Archive for September, 2011
The X Factor: Jazzlyn Little ‘I’m Going Down’
Sep 30th
There were quite a few surprises on last night’s X Factor… host Steve Jones actually started to show a little personality, Paula Abdul continued to impress (she’s much more on her game here than on American Idol) and then there’s Jazzlyn, another of those auditionees who shuffle onto stage with muted personalities and then open their mouths and ‘wow’…
Jazzlyn is 16 years old… yep 16… and is absolutely terrified (which is perfectly natural and very charming). Check out her trembling hands pre-audition and her mumbled interview answers… plus Simon is pretty mean to her!
But then the music kicks in, Jazzlyn starts to sing and suddenly you can see the star power!
I loved Jazzlyn’s performance – but she absolutely has to get those nerves in check and build up some more confidence. But then that’s what The X Factor is for – taking raw talents and transforming them into ‘world stars’ as Simon says…
So what do you think? Can you see Jazzlyn making it to the live shows – or will she get eaten up by the competition?
The X Factor: Tora Woloshin ‘I Want You Back’
Sep 30th
Wow – do I like this girl a LOT!
The X Factor audition episodes are now over – nice and brief, thank you Simon – and we’ve certainly seen some pretty interesting talents over the last couple of weeks.
But it seems like Fox were saving the best for last…
Check out Tora Woloshin. She looks a bit like Lady Gaga, has her own sense of style, a lovely, sweet personality (unlike that obnoxious child rapper earlier in the episode) and plus she can sing! But most of all Tora has that mysterious ‘X factor’ that ultimately this show is meant to be all about. She absolutely tears up the stage and is the complete package… you can just see the potential in this girl.
Tora is exactly the kind of artist I love to see on shows like The X Factor and Idol – quirky, interesting and ambitious. Even the fact that she would love to own her own auto shop and build race cars is different!
I’m really hoping we get to see a lot more of Tora in the coming weeks… but what do you think? Are you a fan? (more…)
The X Factor: Simon Loses His Cool!
Sep 29th
Here’s the other most talked about moment from last night’s X Factor – as Simon, Paula and Nicole all find themselves at loggerheads over a contestant…
The back story to the scene is that Nicole and Paula ‘supposedly’ have an issue with pretty, skimpily dressed contestants as a previous montage went to great pains to point out.
So when ‘lippy’ Tiah turns up the female X Factor judges aren’t happy! And when her vocals come in a little under par Nicole and Paula are only to quick to point out Tiah’s flaws…
Personally I thought Tiah was okay, but nothing special. But Simon seems to have a major thing for the girl – and when the ladies don’t want to vote his way… well you’ll see what happens!
Great drama for The X Factor… but do you agree with the final decision?
The X Factor: Josh Krajcik ‘At Last’
Sep 29th
Another great episode of The X Factor last night, which for me is already ten times more entertaining than last season’s tedious American Idol. Let’s just hope the ratings start to reflect how good the new Simon Cowell show is. Come on America – 20 million of you watched Steven Tyler stumble through 4 months of meek comments and tiresome ‘wackiness’ earlier in the year. How about a bit of love for the Factor?
Okay host Steve Jones is still not getting any better and I could have done without a few of the joke acts (especially the mother and daughter group who clearly were not quite all there) but last night’s show also gave us a few terrific acts to root for – including Josh Krajcik, who for me was one of the most wow moments of the night.
I mean seriously when greasy, disheveled Josh turned up with his kinda crazy mother (in a good way) – did anyone expect him to actually be any good?
Josh looked like he’d come off an all night bender and had had two hours of sleep and when he chose to sing the Etta James’ classic At Last, Simon’s face said exactly what we were all More >
Why I’m Saying Goodbye To Glee!
Sep 28th
Sorry Glee – we’re breaking up!
Yep, after 2 full seasons, The Glee Project and a whole load of downloads I’ve finally decided that Glee has gone from must see TV to totally un-essential viewing.
As regular Remote Patrolled viewers will know I’ve been up and down on the quality of Glee for quite some time. Season 2 was erratic at best, but also featured some terrific moments in amongst all the gratuitous guest stars, Sue Sylvester silliness and inconsistent storytelling. But now, just 2 episodes into Season 3 I’ve realized the magic has gone…
Last night’s episode ‘I Am Unicorn’ was the tipping point. It wasn’t that the episode as a whole was terrible. But it was boring. Really, really boring. And for a series to be in such bad shape a couple of episodes in is not exactly an encouraging sign.
Terra Nova: Big, Bold And Utterly Bland!
Sep 27th
Anyone else check out the premiere of Terra Nova last night?
Fox’s much hyped and VERY expensive dinosaur drama launched with a whole heap of expectations after a yearlong wait for the show to come to our screens. But will the show become a long running hit for the network.
Based on last night’s launch show, personally I don’t think so. I think Terra Nova will open huge – I’m expecting some mighty big ratings in today. But going forward I think the show is going to drop significantly each and every week. Think of V, the ABC sci-fi reboot that launched big (14 million) and then dropped like a stone. Both V and Terra Nova share one thing in common. Their premieres weren’t very good.
It wasn’t that Terra Nova was awful – it sort of a chugged along in a mindlessly entertaining kind of way. But after a great opening set in the 22nd century, the whole show just sort of fell apart for me.
The key problem is that Terra Nova seems to be aiming for a generic family audience and is painfully under-written. Turns out $15 million will buy you a whole heap of CGI – but it won’t cover a More >
2011 Fall TV Preview: Suburgatory
Sep 26th
When Does It Start: Wednesday 28th September at 8.30pm EST on ABC
In A Nutshell: Snarky city girl moves to the suburbs – and hates her new life!
What’s It About: Single dad George (Jeremy Sisto) is trying hard to raise his 16-year-old daughter Tessa in Manhattan. But after discovering a box of condoms in Tessa’s bedroom, George decides a life change is in order, and moves the twosome to the suburbs.
There the pair must deal with amorous neighbors (hello Cheryl Hines), annoying jocks, stuck up beauty queens, spray tans and nose jobs. Welcome to Suburgatory…
Ratings Roundup: 24th September 2011
Sep 24th
Winners and Losers From The Last 7 Days
It’s been a BIG week in the TV world as the Fall season kicks into high gear.
Here’s who came out on top… and who’s already in trouble!
WINNERS
VETERAN COMEDIES: Despite all the new shows popping up on screens this week it was three veteran comedies that really brought the ratings magic!
I think we all knew the arrival of Ashton Kutcher on Two And A Half Men would reap big rewards for CBS – and sure enough the first Charlie Sheen-less episode scored ratings highs for the long running comedy. Monday night’s season 9 premiere scored a colossal 28.74 million viewers and a 10.7 18-49 share. Those are figures rarely seen in scripted TV these days – in fact it’s the highest scripted rating in 6 years, since the Season 2 premiere of Desperate Housewives. Wow!
The X Factor: Xander Alexander
Sep 23rd
Here’s the other contestant that’s going to get everyone talking from last night’s second installment of the X Factor!
Check out Xander Alexander, a nasty old queen who takes to the X Factor stage dripping with bad attitude and rudeness (and that’s after his viper tongued pre-interview)
I saw a few clips of Xander a couple of weeks ago and thought he was putting it on for the cameras. But after watching last night’s show he’s definitely the real deal. I’ve met and worked with a few gay men like Xander in the past and they’re truly exhausting to be around!
The irony is that Xander does actually have a fairly decent voice. But his skanky attitude totally blew his chances. A shame – can you imagine how Alexander would have behaved at boot camp, or on the live shows… he could have been very entertaining!
Elsewhere on last night’s show: Steve Jones is officially the worst host on TV – stiff, awkward and completely boring; Paula Abdul is on great form this season – on the ball with her judgments but also just loopy enough to be entertaining (she also earned points for her compassionate embrace of rejected contestant Caitlin Koch); and I’m also More >
The X Factor: Melanie Amaro ‘Listen’
Sep 23rd
Anyone who doubted the quality of talent on this year’s X Factor – take a listen to this girl!
Melanie Amaro is an 18 year old college student who gave quite simply the best audition to date on the fledgling Fox reality show.
Seriously – how amazing are these vocals? Melanie hits all the notes of a tricky song – after all how do you follow up a pro like Beyonce – with stunning control and pitch. And best of all she’s utterly humble in her pre-interview chat with the judges.
Melanie actually reminds me of Leona Lewis, the similarly talented singer who ended up winning the third season of The X Factor back in the UK and then achieved global (though short lived) success.
I have a feeling this clip will go viral – hopefully giving The X Factor USA the ratings boost it needs after some disappointing premiere numbers (for my verdict on the opening show read my review here)
Enjoy! (more…)
