Pop Buzz UK

Unfortunately the bang wasn’t from a gun as Simon Cowell got shot by yet another disgruntled auditioning contestant. But it was a great first show to kick off the new series of The X Factor with.

As is the tried and tested format with these talent shows, the first few weeks are the funniest and often best, as we get to see a mixture of the best and worst of the first round of auditions. And this first show followed the plot completely.

First there was a new presenter in Dermot O’Leary to get used to, and he did a good job. It must be weird for him doing something on TV other than Big Brother, as he’s been the main man on ‘Big Brother’s Little Brother’ from the start. Although I would still prefer Ant & Dec to be the main presenters like they were for the original Pop Idol shows, Dermot is a step up from the awful Kate Thornton, who was inextricably given the role last year.

There were also new judges to contend with, as out went Louis Walsh for some reason, and in came Australian pop tartlet Danni Minogue and American Brian Friedman (no I’ve never heard of him either, what does he do?). But after the first week of auditions there were rumblings of dissent, both from Brian who just doesn’t get the UK, and Sharon Osbourne who is missing sparring partner Walsh.

So Simon dumps Brian, and brings back Louis. I get the feeling this was pre-planned, though I have no evidence to back it up. It just seemed a bit of a strange decision, and swapping judges did help with the publicity for the new series. Yes, I’m a big cynic.

The contestants were the usual mix of brilliantly talented, and waiting to be discovered, to the god awful, please never sing or make those monkey noises again. Highlights included the first 14 year old ever to enter the show, as this year the age restriction was lowered. The old lady who walked in and sung (badly) wearing a scarf as she needed dental treatment. The ginger Vicki Pollard wannabe Zoe who murdered ‘Beautiful’ by Christina Aguilera and then threw a tantrum when she got turned away.

I love this part of the series for a good laugh, and will keep watching once it becomes serious as it then becomes about keeping your favourite in. Last year Leona Lewis won, and is due to release her debut album and new single next month.

X Factor, Simon Cowell, Louis Walsh, Danni Minogue, Brian Friedman, Sharon Osbourne, Leona Lewis, Christina Aguilera, Dermot O Leary, Kate Thornton, Ant And Dec, Big Brother, Pop Idol