TV Review: THE X FACTOR – Season 1 – “The Final 11 Perform”

By PETER BROWN / Contributing Editor

Posted: November 10th, 2011 / 10:17 AM

Drew Ryniewicz performs on THE X FACTOR - Season 1 - "The Top 11 Perform" | ©2011 Fox/Ray Mickshaw

Cast: Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul, Antonio Reid, Nicole Scherzinger
Network: Fox, airs on Wednesdays and Thursdays
Original Telecast: Nov. 9, 2011

It was movie night on the world’s second, third, fourth, fifth greatest karaoke competition, THE X FACTOR and with one group already gone from the show, will the others rebound or will Paula Abdul only have one contestant left after this week?

So they are going with a theme night, eh? Hmm seems familiar. Oh yeah, AMERICAN IDOL has done it for a decade. If they really want to separate itself from the other Fox singing competition I think they need to do more of their own thing and not just pigeonhole themselves into following IDOL’s footsteps which seems to happen more often than not.

Anyway, let’s get to it.

Stacey Francis
Song: “Queen of the Night” by Whitney Houston from THE BODYGUARD
What the judges said: L.A. thought it was the wrong song as he did from the beginning. Paula loves her but doesn’t like the song period. Simon also didn’t like the song choice. Nicole, her mentor, loved everything.
What I say: Yeah, this is probably why you were in the bottom last week. While I like your voice, it just seems you are trying too hard. The whole dancing while singing really didn’t come off well and that was the reason she chose the song. Bad choice. It would have been better to sing the song with minimal movements because it became all a mess toward the middle. She’s got the chops to sing this song, but not while dancing. Again, I think Stacey has a voting problem as she doesn’t fall in for the tweens or the old people (two of the strongest blocs) leaving her with a small contingent that will be voting for her.
Grade: C

Marcus Canty
Song: “I’m Going Down” by Rose Royce from CARWASH
What the judges said: Nicole said he was a beautiful dream and he seems to enjoy being up there. Paula said everything from head to toe shines star. Simon said it was a thousand percent better than last week. L.A., his mentor, loved it, naturally.
What I say: After having a hundred dancers on stage last week it was good to see Marcus on stage with only a few backup singers and a truckload of weird lighting and smoke machines. This guy has a lot of stage presence for being an amateur and you would really never know that he hasn’t performed very much in his life. I have a feeling he won’t be going “back to work” as he said for a while as he has the moves and the chops to make it big.
Grade: B

Drew
Song: “Fix You” by Coldplay from YOU, ME AND DUPREE
What the judges said: L.A. thought it was really good but wants to see more variety from her. Nicole said she is brilliant beyond her years. Paula said she gives an honest performance each and every week but hated what she is wearing. Simon, her mentor, thought it was great because she took a risk and sounded great.
What I say: Nice to have Drew follow up her excellent performance from last week that maybe was a bit old fashioned with a modern ballad from Coldplay that most people will recognize. While this won’t make anyone get up and start dancing, it showed that she is a real talent and has a lot going for her in this competition. Sure, she had a few pitch issues here and there but nothing major. Mostly it was a really, really good cover. Although not a fan of that peacock dress she was wearing (even if she did design it herself).
Grade: B

Leroy Bell
Song: “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For” by U2 from RUNAWAY BRIDE
What the judges said: L.A. said this was much better than last week. Paula said this is what she was waiting for from him. Simon said he sounded like a twentysomething that was classy and it was his best performance yet. Nicole, his mentor, called him great.
What I say: This is what I’m talking about it from Leroy. A nice upbeat song that showcases his fabulous voice and something that will get the crowd going. Yeah, he’s gotta get some more showmanship up on stage because he ain’t no Marcus Canty, but his voice is just butter and that’s a huge thing here. He also is the oldest dude in the competition that gets him in the good graces of the older viewers right away.
Grade: B

Lakoda Rayne
Song: “I Wanna Love Somebody Like You” By Keith Urban from HOW TO LOSE A GUY IN 10 DAYS
What the judges said: L.A. said they are his favorite girl group in the competition. Nicole said they all look natural and are effortless. Simon said after last week’s horror show they seem more like the group he had hoped they would become. Paula, their mentor, was very proud of them, naturally.
What I say: I wonder what the brunette thinks in this group. Does she secretly hate the fact the other chicks are all blond? It isn’t like this is the Spice Girls where there is a rainbow of chicks with different hair, it is three blonds and one dark hair. I also liked that they were not elements or whatever the hell they dressed up last week as because I enjoy seeing a bit more leg in my hot chick bands. Oh, the song? As you can tell, I kinda drifted off during the performance because it was pretty bland.
Grade: C

Astro
Song: “Lose Yourself” by Eminem from 8 MILE
What the judges said: Nicole said it was so heavy and it separates the good from the great. Paula said the he is a superstar. Simon said he has a great work ethic and incredibly creative and even a role model. L.A., his mentor, was really proud.
What I say: I wasn’t sure about how Astro would do in this competition in the long term because there is only so much you can do with this kid. At least so I thought. This was the absolute perfect song for him. “Lose Yourself” is already a great song and putting his own little spin on it with his on lyrics is a pretty cool thing to do in a competition that is just a glorified karaoke competition. That sets him apart from the rest and could be the thing that gets him far into the show. The best performance of the night by far.
Grade: B+

Melanie Amaro
Song: “Man in the Mirror” by Michael Jackson from THIS IS IT
What the judges said: L.A. said it was really good and is a really great singer but it was not inventive. Nicole praised the song choice and made Michael proud. Paula said she is a remarkable singer. Simon, her mentor, said she was bloody fantastic.
What I say: First off, I dislike Michael Jackson. His early stuff, yeah it’s great but the other songs have been so overdone that I get all frustrated when I hear it. Now, Melanie has been one of the best overall vocal performers in the competition up until this point. Supposedly she had a sore throat or something but you couldn’t tell as she continued to show why she has to be one of the favorites to make it deep into the show. Nothing at all wrong with her vocals, I just wish it was a different song.
Grade: B

The Stereo Hogzz
Song: “Ain’t No Other Man” by Christina Aguilera from GET SMART
What the judges said: L.A. said he was not familiar with the song and they looked good but wanted another song. Nicole said it was bananas and her favorite performance from them. Simon said they need to perform the music they want to make and be less cabaret.
What I say: I was a bit shocked that Stereo Hogzz were in the bottom two last week. I called it that Intensity and Stacey were going to be in there but I figured Lakoda Layne was also going to be in there. I guess this week we will see if America likes groups or not in realty singing competitions. It was an interesting choice of song given it was originally sung by Christina Aguilera but I guess it works as a group. Again, however, I might not have the eye candy on stage and backup singers? Backup singers for a group? Seems redundant to me but whatever. And unlike Lakoda Rayne it certainly seems like there is one singer and the rest just follow so that may need to change for them to continue to be in the show.
Grade: C+

Josh Krajcik
Song: “With a Little Help From My Friends” by Joe Cocker from ACROSS THE UNIVERSE
What the judges said: L.A. said it was well done and right song. Paula said his voice is comforting and amazing. Simon loved the song choice and loved the second half more than the first half. He also didn’t like all the dancers and stuff on stage. Nicole, his mentor, said he was fabulous.
What I say: Originally a Beatles song, Josh wisely chose the Joe Cocker version of the song that fits much more into his wheelhouse as the sultry modern contemporary singer that he is. Amazing that this guy was working in some taco shop prior to getting on this show because his voice is crazy good. Not sure about the weird faces he was making while singing or the wispy dancers that were on stage but the song itself was excellent and he won’t be going anywhere soon.
Grade: B+

Chris Rene
Song: “Gangsta’s Paradise” by Coolio from DANGEROUS MINDS
What the judges said: Nicole liked his own lyrics that he changed up in the song. Paula said that he was amazing and honest. Simon liked it and what he liked about him during the first audition process. L.A., his mentor, was proud of him, naturally.
What I say: While I don’t like that THE X FACTOR is following in the footsteps of IDOL with the theme nights that they are doing, I do like that the contestants are not your typical type of people we’d see on IDOL. Astro and Chris Rene are two of the most different singers as they are more hip hop than anything else we have seen on these other shows. The interesting thing about Chris is that he’s a good rapper and an excellent singer. Again, not sure about all the dancers on stage taking away from the actual singer on stage but it was still better than his performance from last week and that’s always a good thing.
Grade: B

Rachel Crow
Song: “I’d Rather Go Blind” by Etta James from CADILLAC RECORDS
What the judges said: L.A. said he didn’t know if she was a true contender but tonight proved she was. Nicole was happy that she had a good song choice. Paula loves her and loves she is teaching Simon humility. Simon, her mentor, adores her and reminds of him of a mini-Beyonce.
What I say: Unlike the judges and apparently the rest of America, I have been not that impressed with Rachel up until this point. However, this song perhaps opened my eyes a bit. It was pretty damn good. This kid can sing and it is very hard to believe she’s so young and can sing so powerfully. It is uncanny and these really young kids that have great voices is another difference that THE X-FACTOR has over the other competitions and why they don’t need theme nights.
Grade: B+

So who will be in the bottom this week? I gotta believe the two groups will be in there, Lakoda Rayne and The Stereo Hogzz, and I think Stacey Francis will again be in the bottom.

UPDATE: Who Got Eliminated? Click on Link : TV Review: The X-Factor – SEASON ONE – “The Final 11” elimination

AGREE? DISAGREE? LET US KNOW WHAT YOU THINK – COMMENT BELOW!

Click on Link: TV Review: X-FACTOR – SEASON ONE – “The Top 12 Compete”

Click on Link: TV Review: THE X-FACTOR – SEASON ONE – “The Top 17 Compete”

Click on Link: TV Review – THE X FACTOR – Season 1 – “Auditions No. 1” – Series Premiere

Click on Link: Simon Cowell is convinced THE X FACTOR could be the next AMERICAN IDOL

Click on Link: Simon Cowell on Cheryl Cole’s exit from the THE X FACTOR

Click on Link: Paula Abdul talks about reuniting with Simon Cowell on THE X FACTOR

Click on Link: Simon Cowell talks about Mariah Carey joining THE X FACTOR as a mentor