AND THE WINNER IS Melanie Amaro
2nd Pace – Josh Krajcik
3rd Place: Chris Rene
I have little to say about tonight’s finale, except that I had absolutely NO investment in who took the crown. I thought Melanie killed it last night, so she was as good a winner as any. The final show was pretty boring. Not a lot of star power OR contestant goodness. After the opening group number, we hardly saw the contestants again. Drew got one one line in her Bieber “duet”. Fitty couldn’t have been more disinterested in having Astro share the stage with him. Blink and you would have missed Marcus Canty with Ne-Yo and Pitbull. Eh.
At least Simon got his perfect story arc. Melanie had been pimped as early as the pre-premiere show promos. Simon cutting Melanie first, only to rush down to Florida to tell her he’d made a mistake was pure theater. And that was one of the many problems with X Factor. So much of it was so obviously reality show fakety fake fakery. I don’t watch shows like Survivor and Housewives of Wherever-The-F*ck for a reason. Fake drama is boring. Every competition has scripted fakery–but X Factor took it to new levels.
I’ve made pretty clear what I think is wrong with X Factor. I suspect Simon will overhaul for Season 2. Buh Bye Steve Jones. Speaking of which, he was at his awkward worst tonight. When Chris Rene was eliminated, there was bedlam on stage he was incapable of reining in. I keep asking myself What Would Ryan Do? The guy is personable in other settings, but he can’t seem to relax on the X Factor stage. There will be a shakeup on the judges’ panel too. Nicole will either be given another role, or let go completely. Simon will probably hang on to L. A. (though, he’s terrible) and Paula (the chemistry between she and Simon needs work).
But I’m not really sure America will ever latch on to a show as cynical as X Factor. The bickering, the boxing ring mentality fostered between contestants, the emphasis on that damn 5 million dollars, the cold, glitzy production numbers–I don’t see Simon changing what the show fundamentally is. Some formats work here in the US, and others really don’t. FOX might be happy with a minor hit show, though. Not sure if Simon can stomach that, however.
One last note. Why was there no winners’ song? I could not believe that Melanie sang “Listen” again. Waiting to hear that song is part of the surprise of the reveal. I’ll also be curious to see who Simon signs out of this bunch and how quickly they all get their music out, including the winner. Simon has indicated in interviews that he’s not necessarily in favor of rushing product out the way Idol does.
I don’t know. If they wait, Melanie will have to be broken like any new artist. If she’s to make pop records, they’re going to have to make her over too—her look, her sound–everything. We’ll see if Simon can groom the church girl into a pop star.
***
Finally. It’s the finale. Who will win X Factor? Stick around as I live blog the last show of the series. Either Melanie Amaro, Josh Krajcik or Chris Rene will go home with that 5 million dollar prize and the star of a Pepsi commercial.
It’s Time…to face…the music…FOR THE LAST TIME!
The X Factor Judges take their seats to “The Final Countdown”. GOD THIS SHOW IS SO CHEEEEZYYYY. And not in a good way.
The Final 12 are back together! They’re group number is Gaga’s “Edge Of Glory”. OH LOOK IT’S LAKODA RAYNE. And a bunch of other people I have already forgotten. Well, not Astro, who drops a rap in the middle of Gaga. And DREW! Love you Drew. Rachel, Marcus and Drew sing together. Now the final 3 take the stage. Josh looks a little unsure of himself. OMG The entire stage is covered with inTENsity.
L.A says EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEM is a winner in his book. Nicole says the same thing. Paula is so happy to see her groups again. SHE’S NEAR TEARS. I LOVE PAULA. “This stage is our gift to you…what you do with it is your gift to us.” Simon says there is more than one star on that stage at the moment. Wait. I thought there were #nopointsforsecond.
New Jennifer Hudson Weight Watchers features a slim downed Jennifer singing to herself back in Season 3 dressed in that fugly pink dress. Awesome.
The contestants are all going to sing holiday songs. Simon says he’s going to the North pole. Simon introduces Melanie Amaro singing “All I Want For Christmas Is You”. LA says she did the song justice. All Nicole wants for X mas is a Melanie album. You are a Princess Goddess Warrior tonight. Paula loves her hair. Simon tells Melanie she’s been an absolute pleasure to work with. Now, folks from home are sending her good luck messages in a video package. Melanie is crying.
LA Reid introduced his act, Chris Rene who sings “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.” Uhm No. This tune is a singers song. So uh. I love having beloved Christmas songs ruined. If Chris had started rapping during Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas, I would have LMFAO. Nicole blabs a bunch of stuff. Paula calls him “The most original”. You stylized a classic song. Simon says, “You are truly an inspiration to a lot of guys out there. You’re a man of your word!” LA says his experiences can truly change the world. (Not if he slides. Hm). Chris gets his little good luck package. He’s crying too.
Awkward small talk between Nicole and Steve. After she describes what she’ll be doing, he says, “Hopefully I can be there.” What? says Nicole, “Hopefully I can be there”. WHAT??? says Nicole “MAYBE YOU’LL INVITE ME!” says Steven. OY.
Nicole introduces Josh Krajcik, who sings “Please Come Home for Christmas”. Wow. He kills it. The best of the three songs, for my money. LA says, “You’ve been the toughest for me this year. You’re so good, I’m at a loss for words. You just made me realize it’s Christmas.” Paula: “You are such a joy. Your voice is magical. Christmas songs fit you like a glove.” Simon says he represented the category so well. “If you’ve got it, you’ve got it. You’ve been a brilliant contestant.” Simon says he’ll sell a lot of records in the future. Nicole says, “You open your heart and soul to us in the competition. You inspire me. You make me want to be better.” Now, it’s time for Josh to cry. Aw Josh’s daughter made him cry. “My life is beginning to make sense” says Josh.
Justin Bieber takes the stage to sing “Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire” Psst. He taped this last week. Stevie Wonder is on stage, with his keyboards to join in. Biebs. Your boy band riffing is adding NOTHING TO THIS SONG. Stevie Wonder’s harmonica? A different story. They harmonizing is kind of a fail, but overall very nice. Next, Justin sing “Santa Clause is Coming to Town”. “Shake it shake it baby” Is Justin talking to Santa Clause? That’s a little creepy.
Biebs brings out Drew to sing the last line and she does…beautifully! She’s sooooo excited. Aw. Justin says it was an honor to sing with Stevie. Stevie says Justin reminds him of himself at that age. Justin calls Drew a very special girl. “You’ll go far,” he says to a VERY excited Drew.
OK Looks like we’re going to get some results!
The Final 3 take the stage with their mentors. Steve gets right down to business. In 3rd place is Chris Rene. Hey Chris. Don’t drink and/or drug over it, OK? Oddly, there’s no goodbye package for Chris. Steve shoos Chris off the stage (Awkwardly) and then tries to keep Simon from walking off the stage (Awkwardly), but I guess he needs a cig. And he’s the boss!. Josh and Nicole are left on center stage (Awkwardly) as Steve goes to break. Did I say…Awkward?
Now, it’s time for the Top 5 most SHOCKING moments of the season. Astro’s flip out is #4. Rachel’s meltdown is #1. Yes, let’s relive that wonderful moment. So awesome to see kids cry! Steven introduces Rachel as damage control. She’s all smiley “There are amazing things coming in the future.” She says she’s taking Steven’s job. I wouldn’t be surprised.
Rachel introduces Leona Lewis, who covers Snow Patrol’s “Run”. It’s boring. Oh. there’s a film of highlights flickering on the backscreens. LA calls Leona’s performance and the clips “an emotional journey.” Nicole has enjoyed every moment this season. Paula says it was one of the most exciting job experiences that she’s ever had. Simon calls Leona a brilliant artist and the season a great year. The judges talk as if they’re saying goodbye.
Now, it’s time to pimp the upcoming auditions. Still groups. The bottom age group is still 12. Boo.
Melanie and Josh are backstage waiting to hear their fates. Blah blah blah. Thanks to our supporters! Blah.
LA Vs Simon. Battle of the fake soundbites. ZZZZZZzzzzz.
Some basketball dude introduces 50 cent who performs “Wait Until Tonight”. He was introduced as some kind of humanitarian? A humanitarian who is constantly bleeped. OK, my take out arrived–I think I missed something. Who are these people who just took the stage? I’m all confused. Here comes ASTRO to rap with Fitty. Oh, those were the LA Lakers. Pointless. I didn’t understand any of that.
Nicole vs Paula: the “Cry Off” is next. Nicole gets like, 10 points, just for the Rachel Crow incident.
Pitbull and Ne-Yo take the stage to sing “Give Me Everything”. Marcus Canty AKA Ne-Yo lite, joins them on stage.
Steven describes the Amaro and Krajcik families, who are both on stage with their kids, as “warring”. Really?
Josh Krajcik and Melanie Amaro duet on David Bowie’s “Heroes” Wait. Would they have sung this if one of them had gone out 3rd? Or did the Final 3 practice this together? Melanie and Josh sound good as a duo. They tell each other “I love you”. Hey wait. X Factor culture proscribes that you feel hatred for each other. YOU AREN’T SUPPOSED TO DO THAT!
DECISION. The Final two take the stage with their mentors! Josh and Nicole, Melanie and Simon.
The winner of the X Factor IS Melanie Amaro! Melanie sings “Listen” WHAT? There’s no winner’s single? Melanie is crying and can’t get through it. Big clutch of people on the stage hugging her. And we’re out. Bye Steve. Bye Nicole. Nice knowing you.
