X Factor

Blackett

So here we are at that time of the year again where the TV gods think that the general public of the U.K. are wanting to go into some sort of hibernation and not think about what they are watching and force upon us the wonderful world of reality television. I do realise that Big Brother has been with us this year for what feels like forever but as of today the other behemoth of made for a penny programming has returned. Yes X Factor is back. Now this post is not about the really obvious and blatantly tripe media hype that Louie Walsh has been trying to build up this week but the much talked about and controversial lowering of the age limit to the tender age of 14.

Now to me 16 sounds likes a proper age to enter this show, some one of this age in theory at least will have been in school for a good number of years and possibly have GCSE’s. They will also have suffered failure at some point and learned how to cope with it and gained emotional maturity. To put some one at the age of 14 infront of incredibly harsh judges edges on child cruelty and seems like wasting a year of a childs life. There is no way that schooling can continue with the busy schedule of appearing on this show and even if the child was to win looking at the current trend of people who have won only Will Young has been able to sustain his career due to the fact he writes his own songs and emotional maturity. Thoughts and opinions welcome.

Blakeborough

It reallly is a rather revealing testament to this programme that although we haven't blogged for what seems like an age, this manages to raise enough bile within us to make us sit down and form sentences.

I honestly thought that I cared so little about the X Factor that the lowering of the age range wouldn't bother me in the slightest as I would be one of the 2 million or so 'casual' viewers of the show. However, after the very first episode in the new series, I find that I have to agree with Blackett. Although there was some genuine talent that arose in the 14 year old category, I found myself wondering what harm would it have done the wee girl who was put through to wait another 2 years and then enter the competition. If anything she would have time to develop her already beautiful voice further and learn a little bit more about the cut throat world of music before she was completely destroyed by the experience at such a young age.

Of course the producers of the X Factor are only going to show the particularly good or bad auditions, but I hate to think of all the mediocre sprogs who entered the show with a song in their heart and left disappointed and undermined. Those are the ones I really feel sorry for. Average children who were once told they could sing, never really offend anyone, but just aren't anything special musically. How many children went home with their parents after being told that they gave a 'not bad' audition, but will never even appear for a brief moment on the programme they so worship.

And whilst I'm on the subject of parents, I find that the lowering of the age limit only gives those pushy 'showbiz mums' the chance to force their little darling into a life of fame at an earlier age than ever. Personally if I was an organiser of the X Factor I'd have a screening process for any of these parents. I find that they live their failed lives through their innocent and hardworking children tantamount to abuse.

So as I wander from the point, I'll end this post.