X Factor (2006)

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The X factor is a British reality tv show which gives members of the public a chance to win a £1m record deal.The show is now presented by Dermot O'Leary and the xtra factor is presented by Fearne Cotton.Previous presenters include Kate Thorton and Ben shepard on the xtra factor. The show is now on it's 4th series.The show is broadcast on itv1 every saturday and lasts approx. an hour followed by the 'extra factor ' on itv2 which ...
...after the first show the x factor is back on again with the results.
The voting results are then revealed and the act with the least votes are then voted out. The show then continues every week until the show reaches the final when there are only two acts and then the public vote for their winning.

*The winner *

The winner then has a £1 million record deal and they become overnight success.The show ends the week ... more

* BackGround *

The X factor is a British reality tv show which gives members of the public a chance to win a £1m record deal.The show is now presented by Dermot O'Leary and the xtra factor is presented by Fearne Cotton.Previous presenters include Kate Thorton and Ben shepard on the xtra factor. The show is now on it's 4th series.The show is broadcast on itv1 every saturday and lasts approx. an hour followed by the 'extra factor ' on itv2 which goes behind the scenes.

Each act is selected into a catergory.This year there is Girls aged 14-24 , boys 14-24 , groups and the over 25's.
This year they have lowered the age limit to 14 whereas before it was 16.

The show first started in 2004 , and has run every year since. The 2004 winner was one hit wonder and 35 year old barman Steve Brookstein who we have not heard from since.

The most successful winner to date is Shayne ward who won the 2005 series.His songs include 'That's my goal' 'No promises' and 'stand by you'

The winner of the 2006 series was a 21 year old girl from Islington in London ; Leona Lewis.She has been nicknamed 'the next whitney houston' because of her powerful vocals and vocal range.She has only had one song released to date though : A moment like this , which is a cover version of Kelly Clarkson , winner of the first american idol (a similar type of show ) song.

*Judges *

The judges are Sharon Osbourne (used to manage her husband ozzy osbourne's band black sabath ), Louis walsh (Westlife manager ), Simon Cowell (Top music man) and new addition to the judges panel , Danni Minouge who is Kylie Minouge's younger sister.

*Auditions *

Auditions are held all over the united kingdom ; London , Cardiff , Manchester , Birmingham and Glasgow to name a few.

To audition you have to download an application form from the shows website at www.itv.com/xfactor

Not everyone who applies is invited to audition though. Those who have been chosen to audition will recieve a letter with dates and times and what you have to do , such has dress to impress. On the letter it also says 'This audition could change your life'

* The first round of auditions *

Before you can audition in front of simon cowell you have to go through a 'screening' process where you have to first audition in front of the show's producers and people from the record label which you will sign to if you win.

It if very difficult to get past this round (from expericene) and they only seem to put through the one's that can't sing.

* Got through the screening ? on to the judges *

If you get through the screening you will be given a green letter by the 'judge' (not simon and co) who's let you through , which tells you the date and times of your next audition which will of course this time be in front of simon cowell'.

At the audition the act will perform a song of their choice in front of the judges.They need at least 3/4 'yes' to get through to the next round.
If they pass this stage then they are through to bootcamp.

*Bootcamp *

At bootcamp the judges are given a catergory each such as for example only - sharon girls 14-24 , simon groups , danni boys 14-24 , and Louis over 25s.
The judges do not get to choose which group they get. Each judge will then mentor their catergories.

The acts also get to visit their mentor's house where more auditiones will take place.

A small selection are then chosen and will then go on to perform on the live shows.

*Live shows *

Here the best 24 acts (6 in each catergory) will perform each week in front of the judges and audience and viewers at home.The judges will give their opinion on the performances but what they say does not affect the act's future on the show as each week the public will vote who their favourite act is and the act with the least vote will be voted out.

Some weeks they have themes such as one week they'll have songs from a musical or an abba song for example.Each act must then perform a different song out of a musical or a song by Abba for example.

Sometimes the acts sing along with a pre-recoreded backing track and sometimes they have a live band included with dancers.

After every act has performed the phone lines are then open so that the public can vote for their favourite act.The phone lines are not opened before every act has finished performing because it wouldn't be fair. The public are given approx. an hour to vote. Then about an hour after the first show the x factor is back on again with the results.
The voting results are then revealed and the act with the least votes are then voted out. The show then continues every week until the show reaches the final when there are only two acts and then the public vote for their winning.

*The winner *

The winner then has a £1 million record deal and they become overnight success.The show ends the week before christmas and the winner is up for the christmas number one.The last three winners have had the christmas number one - Steve Brookstein with against all odds , shayne ward with that's my goal and leona lewis a moment like this.

*My opinion *

I think that this show is great entertainment , and loads of people agree because this series there have been over 10 million viewers!! I also think that , although they say they're looking for a popstar , which they do get in the end , i think that it's really just a show that will entertain people , and that's more important to the producers than the finding the winner.

Hope this review helps 

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