First Impressions of ‘The X Factor’ Debut

Posted on September 22, 2011 by Emilija Spirkoska

Fox’s highly anticipated singing competition, The X Factor, debuted last night after months of hype. Hosted by Welshman Steve Jones and “judged” by L.A. Reid, Paula Abdul, Cheryl Cole and Simon Cowel, the show’s premiere has lived up to everyone’s expectations. And what follows are the very first impressions of The X Factor Debut.

From left to right: Paula Abdul, Steve Jones, Simon Cowel, Cheryl Cole and L.A. Reid.

There was so much to see in the two-hour show. Steve Jones served as rather anonymous host and he quickly cut to the chase explaining the premise: Contestants can be as young as 12 and groups are allowed. Judges will serve as mentors later in the run, hoping to push their contestants to the finals.

Steve didn’t have to mention it cause it was too obvious – the audition shows are held in arenas packed with crowds who tend to over-react to everything. A good singer will get a huge ovation and a lousy one will be met with hoots and catcalls. This brought a spirit to the show.

And now let’s judge the judges! In addition to Simon and Paula – still flirting after all these years –  L.A. Reid and British singer Cheryl Cole sit on the judging panel. The two ladies both seem to have a bit of a mothering instinct, which is a nice quality on shows like these. While Reid and Simon make completely different assessments, which creates a tension between the two that could be fun to watch as the season progresses.

And now finally the most impressive contestants of the debut were the 13-year-old Rachel Crow and 42-year-old Stacy Francis.

Rachel Crow sang a full-throated version of Duffy‘s Mercy and managed to be sassy but not insufferable. The well-spoken kid’s family needs the $5 million prize money because she said there were six people living in a two-bedroom house.

Watch video: Rachel Crow’s X Factor’ Audition 1

The single mom, Stacy Francis, told judges before offering a heartbreaking and vulnerable version of the warhorse (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman, that’s one of those horribly overdone songs, but she sang the heck out of it. She will definitely be seen again, as will the show. It may be familiar, but The X Factor offered enough fresh twists to make you want to tune in again.

Watch video: Stacy Francis’s X Factor Audition 1

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  • Gtitus09

    Being an American Idol fan since the beginning I was interested to see what this show would be like. It was kind of nice being able to see Paula and Simon again, but I have to be honest here, I am not sure at all that Paula’s walking away backstage after that Godfrey’s horrible performance, was just her being a drama queen. I mean c’mon, we all know here that Paula, through 9 seasons of American Idol saw and witnessed ALOT of shocking things so I’m not sure why she would be sick from seeing a contestant drop his drawers. Yeah outraged maybe, some might even have found it a bit humorous but getting sick??? I don’t know it just seemed like Paula perhaps needed the attention on her for a bit, for some reason.
    As for the show, basically it is almost a carbon copy of American Idol with very few changes. Music has been added so the contestants don’t have to sing a cappella, and the age limit thing has been removed or at least broadened. It was confusing as to why there was the one judge in the first hour Cheryl Cole, to be replaced in the second hour with Nicole Scherzinger. I actually liked Cheryl as a judge better. However I find the show entertaining, and I most likely will watch again as I do enjoy singing competitions.