X Factor: The MSN Blog

So we’re down to Olly and Joe and you know who I’m rooting for, Underdog Olly! Come on Murs!

Leave your comments on each performance… and don’t forget to let me know what you really think of the judges too – I can’t wait to find out what the ‘surprises’ are that Simon mentioned at the X Factor press conference!

SHOW STARTS:

Olly
Twist And Shout 

Joe
Don’t Stop Believin’ – Journey 

Then the Winner’s Single…
Olly and Joe – The Climb

What do you think of the song choices?

Click here to leave your views…
Click here to follow our Live Tweets…

I have to say, they must have A LOT of surprises planned. The finalists are only singing two songs each and tonight’s show is two hours long!

The judges are introduced and bless ’em they scrub up well, but Cheryl looks like she’s wearing Stacey’s dress from last night?

We kick things off with a group performance from the X Factor final 12 and isn’t it nice to see all the old faces, how quickly we forget them. Reality TV is a fickle friend – LOL! Here’s Jedward too! I love Never Forget, great track and a great performance. This is really starting to remind me of the American Idol finals though… the choir, the white outfits, the long long long show… All we need is Randy and Ryan Seacrest and we’re done!

So many great performances last night. The VT runs of Joe and Olly’s efforts and I have to admit, it’s going to be a close call. Personally, I still think that Joe would be better placed on the stage and Olly is the all round entertainer who should win this. It reminds me so much of the Pop Idol final, remember the moment when the world stood still for Will and Gareth as they waited for the result? Will could not believe that he had snatched it. Fingers crossed Olly will get the same feeling tonight, he has the voice, the moves and the personality – no wonder he performed with Robbie, they’re peas in a pod and it’s that personable likeability factor that could swing it.

Not to take anything away from Joe… The guy has a sensational voice and is by far one of the nicest people ever to grace the X Factor stage, I just think he would make a perfect lead in the West end rather than a pop star. He deserves full credit and he proved yesterday that he’s not as wet as I thought (there I said it!)

Time for Olly!
(Vote Murs people!)

He’s chosen to perform Twist and Shout as his favourite song from the series and I just know he’s going to give it both barrels.

LOL! you have to love those wiggly legs… The vocal is genuine and on point, I just hope that the song choice doesn’t backfire on him. The last time he performed this some of the judges didn’t understand the ‘Thriller’ routine mid-song.

Louis is still dancing! "You love music, you’re sexy, you’re a showman and no matter what happens you are gonna have a great career in music."

Cheryl smiles, "I thoroughly enjoyed that performance, you looked like you were in your element!"

Dannii loves that Olly always takes the audience along for the ride and Simon can barely be heard as the crowd chants for Olly. "This is about winning the X Factor and that could have done it for you – You give it everything, you’re likeable, Brilliant!"

Joe’s performing Don’t Stop Believin’ and I’m not surprised, it was one of my faves from the series – a real chance to show off his vocals. I have to say, this boy has become a man before our eyes. I couldn’t believe how young he looked watching the flashback to his first audition. He’s matured vocally and personally.

Louis gushes, "You’ve got everything, you’ve got the voice, you’ve got the attitude… Small boy, big future!"

Danni is overjoyed, "You give it your all and have held on to this with both hands and never let go."

After saying that Joe would go far during his first audition, Simon decides to take the credit for his success (HA!)

Cheryl has tears in her eyes, "the whole nation are behind you, this audience is behind you and I am 100% behind you. The best thing I can say is Don’t Stop Believin’ Joe because you can do this, I know you can."

Mmmm… I’m not a fan of the whole, use the song title in the critique thing Chezza.

Joe thanks everyone for voting, but it’s all a bit sickly sweet when he wishes Olly luck as well. I’m telling you, Simon’s done too many episodes of American Idol! These shows are all merging into one cheesy lovefest – AAAAAAAAAAAGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHH!

Special Performances:
That was a cracking treat for X Factor fans everywhere, JLS and Alexandra Burke performing Everybody In Love and Bad Boys. It just goes to show you the talent that this show can produce and it proves that you don’t have to win to be a success.

WOW! Leona Lewis just stopped me typing, such a haunting performance of Stop Crying Your Heart Out. As she sang, highlights of the series were flashed onscreen and I didn’t look once at the flicks – Hypnotic lady. Virtually the whole song was in her lower register, then she took a deep breath and the reprise was right up there… Love the song and have one word for the vocal, amazing!

It’s time for the finalists to sing the winners song and this is the moment when we can make a real comparison.

Click here to leave your views…
Click here to follow our Live Tweets…

I like the song this year, The Climb is catchy.
GO ON OLLY!
Even though the song is obviously more Joe’s type of thing, Olly brings it home and he controls his voice throughout so not to shout. I really do love that Will Young style rasp he has, I’ve never heard him sing like this – he’s on fire!

Louis says he likes everything about Olly Murs. Dannii is shocked! "I’ve never heard you sing like that before, where did that come from? It was amazing, you could tell you were nervous but that performance just shows how much you really want this."

Cheryl agrees that she’s never heard Olly sing like that and I have to agree, he gave it his all.

Simon is so proud, "that just goes to prove to all those who said you’re ‘just a bit of a dancer and a bit of a singer’ that you are an amazing singer."

He’s giving Joe a run for his money people…

Simon tells Olly just how proud he is of him and as the finalist watches messages from his family, it all becomes too much. Arrr.. I’ll give you a big hug Olly – pop over to mine. Olly fights back the tears but cannot contain them when Simon himself starts to get emotional.

Joe’s turn…
Mmm? See this is where personality really does count… I thought Joe would raise the roof with the winner’s song as suits his voice far more, but I felt more passion in Olly’s performance and I’m surprised. Great vocal though!

Louis’ made his decision. "I love this song, it’s gonna sell a million copies. I loved Olly’s version but I’m gonna put my head on the block and say you have the edge – I think you have the better voice. "

Cheryl is tearful once more, "I hope you get your dream tonight, you’ve been a pleasure to work with and it’s been a pleasure getting to know you."

Simon is honest in his critique, "that’s the first time I’ve seen your nerves. I thought the start was a little shaky but annoyingly, you were brilliant in the second half. i just can’t call this now."

So who do you think will snatch the title?
Click here to leave your views…
Click here to follow our Live Tweets…

Cheryl chokes back the tears to wish Joe well. "Watching the footage of you reminds me of back when I was going through this and I was a contestant. I’ve lived the dream now and just want you to live it too!"

Does anyone get the feeling that every Cheryl fan on the planet will be voting for Joe after all these tears?

Special Performance coming up…
(Oooh) it’s George Michael!
Hang on, is it just me or is George Michael’s new track a Christmas number? My God now it’s snowing! Is he turning into Cliff Richard, this has to be a joke right? Errr… apparently not.

Dermot O’Leary is drooling and can’t believe he’s introducing none other than Sir Paul McCartney.

Paul performes Baby You Can Drive My Car on guitar (yes we are on first name terms), then the crowd erupt as he hops on his piano and belts out Live And Let Die – I love this song. You’ve still got it Macca!

Simon thanks Paul and says "it doesn’t get better than that. On behalf of all of us, you’re through to the next round." The Beatle takes the joke in good spirits and squeezes the life out of Dermot like a first time auditionee. You just can’t beat that scouse sense of humour.

THE RESULT:

Who will be your X Factor winner?

Click here to leave your views…
Click here to follow our Live Tweets

After 10 million votes, the lines are now closed and the winner of X factor 2009 is…

JOE!

Oh bum, well done to Joe.
Poor Olly…

To give him some credit, the winner’s song was made for Joe and his performance was vocally brilliant – They both deserved to win tonight though. Ever the gent, Olly commends Joe on his effortless vocals and congratulates him. I guess all the tears really worked eh Chezza.

Joe sings us out with The Climb and his voice trembles as he’s overwhelmed and overjoyed – bless.
Do you think the public chose wisely or will Olly do a JLS and be hitting the top of the charts before you know it – hope so.

Click here to leave your views…
Click here to follow our Live Tweets

Selena Ledgerton
MSN Reality TV 

So – are you excited about JANET or GAGA????
Can’t wait to see how mad Gaga is going to be – although am not sure I understand all the fuss about her but lets see – here we go!

All those months ago would you have imagined these three in the final? Really? I’m quite surprised, no Jamie, no Danyl, the big hitters in the early press.

And its over – the final three give each other a massive hug and then pull Dermot in for it. Thats lovely, they are genuinely happy and surprised. Sweet!
Next weekend is going to be MASSIVE!!!!

Good night everyone – what an amazing night? Can’t wait for next week – until then…. keep leaving your comments, keep chatting. We love it!

Stacey
The Way You Make Me Feel 
Somewhere – West Side Story 

Joe
She’s Out Of My Life 
Open Arms – Journey 

Danyl
Man In The Mirror 
I Have Nothing – Whitney Houston 

Olly
Can You Feel It 
We Can Work It Out – Stevie Wonder version 

What do you think? I think Man in the Mirror is so big it might just take Danyl through, but Can You Feel It is PERFECT for Olly and his moves….
Leave us your comments.

Tonight I am excited by seeing Danyl and Olly and of course, what Cheryl and Dannii will be wearing!
AND I’ve just seen an advert for The Susan Boyle Story on ITV1 next week – excited by that too. I shall be watching.
Its also the FINAL next weekend – How very exciting is that?

SORRY GUYS AM UNABLE TO RESPOND TO YOUR COMMENTS THIS EVENING – But I am reading them honest!!!

Stacey says she is desperate to be in the final. Well I’m sure they all are. I wonder if I would buy a record by any of them? Thats the test isn’t it?

Its Time To Face The Music!

And coming onto Thriller (great choice) its the judges. And Dannii has made a mistake thinking its a Viennese Ball these evening? Lots of red silk – Its all a bit ballroom? But she looks lovely.
Ah a bit of a Michael Jackson montage. Gotta love MJ!

Simon says he’s confident of having two acts in the final. Remembering his face last week when Olly made it through though – he knows its touch and go.
So Olly is up first and lets see what he makes of this – I want FULL ON DISCO!!!!!

Oooh a bit flat and shaky to start with? But he’s gotten into his stride a bit. And I love all the little HUH’S that he does between lines. Think he should be in a full on white suit though? 
Simon stands up but of course he has to.
Louis’s failsafe comment – Everybody Loves You. 
Dannii – Yes we can all feel it in the room tonight, You have the whole package, And grabbing your package (ouch Dannii) 
Cheryl – you’re an entertainer and I hope to see you in the final
Simon – you should have been a bag of nerves but you put on a great show, sang it really well (did he?)

What did you think of Olly?

And so here is Joe with another showy slowy. He’s made for musical theatre that lad?
He’s also orange tonight with a bit of bum fluff on his top lip – whats up with that?
Anyway onto the singing – he can sing very well and seems quite confident and relaxed now.  He can hit the notes but I am a little bored.

All the judges think he should be in the final – and I am sure he will be, no danger of Joe going out. In fact am sure he’s probably going to win it!
What did you think of Joe?

And now its time for Stacey. 

Oh dear they have given her a routine! Hope it doesn’t throw her. She’s not the best mover is she?
She looks good with her hair up. Not too sure about the vocals, though, a little bit light maybe?
Oooh the chair trick was good but she looked incredibly nervous, poor lass.

Totally agree with Simon and Louis – it did put her off. And maybe it was a little cabaret but at least she did something a bit different. 
Could this be damaging for Stacey do you think? She might be vulnerable after that.
Tell me your thoughts….
Back after the break with Danyl.

Simon is Danyl’s only real supporter? Everyone else completely has it in for him. I bet they savage him in their comments, esp as Simon put the boot into Stacey.
Man in the Mirror though – could be a winner for him?
 
Apart from the rubbish photo backdrops he’s doing really well. He actually seemed a bit nervous at the beginning but seems to have got into it. Wow judges actually standing? He did do well.
Louis and Dannii positive about the singing, but agree about the silly pics of polar bears.
Oh and even Cheryl nice about him – wishing him good luck.
Simon says it was on the money and genuinely brilliant – rounds on the others for picking up on the polar bears.

Its PolarBear-Gate!

ROUND TWO:
Here we go with Olly.  Nice and relaxed, this song suits him. Oh and bless him, he’s doing his little dance moves that look suspiciously like The Running Man.
Simon is not standing up? Hmmm, wonder if he realises that is getting a little boring.
Oooh Louis says he’s not sure about Olly getting into the final. But I do agree with Dannii it might not show off the best of Olly’s vocals.
What did you think?

And here is Joe – they love that perspex tube platform this year don’t they? Anyway, yes lovely song, sung well – well done. Still a little dull though?
Cheryl stands up and has to yank Simon up too – those two have a pact.

Oh and there it is – the killer quote – if you recorded that song tomorrow morning you would have a Number One single. Well done Louis.

And here is Stacey’s second attempt lets hope she does better than in round one. Its a classic number. And they are really making the most out of the video screen backdrop tonight aren’t they?
One or two flat notes, but the major ones are all there thankfully.  Crumbs that last one was a killer!
By the way how much like Stacey was her sister on the VT?

And its a massive number coming up from Danyl – this could be make or break for him. Nice relaxed outfit, but needs to pick up a bit those early notes are a bit unsteady?
But it is hard to sing a famous female number which is so high usually.
Simon was almost giving him evils then I think, or was he thinking about how much money he could make out of him?
Louis says he is a born entertainer and hopes people vote for him, Dannii a bit negative and Cheryl slightly non-commital.
I agree with Simon that he has had a bit of a hard time usually in judging.
I think he did really really well! Well done Danyl and well done everyone – a big night all round.

OK thats it – phone lines are open, who will you be voting for? Exciting. I think Olly might be out, but I hope its Stacey – an all male final?
Selena will be back tomorrow for the results show, where we shall all be going Lady Gaga for Janet Jackson.
I (Alice) will be back on Twitter (@MSNRealityTV) so we’ve got it covered.
Who is going to be in the final!?

Lets find out tomorrow…. GOOD NIGHT! Love Alice x

Visit the MSN I’m A Celebrity Blog 

Olly Murs Breaks Hand

Sting Slams Karaoke X Factor

Cheryl Cole Won’t Rule Out Surgery

Will Young: X Factor Group Song Not Live

The Latest MSN X Factor Podcast

Follow Our Reality TV Tweets…

MSN Entertainment On Facebook

Become a fan of the MSN X Factor Blog on Facebook…

Become a fan of MSN Reality TV Blogs on Facebook…

MSN X Factor Special

Selena Ledgerton Cooper
MSN Reality TV 

  

If you enjoy the blogs, please click here to vote for me in the Bloggers Choice Awards… Registering takes two ticks and then you just click to vote x Selena

 
IMAGES: PA IMAGES

Read Selena’s other blogs:
MSN Reality TV Blogs

Are you a member of facebook?
Click here to become a fan of MSN Reality TV Blogs

Share It

del.icio.us	Digg	Facebook	Google
Live Spaces	MySpace	Newsvine	Reddit
StumbleUpon	Technorati	Twitter	Yahoo! My Web

It’s a real treat tonight as we have Alicia Keys and Rihanna to look forward to. Not to mention the cheesefest that it the X Factor group song!

Disappointing… Sack the hairdresser and sound men.

Click here to leave your views…
Click here to follow our Live Tweets…