So where are we now...
Here are the results in no particular order (X Factor joke – funny, ha?). Around a week ago I put up a poll on the blog asking the question: Who Will Ultimately Win the X Factor? You can vote in the continuing poll here. We have the results. And they are telling.
UPDATE (12/15) – We are back to a tie. Josh Krajcik and Chris Rene have five votes. Melanie is in third with three votes. Both Marcus Canty and Rachel Crow (ELIMINATED) received zero votes. Look for a post tomorrow on the top three. The voting is tight and I believe this is telling of the entire competition. It also demonstrates why last week’s over-the-top emotional roller coaster is/was unnecessary.
Last week, as you should know by now if you follow the show with any diligence, Rachel Crow, the vibrant and jocular teenager with the spirit of an actress and a mature voice, was ousted from the show. She was up against Marcus Canty, the blissful – almost intoxicated – faithful R&B singer with solid chops. It is safe to say that most thought Canty was on his way out. He had been in the bottom two of vote getters (which comes down to a sing-off and a final judges vote) for straight weeks. This was Rachel Crow’s first appearance in the bottom two. It came down to the maudlin and (I’m going Yiddush) schmaltzy hip/hop artist/judge Nicole Scherzinger, who, while being unequivocally hot, is starting to really get on my nerves. She sent it into deadlock. It would come down to America’s votes. The lowest vote getter was Crow and in response she collapsed on the stage crying. Nicole was actually booed on stage when host Steve Jones asked for her opinion. She too looked sickly.
The whole ordeal seemed fake to me. It smelt like a soap opera. Crow, a budding actress, played the part of the grief-stricken contestant exceptionally well. But perhaps this is just the cynic in me. She was eliminated though and Marcus remains for another week. The question really is, does this matter at all. The simple answer is no.
Yes, it made good television and ratings are essential, but, this following week will almost inevitably see the end of Canty’s run and, like the Music Court voting suggests, the remaining three will be Rene, Amaro, and Krajcik. Who will win? I stand by my prediction from the beginning. It will be Chris Rene. Can I see Amaro or Krajcik taking home the $5 million prize, though? The answer to that is a strong yes. Anyway you look at it, the X Factor has some tricks up its sleeves, so continue watching this gaudy singing competition, because, even if you are not a fan of the singers, the drama is titillating/
The Music Court 
Why would anyone vote for Chris Rene. Melanie and Josh are miles ahead of him in all areas, professionalism, sound, talent, ability to carry a tune, singing the phone book etc etc.
I would have to disagree on that. While I do agree that both Krajcik and Amaro have better independent voices, I believe that Rene is a better all-around talent. He is a versatile performer with an ability to rap and sing. That is invaluable in today’s market. This and his infectious, “believe” personality strike chords with the voters, I think. He is exciting, fresh, and original. Amaro, while good, is a tired act. I’ve seen it before on Idol. Krajcik is great. I can actually see him leading a band like the Foo Fighters, but not so much as a solo performer which this competition sponsors. Like I said, I can see any of the three winning. I just believe Rene has the best shot.
Even though I am only beating up on Chris because you like him LOL, I will say he has been my least favourite of the finalists other than the kid rapper Astro(he really bugged me). I look for the ability to sing and Chris just doesn’t compare to either of the others (or many of the ones voted off) I disagree with the group thing you said as the competition included groups. The phone book analogy stands in my mind, Chris can’t sing one, the other 2 can.
Hahahaha. Thanks. You are right that the competition included groups. I guess I forgot because they were ousted in almost consecutive weeks at the beginning. I meant though that Josh is a solo artist in the competition. I’m just saying I see him more as a lead in a group – which he may form after the show (thinking of Daughtery)
As for Chris, I think he has an airy, refreshing voice with decent range. Does he have the best voice? No. I concede that title to Josh or Melanie. If this was American Idol, I think either of those two would win. But it’s not. The premise of the show is to look for someone who has “it” in look, voice, talent, marketability, originality, etc. I think Chris has several of those attributes which make up for what he may lack in voice (even though I thought he sang his simple, original song well last week – like Jason Mraz).
Josh and Melanie are great, don’t get me wrong. I just see Chris winning because he has more of the “X factor.” It sounds kind of dumb and a bit of an excuse, but hey it’s an opinion, right? Haha. I definitely see what you are saying, though, and I think the voting is divided between those who love Chris and those who find him annoying. I wonder which one of those population groups will come out ahead.