Is the return of Sharon Osbourne to the X Factor enough to freshen up the show?

[-:Undertaker:-]

Is the return of Sharon Osbourne to the X Factor enough to freshen up the show?

The X Factor, now in it's 10th series, has begun on ITV and will run until Christmas. This year's show has marked the return of firebrand judge, Sharon Osbourne, who has replaced Tulisa as the fourth judge. The change has come amid a slight decline in viewings over the past couple of years along with complaints by the public that the show has grown stale. The other changes in the show this year mark the return of auditions in the room with just the judges rather than the public auditions which many felt took away the humour from the bad auditions.

Others will say that the show's format still remains stale and that the judge lineup is still rather dull, with Simon Cowell again not in this years judge line up. So what do you think? is the show still capable of producing artists such as One Direction, Olly Murs, Leona Lewis and Alexandra Burke or is it past it's sell by date? does the return of Sharon Obourne freshen up the show or is it a meaningless change? (or a change for the worst?)

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The debate is open to you.

[oli]

The show was only good at the beginning because it was something new, the market for talent shows has died to put it simply, it has low market share and low market growth (the dog). Everyone likes something new and innovative but now it's just not cutting it. Simon Cowell was definitely the main judge for several years and when he left I'm sure the ratings dropped even more, even if Gary Barlow was good.

But if we're to talk about Sharon returning I believe it will do nothing if not just make things worse, considering she doesn't have a fanbase... Her voice is just annoying and she's just pretty lame.

[lemons]

No but I enjoy watching her, probably wouldn't of tuned in if it wasn't for her and the other changes

[oli]

No but I enjoy watching her, probably wouldn't of tuned in if it wasn't for her and the other changes

What other changes? The fact they do it in the rooms? That's to give the illusion that it's going to be as good as it used to seem, but it's still the same old stuff, nothing new.

[Red]

Well Sharon is a definite improvement from Tulisa anyway. I enjoyed the first two episodes and think she will be a good laugh. Still haven't warmed to Gary and I really miss and feel the show has suffered without Simon. I'm glad that they brought the room back though and I like how you see the same people in front of a live audience on the Sunday night. Anyway, the main deciding factor for me if I continue watching is how talented the contestants are and if there is anyone that I warm too. The last 2 years talent has been lacking imo and it was just frustrating that rubbish acts like Christopher Maloney came third. ;lll

[Eoin247]

Bringing back Sharon and going back to the rooms are the two best things they could have done( although seeing Simon back would be good too) . The chain of stupid, ignorant and selfish judges joining the show has finally ended. At least Sharon brings some wit and class back to the show while still being a very funny person.

I haven't watched the X-Factor weekly since 2010, and wasn't going to watch it again this year until I heard about the changes. I might give it a chance this year.

is the show still capable of producing artists such as One Direction.

How people classify one direction as artists I will never understand. Their actual music is pretty awful and clichéd. The dreaming, screaming teen girls that drool over their posters are the only reason they are still around.

[Red]

Bringing back Sharon and going back to the rooms are the two best things they could have done( although seeing Simon back would be good too) . The chain of stupid, ignorant and selfish judges joining the show has finally ended. At least Sharon brings some wit and class back to the show while still being a very funny person.

I haven't watched the X-Factor weekly since 2010, and wasn't going to watch it again this year until I heard about the changes. I might give it a chance this year.

[/CENTER]

How people classify one direction as artists I will never understand. Their actual music is pretty awful and clichéd. The dreaming, screaming teen girls that drool over their posters are the only reason they are still around.

Umm no, their music is catchy as hell and simply being good looking isn't gonna give you the success that they have.

[Eoin247]

Umm no, their music is catchy as hell and simply being good looking isn't gonna give you the success that they have.

A song being catchy doesnt make it good. Advertisement jingles are notoriously catchy, do you got them in your ipod too? Whether you want to accept it or not, any good looking lad could have been swapped in with any of these guys and it wouldn't make a difference. If the X-Factor didnt exist, they wouldn't have gotten the image exposure that a group like that needs to become famous.

[Red]

A song being catchy doesnt make it good. Advertisement jingles are notoriously catchy, do you got them in your ipod too? Whether you want to accept it or not, any good looking lad could have been swapped in with any of these guys and it wouldn't make a difference. If the X-Factor didnt exist, they wouldn't have gotten the image exposure that a group like that needs to become famous.

They can all sing and their music has topped countries charts around the world, so I will beg to differ. It's just not to your taste

[Kardan]

Umm no, their music is catchy as hell and simply being good looking isn't gonna give you the success that they have.

I'd say their music is as catchy as hell because half of their music is stolen from other artists

Sharon is a welcomed improvement, and the show might start to be a bit repetitive now, but it's still going strong. Replace Louis with Simon and I think we'd have a great judges line-up