Entertainment
Jedward mania
John & Edward have become, rightly or wrongly, the real stars of the sixth series of the hugely popular X Factor.
Marc Mallett: Friday, 06 November 2009
But for a lot of the fans of the show, music pundits and probably most sane people, the real burning question is why?
How can a seemingly talentless duo go on to get to the half way stage of a singing competition?
How can two guys that can't dance put on the most energetic routine of all the contestants?
How can two teenagers from outside of Dublin be labelled the most irritating reality TV show contestants ever?
The X Factor is THE talent show of this century. It is THE Saturday and Sunday night ratings winner often delivering UTV more than 50% in viewing figures.
It has become a permanent fix in the diary of most families across the length and breadth of the UK and Ireland. The show has made the celebrity judges household names and in addition has found some true singing stars and the odd singing sensation.
Take for example Leona Lewis (who will perform on the Sunday night's results show this weekend).
She is undoubtedly the jewel in The X Factor crown. Already experiencing huge success on both sides of the Atlantic, she is being mentored by the man who brought us Whitney Houston! For Leona, it doesn't come much better than this!
But imagine if John & Edward were to be crowned winners this year! Surely it would make a mockery of all that Leona Lewis has achieved. Simon Cowell has already said he would most likely sulk for 6 months and would be on a plane straight out of the country.
But hold on; is this not the man who has just signed a new contract with ITV? Surely his future plans would include further series of X-Factor. With that in mind, John & Edward cannot and will not win The X Factor.
You can bet your last penny that Cowell and his hugely influential media machine will ensure than the twins don't clinch the £1m recording contract and all the other benefits that come with being crowned winner.
That is because the media play such a huge part in all of this. John & Edward's almost constant tabloid domination has kept them at the forefront of our minds. We know they are there, we have our own opinions on them but we are being assured every step of the way that they are entertaining and that they can win.
Therefore there are some in this mad wee corner of the world, who continue to vote for them. Look at Danyl Johnston, without a doubt, the most talented singer in the competition this year. Yet he is being tainted as a dislikeable cocky bully. And for that reason we are not voting for him at the same rate as we are John & Edward (if again, the tabloid stories are to be believed).
You ask your workmates 'did you vote for John & Edward?' And the answer you will get is a firm "no!" So who then is voting for them?! Most likely young teeny boppers with, in my opinion, too much credit on their mobile phones!
But is it that more people are voting for John & Edward or people simply aren't voting for the other more credible contestants. The latter I believe. Why? Only you can answer that question! I know I am doing my bit to vote for my favourites so I am entitled to this sore rant for John & Edward fans (whoever you may be)!
The X Factor and other shows like it have taken our viewing habits back to the good old days when Saturday night TV was the highlight of the week; the whole family, young and old, sitting round the television and rooting for their favourites.
But for that to last, the shows must retain a certain degree of credibility. For The X Factor, that credibility comes via us being able to watch the winner make a success for themselves and carve a future career - knowing that we at home played a part in their success story.
If John & Edward win, the credibility disappears. Just like their predecessors (the crazy frog, the cheeky girls, dustin the turkey etc etc), the twins will probably enjoy relative success. But, I believe, at a cost.
While I have nothing personal against the twins, I don't think they deserve to be in this particular competition. So I know I echo the sound of millions across the UK when I say 'get them out.' They could always audition for next year's Britain's Got Talent!
Missed The X Factor? To get all the updates, join the discussions and catch up on previous episodes, visit The X Factor.
Marc was in Dublin on the trail of John and Edward for the Seven Thirty Show. Watch again...
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