X Factor 2 - Top 12 Results, Recap and Video

Recapping the X Factor Results RIGHT HERE. DOUBLE ELIMINATION.

OMG. Lyric 145 is eliminated!
Jennel Garcia is Eliminated

I’ve come to the conclusion that if Simon Cowell can’t get it right by now, he never will. I think a big part of the problem is that he doesn’t understand American audiences. American Idol was produced by Brits who understood and appreciated American optimism. The aspirational nature of Idol is what makes it work. Sure, there’s some snark during the audition phase, but once the competition was underway, the tone turned earnest. Putting the group through the double humiliation of elimination, and then the voting ranking, is just too much. There is a mean tone to X Factor that my fly in Europe. But in the US, it’s no wonder that The Voice, with it’s cheerleading coaches and nurturing air is doing better in the ratings.

Also part of the problem are the heavy-duty manipulation of the finalists. The producers and mentors are doing a horrible job putting together performances for the contenders. Jennel Garcia and Lyric 145 left this week because they were basically sabotaged by and saddled with terrible song choice and production. It’s a shame, because there is talent in this group, but nearly all of them seem to be shoehorned into images that don’t fit them as artists. It’s pathetic, really. X Factor UK is NOT awful. I have to question who Simon has helping him behind the scenes.

So, yeah, I was giving X Factor a chance this year. The edited shows were well done and entertaining as fake docu-drama, but it’s all fallen apart since the live shows began. Khloe Kardashian is the worst host ever, shouting at the contestants, struggling with the teleprompter, talking over Mario. But Simon purposely hired a host without experience. It shouldn’t be a surprise that she sucks.

Knowing how the contestants voting rank week to week is initially interesting, but ultimately robs the contest of any surprise or mystery. So now we know that Tate, Carly and Vino will be the final three. Y’all can stop watching now!

Also, Beatrice Miller is headed for a Rachel Crow like meltdown x infinity. That’s going to be really ugly when it happens.

Ohhhh. The voting rankings will be revealed again tonight! Taylor Swift will perform. First a recap of last night’s performances.

The Top 12 acts take the stage.

FIRST ACT IS LEAVING THE COMPLETION RIGHT NOW. After the break. Ugh. Seascrest can get away with that “….after the break” shite. You, Mario, are no Ryan Seacrest.

The act with the lowest number of votes is…Lyric 145. Ugh. I knew they wouldn’t last long, but I thought they had a week or two more. They really got screwed with their song choice this week. (Read more about that here)

Taylor Swift performs “State Of Grace” for the first time live.

Stumble over those words, Khloe (She’s awful)

The remaining contestants take the stage with their mentors. Who is safe? Announced in no particular order. Arin is safe. He looks real surprised. CeCe breaks into tears when she learns that she’s safe. Fifth Harmony, Jennel Garcia and Paige Thomas are left.

After the break, we learn that Fifth Harmony is safe.

Paige Thomas and Jennel Garcia will sing for their lives!

Jennel Garcia performs “The Reason” by Hoobastank – This is better than anything she’s done on the live show so far. It’s pitchy in spots, but heartfelt. It just goes to show how overbearing the manipulation is on this show. It strips the artists of their personality.

Paige Thomas performs “Paradise” by Coldplay – She’s also the best she’s been in weeks. Honestly, I think whoever survives tonight should REVOLT against the producers and their crappy choices. The people handling these finalists have their heads up their butts.

The judges choose who to send home.

LA Reid sends home Jennel Garcia
Britney Spears sends home Jennel Garcia
Simon Cowell wants Demi to go first. Mario says NO. Cowell refuses to choose until Demi does. Mario says testily, “You’re the boss.” Whoa.
Demi Lovato refuses to go next. THIS FAKE FIGHT IS LAME. She relents and sends home Paige. I’m betting that choice had to do with forcing Simon’s hand.
Simon Cowell sends home Jennel Garcia.

Jennel Garcia is eliminated