The X Factor 2015 review: Have Rita and Grimmy revitalised the show?
The grumbles that The X Factor has lost its touch have been rumbling for a while. And when even Louis Walsh is fed up of the show, maybe you do have a problem.
But like Louis returning for the X Factor promo, we just can't quite let go. We've heard Simon Cowell's grand proclamations of change for years now, so would this time around really be any different?
It's early days, but on the strength of the first episode last night, well, yes.
This is a show both comfortable with its past - nods to Wagner and Tesco Mary - and looking forward to its future. Gone are the sickening X Factor standards, as the judges urge acts to choose something different from the Whitneys and Beyoncés we've heard so often before. Nick Grimshaw even dubs one song "a bit X Factoraudition".
And the show's tongue in cheek, too, so that when Cowell does utter the immortal: "I didn't like it, I loved it", it's only with Cheryl Fernandez-Versini mocking him as he does so.
The X Factor hasn't dumped all the clichés - there are pauses for tension, Cowell saying: "You know what...", talk of life changing opportunities, and there are no small, thin yeses, only big fat ones. But we didn't spot any sob stories among acts tonight, and the general feel was something quite uplifting.
And yes, The X Factor feels fresh because of its new judges. We haven't seen too much of Rita Ora yet - her biggest moment was probably dancing with act Mason Noise, something we've seen her do before on The Voice UK - but Grimshaw has settled right in, offering funny but credible commentary.
It seems unfair that he's been criticised for nabbing a spot on the panel given that he's the DJ on the Radio 1 breakfast show - a huge influence - but new host Caroline Flack perhaps overeggs it in his introduction when she insists that he "probably knows more about music than most".
Either way, it looks like Grimmy will soon win over the public with his entertaining stint on the show - one of the opening episode's highlights was his brilliant lip syncing to 'Sound of the Underground' backstage. And that's one of the programme's real strengths this year: the judges seem to be having so much fun ("I'm not used to it," Cowell admits at one point.)
And while the introduction of Ora and Grimshaw has made Fernandez-Versini something of the kindly aunt of the panel - not quite convincing when she dances to rappers, dubs people "badass" or says they "took it to church" - she's never looked more comfortable or seemed to be enjoying herself as much.
It's the same with the hosts: Olly Murs and Flack might not be able to be as cheeky as they were on The Xtra Factor, but their relentless enthusiasm works well and their new gimmick of Ant & Dec-style commentary from the wings is a new twist on the show. We obviously still love Dermot O'Leary, but the duo's vitality is endearing.
Of course, none of this means anything if the talent is bad but - bearing in mind that opening episodes are traditionally over-stuffed with good acts - we saw some magnificent auditionees in last night's show.
And they weren't just talented, but varied. There are miles and miles of difference between the spunky fun pop of sister group 4th Power and the captivating, unusual voice of Tom Bleasby; the astonishing energy of 'Shackles' singer Jennifer Phillips and the power of Louisa Johnson. Even the simple rule change allowing acts to bring dancers on stage has added something new.
The rubbish acts are kept to a minimum, too - most of those who didn't make it through were only glimpsed, while Susan Pryce was celebrated rather than mocked. The less said about Man & Woman the better, mind.
The X Factor does hit one bum note when it comes to Jon Goodey, Murs' former bandmate. We just couldn't shake the feeling that he'd been invited to audition only to be rejected - there was nothing wrong with his voice, but his star power was considered lacking. Not only was this sad, but it verged on being uncomfortable to watch, putting the judges, Murs and Goodey in an excruciating position.
That aside, the show seems to have found its groove again. Funny, emotional, entertaining - the signs are good this year. Maybe these changes are what The X Factor needed to stop those grumblings once and for all.
The X Factor continues tonight (August 30) at 8pm on ITV. What did you think of last night's launch? Let us know below.
But like Louis returning for the X Factor promo, we just can't quite let go. We've heard Simon Cowell's grand proclamations of change for years now, so would this time around really be any different?
© ITV / Thames/Syco
It's early days, but on the strength of the first episode last night, well, yes.
This is a show both comfortable with its past - nods to Wagner and Tesco Mary - and looking forward to its future. Gone are the sickening X Factor standards, as the judges urge acts to choose something different from the Whitneys and Beyoncés we've heard so often before. Nick Grimshaw even dubs one song "a bit X Factoraudition".
And the show's tongue in cheek, too, so that when Cowell does utter the immortal: "I didn't like it, I loved it", it's only with Cheryl Fernandez-Versini mocking him as he does so.
The X Factor hasn't dumped all the clichés - there are pauses for tension, Cowell saying: "You know what...", talk of life changing opportunities, and there are no small, thin yeses, only big fat ones. But we didn't spot any sob stories among acts tonight, and the general feel was something quite uplifting.
© ITV / Thames/Syco
And yes, The X Factor feels fresh because of its new judges. We haven't seen too much of Rita Ora yet - her biggest moment was probably dancing with act Mason Noise, something we've seen her do before on The Voice UK - but Grimshaw has settled right in, offering funny but credible commentary.
It seems unfair that he's been criticised for nabbing a spot on the panel given that he's the DJ on the Radio 1 breakfast show - a huge influence - but new host Caroline Flack perhaps overeggs it in his introduction when she insists that he "probably knows more about music than most".
Either way, it looks like Grimmy will soon win over the public with his entertaining stint on the show - one of the opening episode's highlights was his brilliant lip syncing to 'Sound of the Underground' backstage. And that's one of the programme's real strengths this year: the judges seem to be having so much fun ("I'm not used to it," Cowell admits at one point.)
© ITV / Thames/Syco
And while the introduction of Ora and Grimshaw has made Fernandez-Versini something of the kindly aunt of the panel - not quite convincing when she dances to rappers, dubs people "badass" or says they "took it to church" - she's never looked more comfortable or seemed to be enjoying herself as much.
It's the same with the hosts: Olly Murs and Flack might not be able to be as cheeky as they were on The Xtra Factor, but their relentless enthusiasm works well and their new gimmick of Ant & Dec-style commentary from the wings is a new twist on the show. We obviously still love Dermot O'Leary, but the duo's vitality is endearing.
Of course, none of this means anything if the talent is bad but - bearing in mind that opening episodes are traditionally over-stuffed with good acts - we saw some magnificent auditionees in last night's show.
And they weren't just talented, but varied. There are miles and miles of difference between the spunky fun pop of sister group 4th Power and the captivating, unusual voice of Tom Bleasby; the astonishing energy of 'Shackles' singer Jennifer Phillips and the power of Louisa Johnson. Even the simple rule change allowing acts to bring dancers on stage has added something new.
© ITV / Thames/Syco
The rubbish acts are kept to a minimum, too - most of those who didn't make it through were only glimpsed, while Susan Pryce was celebrated rather than mocked. The less said about Man & Woman the better, mind.
The X Factor does hit one bum note when it comes to Jon Goodey, Murs' former bandmate. We just couldn't shake the feeling that he'd been invited to audition only to be rejected - there was nothing wrong with his voice, but his star power was considered lacking. Not only was this sad, but it verged on being uncomfortable to watch, putting the judges, Murs and Goodey in an excruciating position.
That aside, the show seems to have found its groove again. Funny, emotional, entertaining - the signs are good this year. Maybe these changes are what The X Factor needed to stop those grumblings once and for all.
The X Factor continues tonight (August 30) at 8pm on ITV. What did you think of last night's launch? Let us know below.
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