The X Factor 2016

When you compare X factor to pop idol, you have to wonder Maybe there need to STOP being so serous, and bring back a bit of fun?

Could not agree with you more. The overhype of the drama in recent years (well, most of them) is one of the many reasons I've come to despise it.

Oh please, it's hardly serious.

I see his point.

If you look at Eurovision for example, that's become very "knowing" in recent productions, notably the previous Swedish production in 2013, with comments like in Vienna from the gorgeous female presenter about how she's stood in the crowd with so many good looking men but not one wants to give her their number. It's kind of lightened it up a bit.

X Factor has tried the same tack early on but they haven't stuck with it. I think if they went down Eurovision's route of just embracing the fun side of it, it'd make for a better show.

I always thought the 'X' factor meant that indefinable extra something that differentiated a singer from a star. "I was abused/bullied/had cancer/made stuff up/lied about my age" are not indefinable star qualities. They are heartstring tuggers.

But it takes itself VERY seriously. That's the problem... The overblown nature of the current show isn't self-knowingly overblown - it's the opposite...

Though the Austrian attempt was about as subtle as a lead balloon and the joke went down badly. The Swedish humour was knowing and light-touch - and worked very well as a result.

(I get the feeling that the people behind Austria watched Sweden and Denmark, didn't get the jokes, but copied them anyway...)

Watching the opening 10 minutes or so of Saturday's show (via the Sunday repeat) it feels over the top, but at the same time the show doesn't seem to realise this and feels like it takes itself rather seriously. Contrast this with Strictly which clearly doesn't take itself too seriously, as noticeable with Craig's judges entrance on Saturday. The X Factor as a whole has overused effects & gimmicks to the point they no longer have the desired effect.

Personally I'd scrap Peter Dickson's announcement of the judges names. It's somewhat pointless as their names are repeated a few seconds later by Caroline & Olly during the judges entrance sequence (surely viewers aren't that thick). I'd also remove the 'judges & their acts' pieces from the pre-titles intro, and instead have Caroline & Olly announce them. Similarly going from the act's song to judges comments still seems to be designed for a single presenter and doesn't make full use of having two presenters.

They should have refreshed the presentation aspects when they brought in Olly and Caroline, they've basically just split what Dermot did in two which screams that there is no need for two presenters and makes it seems even more tired. They should have used the opportunity to bring something new to the show and lose the over the top voice over and opening.

The lack of self-awareness is a shame, as we first spotted how ridiculous the faux-drama was getting back in 2008. I think that's the last series I watched.

I don't think that's really the problem though, yes they can rein it in, but the ratings were still increasing at that point. As I've said previously 2010 was the peak series IMO, and I think was also the peak in terms of ratings?

It's just too long. My god is the X Factor dragged out. Hours and hours over a weekend.

If you watch on demand, you can condense the results show into 4 minutes worth watching.