I remember in 2001 when Simon, who had come up with the idea of Pop Idol (which I told him was just an adaptation of Pop Stars), realised that people being awful could be just as entertaining as people being good. But I was worried by it. There was a cringe feeling of mocking the afflicted.

I think the shows have been pretty good over the years, due to judges and great editing, but I'm feeling the giggle factor has worn thin.

JK2006 wrote:
I remember in 2001 when Simon realised that people being awful could be just as entertaining as people being good.

What an insight, coming, as usual, so many years after someone else thought of it: in this case, The Gong Show, 1976. He really is the most over-rated, over-indulged, unimaginative little twit. It's like Chauncy Gardiner has been let loose in the TV industry.

The sad thing is I think many people know what a talentless shit he is, but they also think: 'Yes, he's a talentless shit, but he's a rich and powerful talentless shit, so it's just important that I treat this talentless shit as a friend rather than just a talentless shit. But that's all he is. A talentless shit. He's like the Bernard Cribbins character in Fawlty Towers: once Fawlty realises he's just a sad and pathetic idiot rather than an hotel inspector, Fawlty punches him in the face and empties a custard pie in his case. That's what Cowell deserves.

JK2006 wrote:
I remember in 2001 when Simon, who had come up with the idea of Pop Idol (which I told him was just an adaptation of Pop Stars), realised that people being awful could be just as entertaining as people being good. But I was worried by it. There was a cringe feeling of mocking the afflicted.

I think the shows have been pretty good over the years, due to judges and great editing, but I'm feeling the giggle factor has worn thin.

Once the show is axed the better - ITV are holding on to the past.

If we have BGT than we don't need X Factor as BGT has more singers than anything else.

What a thoroughly obnoxious, profanity laden post by Kenneth Mintcake. Amazed it was accepted.

Interesting - Overload boy band clearly manufactured by straight men who don't understand queens - but it's a hit track. And will be a hit single. "You've got a boyfriend; I've got a girlfriend" - I'm humming it already.

JK2006 wrote:
Interesting - Overload boy band clearly manufactured by straight men who don't understand queens - but it's a hit track. And will be a hit single. "You've got a boyfriend; I've got a girlfriend" - I'm humming it already.Me too, very polished.

The guy who sang Fix You was fabulous.

Did you notice Simon's comments about age not being an issue any more.... Steve Brookstein came to mind.

K wrote:
Did you notice Simon's comments about age not being an issue any more.... Steve Brookstein came to mind.

No. Steve Brookstein NEVER comes to mind.

JK2006 wrote:
Interesting - Overload boy band clearly manufactured by straight men who don't understand queens - but it's a hit track. And will be a hit single. "You've got a boyfriend; I've got a girlfriend" - I'm humming it already.

Same management as Union J

This is it, pre-prepared, groomed acts are being sought for these type of shows now. Allcomers are all too often not up to it or unpredictable.

Be interesting to see who's on The Voice this coming season