X Factor Producers Nervous About Britney Request Extended Time Delay

By On 10/25/2012 · 20 Comments · In X Factor

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UK paper, Mail Online, is reporting that X Factor producers are requesting a longer time delay for the live shows because they are nervous about how judge Britney Spears will handle the pressure, especially in light of  her “ex-manager’s claims about her.

Friends of the singer – and the show’s bosses – fear for her well being after this week’s court claims by ex-manager Sam Lufti.

A friend of Spears said: ‘Britney has been getting her life back together this year. Everyone around her has worked hard to get her back to a good place and keep her there, and what Lufti’s doing seems like it might undo their good work.’

And this could mean trouble when the show goes live on November 1st; as anything Britney does or says will be beamed into millions of homes, hence the request for a time delay.

The normal delay for such broadcasts is seven seconds – enough to cover up a rogue swear word but not say, someone storming off stage.

‘It’s up to Fox if they can make it longer but everyone’s nervous and no one knows what to expect’

Another insider added: ‘Britney is going to be live on-air for 3 hours a week. If anything goes wrong, it happens in front of the whole country – there is no rewind button on LIVE TV.

The live shows will be a test for all of them, but particularly Britney Spears. If she has a setback, or a bad day and breaks, there is no way to hide it on live TV. I’m not sure a longer delay will help. If she freaks out, it will make the news regardless–even if it’s only audience members reporting on it.

 
  • http://twitter.com/happylittlefish Amy Beth

    They would be better off forgetting about live with a delay and just switch to day of performance taping like the night-time talk shows do. 

    As long as the contestants know there won’t be any editing of their actual performances everyone is on an even playing field.

  • fuzzywuzzy

    Looks like Simon Cowell is trying the same route as Nigel in drumming up press for the X-Factor.

  • lukien

    Why with all this news? It makes nervous as well for Britney. Just wish her all the best …

  • Larc

    If Britney has an on-air meltdown or a series of them, it will be what XF bought with eyes wide open.  No way they could plead ignorance of her history.

  • Klaine

    Dont know if its true but everyone’s been worried @ Brtit. They had said hubby would be behind her feeding her lines on live shows (or she doesn’t have to speak; just make a face). Doesn’t appear she needed the money so why risk her mental health. If something went wring & tabloids went wild, it would be damaging to her. So far Demi seems to have her bipolar under control with meds. Mental illness is often very hard to manage & easily susceptible to relapse

  • fuzzywuzzy

    That’s exactly what I hate about this direction of press. It’s setting the stage for Britney to have some kind of on-air meltdown on live television, and attempting to attract viewers based on that possibility. Simon really is willing to stoop to any level to promote his show and it just stinks.

  • b_james

    I think this is ridiculous.  She’s gonna be fine.

  • http://twitter.com/London313 London

    Way to throw Brittney under the bus for ratings. I hate the way they use celebrities these days. The girl had a tuff time but is working hard to get her life back. She is doing great on XFactor why try and taint people view of her or even remind everyone that she was not so together at one point in her life. Let XFactor be a positive place for her and not just another magnent milking her breakdown for press.

  • http://twitter.com/prd9601 Philip Dudley

    I thought that was the whole reason Brittney was on X-Factor! A good train wreck will push the ratings sky high!

  • http://twitter.com/Miztig Miz

    This sort of pisses me off. I have friends who worked with her when she was on ‘How I Met Your Mother’ and they had nothing but high praise for her. The thing that one friend said really stands out. ‘I really need to stop paying attention to tabloid journalism.’

  • http://profile.yahoo.com/XDQP2Y46M5B3OHOKALDDGDHQCM Leandro

    Seriously? Maybe a small meltdown would be funny but the odds are that she’ll be a calm, bland and scripted judge. Anyway, the face will still be there for our entertainment.

  • Chris

    Really? It’s Britney they are worried about??? Boloney. Nikki and Mariah playing nice is way more of a threat to Fox.

  • ellen8

    I agree with pre taping the show.   Live shows air taped on the West Coast with no editing (except for occasional bad words cut out) but it really wouldn’t matter.    Like Leno and Letterman, they talk as if they are live as we watch and who really cares?

    And I agree that Britney is working hard to pull herself together.   This show may be a way to reassure herself that she can function knowing she is airing before millions.   She is already showing us a more mature and responsible Britney.  No, her words are few but she gets to the point.   I think her final 4 are great decisions.   I’m pulling for her and hopefully, Simon is not using her mental condition for ratings.   If so, it doesn’t seem to be working since The Voice is rating higher !!

  • Soakey

    To everyone pushing the “britney has worked hard to…” angle, give up.  Working hard would be turning off the fame spigot and walking away from the spotlight with her tens of millions to focus on what is actually important, raising her children and seeking the capability to get control of her life.

    Right now she is still a sideshow attaction.   Did that pink mesh dress not clue you in to her still being plied with bad decisions, clinging to a past like a cheerleader turned truckstop waitress. 

    She cearly, clearly, clearly is not “all there” and sitting in a fancy chair listning to joke contestants isnt working hard at all. 

    If she isnt willing to leave the world that broke her, she shouldnt be praised for sticking around while Simon and co. try to grind out some noteriety on whats left of her name.

  • milwlovesadam

    Ugh. This is just trying to get press. Brittany is bipolar and is presumably under the care of a doctor, and takes medication.  She is much better, more stable now. I highly doubt that she would have a “meltdown” on live TV. Lots and lots of people are on TV every single day who have mental illnesses and don’t have meltdowns. UGH. Mining PR from illness is just not right. I can’t believe I’m saying this, but, poor Brittany.

    I’d put my money on Niki Minaj and her freak show doing something to ruin the day than Brittany.

  • http://twitter.com/cara_lee pj

    I haven’t been watching X Factor. I will say that I think it was terrible of Fox to hire someone who is under a conservatorship.  I almost feel as if she’s being used as a meal ticket by everyone.  She needs to get well and take control of her own life.  According to reports, she’s barely seen her children since Xfactor started. Is this best for her or them?  I doubt it.  She has enough money.  Shame on Simon, her dad and her fiance.  Oh, and they had to know this court case would coincide with X-Factor, but shame on that Lutfi guy too. Oh, and her mom for writing a book to profit off Brit and giving the guy ammunition.

  • http://twitter.com/ITS_KJB_OMG Kyle Bianchini

    I think this is getting blown out of proportion. Britney has been back in a good place for a while I thought. I think she’ll be fine. She doesn’t need to be in court for this and this jackhole is probably looking for his 15 minutes. I think it will be okay.

  • p2fan

    I think whatever will happen everybody should show that they love her, will not forsake her and are all behind her.  Though a few would be nasty.  I think she is seeing her children in private, just that she does not want the press. 

  • http://twitter.com/KariannHart Kariann Hart

    Britney has to avoid most of what is written about her.  She’ll be fine.

  • Rhys Williams

    I think the need for live shows would be for results. If the audience knew who won before the rest of the world did, it just wouldnt work.