The X Factor
By Ross Levy at 8:04 pm on November 23rd, 2009. Printer friendly version.
Following seven weeks of headline-grabbing performances from Ghostbusters to Queen and from Britney Spears to Robbie Williams last night eighteen year old twins John and Edward left ITV’s The X Factor having been shrugged off by Simon Cowell’s contestant Olly Murs in the final sing off of the series.
It was a suprise to some to see Jamie Archer, in the over 25 category, leave the show last week. The rock performer, who won the judges over from his very first audition followed another shock exit of teenager Lucie Jones, the Welsh-lass being sent home despite having a better few weeks then of late. Leaving six now in the competition, this week, presented to the contestants was George Michael week-some opted to sing songs from the infamous band Wham! whilst others stuck to Michael’s more traditional hits.
Lloyd Daniels kicked of procedings this week. Lloyd, who hasn’t quite caught the eye of all judges this year, has somewhat been hanging on by the skin of his teeth of late and this week was given George Michael’s song Faith by mentor Cheryl Cole. This being a huge song, it wasn’t going to be easy for the sixteen year old but Simon Cowell gave him a much needed confidence boost-a compliment, this opposing what the judging ledgend may have said before.
Stacey Solomon, Dannii Minogue’s trusty remaining act, followed. Being the only girl left in the competition she wowed all four judges last week being highly, highly acclaimed. Determined to keep this reputation that has sprung upon her Stacey opted for the song I Can’t Make You Love Me. Despite the performance being dubbed not quite as good as last week by Simon Cowell, Cheryl Cole thought differently-praising the contestant for finally matching her evident hyper personality. With very few weeks left until the final of this sixth series many tip Stacey to perhaps be in the golden final three-but with some giants of the competition still to perform, could she cling onto this reputation?
John and Edward have, it is fair to say, had a roller-coaster seven weeks. Being blitzed by the media and even given the press nickname of Jedward they have stunned the nation weekly with high-octane performances, splitting the nation as to whether or not they were backed or not. Two weeks ago, they sparked much controversy both on themselves and on judge Simon Cowell when the fifty year old sent them through ahead of Lucie Jones. Social network websites were jammed with comments of suprise and dismay to see Lucie head home but this week, with George Michael week being right up their street, they were back to ensure they didn’t fall back into the bottom two. Singing I’m Your Man, once again the performance got mixed reviews from both crowd and judges but nonetheless, the performance was entertaining. The remaining question, was it to be enough?
Following the energetic performance of the dynamic duo was the contrasting Danyl Johnson. Mentored by Simon Cowell, Danyl found himself in the press again this week, claims he wanted to walk out. However, the show had to go on for the primary school teacher and with his low energy but strong vocalled performance of Careless Whisper, Danyl hoped to shove out all of the negative things that may have been said about him recently. Dannii Minogue was not so impressed by his piece yet once again Cowell showed great enthusiasm, backing his act all the way.
Simon’s next act then followed, Olly Murs. Having had very much all-praise of late Olly has found himself in prime position of late with the audience and judges. This week it was Fastlove, another incredibly well known George Michael hit and once again the Over 25, who, like all contestants this week watched their charity single storm to number 1 of the single’s chart, seemed to have impressed the judges. The numbers however, are rapidly decreasing-people are leaving in shock week after week, could Olly survive the public vote again?
Concluding this week’s show was the Geordie man, Joe McElderry. Having not recieved many bad comments at all this series and being praised time after time Joe was keen to maintain such a record. With this week being George Michael week many thought Joe’s performance may not be quite as good as previous shows from the strong favourite however this was turned on it’s head, his rendition of Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me, a song featuring Elton John as well as George Michael being the first performance of the series to have all four judges standing up and giving Joe a standing ovation. Delighted, it seemed Joe had nailed it, again and after the reception his performance recieved, it would have been a shock if Joe was mentioned anywhere near the bottom two.
24 hours passed, Susan Boyle and Mariah Carey sung their hearts out, and now it was time for the results. With this being the final sing-off of the show, next week there won’t be a sing off but instead someone will just get the boot, nobody wanted to face the agonising prospect of singing again. It was a shock then perhaps for some to see Olly Murs in the bottom two, facing John and Edward in Jedward’s second sing off of the series.
With John and Edward performing Boyzone single No Matter What, a song also featured in the touring production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical Whistle Down The Wind, Olly then had to contend to the entertainers’s piece, Olly going for Eric Clapton’s well-covered song of Wonderful Tonight.
The judges have been under a lot of scrutiny of late, the use of the deadlock option being called upon on the vast majority of results shows. This week, Simon kicked of the voting, saving Olly Murs, obviously. Cheryl then put Olly two to the good whilst Louis Walsh, backing his John and Edward, handed Dannii Minogue the final vote…
…And after seven weeks, she sent John and Edward home.
We now have our final 5, and who knows which way this series could go!
