TIMES TO STAY IN…

I thought the new reincarnation of reality television deserved a word or two: what is it about September that reminds me of new beginnings?
Well, firstly the leaves fall off the trees, kids go back to school, it's the start of the new fashion seasons (london fashion week et al), but more importantly The X Factor AND Strictly Come Dancing begin – I mean, reality over-load or what?
The X Factor looks set to be even bigger than last year, with several acts already making the newspapers for reasons other than their singing talents. The delightful ex stripper band, who always seem to be clad in leather (maybe to deter from their shaky singing skills?), have already been kidnapped according to he media (who incidentally also thought Amelle from the Sugarbabes was being held for ransom when she didn't turn up for a show: well it happens to all of us, doesn't it?! Another member of the band is reportedly dating Jamie Afro (who has a similar effervescent personality to Robbie Williams, who is to appear on the show tonight).
We already have the dopplegangers for some of the contestants last year, like characters in a pantomime, the show wouldn't be complete without them. The vulnerable (Cheryl has worries about him being mature enough), accented, female-adored teen this year in the form of welsh blondie Lloyd, the character of course was introduced by Eoghan Quinn?
Lucie Jones, the teenage songstress with a big, unique voice, although there are doubts she may not be able to sing 'poppy' songs. Does a certain hand-caressing-face, very individualistic young Diana Vickers ring any bells? The talented likeable underdogs, Miss Frank, are definitely the female version of JLS! And Stacey Solomen- a rougher, tougher Alexandra Burke (well it doesn't take much, the girl cried at every opportunity she had, who can forget the passionate, over zelous sob of emotion when she performed with Beyonce?)
The thing with The X Factor is that the show always gets better as it develops: the bad ones are weeded out, so it doesn't really matter how bad it was at the start. The shows sit-in audience was branded a faux pas by celebrities, contestants and audiences alike, but because they are back to their old comfort zone with the final live shows, and it really is survival of the tuneful, things, as they say, can only get better, or even better.
Unlike The X Factor, Strictly Come Dancing's controversy seems to make it less watchable and less likeable. We expect less than perfect behaviour from The X Factor Contestants, in fact a good sob story makes it what it is. But when celebrities act less than perfect, especially when they are clad in sophisticated, likeable costumes, it makes them look deceiving when their personalities are less.
Take the furore over Laila Rouss, who was called a racist name by her dancing partner. I think it's cringe-worthy to watch them dancing together. Even if she is over it, which I am sure she is – without the media frenzy I doubt Laila would have made it a big deal. However they still have to dance in front of millions knowing most are watching their every move for a smidgen of akwardness which will b obsessively over-amplified and scrutinised in the media. Nobody is looking for a smooth-sailing glide of perfectly harmonious bodies across the dancefloor, everybody is waiting to see if the judges will give Laila perfect scores for the sympathy vote.
Whereas with The X Factor, sob stories and bad press about the contestants aren't a problem. We are filled with joy and elation when a divine voice unexpectedly pours out of a very undivine body. Take the lovely Stacey Solomen: she's pretty, in fact, she's so pretty there's a resemblance to Leona Lewis. If she had been so like Leona in that her personality wasn't larger than life, she may have been rejected as too similar. But the unique thing about Stacey is that as soon as she opens her mouth (talking) it's hard to imagine her singing any place other than in a Karioche bar. When she shares her tuneful voice with us, you can see jaws dropping and eyes growing as big as cows - it is totally unexpected, a surprise, but, everyone and I mean EVERYONE, loves a surprise, so that's ok then.