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Mockery and name-calling is unfair to X Factor twins
Monday, 26 October 2009
Is the X Factor turning into the most vile show on television? On Saturday night sections of the audience began booing Dublin twins, John and Edward, before they even sang a note.
It was a reaction more in keeping with the Jeremy Kyle show than a slick talent contest.
So why did the audience react in the way it did? Quite simply because they have been conditioned by some of the judges, principally Simon Cowell, to regard the twins as a talentless freak show.
It is a theme that has been taken up willingly by sections of the media who have described the twins as “vile”, among other names which the boys and their parents must find distressing.
On Saturday night before they came on stage Cowell described them as a “horror show”. What gives him the right to use such language?
It is clear that he regards them as of little talent. Fair enough. But they are not alone in that. Even the two pop stars on the panel, Cheryl Cole and Dannii Minogue, will never be remembered among the great voices of popular music.
Indeed the twins are asked every week to do what Cheryl did not do when performing her debut solo single on the show — dance and sing live. She sang to a pre-recorded backing track.
Singing while dancing is, apparently, one of the most difficult acts in entertainment. They do it every week — as do some of the other acts. That is asking a lot of kids with no experience of big time audiences and big time performances.
No matter what their level of talent, every one of the acts deserve the utmost praise for performing as they do.
The astonishing thing about the twins — who it should be remembered are only 18 years old — is that they seem to take the most vitriolic criticism in their stride. The audience booing, the smart alec comments of Cowell and the patronising remarks of Dannii and Cheryl — none of them seem to have an effect on the boys.
Instead they get on with their zany act which in recent weeks has been the main reason for watching X Factor — just as John Sergeant was the main reason for watching Strictly Come Dancing last year.
He was no dancer, but he was a star in every other way and we remember his performances long after the flawless foxtrots of some of the other contestants.
Sergeant, of course, was different to John and Edward. He was an experienced television professional who knew how to play the game.
He was more than capable of holding his own when it came to criticism and eventually he left the programme on his terms.
They couldn’t get rid of him, so he resigned rather than bring the dancing contest into disrepute. A masterstroke.
John and Edward are in a different position. They auditioned for the X Factor, got lucky and got picked for the finals. They didn’t force anyone to put them on. The least they should expect is to be treated with courtesy.
Why should they be subjected to odious name calling and uncouth booing from an audience whipped into a frenzy of unthinking banality?
Cowell’s talent shows have always liked to poke fun at those who audition for them. Why else would we be shown the seriously deluded who annually try to win a place in the finals? Why else would the worst of the worst then be paraded on the night of the final to remind us of their delusions?
It’s not clever and its not really funny.
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Comments
22 Comments
The twins seriously are irritating. It makes me cringe seeing them up on stage every week; how can Louis sit there and attempt to tell the nation that they are great? They can't sing or dance, everything that Simon says is exactly what everyone else is thinking. He is only telling the truth, surely itis better to be told the truth rather than being told a lie then continue thinking you are amazing.
I sincerley hope that the public will see sense and stop wasting their money on these two.
Posted by Leah | 29.10.09, 13:19 GMT
People really need to lighten up about these two. Some people take the competition waaaay to seriously.
They are the only reason i am watching the X factor this year. Who cares they can't sing or dance? The other acts are quite frankly annoying or forgettable.
The show is incredibly patronising, overhyped and is generally more to do with the judges than the acts. It's the same regurgitated garbage year after year.
Jedward winning would be absolute genius. Cowell would have to offer them a record deal and pay for their promotion. I can't think of anything better that could happen to the man.
Posted by Andrew | 28.10.09, 11:49 GMT
Cheryl sang live in her performance you can hear that
and while some things Simon says are too harsh, those boys dont deserve to still be in the competition. They cant sing. If you have the x factor you dont need to dance around every week. You have to be able to stand still and sing amazing ballads. So using the fact the dance around on stage as a defensive tool for them is simply ridiculous. If they won the show, the show would be closed down for sure. Their is no point people voting for them every week because if they win the competition Simon Cowell will drop them straight away. You could even see in Louis' face on Sunday night that he knew it would be a travesty if the twins won. Yes they are entertainment and they are talented in the sense they can entertain but it is not fair people who can sing leaving the competition while they are still in it. This show is supposed to be about finding talent and creating a superstar. John and Edward dont fit the shoe. Stupid article
Posted by Issy Jellicoe | 27.10.09, 23:46 GMT
It really is funny. The X Factor is in it's 6th season now, so John and Edward knew what they were getting themselves in for. They also can't be so stupid that they don't know how awful they are, so why audition anyway??? You would have to posess even fewer braincells than whoever wrote this (which would be some feat) to not know why Louis picked them. The only reason they get booed, is because they are taking places away from more deserving acts who actually have some talent.
By the way, Cheryl was mostly live and the live bits were better than the twins rubbish and she is a miles better dancer. Plus she did all the live stuff in Popstars and got voted into the band by the public, so she is clearly better than the terrible twins
Posted by lol | 27.10.09, 19:10 GMT
John and Edward are a complete joke, Okay, yes, they did audition for the show, but come on, I think we all know why Louis picked them..
At the beginning they were good entertainment and a laugh, but when other good acts, who can actually sing go out in place of them, that's when it becomes unfair.
The public should really think about what is really at stake here.
Posted by s | 26.10.09, 20:26 GMT
I agree - especially as Mr Cowell insists that all the contestant other than those being mentored by him are no good; and even when they can sing they apparantly can't "perform" - some are compared to dolphina and others called robotic - and stangely when someone sings really well, he dismisses that by saying it was singing like an actress with no real emotions.
This must mean this is not a singing competion at all !
So by those definitions John and Edward do perform - and well, every Saturday.
Posted by Madhumolli Sarkar | 26.10.09, 19:58 GMT
Im happy they get booed. They are rubbish and shouldn't be in the competition.
They don't deserve to be there. They are not conditioned by Simon Cowell; what a stupid thing to say.
In fact they have been told not to boo.
They boo too show their contempt that they are in the competition when they are talentless. They can't sing a note.
There is one reason they are in the competition - because they are Irish and Louis Walsh wanted them in for that reason.
The audience will continue to boo them despite being told not to because they feel it is a travesty they are there and that talented people may get sent home instead.
So I am glad people show their feelings about it. I think most people voting for them are doing it for a laugh like they did for John Sergeant in Strictly. He was rubbish too. People laughing at how bad some one is does not mean they are talented; it just means thay are bad. At least he had the sense to withdraw as he knew it would be a travesty if he won
Posted by Harry | 26.10.09, 18:28 GMT
Simon Cowel is there as a judge to give his opinion which is what he done. The audience booed them not because of Simon Cowell's comment but because they don't rate them, in fact, I don't know one person who rates them as entertainers. Show business as we know can be ruthless and hey have to learn to take the comments just as previous acts have done
Posted by Barbara Jurado | 26.10.09, 18:28 GMT
They are a joke and an embarrassment, shame on Louis Walsh putting them through, they can't sing, they can't dance and they simply get a spoilt vote to annoy Simon Cowell, they are this year’s Chico but two times as annoying!
I've no doubt people will keep voting for them just for the laugh, and when real talent is voted out while they continue to make a mockery of the show, the animosity will continue to grow; but act like idiots and people will treat you like idiots.
They just come across as two of the most irritating people I've ever seen, they are arrogant and obnoxious on the show, I believe that is why some people boo them, add that to not being talented enough to merit a place on the show, and people really will not like them.
Posted by No more, please!!! | 26.10.09, 15:37 GMT
I agree with the article. The people who were booing John and Edward should have been evicted from the audience straight away. No one deseves such rudeness. I hope now they go all the way and prove Louis right and Simon wrong. Simon should not be allowed to get away with such bullying words. Give his opinion, but in a more professional way. "Good Luck John and Edward"
Posted by jan | 26.10.09, 14:53 GMT
The British public have been voting for the twins and they are keeping the ratings up in an otherwise banal show. Why did Danyl come last this week.....because he is BORING. At least these two young boys have more integrity that Simon (who is just an ignoramus and a bully), Danii (who can't sing or dance) and lip-synching, scantily clad Cole!
Posted by Jonathan | 26.10.09, 14:53 GMT
omg i totally agree like
Posted by Z | 26.10.09, 14:38 GMT
If you don't like it, do us all a favour and switch it off. If more people did, it wouldn't be constantly clogging up the airwaves.
Posted by McD | 26.10.09, 14:24 GMT
the lads are great fun and bring pleasure to a lot of people. with them its real entertainment as opposed to a bunch of screeching oh pardon i mean singers or do i? carry on lads i love you by the way who exactly is simon cowel and what talents have the two bimbo s. answer none apart from flaunting their bodies irene warne viewer
Posted by irene waene | 26.10.09, 14:14 GMT
I totally agree with what Laurence White has written. The twins should be treated with courtesy. We should remember that they are human beings with feelings like any other person. It is not their fault that they are in the live shows, and despite all the criticisms, they come and perform graciously week after week. What is more, it appears a section of the public actually likes them, so we should give them a break. If you don't like them, don't vote for them. I think the name-calling and mocking is unfair.
Posted by Naa Kwaley | 26.10.09, 13:56 GMT
Your comments are spot on in every respect. The only act I feel is worth watching is 'the twins'. They are not singers, they are not dancers, they are true entertainers and they do a remarkably good job. Maybe they shouldn't win X Factor, because if they do, their entertaining style will be changed to make them more commercially marketable in the eyes of Simon Cowell etc.
Secretly I do hope they win to defy their critics.
Posted by David Morphew | 26.10.09, 13:30 GMT
I don't quite understand how they even got to be on the XFactor to be perfectly honest as I agree that they don't have enough talent to be on the programme and I believe that people are only voting for them to make a mockery of the show! They are probably very nice boys but they have the least talent out of all the other acts and for people who get voted out who have real talent and for them to stay in the show is beyond belief!
Posted by Debbie Hopkins | 26.10.09, 13:23 GMT
I completly agree. I love John and Edward and think they can sing they can dance and the are very entertaining. If they were doing a gig/concert in dublin i would be there as they are such a laugh.
They are great!
shame on those people booing how pathetic are you! i wouldn't boo my worst enemy it's very immature behaviour.
Posted by orla | 26.10.09, 13:23 GMT
I agree that the booing was totally uncalled for but the fact remains that they cannot sing and should not be in the competition at this stage and comparing them with the situation on Strictly Come Dancing with John Sergeant is turning X factor into the same joke which ruined Strictly
Posted by john McLean | 26.10.09, 13:18 GMT
i think john and eward are being bullied they cant sing but either can cheryl and look at her now with a nimber 1 single proves you dont have to be a good singer, at the end of the day its not the twins fault that they are bein kept in so people should stop bulling them.
Posted by Lucy | 26.10.09, 13:09 GMT
22 Comments