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The X Factor returned to our screens last night with that dramatic voice-over at the beginning promising that this series would be the biggest so far.
It's difficult to argue with that after watching the scenes of hysteria as thousands of people queued outside venues up and down the country to face the judges.
This year we were promised big changes to the show - and no, that wasn't just a reference to the news that Dannii and Louis have apparently buried the hatchet. The changes are actually to the format and the biggest change is the presence of an audience at the audition stages.
Yes, gone was that familiar audition room we know and love and in its place is a spotlight on the stage at an arena in front of a crowd of thousands. Rather them than us!
So, how do we feel about the changes? Well, to be honest it's all just a bit too Britain's Got Talent. With Dermot waiting in the wings like Ant and Dec and the crowd chanting 'off, off, off', the only thing missing was the judges' buzzers. And maybe it was just us, but we could swear that Simon tried to reach for his at one point.
The other big change is that the singers now perform along to a pre-recorded backing track instead of singing unaccompanied, which we felt was much more affective. Singing to the backing track also makes some of the performances go on for what feels like an eternity. Which is especially annoying when it's a terrible one.
But those grumbles aside, we are still very much hooked on The X Factor and have high hopes for this series. Let's be honest about it, not even the soaps can do drama quite like The X Factor does. And with acts like Stacey and Danyl already hitting the headlines (even before the show was broadcast) we have a feeling we are in for yet another rollercoaster ride over the coming months.
Oh, and for the record, we think that Dannii is winning in the style stakes so far.
We want to hear what you think about the changes to the show? Also, what did you make of the first set of auditions? Let us know...
- More TV: What's on later? | The X Factor | Big Brother
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I must be honest - I didn't like the new format very much. To have a live audience for the televised auditions surely takes away from 'getting through to the final in front of a live audience'. I agree that it was too much like Britain's Got Talent - bring back the old format !!
Posted by: gstranex on Sun Aug 23 11:37AM | Report abuseThe X factor was a bit crap last night. And the twins can obviously not sing, but the last guy was amazing :D
Posted by: skittles1999 on Sun Aug 23 11:47AM | Report abuseAnother useless reality sickening show, give us a break. Oh! by the way, what happened to last year's winner?
Posted by: azizaktouf on Sun Aug 23 11:51AM | Report abusemore trash
Posted by: mrgazaa on Sun Aug 23 11:52AM | Report abuseHow could they allow to show all this crap? And this is being funded by public funds. I do admit that some of them have got talent, but do we need to see the filtering or the audition? Or, is it something requested by the "General" Public for a laugh?
Posted by: stevegenesis69 on Sun Aug 23 11:52AM | Report abuseWay to much like Britains got talent.
Posted by: thedutchess on Sun Aug 23 11:54AM | Report abusei agree didnt like it at all, seems to take the point out of the whole thing
Posted by: eleanorangell2005 on Sun Aug 23 11:55AM | Report abusethe sooner this rubbish and the rest of the reality shows are gone the better . it should be renamed DESPERATE TV
Posted by: michaelyoungman on Sun Aug 23 11:55AM | Report abuseTo be honest the new format was not good at all. We hardly saw any of the singing and the judges can easily be influenced by the audiences reaction. Bring back the old format.
Posted by: mandaliak on Sun Aug 23 11:55AM | Report abusea lot like britains got talent, i thought simon reached for his buzzer at one point, still good though, see how it turns out.
Posted by: sistickland on Sun Aug 23 11:55AM | Report abuse