), but she was ultimately overshadowed by yet another misstep (the Leann Rimes fallout). The show needs to focus on the basics of acquiring superior talent and running a TV talent competition without all the glitches.
howard
December 24, 2012 @ 9:48 am
britney,needs to let her hair down,she does not seam real ,like a model with no personality