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Celeb News: X Factor Season 2 Reviews
Member Since: 11/6/2010
Posts: 27,791
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X Factor Season 2 Reviews
I decided to make a thread for all X Factor reviews so that we don't have too many different threads and they don't get lost in the other X Factor thread. 
Associated Press: Britney Rules On X-Factor, Demi Charms
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By LYNN ELBER, AP Television Writer
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Judge Britney Spears is in control on "The X Factor."
During the season debut airing Wednesday on Fox, the audience cheers her, Simon Cowell defers to her and Spears is crisp, if not a wit, in her contestant verdicts.
We get the pop princess who knows how to hold the spotlight, not the young woman who has struggled in her personal life, in the taped premiere of "X Factor." Live episodes start airing in November.
In the episode screened Tuesday night at Grauman's Chinese Theater, Spears frets that it will be difficult to "sit there and be opinionated."
Not so much.
"I want to know who let you onstage," she says to a contestant who insulted Demi Lovato, the other freshman joining Simon Cowell and Antonio "L.A." Reid as a judge.
"I felt I was listening to Alvin and the Chipmunks," she tells one singer. "You're flawless," she says to another.
Jitters may be making her matter-of-fact, and even stern, but she appears unlikely to morph into a Paula Abdul-style pushover even if she gets more comfortable. Her "X Factor" style: sleek, form-fitting dresses and an impressive array of frowns and surprised smiles.
Cowell, the show's creator, executive producer and the Scrooge of compliments, practically beamed as he tended to give Spears the last word on contestants — which often is "no," at least as this episode has it.
"You're very good at this," he tells Spears at one point. "Everyone says I'm the mean one," he adds later.
At one point, when a pained-looking Spears joins the panel in rejecting a singer she'd recorded with, and who is attempting a comeback, she hangs onto her composure.
There are more changes to "X Factor" than the addition of Spears and Lovato, who replaced season one Abdul and Nicole Scherzinger after the show fell short of Cowell's high-flying ratings predictions.
The revamped "X Factor" retains the pro forma mix of oddballs and genuinely talented singers, but it's less grandiose. One example: The addition of a reality TV-style backstage glance at contestant rivalries, but with a light touch.
Fox's show isn't the only game in town. NBC expanded this week's return of "The Voice" to three days, with an episode airing Wednesday against "X Factor."
Spears, 30, who reportedly got a one-season, $15 million contract to join the show, appears to be its top draw. She earned the loudest audience applause at the public screening, held after Cowell and company put their mark on the cement outside Grauman's on Hollywood Boulevard.
"I love you, Britney," one fan called out. "We all love you, Britney," chorused others.
She went from child performer to international star with her 1999 debut album, "Baby One More Time." More hits followed, including "Oops! ... I Did It Again" and "Toxic," but her life was difficult, including rehab spells and time in a psychiatric ward.
Last fall, as she toured in support of her seventh album, the hit "Femme Fatale," she told The Associated Press in London: "I hear the older you get, the wiser you get and the more you know what you want — so hopefully it'll be a good year."
Lovato, who has faced her own personal challenges, looked at ease on "X Factor." The 20-year-old singer showed poise, warmth — and a sense of stagecraft.
A contestant told of being bullied in school and taking comfort from Lovato's own challenges and her anti-bullying efforts. When the young woman, who wowed the judges with her performance, broke down sobbing, Lovato beckoned her over for a long hug.
During a Q&A Tuesday, an audience member asked Reid if it was important to make sure aspiring stars can avoid the pitfalls of fame. It's impossible to predict who will withstand the pressure, Reid replied, then lauded both Spears and Lovato as the "complete package" of talent and personality.
The two-hour "X Factor" season debut, airing 8 p.m. EDT Wednesday, is followed by a second episode Thursday.
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Can't wait for more reviews. 
If you find any more just post them in this thread. 
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Member Since: 10/20/2009
Posts: 20,682
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Can't wait to watch 
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Member Since: 8/2/2010
Posts: 12,507
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And I love that this review is being used by all the major outlets, The Washington Post, and The Huffington Post
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Banned
Member Since: 12/12/2011
Posts: 13,860
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Yup this review has been recycled quite a bit today 
Arrrrghhh I'm just too excited!
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Member Since: 5/14/2009
Posts: 34,871
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There's already a season 2?  How
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Member Since: 7/9/2009
Posts: 2,894
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Quote:
Originally posted by iLays
There's already a season 2? How |
omg lmao
this is the second season premiering tonight
the first season was the irrelevant one, with nicole scherzinger and cheryl cole for 2 episodes or something 
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Member Since: 11/18/2008
Posts: 60,607
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Quote:
Originally posted by iLays
There's already a season 2? How |
Yeah right...as you didn't knkw
Don't lie boo
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Member Since: 4/23/2012
Posts: 16,691
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Snatch that critical acclaim Britney in yet another industry 
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Member Since: 3/30/2012
Posts: 8,824
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the only review that matters
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Member Since: 3/18/2008
Posts: 40,057
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Quote:
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'X Factor' Premiere Recap: Mean Girls, Meltdowns and Mommies
Welcome to the Britney Spears Show, ladies and gentlemen.
At least that’s how The X Factor’s second season kicked off on Wednesday, showcasing new judges Spears and Demi Lovato. The pop duo join returning judges Simon Cowell (still as biting as ever) and LA Reid, who undoubtedly appears to have the best eye for talent.
Following a flashy intro – showcasing X Factor UK alumni Leona Lewis, Cher Lloyd and One Direction, seemingly ignoring season one stars Chris Rene and Melanie Amaro – auditions got underway in Austin, Texas. The show opened strong with 21-year-old Paige Thomas, who – though appearing to be a carbon copy of Rihanna, as noted by Reid – wowed the judges with her powerhouse voice, rock star ensemble and adorable 3-year-old daughter.
“She inspires me,” Thomas said of her daughter Jade, while Cowell proclaimed the audition one of his favorites of all time.
New to this year’s format is a behind-the-scenes storyline, which aims to showcase the so-called “bitchiness,” according to Cowell, that seems to go on backstage. Audiences not only see the judges banter back and forth between takes, but they also witness 22-year-old contestant Kaci Newton – a self-proclaimed mix between Carrie Underwood and Adele (she’s not) – make faces and snide comments about her competition from behind the curtain. Were the comments staged? Skillfully edited? We’ll let you be the judge of that.
Thomas wasn’t the only lookalike to face the judges on Wednesday. The spitting image of Justin Bieber was found in 13-year-old Reed Dennings, who barely scraped through to the next round on charm and an adorable, precocious nature. His vocals? Not the strongest.
There were also the obligatory lemons, including Shawn Armenta, 50, singing his own creepy song, titled “Candy Girls.”
“I’m uncomfortable with you even staring at me,” said Spears, while Lovato later admitted at the show’s Hollywood premiere that she had to take a few moments to gather her thoughts after his performance.
One of the surprising hits of the episode was San Francisco contestant Quatrele Da’an, who, donning pink lipstick and a scandalous “Like a Virgin-”-esque getup (“I’m getting married to X Factor today”), surprised the judges with his enthusiastic rendition of Lady Gaga’s “Born This Way.”
“Sometimes I have to embrace the madness. Today, I am. I’m gonna say ‘yes,’” said Cowell, after comparing Da’an to the offspring of Dracula, Madonna and Bobby Brown.
In one of the more uncomfortable moments of the show, contestant Don Phillip reunited with Spears after recording a duet, “I Will Still Love You,” on her 1999 debut album. An overly emotional Phillip appears to have gone through the ringer (to say the least) over the last decade, and unfortunately, he does not come out on top. After being shot down by all four judges, including an emotional Spears, Phillip could be seen shrieking and crying that he “never meant to hurt Britney.” Awk-ward.
The breakout talent from the show was undoubtedly Jillian Jensen, 19, who bonded with Lovato over bullying issues, close birthdays and matching “stay strong” tattoos. “When you sang, you broke my heart,” Lovato declared after a heart-tugging performance. Closing on an emotional note, the show ended with tears flowing on the judges’ panel, in the audience and on stage.
The series’ preview shows countless medical professionals and hospital scares, but none of that happened during the two-hour premiere. Maybe -- make that definitely -- we’ll see some more crushing despair on Thursday’s episode.
While Spears was largely touted as the new “Queen of Mean,” Cowell still reigns supreme, as evidenced by the show’s most memorable zingers, listed below for your amusement. Below you’ll also find a list of the best and worst performances of the evening, in case you missed it (hello, YouTube).
Best Zingers:
“You were like a mouse trying to be an elephant” – Simon Cowell
“That’s why you use auto-tune and I don’t” – contestant Shawn Amernta to Demi Lovato
“I wanna know who let you onstage. I’m uncomfortable with you even staring at me” – Britney Spears
“I felt like I was listening to Alvin and the Chipmunks” – Britney Spears
“You sang like a dog trying to lay an egg” – Simon Cowell
“Are you drunk?” – Demi Lovato
“Have you ever watched yourself on stage? You turn into a raving lunatic” – Simon Cowell
“There used to be boybands years ago, there’s five of them, and there’s always one that doesn't sing. That’s you.” – Simon Cowell
“Do you like animals? If I were you, I’d go out and buy a puppy and make this a happy day for yourself because the singing was awful” – Simon Cowell
Best and Worst Auditions:
Best:
Paige Thomas: “I’m Going Down,” Mary J. Blige
Emblem 3: “Sunset Boulevard,” Self Penned (We’ll expect to see their debut album out next year, for sure.)
Jennel Garcia: “Paris,” Grace Potter & the Nocturnals
Jillian Jensen: Title Unknown, Self Penned
Worst:
Shawn Armenta:“Candy Girls,” Self Penned
Kaci Newton: “Firework,” Katy Perry
Quatrele Da’an: “Born This Way,” Lady Gaga
Vincent Thomas: “Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word,” Elton John
Don Phillip: “Halo,” Beyonce
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Member Since: 12/21/2011
Posts: 2,014
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Death, does no one know that Jillian sang "Who You Are" by Jessie J? 
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Member Since: 4/23/2012
Posts: 16,691
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Quote:
Originally posted by Von
Death, does no one know that Jillian sang "Who You Are" by Jessie J? |
OMG  Just noticed
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Member Since: 12/13/2011
Posts: 6,392
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I didn't know Demi is 20 Years-Old
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Member Since: 12/14/2011
Posts: 21,274
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I thought she did a great job.
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Member Since: 5/7/2011
Posts: 2,426
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Lovato, who has faced her own personal challenges, looked at ease on "X Factor." The 20-year-old singer showed poise, warmth — and a sense of stagecraft.
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She made Britney seem boring.
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Member Since: 2/16/2010
Posts: 69,775
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They showed UK X Factor winners in the American montage but completely ignored the American X Factor finalists?!
The manipulation.
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Member Since: 5/14/2009
Posts: 34,871
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Quote:
Originally posted by Superbitch
Yeah right...as you didn't knkw
Don't lie boo |
Ummm...I don't watch this **** NOR do i keep up with it 
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