X Factor Blog: It’s called bootcamp for a reason

It’s both disappointing and a relief when the first round of auditions of a TV talent show come to and end. On the one hand we can finally get down to watching some (mostly) decent talent and get to know some of the contestants a little better (I already have some favourites to win, do you?). On the other hand we don’t get the sheer comic delights of the Geo Godley’s to watch. Yes it was frightening, but it was reality tv at it’s best!

X Factor boot camp is always a slightly odd portion of the competition I find. The acts tend to get rushed through rather quickly. Cuts are made hard and fast (bye bye J Mark Inman, yes, you have no life, we’re glad you noticed). You get introduced to a bevy of new faces that they didn’t have time to show in the original auditions. It’s those faces I always feel a little sorry for. If they didn’t get that initial screen time there is a bit of a sense of “who are you? Who cares?” when I see them crop up at boot camp.

I am getting a little tired of the $5 mil prize being constantly referred to like the X Factor is a game show. Simon talks about wanting to find an artist who can sustain a long term career and is then all “who wants that cheque!” It makes it feel a little like they’ll win, be handed the money, get a token single and that’s it. Either it’s a game show or a search for a music superstar, they need to pick one angle and stick to it.

There are too many performers who get hurried on and off during boot camp to be able to focus on that many. We saw a few firm favourites reappear. Solo mum Stacy Francis (who always looks on the verge of bursting into tears…and more often than not does) sounded better than in her first audition but Simon was right, that 14 minute long note she belted out was a little over the top. Impressive, but a little silly.

Brian Bradley refused to dance during their first dancing challenge (which came across a little pointless) stating that “MC’s don’t dance”. Someone needs to tell him that MC’s who want to win a $5 mil recording contract through a tv show do whatever they are told to do! Tora Woolashin didn’t shine quite so brightly this time (for all of the 3 seconds they showed her). Rachel Crow was good, but I still feel she’s there about 3 or 4 years earlier than she should be.

The group performances were a mixed bag, as you’d expect when you take a bunch if individual acts and make them perform together in a situation where everyone is trying to be the best. The group performing Creep had a couple of standouts (Drew and Caitlin), unfortunately Dexter Haygood didn’t live up to what I thought was a bit of promise in the first round of auditions. He kinda proved he was a one trick pony.

Melanie Amaro once again proved to be one of the most naturally gifted vocalists during U2’s I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For. I could listen to her sing all day, she makes it look so easy. Jazzlyn impressed with her voice again but forgot her lyrics…I’ll give it to her though, she didn’t falter badly and covered it up well enough.

The Desperado group didn’t do it for me. I don’t wanna see a country singer win. Especially not a carbon copy of Carrie Underwood. Giving the next group Jay-Z’s Wishing On A Star seemed a bit cruel. It seemed to be nothing but a gift for Brian Bradley who is starting to grate on my nerves. He just didn’t wanna shut up throughout the performance and hogged the limelight a little. I know he’s young but…meh, it’s turning into a no from me.

The rest of the groups continued in much the same fashion. It was all a little samey by the end of the episode. There were a couple more standouts but I am looking forward very much for bootcamp to end and judges houses to start. Tonight we find out which categories the judges get to mentor. I’m picking LA gets boys, Nicole gets girls, Paula gets groups, and Simon gets over 30’s. We shall find out soon enough!!

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