The James Kilgour Blog

Britney’s performance on the X Factor last Saturday has been heavily criticized in the press. To some extent I agree; the performance wasn’t as good as it could have been. It was disappointing that she didn’t sing live, and she was thinking a lot when she was dancing, which disrupted it’s “natural flow”. However, I think she should be given a break. She’s had a tough year, and it’s great to see that she’s coming over the hill from that. Her confidence will surely grow again, and we’ll see her back on top soon.

When she performed Womanizer on Star Academy in France, her performance was better I thought. See it below:

UPDATE: This video has now be removed because of TF1. See the X Factor video instead.

JK

Same Difference, from last year’s X Factor performed on yesterday’s result show. They followed in the footsteps of Mariah Carey, Leona Lewis, Take That and Celine Deon. All those artists sang live, and they haven’t even been competitors on the show. Then it was Same Difference’s turn. And they mimed. It was terrible miming too, and if that wasn’t enough, you could hear that there voices had been enhanced, because the song had almost quite an ‘electronic’ ring to it. Then, at the end when they spoke the sound became completely muffled. Wow. Watch it for yourself below:

It’s despicable for them to Mime on the X Factor. Being contestants who sang last year, they should have done the same yesterday. Big difference.

JK

I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here is set to start at 9pm this Sunday on ITV1! It will be the eighth  series of the show, which has provided some of the funniest moments of TV ever!

This years Celebrities are set to include: Brian Paddick, Carly Zucker, Dani Behr, Esther Rantzen, George Takei, Joe Swash, Martina Navratilova, Nicola McLean, Robert Kilroy-Silk and Simon Webbe.

So. No real celebrities there then. I wonder if this series will be as good as some of the past ones. Last years for example was fantastic, with Janice Dickinson making the show. I still think she should have won!

Esther Rantzen should be fun though, and she’s the oldest ever to go in! Anyway, we’ll shortly see good the series will be. I’ll leave you with this funny video:

JK

So last Saturday Laura White was evicted from the X Factor, despite being a hot favourite to win.

As we could see from her and Cheryl Cole’s face, there was a lot of shock at this result. It all fell to Louis to cast the judges vote of cause, between her and Ruth Lorenzo.

Now it is being said how it was “tactical” voting on behalf of Louis, and how the public was angry because she was supposedly going out with an X Factor executive, which actually wasn’t true.

All I know is that I think Ruth was actually better in the sing off. Laura too was amazing. What is strange is how certain people are still in the competition, such as Daniel. He tries his best, but he’s just isn’t in the same league as Laura.

I think as always, the public voting goes down to who has the best story, and who gets the nations sympathy.

Here’s Laura’s performance:

JK

Controversy has erupted, after the BBC 2 radio broadcast of the Russell Brand show, featuring Jonathan Ross.

They made a call to Andrew Sachs, (one of the stars of Faulty Towers), and said that Brand had slept with his Granddaughter, along with other comments.

Announced last night, Brand has resigned from his £200,000 a year radio show on BBC 2, and Ross, (one of the biggest paid TV stars) has been suspended (with full pay).

After watching the clip form the show on YouTube, I can completely see why it was inappropriate and insulting to both Andrew and his Granddaughter, but I can also see the pretence of humour. If they had been directed towards a friend of Brand’s, or done as a set up with someone, it most likely would have been fine. The fact was, this was a 78 year old man.

Firing Brand and Ross perhaps would be going a  bit far, especially when this show was pre-recorded, and approved for broadcast. Obviously, some sanctions should be taken towards the “talent”, but the Directors of the BBC should take the ultimate rap.

JK

The X-Factor live shows are now really progressing, with the second act, Girlband, leaving the competition.

But, is the X-Factor really about the talent, or is it more to do with Sob-Stories?

We’ve got Daniel, who lost his wife, Rachel, the changed drug addict, Rachel, who just wants to be accepted in the UK, and the rest who if they “don’t do well tonight, I could go, and my dream would be shattered” blah blah blah. I’m so fed up with these people. They lived before the X-Factor, so no matter what they claim, they’ll live after.

Of course the entire show is geared towards sympathy. Those little pieces you see between acts, dive straight into tragedy, desperation and hope. I just wish Simon Cowell would stop focusing on getting votes and making money, and actually on talent. All these sad stories; such a bore.

JK

The X-Factor judges got more than they had planned for with Ariel. Looks like Simon Cowell was actually quivering in his boots, and this time not even about the singing. Some people just are academic enough… Simon prefers normal music, Ariel.

JK

Ugly Betty has hit off a new series over in America, and I can’t wait for it to come Transatlantic.

Ugly Betty is one of my favourite American imports, (along with Friends and Everybody Loves Raymond).

So what makes is so good? It’s a hard question, and not everyone would agree on it’s brilliance. But I’m sure it’s the mix of comedy and the spirit of support for Betty that the program just inspires.

Of course, some of the storylines are far from belief, and everything from the clothes tot eh set design is garish, but still. That actually seems to be a bonus.

So continue Ugly Betty! I’m rooting for you, and hurry up over here to England!

JK

After 13 weeks, it’s finally here! The final of Big Brother 9, and the possible winners are: Sara, Mikey, Rex, Darnell and Rachel. Who will win?

To be honest, I don’t know, nor do I have a real preference. As long as it isn’t Darnell (who I find over self-obsessed, paranoid and aggressive), I don’t think I would particularly be that bothered.

The shows viewing figures are actually the lowest in the shows history; 300,000 down from last year. Saying that, I thought this year was better than last year, which I found rather boring, with a house full of people who were only there to become famous.

Channel 4 currently have a contract with Endemol, the BB production company to run the show until at least 2010, meaning a guaranteed two more seasons. If the ratings don’t pick-up though, will it continue from there?

JK

The new series of X-Factor had begun, with more auditionees then ever. But there is another big change. Sharon Osbourne has left the judging panel, to be replaced by Cheryl Cole, from Girls Aloud, who was found in a similar style Talent Show.

My question is, will Cheryl make a good judge? Unfortunately, I don’t think so. So far, she just seems to be missing something. That thing which makes her interesting to watch. Sharon Osbourne was always a legend on the show, and every contestant appeared to like her.

Without Sharon, I’m afraid the show has lost a rather big portion of its sparkle. Soon, The X-Factor will hit the shelf, joining ranks with Fame Academy, Pop Idol and Popstars, the very program behind Cheryl Cole.

JK