29-07-2021, 10:51 AM
The right call for Cowell to axe it, two years after ITV last asked for a series. I don't think it should be dismissed based on the last few years though - it is one of the most successful formats of the last 20 years both in the UK and around the world and bought the sort of ratings back to TV on a weekly basis in the late noughties that we thought we'd never see again, as well as developing genuine stars who have had longevity.
I do think Cowell's return was the beginning of the end - and it never quite knew what it wanted to be as a couple of times in it's history (2012 and I think 2017) they found real raw original talent firstly with James Arthur and Ella Henderson, still going strong, and then with Raksu and Grace Davies, who never had the post-show impact they deserved), and then on both occassions they failed to build on that and switched back to rather mainstream kareoke singers the following year. Cowell being hands on with the format generally didn't do it any favours in it's later years and he became too reactionary, both on screen in the comments he gave, and off-screen in tinkering with things that often didn't need tinkering with.
I always said when ITV signed the new 5 year deal with BGT which included one series of X Factor that it would be better to hold it back till later in the contract than air it in the first year, and murmurings of 2023 suggest that might be exactly what happens anyway.
Protecting BGT is now crucial. It's been far more stable than The X Factor without the chopping and changing at the judges table and the format has pretty much remained consistent - the 5 semi final and final format has been in place since it's second series. Again though I think the finals last year showed that the show is stronger without Cowell on screen, and the enforced break should do it good. Personally I do think despite a consistent panel being it's strength that it does need freshening up to take it through the next 5 years - David's act which was the panels strength for many years has become tiresome IMO, and I think bringing Ashley in permanently would be a good move, but they need a comedian in the mix as well. Alesha is the only one I'd certainly retain.
I do think Cowell's return was the beginning of the end - and it never quite knew what it wanted to be as a couple of times in it's history (2012 and I think 2017) they found real raw original talent firstly with James Arthur and Ella Henderson, still going strong, and then with Raksu and Grace Davies, who never had the post-show impact they deserved), and then on both occassions they failed to build on that and switched back to rather mainstream kareoke singers the following year. Cowell being hands on with the format generally didn't do it any favours in it's later years and he became too reactionary, both on screen in the comments he gave, and off-screen in tinkering with things that often didn't need tinkering with.
I always said when ITV signed the new 5 year deal with BGT which included one series of X Factor that it would be better to hold it back till later in the contract than air it in the first year, and murmurings of 2023 suggest that might be exactly what happens anyway.
Protecting BGT is now crucial. It's been far more stable than The X Factor without the chopping and changing at the judges table and the format has pretty much remained consistent - the 5 semi final and final format has been in place since it's second series. Again though I think the finals last year showed that the show is stronger without Cowell on screen, and the enforced break should do it good. Personally I do think despite a consistent panel being it's strength that it does need freshening up to take it through the next 5 years - David's act which was the panels strength for many years has become tiresome IMO, and I think bringing Ashley in permanently would be a good move, but they need a comedian in the mix as well. Alesha is the only one I'd certainly retain.
@Brekkietweets