Only 2 hours remain for this year’s competition and either Reece Mastin, Johnny Ruffo or, God forbid, Andrew Wishart will take out the title of this year’s The X Factor! The star studded finale starts here.
We begin with a music video of the trio performing ‘I Like How It Feels’. They enter an elevator before we head to the actual stage where a multitude of dancers are waiting for the three contestants to head on stage.
Yes, they do so in perfect fashion and with that, the X Factor finale is go! The trio step on top of the judging panel with fireworks all around them before Luke Jacobz comes out and welcomes us all to the show.
He gets the crowd all ready to go as the fireworks go off around him in a stunning show of adrenalin. The final three contestants then head back on stage where Luke interviews Andrew. He feels honoured and humbled for having this opportunity and thanks everyone. Johnny loved spending time with the contestants and mentors. Reece says his memorable moment is, we, he can’t pick one. He’s just happy to be here.
With those formalities over and done with, it is time to introduce the judges (mentors) for the final time this year- Guy Sebastian, Mel B, Ronan Keating and Natalie Bassingthwaighte. And my god, Luke needs to calm down.
He tells us The Fray, Emmanuel Kelly, Kylie Minogue and The Fray will be singing tonight. And with that, we have a look back at last night’s performance show.
To the judges and they all loved the entertainment last night with Ronan saying they just kept coming (all the hits) and Natalie commends the opening number (for tonight) with Guy complimenting how versatile the show was last night. Kylie and Reece were a highlight. Mel had so much fun; moreso than tonight apparently.
So, who will come out on top? Well, it’s time to go to a break right now; but I’m sure we’ll hear the result soon.
After the break, we see the judge’s thoughts on some of the dress senses of the judges and contestants. Quite a funny montage there. I didn’t know how bad some of their dress senses were.
And with that, it is time for the first guest performance of the night- The Fray with Heartbeat.
It’s an electric feeling and a very likable performance. It’s as if you’re hearing it on the radio…but better! I love The Fray and I loved this performance.
After the performance, Luke asks them what it is like to be famous. Yes, a former Home and Away star would have to ask that. No, seriously, they would!
After the break, and a look at Mel’s bitchiness, we then see a recap of the auditions and therefore the root of this season. And there was an extended look at those girls (I can’t remember their name) which I DID not like.
Most of the audition footage featured really bad auditions. We also see Luke O’Dell and apparently it made him big because, get this, Natalie says ‘it was used on Beauty & The Geek!’. Yeah, if it was used on a show other than one owned by Seven, that would be amazing.
And with that, we head to the stage for an exclusive performance by the one and only Luke O’Dell to the horror and possible delight of the judges.
It’s a good performance and quite funny to laugh at but maybe one best left to last night and not tonight. And after all that, he gets a standing ovation.
He thanks everyone why viewed him on YouTube.
After the break, we discuss Natalie’s screaming which is quite annoying if you hear it!
Then, it is time for our second (or make that third) special guest- Guy Sebastian- Judge and former Australian Idol winner. My god he dresses weirdly.
Still it was a good performance with vibrancy, colour and a variety of different ensembles. He also goes in for a stage dive. OK, that’s way too up himself. And of course, he gets a standing ovation from the other three judges.
After the break, we quiz the ‘relationship’ between Reece and Christina before we head to Luke for the third place announcement. Out come Natalie Bassingthwaighte and her over 25; Andrew Wishart; and Guy Sebastian with his boy’s, Johnny Ruffo and Reece Mastin.
Here are the results. These results are in no particular.
The first act into the top two of The X Factor Australia 2011 is… Reece Mastin! That leaves Natalie and Andrew Wishart and Guy and Johnny Ruffo in danger of elimination. Who will stay?
The final act into the top two of The X Factor Australia 2011 is… Andrew Wishart.
This means it will be Andrew Wishart v Reece Mastin for The X Factor 2011 title. Johnny Ruffo has been eliminated!
We have a look at his time on the show which is just his best bits and some back story. In a way, I don’t think Guy supported this one enough; all his attention was turned squarely on Reece. He says all his thank you’s (and nearly forgets Guy) before he is shown the door.
After the break, it is time for the final twelve to take to the stage for the final time with a very special guest. No, not Kylie Minogue. Emmanuel Kelly.
He is just talent and he just shows that it doesn’t matter what you’ve been through; you can do anything with the right stuff. And my did I like that inspirational song medley they all just performed. Any hitch was very easily looked over. I had shivers down my spine. If you haven’t watched this on television- watch it on YouTube or PLUS7. Let It Be!
Love it.
After the break, it is time for yet another guest and the biggest of the night (well, maybe not after that Emmanuel Kelly performance), Kylie Minogue.
It’s a performance you’d expect from Kylie. Stylish dress, a stage set for a full length Kylie concert, adorned with neon lights, a pianist and a lot of red carpet! And of course, the voice, which is faultless.
The only problem would have to be that I have never really been able to get into her songs. This one sounds old fashioned. I am mesmerised, however, with those violinists and their neon sticks (someone may correct me and tell me what those sticks are called, haha).
She dishes out some more advice which basically tells us to learn from our mistakes, and with that, all that Kylie is done!
After the break, it is time to showcase the finalists. First up is Reece Mastin from SA! Before his performance, we have a look back at his time on the show. Christ this show does go on a bit.
What is interesting is that none of his sisters sounded British!
Now for the final time, Guy introduces Reece Mastin (joking about performing Celine Dion). He comes on stage with two massive fans (actual mechanical fans, not screaming fans) standing on stage to billow him with air. Of course, he is at his show stopping best.
He gets a standing ovation and to Luke, he says he wants to thank the people who have kept him in the competition. It’s hard to think that Casey Donovan was only 16 when she won Australian Idol 2004 if I recall.
After the break, we go through the same process but with Andrew Wishart. It was so beautiful seeing his family be so supportive. I see Natalie getting emotional and I agree with her (although I myself am not getting too emotional; I’m too much of a happy person!!!).
I don’t know if it is the nerves, but that was quite a rocky performance which did get better as we head through the song. I loved the intimate setting; just Andrew singing with family photo’s flickering in the background. Lovely touch and a nice way to end the season. He says it was emotional performing that song but says he has no idea how he will go in the results as he is up against the ‘Reece Machine’. Who knows, he could just win this! He thanks his family.
Natalie calls him a ‘fricken champion’. Apologies to any German viewers.
After the break, I believe it is decision time! Finally!
Luke welcomes out for the final time; Natalie Bassingthwaighte and her finalist; Andrew Wishart, and Guy Sebastian with his finalist; Reece Mastin. Who will win?!?
THE WINNER OF THE X FACTOR AUSTRALIA 2011…
…
…
…IS…
…
…
…WITH A DIFFERENCE OF JUST OVER 1 PER CENT…
…
…
… REECE MASTIN!
And with that; South Australia wins again this year with Reece Mastin. Andrew says his runner up speech. Then, it is an emotional Reece who takes the stage with his teary thank you.
We also get a few congratulatory messages from the judges.
And to end the show, Reece gives a performance of his Winner’s Single, Good Night. Luke ends by saying ‘See You Next Year’ and while hosts have said that unsuccessfully in the past; this year’s ratings should ensure it a 2012 season.
So a very entertaining yet VERY drawn out episode which was quite a disappointing feature. By the time the winner was announced, it felt like a relief more than a celebration which can be a problem with finales of shows like this. In the past, when these shows were few and far between, 2 hour finales were OK; but now, they should be limited to 90 minutes.
I did however like how Reece was able to sing the season out and overall, the special guests were great; but maybe a few too many.
To the season as a whole and it has been very entertaining. Despite being pretty much the same format, this show has seemingly grown so much, to an unrecognisable version of its 2005 failed attempt. In fact, it is hard to know that THIS VERY SHOW has failed and been cancelled in the past (for a very long time I might add). With year on year growth; you may say that The X Factor is showing THE COMPLETE OPPOSITE trend to what is seen in most reality shows which tend to decrease in popularity over time. This show pretty much proves this theory wrong however Seven have been quite good in building audiences this year as their dominance increases.
Production values, except the odd cross promotion, controversy, volume and over run time was exceptional and this show continued to prove this year that it is much bigger and much grander than Australian Idol; fulfilling its spiritual goal at becoming the new ‘Australian Talent Show’. It has been enjoyable and one to watch out for in 2012.
Courtney’s Verdict: 8.8/10
Courtney’s The X Factor Season One Overall Verdict: 9.5/10
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