I was expecting Simon Cowell’s boot camp to be long on over the top drama, and short on singing. Wouldn’t you know, it was just the opposite. The episode begins at a brisk pace, as 162 acts are whittled down to 100. But once the group portion of the competition begins, we settle in for a very thorough and staightford presentation of singers.
There were eight groups made up of 6-8 singers. Each group got a different song. We were introduced to all the singers at the beginning of their segments so there were no mysteries. The song choices ranged from Radiohead to Whitney Houston. The judges picked the songs for the groups, and this is where things got manipulative, because tunes appeared to be chosen to prop up favorite contestants.
On Idol, the groups are smaller and actually perform like, well, groups. X Factor groups are really a collection of acts that perform the same song on the same stage–basically a collection of lead vocals stitched together to make a song. There’s very little group singing. And the groups were pretty solid, except for the last bunch whose overlapping caterwauling caused a bit of a trainwreck.
I did appreciate that each of the groups performed a different song. On Idol, after the 3rd or 4th version of “Ain’t to Proud to Beg” I’m about ready to slap someone. And choregraphy. There was Brian Friedman leading the entire group in a dance number. You won’t be seeing that on Idol.
I have to say, I didn’t come away tonight with bowled over by any of the performances. Tomorrow is Part 2 of boot camp. We’ll see if Simon finally brings the drama. And maybe he’s saving the best performances for last.
I’ll be live blogging the 1st night of the X Factor boot camp right here. Tonight’s show is only 90 minutes long, if you happen to be organizing you evening!
Tonight, the hopefuls will be split up into 4 groups, the boys, the girls, the over 30s and the groups.
Oh geez, look at Paula Abdul crying her face off!
We see hopeful in their respective cities getting ready to take off for Los Angeles. 162 acts have made it to boot camp.
Marcus Canty, 4 Sure, Chris Rene are there. Oh look. Chris’s sister Gina also made it to boot camp.
32 acts will remain at the end of the week, split up into the 4 categories. The 32 will head to the judges houses where the field will be whittled down to 16 for the live shows.
Only 100 will survive the first day of boot camp. Claude Kelly, Brian Friedman and other experts will help the judges make their decisions.
Here’s a big difference from Idol: The contestants have to dance choreography. They are learning a routine on the first day.
The little 14 year old kid, Brian Bradley, doesn’t want to dance. He has to be coaxed up. Now it’s time to sing. Acts are called to the stage in rows of 10.
Siameze Floyd. (He’s dreadful) is singing “More than a feeling”, The Anser perform. Tiger Budbill holds a long note. Caitlyn Coch, Drew, Gina Rine, Rachel Crow, Tora Woloshin–So we’re speeding through this–Brennin Hunt, J. Mark Inman, The Breewr Boys, Brendan O’Hara forgets the words. Chris Rene, Melanie Amaro, Stacy Francis holds a biiiig note. Oh please. Simon says less is more. Stacy cries afterward. Oh. I think this one is a crier (annoying).
Decision time. And the decision is that a bunch of people are through to the next round. This is going SUPER fast. They send a second group home. Shot of someone begging to stay. Simon comforts him, believe it or not. J. Mark Inman has a breakdown.
A third group is safe. All the yeses converge on stage for big hugs. Chris and his sister Gina have a big reunion. Oh. Pauler is CRYING.
100 acts survive. Some go to bed early, others party into the night!
Day 2
The 100 are split into groups.
First Group: “Creep” by Radiohead – Drew Ryniewicz, Caitlin Koch, The Anser, Audrey Turner, Elaine Gibbs, Clayton Senne, Dexter Haygood – Choreographer, Brian Friedman is on hand to help the group “polish” their act. Dexter is the James Brown dude and is struggling. Audrey Turner is Ike’s widow. She says it’s her turn to step out front. I bet she’s got some stories. Drew starts off the performance. She’s all rock n roll. Dexter is next and begins jumping around the stage uncomfortably. The Anser seem a little out of their element. Ike’s wife, Audrey, is next. This is such a weird collection of artists. They aren’t really singing together. Caitlin performs next. The judges, pleased with the group, congratulate them.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZglfmbQ4iWs
Playing “Moves Like Jagger” in the background. Really? Hm.
Second Group: “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For” by U2 – Jazzlyn Little, Melanie Amaro, Heather Gayle, Aaron Surgeon, Arin Ray, Special Guest, Stacey Francis – Vocal coach, Claude Kelly is backstage helping out with vocals. Stacy wants to prove herself after over-playing her hand earlier in bootcamp. Claude tells them to dial back the vocal tricks. Jazzlyn takes the stage first. She’s very soulful. Stacy is next. Paula is grooving along! Melanie is up next. Whoa! Big gospel ending. Jazzlyn is crying because she thinks she let the group down. She is very insecure. She’s not going to get very far at this rate.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fXDA6VECcVE
Third Group: “Desperado” by the Eagles – Dani Knights, Skyelor Anderson, Leroy Bell, Chelsea Musick, Ben Rue, Paige Ogle, Cari Fletcher – Cari is the pretty girl whom Simon called boring. Leroy thinks they have a great song to sing, while country singer, Skyelor is happy with the choice. Dani is a country artist. Paige, who has never been away from her hometown, Baltimore, if first. Leroy is next, then Dani takes the stage. Everyone is holding up so far, except for Skyelor who is out of his depth, forgetting the words.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HPQ-JGiCQzM
No trainwrecks, or drama so far. I’m surprised.
Fourth group: “Wishing on a Star” – Tinuke Oyefule, Jennifay Joy, Lauren Ashley, Tatiana “Reina” Williams, Brian Bradley – Claude Kelly is coaching. The song contains rapping and singing and it just so happens the annoying 14 year old rapper, Brian Bradley, is in the group. Some are rapping for the first time. Tinuke starts things off. Brian comes in with his rapping thing. Tatiana, another rapper is next. Maybe they’ll have a rap off. Oh. They are. The others are basically singing background. Lauren is next. Oh. She’s not good. I get the sense that everyone in the group is cannon fodder. This was a big ole hot mess. LA thinks Brian is too young. Well….YEAH.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8fFQc1MIL_A
Fifth Group: “Superman” by Five for Fighting – Josh Krajcik, Tiger Budbill, Nick Dean, Kompl3te, Andrew Muccitelli, James Kenney, Thomas McAbee – Tiger barely made it to boot camp. He’s nervous. LA didn’t like him. Nick is the young Bieber dude. Tiger feels it’s his last chance. Nick starts the song. Ohh. He’s really off key, forgetting the words. CHOKED. James is next and also totally off-pitch. Tiger fairs a little better. Josh is the only singer who seems comfortable up there. Simon likes Tiger because he’s a fighter.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wyxERTdc62g
Sixth Group: “Feeling Good” – Chesi Spriggs, Nick Voss, Phillip Lomax, Austin Simmons, Tiah Tolliver, Kelly Warner, Robert Cruz – Tiah was the contestant Simon fought to keep. She wants to be remembered as the girl who has steel eyes. WHAT? Chesi–the fat white girl will be cut fast. Tiah is laying on some weird fake attitude in addition to not singing well. Simon was high for wanting her. Kelly is very sultry. Nick is as terrible here as he was in his audition. Why did he advance? The group sings together and it’s…frightening.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Cgt593tXAE
Seventh Group: “I Have Nothing” by Whitney Houston – Rachel Crow, Joshua Maddox, 4Shore, Hayley Orrantia, Illusion Confusion, Caylie Gregorio, De’Quan Allen, Ellona Santiago – Really Simon. Whitney? Really? Didn’t you criticize Idol contestants for picking Whitney songs? Rachel is having a tough time with it. She’s strugging to find “her box” She’s supposed to know that at 13? Illusion Confusion are more confused than ever. OMG this choreography CHEESY. De’Quan starts things off. Joshua is laughably out of his element poor guy. Rachel gives it a try, but she’s under pitch. Hayley is a little better, but this is a ridiculous song choice. Ellona? Also not good. 4Shore. Yikes. This song is a set up to fail.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JAfyK0PUR1A
Eighth Group: “Run” by Snow Patrol – Siameze Floyd, Jeremiah Pagan, Song Preservation Society, Cesar De La Rosa, Makenna & Brock, The Stereo Hogzz, Emily Michalak – Country singers, Makenna and Brock may be heading for a showmance? The dude has a crush. Now, Makenna claims that she’s coming around. At least for the cameras! Siameze. Oy. Emily is getting cold feet. Whoa. Emily is terrible. So is Makenna and Brock. Wow. This group is a TRAIN WRECK. Lots of caterwauling going on right here. Holy sh*t. Simon wants to advance Siameze. Emily thinks she hit all the notes. No. She did not.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3bCJSL7OEUA
The group performances continue tomorrow. And one final challenge.
