I suppose we should explain x factor for those that don't have it - basically this is the 'american idol' of the UK. its huge here. But instead of the judges not having any favourites - each judge has 3 acts - who they mould and groom to win the competition.
According to wikipedia, The X Factor is the biggest television talent competition in Europe, with 200,000 auditioning for series 4. The prize is a £1,000,000 (sterling) recording contract (in addition to the publicity that appearance in the later stages of the show itself generates, not only for the winner but also for other highly ranked contestants). The show has proved hugely popular with audiences, with the series 3 final attracting eight million votes and 12.6 million viewers.
The X Factor was devised as a replacement for the massively successful Pop Idol, which was put on indefinite hiatus after its second series, largely because Simon Cowell wished to launch a show that he owned the television rights to..... The X factor. Versions of The X Factor have also appeared in a number of other countries.
he show is primarily concerned with identifying singing talent, though appearance, personality, stage presence and dance routines are also an important element of many performances. Some acts also accompany themselves on guitar or piano, though almost always over a backing track. The single most important attribute that the judges are seeking, however, is the ability to appeal to a mass market of pop fans.
For series 1–3 the competition was split into three categories: vocal groups (including duos), solo singers aged 16–24, and solo singers aged 25 and over. In series 4, the age limit was lowered from 16 to 14, creating a 14–24 age group. This was split into separate male and female sections,[4] making four categories in all: 14–24 males ("boys"), 14–24 females ("girls"), 25-and-overs, and groups.
This year Simon has the groups, Danni Minogue (Kylie's sister) has the boys, Sharon Osbourne has the girls, and Louis Walsh (a big music name in the UK - he has managed a spawn of very successful bands) has the over 25s.
There are four stages to The X Factor competition:
* Stage 1: Auditions
* Stage 2: Boot camp
* Stage 3: Visits to judges' houses
* Stage 4: Live shows (finals)
