The X Factor Finale: Love Conquers All!

After many months of competition, several questionable elimination episodes, numerous occasions where subtitles would have come in handy, and one final performance night, we have a winner...well, winners in this scenario. The boyfriend/girlfriend duo Alex & Sierra are this year's victors on The X Factor and I could not be happier. Here are the highlights from the lengthy finale:

 

• Mary J. Blige treated us to her jazzy, awesome rendition of "Rudolph, The Red Nosed Reindeer." Her performance immediately followed Carlito's attempt at a holiday performance with some mostly naked elves...which was really the only redeeming portion of his version of  "Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)."
• Jeff Gutt gave a gritty performance of "Oh Holy Night" which I would have enjoyed more without the return of the leather, fingerless gloves...but it was "snowing" on stage so maybe he really needed them.
• Alex & Sierra chose "All I Want For Christmas is You" as their holiday song, stripping it down and making it their own. I'm never going to love a version of this song more than Mariah Carey's. It just won't happen. They did a good job just the same...but we were not even an hour into the show at this point...and boredom was already on the horizon.
• Many silly spoofs of the judges were done throughout the evening, but none quite so ridiculous and classless as the one featuring Demi's "green annoying juice." The kid has been completely open with her bouts in rehab, and The X Factor didn't see an issue with showing many, many clips of her drinking this beverage as if she were drinking something else? At one point you could see Demi in the bottom of the screen mouthing "That's %^&*ed up." Agreed.
• Lea Michelle diverted the show from a becoming a haphazard Christmas comedy special by performing her new single "Cannonball." I had never heard this tune before, but I liked it - I think a lot of Glee fans don't realized that Lea Michelle is actually incredibly versatile. She's so much more than just her character, Rachel. It was good to see her tonight.
• Pitbull showed up to sing a song that plays many times a day on my iPod. For real - tell me you can resist shaking a tail feather to "Timber." I dare you.
• One Direction performed yet again. I feel like The X Factor has them on contract to take the stage every 3 weeks....

 

When the final results come through, Carlito finished third with Jeff Gutt as the runner up.  The lovebirds cry and close the show with a very emotional "Say Something." I'm thrilled for Alex & Sierra and I'm keeping my fingers crossed that something great is going to happen for them. Sure, they are tearing up the charts on iTunes, but can Sony take Alex & Sierra to their full potential? Time will tell.

 

I'm not sure if there has been a definitive answer regarding a Season 4 of this show. If The X Factor is renewed though, Demi has already stated that she will not be able to participate. She's touring in 2014 and wants to focus on her music. Could this have anything to do with the tasteless montage of green drinks rather than an actual send off? Are The X Factor show runners that clueless? I guess we'll know for sure if Paulina gets a contract renewal.

 

 

Thanks for sticking with this show for another season. In a very short time we will see the return of American Idol and The Voice and blogging will definitely resume then. Happy 2014!

 

 

 

The X Factor Finale Part 1: Dream On

We've reached the end of the road for the 2013 season of The X Factor. Tonight the remaining three acts will compete for the last time, hoping to win the title and the recording contract.  For the second week in a row, Demi is just a spectator with an opinion, while Simon, Paulina and Kelly all have a contender left in the finale. The Final 3 will have three chances to win America's votes tonight - an encore of a song from earlier in the season, a duet with someone famous or close to it, and a song chosen by their coach. Let's see how they do...

 

Act:     Carlito Olivero

Team: Paulina

Song:  "Impossible" by Shontelle

 

Carlito does the predictable Spanish/English combo in this performance and the first verse is entirely too low. He picks up the performance at around the half way point and has a strong finish. That's all I got.

 

Critiques: Kelly adores Carlito's heart - he always shares it with the audience and leaves it on stage. Demi was blown away by the performance and believes he can win. Oh Lord. Here we go. Simon really respects Carlito because he can pick himself up and give it his all every time. Paulina says something about passion and deserving support.

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Act:     Alex & Sierra

Team: Simon

Song:  "Give Me Love" by Ed Sheeran

 

I gotta say - when this season started I was wayyyy more of an Alex fan than a Sierra fan. But now when she starts a song, I'm not eagerly waiting for Alex to jump in. When he does, it's just icing on the cake. They do a great job with this song, and I have definitely joined Paulina's "I love that you love that I love that you love each other" team.

 

Critiques: Kelly tells the duo that they have both grown vocally and says any label would sign them right now. Demi is blown away....again. She is a genuine fan and she feels connected to them. Demi then alludes that Alex & Sierra probably won't win, so she hopes they continue to pursue this career. Paulina says they are unique, and Simon believes that Alex & Sierra are stars that can represent America all over the world.

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Act:     Jeff Gutt

Team: Kelly

Song: "Dream On" by Aerosmith

 

Oh my. "Dream On" is another one of those songs that I think should be retired from reality TV singing shows. However, Jeff delivers one hell of a performance. This might be the first time I've looked at him and reallllllly thought "rock star." Maybe it's because he finally got rid of the leather gloves with no finger tips, but he wasn't trying to imitate Steven Tyler - he was owning the song just as Jeff Gutt. Well done.

 

Critiques: Demi is not blown away this time but says Jeff did a fantastic job. Paulina needs to see a band behind him for him to be more of a rocker. Simon says "I think is the first time that I believe that you believe you could win this show." Kelly says she has one word for Jeff: "Ah-maaaz-ing."

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Duet:  Carlito Olivero with Prince Royce

Song: "Stand By Me" by Ben E. King

 

I know very little about Prince Royce, but I now understand who Carlito has been trying to imitate for the second half of this season. I'm not a fan of this arrangement at all, regardless of who Carlito's duet partner is. I'm so relieved he only has one more performance tonight.

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Duet:   Alex & Sierra and Leona Lewis

Song: "Bleeding Love"

 

Where the hell has Leona Lewis been? I was a huge fan of hers when she landed in America after winning the British version of The X Factor. This song is perfect for the lovebirds to sing with Leona, but is it bad that I didn't even care that Leona was there? 

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Duet:    Jeff Gutt and John Rzeznik from The Goo Goo Dolls

Song:   "Iris"

 

I'm going to use a phrase that I hate...that Randy Jackson damn there put me in anger management classes with... tonight, Jeff is in it to win it. He really is. Out of the three duets, this one is the most natural and Jeff is at a point now where he just looks like a natural. There was no "Oh my God, you're here and I'm singing your song with you" vibe - just two professional musicians doing their thing.

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Act:     Carlito Olivero

Team: Paulina

Song: "Maria Maria" by Carlos Santana

 

That jacket. That. Jacket. It has light bulbs on it. Light bulbs. Dude is out of breath, sweating like Ruben Studdard, and I just can't do it anymore. The key changes are weird, he's more nasal-y than normal, and his confidence disappeared in this performance. If this is an encore for a song that made him destined for the finale, I am totally missing the message he is trying to deliver here.  

 

Critiques: Kelly is still proud of Carlito because he has come a long way. Demi says Carlito was on fire, calls him the underdog (because that word hasn't been used yet), and says America should vote for him. Sigh. Simon reiterates that he respects Carlito and wishes him the best of luck. Paulina talks about passion...or something.

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Act:     Alex & Sierra

Team: Simon

Song: "Say Something" by A Great Big World featuring Christina Aguilera

 

Thank goodness for this performance. I was getting to a point in the evening where I was starting to think "are we DONE yet?" Alex & Sierra take this encore to a whole new level though and I am so grateful. It's so haunting and emotional, and again, if these two don't win, I will be devastated.  

 

Critiques: Standing ovation. Kelly says this was better than the first time they sang it. She also says the duo deserves this moment. Demi says they always blow her away and says Alex and Sierra could win. Yes. Yes they could Demi. If you look at the rules of the show, Carlito and Jeff could also win. Paulina says the duo is talented and then seems to make up some new words. Simon thinks Alex and Sierra are exactly what a talent show needs and genuinely believes they deserve to win.

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Act:    Jeff Gutt

Team: Kelly

Song: "Creep" by Radiohead

 

I'm surprised that Jeff picked his audition song for the encore, but at the same time...he's come so far from his audition that it totally makes sense. He has the band with him this time (Paulina should be thrilled) and he just kills it. I haven't really rooted for this guy at all this season, and I'm still not looking for him to win, but I sincerely hope that he gets a career out of this.

 

Critiques: Demi says the performance was amazing, calling it a stadium performance. She also says America should vote for him. Palm to the forehead. Paulina....I just can't anymore. Simon thinks Jeff was brilliant tonight. Kelly calls Jeff's journey her "heart's joy" and asks the voters to give Jeff the victory.

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I'd be kidding myself if I said "I have no comments about Paulina' Rubio's performance tonight." She sings lip syncs "Boys Will Be Boys" and she travels the stage with boys and leather. On a positive note, this is the first time I have understood Paulina all season. She should give her critiques using pre-recorded tracks as well.

 

I've said about all I can say regarding these three acts and it's up to America now. Can Alex & Sierra win it all? Will Jeff and his too cute for words son have a life changing night tomorrow? Can The X Factor's reputation ever recover if Carlito wins? We'll find out during part two of the finale. Til then!

 

 

The Voice Finale: Season 5 Winner Revelaed!

Tonight on The Voice someone will claim the Season 5 title and hopefully walk away with some sort of career. We see many familiar faces as the Top 24 return to remind us that they were once on the show, and we are treated to several performances from big stars as well. The results show is two hours tonight and here are the highlights:

 

• Jacquie brings back Matthew, Caroline, Cole and James to take on Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody." Yes, you read that correctly. Jacquie does...okay, but Cole is actually the surprise on this song - he's definitely a standout vocally. I'm going to take it easy on Caroline and barely mention  that James forgets that he should be singing into the microphone at one point.
• Tessanne joins Celine Dion (Tessanne looks like she might pass out) for "Love Can Move Mountains." It's really nice to see Celine doing her thang and she still looks and sounds amazing. This seems more like a duet on an awards show or concert tour rather than a reality TV show finale because Tessanne keeps up with her idol just fine. Awesomeness.
• Will brings back Austin, Cole, Caroline, and Jonny to sing "Wagon Wheel." Apparently Will plays the banjo. I could have done without Caroline in this performance (and most performances), but it's fun and it's over quickly, so I can't complain too much. 
• Jacquie joins Paramore onstage to sing their single "Ain't It Fun" and the pairing is a bit strange for me. I guess I just don't picture this as Jacquie's type of music, but I do always enjoy seeing Paramore as well as whatever outfit Hayley Williams chooses to wear.
• Will takes the stage with Aloe Blacc on stage to sing "Wake Me Up." Aloe doesn't seem too jazzed about this being a duet but maybe I'm just reading him wrong. I totally prefer the original recording, but this seemed to mean a lot to Will, so good for him.
• Tessanne brings back James, Preston, Olivia and Grey to sing "Hold On I'm Comin'" and this is by far the best 'bring back' moment of the night. The performance doesn't seem like one of those awkward group numbers we're used to on these shows - this is 5 professionals collaborating and doing what they do best. 

• My brain nearly explodes when Xtina joins Lady Gaga to perform "Do What You Want." The rumored bad blood between these two is nowhere to be found during this performance and I just love it. The past hour and 48 minutes of "eh" were well worth it to get to this point. I actually watch the performance twice before I can move on...I can barely remember what else we're waiting for tonight...

Results! The Final 3 stand on stage nervously awaiting the big reveal. Carson lets go of Will first, leaving Jacquie and Tessanne anxiously holding hands. Drum roll please. The winner of The Voice Season 5 is.... TESSANNE!!!! She sings her victory song "Tumblin' Down" and all is right with the world.

I'm so thrilled for Tessanne. The way she reacts to the news brings me to tears and I have my fingers crossed that we will be hearing a lot from her in the future. I would by an album from Tessanne tomorrow if she released one. I absolutely think the right person won this season...and it was really wonderful to watch.

The Voice will be back again in February (really?) with the return of Shakira and Usher and departure of CeeLo and Xtina. Can't we just substitute Xtina for Usher? I would love to see these two ladies duking it out for a victory and I think they are both fantastic on the show. Alas, my hopes will probably never come to fruition. Also, am I the only one who thinks it's a little much to start taping one season before the previous season ends? Maybe The Voice should space out the seasons a bit more? At any rate, enjoy the very brief time off from the show, and we will resume The Voice recaps in a couple of months. Til Then!