Luna
14-11-2005, 08:52
Fomr The Mirror
IT all started calmly enough - but fast-forward two hours and we're on our feet, screaming abuse at Louis Walsh with the rest of The X Factor audience.
We had front row seats at the most shocking TV moment of the year as talented beauty Maria Lawson was sensationally booted off the show in favour of Louis's fellow countrywomen The Conway Sisters.
As the rest of the audience stamp their feet and chant "Fix! Fix! Fix!", we find ourselves booing, hissing and shouting.
And to make matters worse, five minutes later in his dressing room Simon Cowell confesses to us: "I made the wrong decision. If I'd have had five minutes more to think about it, I would have sent The Conway Sisters home.
"I acted out of loyalty, but this show is about talent. Maria should have stayed. The Conways don't have a chance of winning this competition." Blimey.
Outside, we pass Maria in the corridor but don't have the heart to tell her what Cowell's just revealed. Our evening at the pantomime that is The X Factor started with the warm-up man teaching the audience how to sway. Yes, really.
While Sharon's certainly popular, there's no doubt who the star of The X Factor is. Simon gets a frenzied reception, wild applause and everyone wants to shake his hand or kiss him. It's quite astonishing.
In the seconds before the show goes on air, while Simon broke all TV studio rules by smoking a nerve-calming cigarette, we were puzzled to see a woman crouching behind the judges with a mysterious red velvet bundle. It turns out to be Sharon's Pomeranian pooch, Minnie. Obviously.
When the first advert break comes, we're glad of the rest - there's an awful lot of standing up as an X Factor audience member.
A SWAT team of make-up artists swoop down, three focus on Sharon while the boys each get a quick dusting.
The best reaction of the night is reserved for Andy - the cheering and clapping he receives is noticeably louder than the others.
After a quick wine, we're back for the results. We're down to three acts, two of whom must sing again for survival. Then that annoying extra ad break is announced. We've never known tension like it.
Standing on stage, looking terrified, were The Conways, Journey South and Maria. When Louis chooses The Conway Sisters, the studio erupts in anger. An Irish girl next to us rants: "The Conways sang at Shane Filan from Westlife's wedding. Louis goes way back with them."
The crowd boo as though their lives depend on it and Louis is visibly shaken.
Sharon storms out in tears and even Simon sits shocked. And as soon as his ITV2 interview is over, Louis scarpers.
After Simon shockingly confesses to us he wishes he'd dumped his own act, Sharon comes into his dressing room. "This isn't the last we'll see of Maria," she vows. As we leave, a show insider utters a few brave words in Louis's defence.
"You've got to realise what it's like in Ireland. He wouldn't have been able to walk down the street, he'd have been ripped apart if he hadn't saved those girls." Hmmm.
The X Factor is everything we hoped it would be - and more. It's a panto, a soap opera, an emotional roller-coaster and, most importantly, a great night out.
Exhausted, we head for home.
IT all started calmly enough - but fast-forward two hours and we're on our feet, screaming abuse at Louis Walsh with the rest of The X Factor audience.
We had front row seats at the most shocking TV moment of the year as talented beauty Maria Lawson was sensationally booted off the show in favour of Louis's fellow countrywomen The Conway Sisters.
As the rest of the audience stamp their feet and chant "Fix! Fix! Fix!", we find ourselves booing, hissing and shouting.
And to make matters worse, five minutes later in his dressing room Simon Cowell confesses to us: "I made the wrong decision. If I'd have had five minutes more to think about it, I would have sent The Conway Sisters home.
"I acted out of loyalty, but this show is about talent. Maria should have stayed. The Conways don't have a chance of winning this competition." Blimey.
Outside, we pass Maria in the corridor but don't have the heart to tell her what Cowell's just revealed. Our evening at the pantomime that is The X Factor started with the warm-up man teaching the audience how to sway. Yes, really.
While Sharon's certainly popular, there's no doubt who the star of The X Factor is. Simon gets a frenzied reception, wild applause and everyone wants to shake his hand or kiss him. It's quite astonishing.
In the seconds before the show goes on air, while Simon broke all TV studio rules by smoking a nerve-calming cigarette, we were puzzled to see a woman crouching behind the judges with a mysterious red velvet bundle. It turns out to be Sharon's Pomeranian pooch, Minnie. Obviously.
When the first advert break comes, we're glad of the rest - there's an awful lot of standing up as an X Factor audience member.
A SWAT team of make-up artists swoop down, three focus on Sharon while the boys each get a quick dusting.
The best reaction of the night is reserved for Andy - the cheering and clapping he receives is noticeably louder than the others.
After a quick wine, we're back for the results. We're down to three acts, two of whom must sing again for survival. Then that annoying extra ad break is announced. We've never known tension like it.
Standing on stage, looking terrified, were The Conways, Journey South and Maria. When Louis chooses The Conway Sisters, the studio erupts in anger. An Irish girl next to us rants: "The Conways sang at Shane Filan from Westlife's wedding. Louis goes way back with them."
The crowd boo as though their lives depend on it and Louis is visibly shaken.
Sharon storms out in tears and even Simon sits shocked. And as soon as his ITV2 interview is over, Louis scarpers.
After Simon shockingly confesses to us he wishes he'd dumped his own act, Sharon comes into his dressing room. "This isn't the last we'll see of Maria," she vows. As we leave, a show insider utters a few brave words in Louis's defence.
"You've got to realise what it's like in Ireland. He wouldn't have been able to walk down the street, he'd have been ripped apart if he hadn't saved those girls." Hmmm.
The X Factor is everything we hoped it would be - and more. It's a panto, a soap opera, an emotional roller-coaster and, most importantly, a great night out.
Exhausted, we head for home.