It never ceases to amaze me how much the public can be manipulated by the money hungry. Never before has there been such an interest into the judging on X Factor, or Simon Cowell giving his glowing opinion on his fellow judges and new contestants yet there seems to be a media frenzy surrounding the whole thing.

The new X-Factor panel

It wouldn’t be anything to do with the fact that ratings were down on last years show would it? Or that the show is about to be aired? Or that since Leona Lewis, its been hard to watch acts that are less talented so less people are tuning in?

Hmmm… it seems so to me. When you think about it, X Factor is not the show everyone thinks it is. What is its purpose? To find a new act that has that ’special something’ and them make into superstars, or at least popular record selling artists? Well, with the exception of Leona Lewis, who of anyone that has been on that show can actually be classed in that way?

At least with the American Pop Idol, the contestants go on to actually sell records and achieve status. That doesn’t happen in this country. Maybe there is less of a market for it, but then why do it? To make money from public voting in, I reckon. As long they have enough idiots willing to audition to make the first stage entertaining, they’ve got the audience hooked. But when you think about it, all they need to 12 people out of the whole of Britain who can kind of sing (look at Chico!). The people who are actually really good get voted off early (Maria, Bev, Nikki, etc), while the people who have commercial appeal stay until later (Shane, Ray, Rydian), with us never knowing whether our votes actually effect the results we see because ITV scam us.

Now there’s this whole issue with Cheryl Cole being on the judging panel. Why? She is just a singer in a manufactured pop band, albeit a famous one, but how is she going to help hopefuls? What experience gives her the ability to manage up and coming artists? Does she have her own label? Has she managed a successful artist? If her contestant wins, how will she catapult them to success in between her work with Girls Aloud? I thought Sharon and Danni were terrible choices,  but at least both the older women don’t have busy and demanding careers to fit X factor around (because X factor is their career!).

Still, I have to give her the benefit of the doubt that she will at least pick good songs and be honest and give useful positive advice, which is something the other judges rarely do.