Jump to content

The X Factor (American TV series): Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous editNext edit →
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
SmackBot (talk | contribs)
3,734,324 edits
m Dated {{Citation needed}} x 6. (Build p612)
No edit summary
Line 8: Line 8:
| genre = Reality
| genre = Reality
| format = Interactive [[reality television|reality]] [[talent show]]
| format = Interactive [[reality television|reality]] [[talent show]]
| creator = [[Simon Cowell]]
| creator = Simon Cowell<!-- DO NOT LINK SIMON COWELL'S NAME, IT IS ALREADY LINKED BELOW -->
| developer =
| developer =
| presenter = [[Steve Jones (presenter)|Steve Jones]]<br />
| presenter = [[Steve Jones (presenter)|Steve Jones]]<br />
Line 14: Line 14:
| director =
| director =
| creative_director =
| creative_director =
| judges = Simon Cowell<!-- DO NOT LINK SIMON COWELL'S NAME, IT IS ALREADY LINKED ABOVE --><br/>[[L.A. Reid]]<br/>[[Paula Abdul]]<br/>[[Nicole Scherzinger]]
| judges = [[Simon Cowell]]<br/>[[L.A. Reid]]<br/>[[Paula Abdul]]<br/>[[Nicole Scherzinger]]<br/>[[Cheryl Cole]] (Guest Judge)
| voices =
| voices =
| narrated =
| narrated =

Revision as of 23:31, 25 May 2011

For the upcoming first season, see The X Factor (U.S. season 1)

The X Factor
File:XFactorUSlogo.png
The X Factor logo
GenreReality
Created bySimon Cowell
Presented bySteve Jones
JudgesSimon Cowell
L.A. Reid
Paula Abdul
Nicole Scherzinger
Cheryl Cole (Guest Judge)
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons1
Production
Executive producersSimon Cowell
Cecile Frot-Coutaz
Richard Holloway[1]
Andrew Llinares
Rob Wade
ProducerRob Wade
Production locationsCBS Television City
Hollywood, California
Production companiesSyco TV
FremantleMedia North America
Original release
NetworkFox (US)
CTV (Canada)
ITV2 (UK)
ReleaseSeptember 2011 (2011-09)
Related
The X Factor (UK)

The X Factor is a reality television singing competition created by Simon Cowell and produced by Syco TV,[2] which is scheduled to premiere in September 2011[3] on FOX.

As part of the The X Factor franchise, the program's format has numerous differences from its rivals, including American Idol, among others. The competition is open to both solo artists and groups and has no upper age limit. Each judge is assigned one of four categories—either girls under 25, boys under 25, individuals over 25, or groups (some of which are formed after the audition process).[1] Through the live shows, the judges act as mentors to their category, helping to decide song choices, styling and staging, while judging contestants from other categories; they also compete to ensure that their act wins the competition, thus, making them the winning judge.

History

In April 2009, reports surfaced that Cowell was attempting to launch The X Factor in America after his contract ended with American Idol with the ninth season.[4] Under his then-current contract, Cowell was forbidden from launching The X Factor as a rival show to Idol.[4] In September of that year Fox, the broadcaster of American Idol, signed the deal to launch the American version.

On January 11, 2010, News Corporation (through Fox News in the US and The Times in the UK) reported that Cowell would leave American Idol after season 9 so he could bring The X Factor to the United States in September 2011. Cowell told the Television Critics Association that he was leaving American Idol so that in 2011 he can judge and act as executive producer of the U.S version of The X Factor.[5] Additionally, Cowell signed a long-term business deal with Sony Music Entertainment who already support Syco Music artists in the UK and will now be involved with the artists on the U.S. version of the show as well as becoming involved in the production of the show.[2]

In November 2010, FOX began airing short commercials for the program which displayed the text "Coming to America Fall 2011".[6][7] The New York Times described the commercials as the network trying to set up "The X Factor" as a television event.[6] In February 2011, during the Super Bowl XLV, FOX unveiled the official logo for the show in a promo starring Cowell.[8] A second promo was shown during that night's episode of Glee, featuring Katy Perry, Justin Bieber, The Black Eyed Peas, Usher, Lady GaGa, the Pussycat Dolls and Madonna. This promo started speculation on who will be joining Cowell on the judging panel on the show.[9]

Judges and hosts

At the time of announcing the U.S. version, Cowell was the only confirmed judge for the show.[10] He later said that he was taking the choices of who to join him on the show very seriously, saying, "It's pointless hiring judges who don't know anything about the music business. I'll probably go and find someone who did what I did for a living. I was an A&R guy for 20 years."[11] In 2011, Grammy Award-winning record executive, songwriter, and record producer Antonio "L.A." Reid,[12][13] former British The X Factor judge Cheryl Cole,[14][15] and Cowell's former American Idol colleague Paula Abdul[16] were confirmed to join Cowell in the judging panel. Other people who were in the running to join the judging panel included Nicole Scherzinger, George Michael,[17] and Nicki Minaj.[18] Katy Perry, Elton John and Jessica Simpson were also rumoured to be in the running, though Cowell denied that Perry and John were.[17]

Scherzinger and Steve Jones will host the series. Cowell had previously indicated that the show may have two hosts.[19][20][21][22] Other people who were speculated to host the series were High School Musical star Corbin Bleu and Dermot O'Leary.[23][24] At one point, American singer-songwriter Lady Gaga was rumored to have a non-judging role on the show.[25]

Format and prize

The show is primarily concerned with identifying singing talent, though appearance, personality, stage presence and dance routines are also an important element of many performances. Each judge is assigned a category—girls under 25, boys under 25, individuals over 25, and groups (some of which are manufactured after the audition process).[1] Through the live shows, the judges act as mentors to the contestants helping decide song choices and styling. The judges also judge the other contestants from the other categories.[citation needed] The winner of the competition is awarded a recording contract, stated to be worth $5 million, with Syco Music in association with Sony Music Entertainment.[26][27] Cowell said that the recording contract was the "largest guaranteed prize in television history." In comparison to the UK version of the show, the cost of recording and marketing the winning artist will be paid for separately from the $5 million initial contract payment, paid in five annual installments of $1 million.[26]

There are five stages to The X Factor competition:

  • Stage 1: Producers' auditions (these auditions decide who will sing in front of the judges)
  • Stage 2: Judges' auditions
  • Stage 3: Boot camp
  • Stage 4: Visits to judges' houses
  • Stage 5: Live shows (finals)

Auditions

The show is open to solo artists and vocal groups aged 12 and above, with no upper age limit.[26][27] The successful auditionees will audition in front of the judges.

Bootcamp and visits to judges' houses

The contestants selected at auditions are further refined through a series of performances at "boot camp", and then at the "judges' houses", until a small number eventually progress to the live finals.They collectively choose 24 acts (six from each category) for the next round, and only then find out which category they are to mentor. During these stages, the producers allocate each of the judges a category to mentor. The judges then disband for the "visits to the judges' houses" round, where they reduce their six acts with a celebrity guest to three for the live shows.

Live Shows

The finals consist of a series of two live shows, the first featuring the contestants' performances and the second revealing the results of the public voting, culminating in one or more acts being eliminated. Celebrity guest performers also feature regularly.

Post X Factor

The winner of the competition is awarded a recording contract, stated to be worth $5 million, with Syco Music in association with Sony Music Entertainment.[26][27] Cowell said that the recording contract was the "largest guaranteed prize in television history." In comparison to the UK version of the show, the cost of recording and marketing the winning artist will be paid for separately from the $5 million initial contract payment, paid in five annual installments of $1 million.[26]

Season 1 (2011)

Main article: The X Factor (U.S. season 1)

Auditions in front of the producers for the first season took place in Los Angeles, Miami, Newark/New York, Seattle, Chicago, and Dallas.[28] It was reported that The X Factor had broken the auditions record in Los Angeles, on March 27.[29] The last set of auditions that will take place in front of the judges and a live studio audience, and are scheduled to take place during May and June 2011.[30]

International airing

As the announcement of the show moving to America, Fox Network decided to host talks with several other broadcasters around the world about acquiring the rights to show the American version of the show in their country. As part of Cowell's contract, it was agreed that ITV in the United Kingdom would have rights to show the season, on its sister channel to which the original version of the show airs, ITV2. 7Two in Australia will broadcast the season and others are to be announced.[31]

Country / Region Channel
United States (origin) Fox
United Kingdom ITV2
France M6 / W9[citation needed]
Canada CTV[citation needed]
Australia 7Two
New Zealand TV3[citation needed]
Brazil Sony Entertainment Television Brasil[citation needed]
Philippines GMA News TV[citation needed]
The Netherlands RTL 4[citation needed]

Media sponsorship

On January 7, 2011, FOX, Syco Television, and FremantleMedia North American announced that Pepsi will be the official sponsor of The X Factor.[1][6] The sponsorship includes an extensive multi-platform on and off-air marketing partnership.[1]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e "PEPSI is Announced as the Official Sponsor of The X Factor!". Fox Broadcasting Company. January 7, 2011. Retrieved January 24, 2011.
  2. ^ a b Wilkes, Alex (January 19, 2010). "Sony confirms Cowell, Green venture". Digital Spy. Retrieved January 21, 2010.
  3. ^ Wilkes, Neil (January 20, 2010). "EXCLUSIVE: Cowell confirms start date for US 'X Factor'". Digital Spy. Retrieved January 20, 2010. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |coauthor= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  4. ^ a b Hurrel, Will (April 22, 2009). "Cowell Hints at US X Factor". Retrieved October 8, 2009.
  5. ^ Cooper, Lorna (January 11, 2010). "Cowell quits American Idol". MSN. Microsoft. Retrieved January 11, 2010.
  6. ^ a b c Stelter, Brian (January 4, 2011). "Pepsi to Sponsor 'American Idol' Rival". The New York Times. p. 3. Retrieved January 24, 2011.
  7. ^ Slezak, Michael (November 24, 2010). "'The X Factor' exclusive: First look at Fox's promo!". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved January 24, 2011.
  8. ^ [1]
  9. ^ [2]
  10. ^ Wilkes, Neil (January 11, 2010). "Simon Cowell quits American Idol". Digital Spy. Retrieved January 12, 2010.
  11. ^ "What Simon Cowell gave up for 'X Factor'". New York Post. NYP Holdings, Inc. January 15, 2010. Retrieved January 15, 2010.
  12. ^ "Official: L.A. Reid signed as 'X Factor' judge". Entertainment Weekly. March 18, 2011. Retrieved March 18, 2011.
  13. ^ "Breaking News: Grammy-winning music mogul Antonio "L.A" Reid to join Simon Cowell as a judge on The X Factor!". The X Factor. Facebook. March 18, 2011. Retrieved March 18, 2011.
  14. ^ Plunkett, John. "Cheryl Cole confirmed as US X Factor judge.'". The Guardian. Retrieved May 5, 2011.
  15. ^ "Cheryl Cole finally confirmed as judge on US X Factor as Simon Cowell gushes she's 'special'". The Daily Record. Retrieved May 6, 2011.
  16. ^ http://thexfactor.blogs.fox.com/2011/05/08/paula-abdul-joins-cheryl-cole-l-a-reid-and-simon-cowell-on-the-x-factor-judges-panel/
  17. ^ a b Cina, Mark (March 3, 2011). "Simon Cowell Confirms Paula Abdul Is on 'X-Factor' Judges Shortlist". The Hollywood Reporter. Los Angeles: Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved March 3, 2011.
  18. ^ {{cite news|last=Dinh|first=James|date=March 25, 2011|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1660668/simon-cowell-nicki-minaj-x-factor.jhtml |title=Simon Cowell Addresses Nicki Minaj 'X Factor' Judging Rumors|publisher=MTV|accessdate=May 6, 2011.
  19. ^ McGonigle, Molly. (March 25, 2011) Simon Cowell on 'Idol': 'I watched it once' | Story | Wonderwall. Wonderwall.msn.com. Retrieved on May 6, 2011.
  20. ^ Daniels, Colin (May 8, 2011). "Nicole Scherzinger, Steve Jones to host 'X Factor' USA". Digital Spy. London: Hachette Filipacchi UK. Retrieved May 8, 2011.
  21. ^ Cowell may prefer having two hosts for 'X Factor' – CTV News. Ctv.ca. Retrieved on May 6, 2011.
  22. ^ Steve Jones insists he is still up for US X Factor job | TV: Latest News | STV Entertainment. Entertainment.stv.tv (March 25, 2011). Retrieved on May 6, 2011.
  23. ^ Hibberd, James. (April 28, 2011) 'The X Factor': Corbin Bleu in talks to co-host | Inside TV | EW.com. Insidetv.ew.com. Retrieved on May 6, 2011.
  24. ^ http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-1384954/Gary-Barlow-confirmed-new-UK-X-Factor-judge-Simon-Cowell-Cheryl-Cole-leave.html#ixzz1LoTVKTZT
  25. ^ Thursday, January 28, 2010, 08:43 GMT (January 28, 2010). "TV – News – Cowell 'wants GaGa' for US 'X Factor'". Digital Spy. Retrieved September 18, 2010.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  26. ^ a b c d e "'The X Factor' Winner to Get $5 Million Contract". ABC News. Associated Press. February 7, 2011. Retrieved February 7, 2011.
  27. ^ a b c Kearney, Christine (February 7, 2011). "U.S. X Factor to offer large record deal for winner". Reuters. Retrieved February 7, 2011. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  28. ^ FOX Broadcasting Company – The X Factor USA – Simon Cowell's Brand New Singing Competition Comes To America Only On FOX. Thexfactor.blogs.fox.com. Retrieved on May 6, 2011.
  29. ^ 'X Factor' USA breaks audition records in LA – X Factor USA News – US TV. Digital Spy (March 27, 2011). Retrieved on May 6, 2011.
  30. ^ The X Factor. On Camera Audiences. Retrieved on May 6, 2011.
  31. ^ "Does Oz have the X-factor?". Otago Daily Times. Allied Press. August 31, 2010. Retrieved January 21, 2011.


Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/enwiki/w/index.php?title=The_X_Factor_(American_TV_series)&oldid=430928657"