'X Factor' judge Gary Barlow
This weekend caused a stir in the talent show/reality television world, as ITV's 'X Factor' introduced a brand new twist which saw hopefuls told they were going through to the next round of the competition, only to later be swapped out for someone their respective judge thought to stand a better chance in the competition.
Having watched shows such as this for most of my life, half of me was shocked to see such a flagrant way of hyping up the excitement of a show at the expense of an actual person's feelings. The other, more cynical half told myself - 'these people put themselves forward for this chance, which is a catapulting platform to levels of stardom not many have the opportunity to use in their career, so should we really be that sympathetic?'
On the one hand, it can be deemed cruel to toy with emotions in the way that was shown this weekend. One act - Joseph
Joseph WhelanWhelan - almost left the stage in a fit of rage after Gary Barlow told Sharon Osbourne he was the one she should replace in her final six.
However, on the other it can be said that these contendors aren't owed a thing. They put themselves in the position where they take the risk to either be ridiculed or adored - as so many have before them - and that's the risk they take whilst taking part.
There can only ever be one winner - and the public don't take kindly to diva strops or horrendously whingy wannabes.
Six acts were chosen in each category - 'Boys', 'Girls', 'Groups' and 'Over 25s', and they will progress to the judge's houses stage, set to air on ITV next weekend (5.10.13 and 6.10.13), before they'll be whittled down to just 12 competing for the coveted record deal prize in 'X Factor' live shows.
Tagged in The X Factor