While Simon Cowell must be commended for the way he has relentlessly tried to reinvigorate the show after all these years, sadly the changes introduced in this first live show don't work.
Goodbye sing-off, goodbye judges having the final say about who leaves - all the tried and tested format elements have been bumped in favour of a double elimination (one on the Sat and one on the Sun) with the public having the ultimate say, rendering the judges as nothing more than ineffective talking heads.
There will also be a sing-off on Sunday between the top voted singer from Sat and Sun for a 'money can't buy' prize. But surely this makes 'The X Factor' into a sort of game show rather than talent contest.
I think the game is up for this show in general.
Goodbye sing-off, goodbye judges having the final say about who leaves - all the tried and tested format elements have been bumped in favour of a double elimination (one on the Sat and one on the Sun) with the public having the ultimate say, rendering the judges as nothing more than ineffective talking heads.
There will also be a sing-off on Sunday between the top voted singer from Sat and Sun for a 'money can't buy' prize. But surely this makes 'The X Factor' into a sort of game show rather than talent contest.
I think the game is up for this show in general.