What's wrong with The X Factor?

X Factor: Judges at War?
Last week I posed the question of whether Strictly Come Dancing has the edge over the X Factor this year, and although it quite possibly did, I was continuing to support X Factor.

Well, after last night, I'm seriously considering defecting to Strictly where the yummy Harry Judd, of McFly fame is setting pulses raising week on week with his moves.

All we have to look forward to on the X Factor is Gary Barlow's brooding good looks, and even that is wearing thin thanks to his annoying smugness and fawning over protegee, Frankie.

Last night just fell flat for some reason. Yes the constant sniping isn't helping, but the cringe worthy attempts to gloss over the back stage chaos is so transparent, it's frankly laughable.

That high five, which says we're all friends here, honestly is just a total sham, and although Louis can be annoying, I feel for him being picked on by Gary and Kelly each week.

Gary's jibe at Alexandra Burke from last week was also a bit sour I thought, although judging by most people's reactions on Twitter, he was actually right on the money. (Wonder if the put down was ghost written in advance though?!)

Then we come to the acts themselves. Yawn. Frankie cannot sing- boot him out now. Everyone I know keeps saying the same thing each week- how can he still be there?!

The Risk are flaying now in my view, following a change in the band. They just don't have the spark they had in week one.

Little Mix continue to be my faves, but this week I just didn't think it was their best performance and at this point, they should be getting consistently better.

Johnny had a bit of a weird one this week as well. The Lady Gaga song wasn't good enough; I would have preferred him just to sing 'You spin me right round' as this suited his vocals so much better. He could be in trouble this week.

Same with Kitty, really. For the first week, she didn't fully deliver and I did feel bad for her when Gary slammed her dancing. Following that reported bust up with Derry as well, the public may not support her tonight.

Janet had a shocker too- upbeat is not who this girl is. Her voice is haunting and works best showcased in a Ballard. I loved her song choice and styling last week, but last night it was just all over the place.

Misha B continues her run of singing well, but her swagger has been totally knocked out of her, which I don't think is a good thing. The first few weeks, she could have been performing at the Brits, but now, she is just another contestant desperate to win.

Craig did well last night, despite being out of his comfort zone. Whereas Janet failed to be versatile enough, Craig wowed and even got to dance around a bit too. Love him to bits.

And finally we come to Marcus. Wow, what a voice! how amazing is this guy? Love that he is a Scouser and frankly he deserves to win on last night's performance alone.

Who will go tonight, let me know....

X Factor Verdict: Week 2

Kitty as Alice in Wonderland
I never thought I would say this, but Kitty has grown on me and I am now a fan. Yes I know, she's irritating, can come across as a bit self absorbed, but I loved her performance on last night's show.

The Alice in Wonderland theme was fabulous and even managed to upstage fellow diva, Misha B with her wonder brand.

Whether she will still be in it tonight remains to be seen, but there is no doubt she has the talent.

Louis's other acts could be in trouble as well, with Sami belting out a Whitney tune which was good but as Gary pointed out, too much like a Cruise ship performance.

And then there's Johnny. Oh my god, Johnny. What has Louis done to you?! I know he likes to camp it up, but he is becoming a circus act and needs to really focus on the vocal if he is here next week.

No doubt he entertains and is the only person to make Gary laugh, but the whole Aladdin look really wasn't working for me this week.

Someone who did totally pull it out of the bag style and vocal wise was Rythmix. Damn those gals can sing, and as Tulisa pointed out- they represent normal young women who aren't stick thin robots!

I said last week that girls won't feel threatened by them and that's exactly what came through last night- they are cool, won't steal your boyfriend and have bags of talent.

The Risk were also amazing- vocally sound and they look soooo hot together! Wish the same could be said for Nu Vibe, which Louis pointed out last night sounded more like no vibe.

They just weren't any better from last week in my view, and it's the same with Sophie, although she has the talent there is just no chemistry, or as Gary put it, 'spark' there which will get people voting.

Frankie, Craig and Marcus were all average this week, after having a belting time last week and I think Gary is to blame for that- the song choices just weren't good enough this week.

Janet was amazing once again, although I'd like to see her personality some out a bit more; she's a bit too timid for me. That said she will sail through to next week.

What do you think? Who will go tonight?

X Factor Live Show Onc... The verdict!

The X Factor: New Generation
I, like so many others plot my Saturday night around The X Factor when it rolls round this time of year.

So, wine in hand, plenty of snacks in reaching distance I was all set for last night to be just as compelling as previous years, but well, it kind of fell short of my expectations.

Maybe it was the never ending adverts, the two and a half hours running time, or the fact that some of the acts just weren't that good, but something was amiss.

The judges were great, if a little too nice (apart from Barlow that is, god he makes Simon look like a pussycat!) and there was too much of praise for other mentor's contestants and idle threats if they didn't put them through to next week.

As for the fashion clash- Kelly chose to go avant garde, while Tulisa played it safe in a gold number with glossy hair. My only criticism is the blonde parting she has going on at the moment- a comment on Twitter that this looked like dry shampoo, which hadn't been combed out was bang on the money.

And while we're at it criticising the hair, Kelly's normally lush mane was put in a messy bun that did absolutely nothing for her. Sacrilege! This woman is gorgeous, sack the stylist quick Kel, before all your good work so far is lost!

As for the boys, well Louis looked his usual elf like self, while Gary exuded a kind of sexiness which only a very secure man can do in tweed.

So, onto the contestants and my verdict on this year's final 16...

Amelia: Opening the show with a belter tune, it was good but not great and I fear she may be going home tonight, as the other gals nailed it. Bad peach hair and rough styling also let her down last night.

Johnny: Oh wow, diva alert. The public have really taken to him and I think Louis will put him through just for the sheer comedy value. Gary's right though, his voice was better than the song and as long as Louis realises he can actually sing and isn't another Wagner, he should be in it for the long haul.

Nu Vibe: No vibe more like it! God, they sounded horrendous despite being so beautiful. Think it's time to pack your bags, lads.

2 Shoes: Aww bless them. I do like these ladies a lot but they are not going to win this show. Points taken off for bad lipstick application as well- must do better next week.

Misha B: She is the front runner at the moment and will be in the final as long as the public keeps supporting her. I can definitely see her as a credible artist in the charts and boy, the girl has got fierce style to back it up.

The Risk: Oh, how I loved these boys last night. They were my favourites by a mile and they actually made my boyfriend sit up and stop twiddling his thumbs. Love them!

Sophie: Nice voice, but too bland for me. NEXT!

Frankie: I do not get the obsession with this guy. Maybe it is because I'm not a horny teenager, but he just hasn't got enough talent in my opinion to go all the way. That said, teenager girls will vote in their droves.

Craig: Awww this was a surprise for me, as I didn't think he would be interesting enough to keep my attention. Well, attention held most definitely- the best vocal of the night and a thoroughly nice chap.

Kitty: I have never warmed to her and I don't think the live shows will make me feel any differently. Lady Gaga she ain't and her attention seeking props and performances will only turn the public off more.

Rythmix: Interesting girl group here- they are very current and don't pose a threat to other girls, therefore they are likely to get the votes. Clever move, Tulisa.

Sammi: What a travesty this lady nearly missed out on a place in the live finals- Louis, what were you thinking! Great voice, but with Louis as a mentor I don't know how far she will go.

Janet: I'm not her biggest fan, but no doubt she closed the show beautifully. I'm still sore that Jade missed out on a place, but Janet's talent is undeniable. If only she would stop being so nervy and believe in herself, she'd be a favourite of mine.

James: I had to think about which one he was, which means an impression wasn't made. Sorry James, you are not in my top 5!

Jonjo: Gutted for him really. Louis should have given him a better song when he realised it wasn't working. The vocal was off and he was far too nervy- if it was the public vote tonight then he would get through on sympathy, as it isn't, he's the obvious one to go.

Marcus: That smile could light up a room. What a nice fellow and great vocal too. Can he go all the way? Hummm... remains to be seen.

What do you think? Am I on the money, or have I totally got it wrong? Let me know...