The X Factor

Demi is looking good, she makes Britney look like an old hag.

Britney looks harsh. It's a shame because she's still young.

I can't put my finger on it, but her behavior is still "odd." Very apprehensive, paranoid about people around her and contestants.

From the strange looks on her face it looks like Britney is barely hanging onto her sanity. I take it almost everything out of her mouth is scripted on this show.

Any photos of Brit Brit?

Britney always seems uncomfortable and nervous when it's her turn to critique a contestant. It's like watching someone trying to hurry through a class presentation.

r5, that's why I tuned out (actually to AI years ago, the Voice this year and def ICK Factor).

Britney LOOKS awkward and creepy thus giving the viewer the sadness that is the reality of her life.

That's not a fun Q rating.

Christina said a few years ago something about Britney seeming like she was lost. At the time I thought Xtina was just being a bitch, but now I can see what she meant.

Simon hired Britney to be a fuckin' ninnyhammer who gives you drug addled Charlie Sheen out of one eye and runny mascara Tammy Faye from the other. Instead, Cowell has been reduced to shaking his Kevin Federline moobs through his t-shirt bodice and slipping contestants fifty bucks to act deliriously unhinged for their 15 minutes of lame.

LEAVE BRITNEY ALONE!!!

Ryan, dahling, you have never been the same since your hot daddy stopped slippin' you the sausage. You need to get over me.

I am liking Britney but I do agree that the cameras should not be doing a close up on her face.

Weird that Fox would carry this show since like OP said it is just like American Idol.

Britney looks like she is on the verge of a nervous breakdown, she makes me nervous to watch her.

Sensitive fat guy on the British show -

OP, The X Factor actually became the replacement for Pop Idol, the original British show which American Idol, Australian Idol, etc was adapted from.

You people need to tune in to American Midol in January. My cramps, bloating and ego will trigger colossal psychotic episodes and my nursing twins will hang like tassels twisting off my twins.

Is anyone else watching this travesty?

One of Britney's critiques: "You really entertained me. [Pause] That's it."

When is the American media going to stop sucking Cowell's penis and give him the what for he deserves?

Well did we watch tonite?

Someone needs to get Demi Lovato off of the show. She's mentoring the young adults and doesn't seem to know what she's doing.

Khloe Kartrashion is the worst host I've seen.

I'd rather lick a crusty cunt, then sit through her hosting anything.

Britney needs some eyebrows, a Retin-A prescription, a new wig and an incentive to lose 10-15 pounds (minimum) and she'll be good to go.

America's gayest reality contestant Jason "Mr Entertainment" Brock is still alive.

Oh my ears!

This is horrendous but Britney looks very cute and pretty

How did they manage to get the worst crop of contestants EVER?

not watching cuz I loathe Satan Cowell and Kunty WhoreTrashian and it's a joke that Shitney Schmears is a singing judge.

"Someone needs to get Demi Lovato off of the show. She's mentoring the young adults and doesn't seem to know what she's doing."

She's probably younger and less talented than some of the contestants she is "mentoring"

Not that Britney is any great shakes as a singer, but she's a bona fide megastar who has been in the business for years. How many hits has Demi had? Like, maybe 3?

Khloes eyes and mouth looked different tonight. She looked quite pretty and was rockin the Veronica Lake llook.

The kid that sang over the rainbow was fantastic.

Oh my ears!

Why doesn't Fox just throw in the fucking towel on this piece of shit?

BILLBOARD - Days before country singer Tate Stevens was declared the winner of "X Factor's" second season in the U.S., show creator and judge Simon Cowell said the show's success owed to it bringing a younger audience to Fox. In the week of the finale, Dec. 17-23, "X Factor" pushed Fox to No. 1 among teens for the week as its Wednesday and Thursday finales were the highest-rated programs among Adults 18-49, total viewers, adults 18-34 and teens.

That's Cowell's spin on the year, but it's likely new coaches replacing Britney Spears and Antonio "L.A." Reid will be only part of "X Factor's" third season, as sponsorships and the grand prize are also up in the air.

Pepsi put up a hefty $60 million for a presenting sponsorship of "X Factor's" debut season, which included an unprecedented $5 million recording contract with Epic - that package was continued for Season 2. But with Season 1 winner Melanie Amaro's debut still awaiting release after missing its December target and L.A. Reid vacating his judge's chair, Pepsi expected to pursue alternate prizing for future seasons. A Pepsi executive declined further comment when reached by Billboard.

"It's tough for an advertiser or a sponsor or pay a prime CPM of $30 or $35 for ashow that does the broadcast average," says Michael Parent, senior VP of broadcast at TargetCast. "Once they start asking the General Motors or Pepsis to pony up major sponsorship deals again, they may see some push back."

With Antonio "L.A." Reid departing his coaches' seat and Spears likely to not be asked back, Cowell and Fox are likely looking at significant budget constraints for season three. No free-spending on a star name for a coach's chair and, as he told Billboard at the beginning of the season, the $5 million recording contract prize is probably a thing of the past.

With a season three guaranteed, the failure to convert Britney buzz into ratings will likely be reflected in "X Factor's" ad rates that are set in May. "Going into season three, if Fox tries to still consider it a premium show they could have some problems - 25% is a pretty big drop-off," says Gary Carr, senior VP/executive director of national broadcast at media-buying firm TargetCast. "They make all these talent changes hoping to strike gold, but they didn't even do as well as when they had Paula Abdul."

Fox charged an average of $245,000 for a 30-second spot for "The X Factor" on Wednesdays, according to Ad Age's 2012 survey of 30-second spot prices. That was down from the $321,000 average in its first season. By comparison, "American Idol" is taking an equally healthy dip in its coming season, sinking to $341,000 from $503,000 in 2012, according to the Ad Age survey.

While it was posting wins in December, though, the show's second season, which started in September, was down 8% among adults 18 to 49 on Wednesdays and 7-10% on Thursdays in the same demo, according to Nielsen Media Research. It's viewership has been consistently below 8 million total viewers, with 3 million-3.5 million in the coveted 18-49 demo, according to Nielsen, putting its two editions in the high teens/low- to mid-20s each week when ratings are released.

"American Idol," "X Factor" and "The Voice" will all be in similar situations in the coming year: Each show will be welcoming at least two new judges/coaches - Mariah Carey, Nicki Minaj and Keith Urban at "Idol"; Shakira and Usher at "The Voice"; and two rookies at "X Factor." Ad rates were set prior to the shakeup at "Idol," but buyers of TV time are likely to be cautious.

"There's nothing in the show that indicates there'll be a ratings increase next year," says Sam Armando, senior VP-director of SMGx Strategic Intelligence, a division of media-buying firm Starcom MediaVest Group. "Even if they make a judge change, the only history we have to go is this year where that didn't make an impact."

Armando also noted that "X Factor's" ratings among adults 25 to 54-year-olds are down 22% on Wednesdays and 30% on Thursdays, a troubling sign that "X Factor" won't be able to lure enough older viewers to make up for the attrition among younger viewers like "The Voice" was able to do this season. "The Voice," which just concluded its third season, attracted a record 14 million viewers to its finale, according to Nielsen.

The combination of "The Voice" and "Sunday Night Football" helped NBC win or tie for first in the 18-49 demo for 11 of the season's first 13 weeks. It's the first time since 2003 that NBC has been No. 1 at this point in the season.

"The X-Factor" was never the same after David Duchovny left. Oh, wait. Wrong show. My bad. Carry on.

Josh Levi is really good. Too bad they got rid of young cutie Stone Martin.

I'm sad Tauaefa was eliminated. Only remaining boy I like is the Tourette's kid.

Alex & Sierra are so cute -

Alex and Sierra for the win!

Greatest singing couple since Sonny and Cher

I've never voted for any contestant in a reality show. I voted online for Alex & Sierra last night. Their first two numbers sucked, Say Something was great again.

Alex & Sierra have supposedly dominated the X-Factor voting this season. Teen girls voting for a cute couple? They're expected to wipe the floor with Carlito and Gutt tonight. Maybe the other two will get a career boost out of the deal.

Demi Lovato is leaving the show "to go on tour" but more likely to chase Wilmer and get high. Paulina Rubio seems like a sweet Latin diva but her English skills aren't strong enough for an American tv gig. Kelly Rowland was fine. Simon's tits are huge. Is he lactating now that he's claiming to have impregnated someone?

In a sea of fake contestants, they're the real deal.

Best singing competition winners since Kelly Clarkson.

Alex and Sierra's new song -

Alex and Sierra are no more say hello to BoTalks