Lopez Blogs

Eee by gum, you go away for a week to Costa Blanca (*whispers - Benidorm*) and have a nice self imposed internet exile only to come back and find yourself spending more time online in one evening than you would if there had been no such exile. Still, I did read four and a half books last week (still finishing one), so can't all be bad. One of the highlights of coming back was to find a ready prepared video from my beloved Princes & Rogues. Now previously in Princes & Rogues, Cameron left the group for pastures new and there is now a new prince-slash-rogue in the mix. He is the dark brooding one, fingering a guitar on the left of the above video, which is their most recent youtube cover. This time, they have tackled the Bruno Mars hit 'Grenade' and glee-ed it up something spectacular. As I've mentioned before, what I really adore about P&R (apart from Ashley in a bowtie and Derek's accent) is their ability to not just deliver layered vocal harmonies, but actually make them an integral part of the tune. The guitar is a nice addition, but it's their blend of voices that really make this work. New Directions on Glee do this from time to time when they are not trying to re-enact pop videos, but the Dalton Warblers really excel (spreadsheet) at it and this reminds me of one of their top notch performances. I do get a bit excited by the way when it goes from finger clicking goodness into ebullient handclapping enthusiasm. One thing, tsk to putting your shoes on the settee. I hope you wiped your feet before you came in today :P Do follow Princes & Rogues on twitter, I am hoping for massive things from them in 2011.

Top 21 songs of the week:

Despite lots of musical happenings going on at the moment, I am still obsessed with lots of songs from melodifestivalen and they are cluttering up my chart. Eric Saade gets a third week at the top (though The Feeling are nipping at his heels) which matches his chart topping debut on the real Swedish pop charts. Hurrah. And some stellar tv performances this week (on Alan Titmunch no less) boosted the brillo The Wanted single quite high and kept my interest in Shayne Ward's Obsession track for just a little while longer...


21 ~ The Moniker, Oh My God (NE)
20 ~ Shayne Ward, Obsession (VID-ABOVE)
19 ~ Westlife, Beautiful Tonight
18 ~ Same Difference, Karma Karma
17 ~ Neo, Underground
16 ~ Danny, In The Club
15 ~ Tove Styrke, High and Low
14 ~ Same Difference, Best Mistake (NE)
13 ~ Deborah Gibson, Snake Charmer
12 ~ McFly, That's The Truth
11 ~ Love Generation, I Dance Alone
10 ~ Take That, Kidz
09 ~ Kylie, Put Your Hands Up
08 ~ Le Kid, Oh My God
07 ~ Lady Gaga, Born This Way
06 ~ Maroon 5, Never Gonna Leave This Bed
05 ~ The Wanted, Gold Forever (VID BELOW)
04 ~ Sanna Nielsen, I'm In Love
03 ~ Andreas Johnson, One Man Army
02 ~ The Feeling, Set My World on Fire
01 ~ Eric Saade, Popular (3 weeks)

Hurrah! It is Darren's birthday. I am forbidden on pain of death and nipple twisters to reveal his actual age to you. Needless to say, next year is a big birthday for him! Anyway, we went out with the ace gang last night and after a grim start to 2011 had a rather lovely time as it happens (as you can see above :P There is a much sweeter picture here!). Then we had a lovely starbucks based breakfast today and he opened his presents and it was all very delightful :) Hurrah for lovely dazpanteloons!

The week in review:

• Latest Obsessions ~ am still charting the rise and rise of new boyband du jour, Princes and Rogues. They've popped a little teaser video online (above) to the sound of Dirty Bit (would love to hear an acapella version of that!!) which, along with the news that they are busy writing singles, has got me all sorts of twitterpated. Two things - Ashley may very well be chiselled geek chic perfection and they really need to release this as a christmas double aa side with one of their own songs!!Until then, here's a quick catch up from Derek himself as to what P&R have been up to...
  "Well, I can't say too much, because if I did I'd have to kill everyone who reads it and that could be an awful lot of people, and will just get messy so none of that now. We are quite busy at the moment, flying back to Holland at the end of the month for more meetings and recording. We are all really enjoying it as we are having a lot of studio time recording and also writing. As for the video teaser, my lips are sealed, it says what it is, but as of yet that news is not for public eyes. Hopefully we will have some tunes for you all to dance/get wildly drunk/make love and maybe even worship by the summer. Variety of pop at its best is what we are after. Now if only Jessie J would let us open for any upcoming gigs..... However until she does why not come see us on 30th of January as we open this http://www.myspace.com/events/View/9085328.
  Thats all for now, quick shoutout to my friend Patrice Sheridan who is 21 next weekend!! "
• Watching ~ Life Unexpected series finale. The final two episodes aired this week and were a lovely wrap up to this absolutely delightful series. I got a bit teary with the flashforward of 2 years but graduations always do that to me, ever since Buffy got the cheap looking umbrella at the end of year 3 :) (Still plowing through Pushing Daisies season 2 and loving Tower Prep far beyond my initial "ooo Drew Van Acker is fine" impression!)
• Reading ~ Finished the third Percy Jackson. Tres bon it was too. Not quite in Harry Potter league, but certainly an entertaining enough series. Also read the season 8 "finale" of the Buffy comics. Was shockingly downbeat. Feel quite depressed for Buffy and her remaining pals. And she is 30. Only seems like two minutes ago she was nookying up with Angel on her 17th birthday. Filthy strumpet...
• Listening ~ lots of great new songs out at the moment that i'll be writing about early next week, including music from The Mars Patrol, Dave Patten, Rebound, Andreas Johnson and Jessie & The Toyboys. The Adele album, btw, is utterly phenomenal. Je t'adore...

Top 21 Songs of the Week:
21 ~ Gravitonas, You Break Me Up
20 ~ James Blunt, Too Far Gone
19 ~ Westlife, Beautiful Tonight
18 ~ Darin, Drowning
17 ~ Neo, Underground (NE)
16 ~ Brandon Flowers, Broken Hearts and Jilted Lovers
15 ~ JLS, Eyes Wide Shut
14 ~ Maroon 5, Never Gonna Leave This Bed
13 ~ Elouise, You'll Never Walk Alone
12 ~ Scissor Sisters, Whole New Way
11 ~ Shayne Ward, Obsession (VID)
10 ~ Matt Cardle, When We Collide
09 ~ Jessie J, Do It Like A Dude
08 ~ One Direction, Forever Young
07 ~ Britney, Hold it Against Me
06 ~ Avril Lavigne, What The Hell
05 ~ Take That, Kidz
04 ~ Tove Styrke, White Light Moment
03 ~ Rochella Danishei, Michelle
02 ~ Deborah Gibson, Snake Charmer
01 ~ Same Difference, Karma Karma (3 weeks)

Let's face it. The final quarter of 2010 on my blog has been dominated by the X-Factor. As has British pop culture. it's not just a talent show any more - it's a genuine talking point phenomenon. Normally, I'm fixated only on the finalists and while they certainly entertained me during the live shows this year, more than ever before I had a tinge of sadness that one group in particular hadn't made it to the live shows. Princes and Rogues. They seemed to sparkle together from their first audition until they were told at Judge's Houses they were going no further.

But hurrah! Rather than let doom and gloom kick in, the fearless fivesome set about honing their skills, performing up and down the country, doing some quite charming youtube videos of songs, being quite prolific and interactive with their burgeoning fanbase and essentially working their little socks off to ensure continued success. What I really like about Prince & Rogues is that they all seem such charming fellas, they have harmonies to die for and a style that is both totally accessible and utterly quirky. Added to all this an unashamed love of pop music (none of this "oh i want to be doing thrash metal really" nonsense) which shines through in their choice of cover versions and it all adds up to a winning combination. I'm hopeful that they will be recording some tunes soon - I'd be thrilled to take one of their songs to premiere on the Larry Flick radio show... But for now, here is a chat with the very lovely, very charm the pants off you P&R...

Let's get the obvious questions out the way first - how did you five boys come together?

Jonny and Cameron had separate ideas that they both wanted to enter x factor as a band. Cameron and Jonny had known each other for about 5 years after meeting at other band auditions. Jonny put on his status on facebook about putting a band together, Cameron then messaged him saying he wanted to do it. They met in London to discuss what kind of band and how they should go about it. After some failed auditions held by Jonny to find members, Cameron knew Dave, Dave knew Ashley and Ashley knew Derek. So by degrees of separation we all formed through friends of friends.

Any regrets in doing the x-factor? How do you think you will use the platform of the show to succeed where others have failed?

No regrets at all. Our only regret is we didn't enter sooner. People complain about not getting through and its a fix etc etc. But after spending time with Cher, Matt, Rebecca at Bootcamp and then One direction at judges houses, it was amazing to sit at home and really watch there lifes change. They were all normal people like us at Bootcamp, hoping that they were going to be chosen. Watching Matt win was so emotional. Especially after him snoring so loud one night at Bootcamp, Derek did not get any sleep! (because there are 5 of us, one of us had to share rooms with another contestant at Bootcamp.) Amazing things really can happen to normal people. After getting to judges houses people become bitter about not being chosen for the final and they forget what an achievement it was to get there in the first place! All we want to do is entertain and of course we would have loved to do it on live tv every week but its not the only place to do it. We have the whole world to explore!!!. When we got back from judges houses we didn't waste a second, we had photos done, a great booking agent secured and gigs up and down the country performing at most of the same venues the finalist perform at anyway.

What do you think of Wagner progressing so far in the competition when groups like yourselves weren't given the opportunity?

Well you do have to remember its not only a Talent show but a TV show as well and he did make great TV. We never really thought of him as taking our place as he was not in our category. Perhaps we might have felt different if we had been in the Live shows with him.

How have all the Christmas lights performances been going? What is your favourite so far?

They have been great fun, we love any gig we do. Warrington lights stands out to us as all as the staff and acts were brilliant. We also got to perform along side Treyc Cohen, so it was nice to see her again and catch up. Cambridge lights was also amazing, did you know it is known as the 'Geeky' city?as you can imagine we fitted right in there,lol.

I did not know that! And talking of geeky cities, you've really honed the geek chic style look and yet made it quite individual among yourselves. Did you consciously come up with a cohesive image together or did it just naturally happen? Where's your favourite places to get your clothes? How come Ashley looks so good in a bow tie and yet i look like my great uncle Leonard?

We took the idea and ran with it when Simon Cowell said at our first audition 'It was a bit geeky'. He knows what he is talking about so we took his advice. We scoured our own wardrobes as well as, charity shops, vintage shops and the high street. When we starting looking we saw that 'Geek Chic' was everywhere! Ashley is our main Geek Chicer, he helps a lot with the styling and has a great eye for a bargain. Most of the bow ties you see only cost about £2 from Camden!

I so need to go shopping with you! Will the theme of your look carry forward to any music you are recording? I see you going with an 80s geeky vibe to your tunes but could be completely wrong...

We want to make big epic songs with live instruments but with that 80's electro pop element. People like The Hurts, Mika, Alphabeat and Frankie goes to Hollywood all do this. Also most noticeably Take That's new album which has every different type of style on it rolled into one. We also love the strong backing vocals of Glee. They really make the backing vocals stand out rather than fade into the background which is great for a band like us. So we want to make some great 'Geek Chic' classic pop tunes. The kind of song that no matter who sang it you don't mind having it stuck in your head.

That would be magnificent. if you could hurry along with that i'd be most grateful :P Especially as you've done some acapella video cover versions on Youtube - most noticeably Relax, Video Killed The Radio Star and a gorgeous version of Red. How did you choose those songs? Who arranges your harmonies?

Cameron and Jonny firstly arrange the songs. Then as a group we get together and work through them, either adding things or taking away things that don't work. Relax was actually the first song we performed at Judges houses which they didn't show on the Television. We choose the songs as we love the 80's fun vibe they had and with red it shows of our harmonys and that we can be serious...sometimes!

How are you different from a typical boyband?

Were kind of like 'The Inbetweeners' of boybands! We have decided we are not a boyband and not a manband. I think we differ as all 5 of us can sing, a lot of emphasis goes on our strong harmonys and quirky image. Were not trying hard to fit into the generic category of ' We're a boyband and we have to be really cool' We are just being ourselves which is a bit geek and a bit chic! We all know everyone has an inner geek....Even Simon Cowell! We have just decided to embrace it!

"Kind of like "The Inbetweeners" of boybands! Just don't work some of their vocabulary into your songs!! So working together as a group, are you like those naughty rascals - do you get up to any mischief on the road? Did you really trash Simon's house? (And were you disappointed Sinitta wasn't in her leaves this year...)

Lots of mischief, dont forget there is a Rougue in each one of us as well as the Prince. Some things we can never reveal..But we have fraped davo, we wrote on his status that he was going to be a father. He started getting texts saying congratulation. Some from family in Dubai and OZ! There person who was most confused was his GF Marriane who called from Holland to ask what was going on. As our gigs are all over, we stay in lots of different hotels, 'knock door run' is good in hotels because whoever is at the back usually gets caught!

Ok here's the exclusive, Here is the story behind wrecking Simons house! There was no drinking and no partying BUT, it was Jonny who ruined the 15 Thousand Pound rug...Basically we had been filming in the sea, messing around having fun and all the contestants had access to one room in the house. We were the last band to get filmed so everyone had been walking in and out over the rug so it was a bit damp already. Because we were the only band to actually throw ourselves in the sea we were soaking wet. We were all getting changed when Jonny dropped his swimmers and half of the sea bed feel out on the rug. Loads of muck and stones. That's when the picture got taken by 'The sun' when they had laid it outside to get cleaned and dry off! So we are sure it's ok now. Sinitta rocked her catsuit this year so we were not to disappointed.

Who has the worst habits and how long do you think you can put up with them for?!

Recently we stayed at Jonnys house in Clitheroe, we were all sitting when his dogs came over and starting licking his feet. He actually lets them get right in between his toes. We cant actually talk about it for too long as it makes us feel sick.

I think I just tasted my lunch again actually hearing that :P Who's who in the band, character wise? (e.g. joker, serious, dog licking one, etc)

Derek- The Random one
David- The Dizzy one
Ashley- The Sensitive one
Jonny- The Mad one
Cameron- The Sensible one

Johnny - is it true you were in Avenue? Did you sing on Set Your Body Free? One of the greatest unreleased pop tunes of the new millennium! What are your memories of your time in that band?

Yes its all true,lol.I had an amazing time in Avenue.We worked so so hard and every time we had a knock back we just grew stronger as a unit and managed to achieve things we didnt think possible.We also managed to record some amazing songs ie. "Set Your Body Free",it was a TUNE!!!!!!!!!i recently found a video on Youtube of Brian Freeman choreographing at a dance seminar to our song.You need to check it out,the kids are amazing dancers.

Derek - will you be returning to Ireland for Christmas or do you think you will stay in London? What are everyone's plans for the festive season?

We are all going to have 2 weeks off over Christmas. Derek will be back in Ireland for Christmas and spending new year in London. Cameron will be home in Scotland for both Christmas and New Year. Jonny, ash, David will be spending Christmas at home and New Year in London.

Have you had any interesting come ons from your female/male fans? What's the weirdest thing that's happened?

Well Diva Fever did take a fancy to Ashley! The weirdest thing I think is signing fans with permanent marker in some crazy places...

You can't really blame Diva Fever. He is quite 'the fox'. Finally, what are your goals for 2011?

its a secret,watch this space !!

A secret?! Outrageous! All that schmoozing and they remain tightlipped :P Well you can be sure that I'll be covering it here - thanks to all 5 boys for being so generous with their time and fun with their answers. Princes and Rogues, you are kings among men :)

It's both comforting and terrifying that I have now been blogging every move of the x-factor for 15 long weeks now. That is over a quarter of the entire 2010. And yet, I cannot remember a time before it began! This week is rock week and the contestants get to sing two songs! I will not be here however. I will be in Florida getting my Disney on, so I was hoping you would all do me a little favour. In the comments section for the next two weeks, perhaps you could all update me on what is happening, who was good, how awful Katie was etc. I'm having a self imposed internet break for 2 weeks, but your comments will be sent straight to my phone as texts. How magical technology is. You can update me in real time you lazy bums :) That would be terrific. I thank you.

I still want to play my fizzypop x factor contestants game though, so I've picked out one rock song and one song of my choice for each of this week's contestants... 'Ere we go then...

PRINCES AND ROGUES:

If i got my finger out before I went on holiday, I should have a nice interview opportunity taking place right now with my fave new boyband. And it should be ready for you to read upon my return. Fingers crossed!! What I absolutely adore about Princes and Rogues is that they seem to be absolutely charming fellas, they have really honed the 80s geek chic image beyond their clothes but into their performances too and they genuinely have a great blend of voices. Putting 5 voices together isn't hard, but making the strengths play off each other is. I am so eager to see what else they can do in the new year...

• Rock choice ~ Damn, I Wish I Was Your Lover (Sophie B Hawkins): Not only one of my favourite songs of the 90s, but one that i've always thought a boy band could do justice too. Imagine taking this yearning plea for companionship and giving it a harmonised sheen. Imagine the chorus being more clipped, rounding off the notes instead of dragging them out. Imagine the backing harmonies creating a lush soundscape for the main vocals in the verses and particularly the middle eight. It would be magnificent. Trust me.
• My choice ~ Red (Daniel Merriweather): And as if by magic you can also view it above! How handy is that! I don't just throw these posts together you know! Led by a sumptuous piano accompaniment, it kicks off with a delightful vocal from Derek and continues to soar until the tightly harmonised chorus with Johnny taking a lead on vocals. It flies, all of the solo parts are impeccable and it already sounds like a Christmas number one. Glorious times one million. This is why I need more from them. And soon...

ELOUISE:

What's not to love about Elouise? Her new Stardust Melodies EP came out last week and proved that she can take a familiar cover version and turn it around into something she completely makes her own. She would absolutely shine week after week on the x-factor taking on different genres and songs, though i think she would work best if Dannii were her mentor. Looking at her range and capabilities, it's both easy and frustratingly difficult picking songs for her week in week out - easy because she can turn her hand to anything; difficult because there is so much to choose from. I think I got it spot on this week...

• Rock choice ~ Black Velvet (Alannah Myles): I don't think I would even change this from the original arrangement very much. It allows Elouise to reign it in a little in the verses, even make it a little more coquettish than it is now - then gives her every opportunity to emote and go for it in those enormous choruses. I can't imagine this being anything but completely immense from start to finish...
• My choice ~ As Long As He Needs Me (Judy Garland): Oh! Another video. Aren't I good to you?! It's already staged like a mini x-factor performance with a nicely bronzed and buffed fireman parading around, but even that doesn't detract from the exquisite timelessness of the song. There's a deep emotional resonance in the vocal and it's a lush arrangement that beautifully complements this. Heavenly...

OK, that's your lot. Enjoy Beiber tomorrow and don't forget to keep me updated on what's going on in both Sat and Sun shows - and let me know what you think of Elouise and PnR! 'Preciate it!

I'm always a little bit in awe of acts that - no matter where they get their pop beginnings from - work hard to build up a public profile beyond shows like the x-factor. They tirelessly promote themselves at gigs, showcases and online to build up a following and then, ultimately, gain their hopeful big break into the music industry with oodles of success. Three acts I adore have been doing that this week. Take the very lovely James Leon. His new single Caught In Your Vanity (which I reviewed here and called a sublime piece of music, like a lost Human League demo) is out on iTunes this week and is already getting rave reviews from PopTrashAddicts and Fabtasticmusic. It's already been played on Larry Flick's Morning Jolt (where I can't wait to take the lovely Princes & Rogues) and just shimmers from start to finish with synthy delight. Likewise, lovely Elouise has been wowing the crowds at Madame JoJos this week with a performance to bring the house down, while my adorable Princes and Rogues have been all over the country performing and turning on Christmas lights. Just sadly not in Birmingham. Sigh. Here is what I would have given them all to sing this week:

• Princes & Rogues ~ Ob La Di Ob La Da (it would have been AMAZING!!)
• Elouise ~ In My Life (a la Bette Midler in For The Boys)
• James Leon ~ Ticket To Ride (a beautiful shimmering synthy version)

Anyway... on with the show...

BEATLES WEEK:

• INTRO ~ Everytime Cher(yl) Lloyd and Katie Weasel pop up on my screen I feel properly billeous from my tongue to my tummy. Dermot has a nice waistcoat on this week and a rather regal tie. I choose to believe it's because of the upcoming royal wedding. Hurrah Katilliam! He introduces Beatles week. And the judges. Dannii once again is an elegant vision, while CherylChainMail is wearing whatever knights wore under their armour back in the day. Some old man appears on the video screen to tell the acts to just get on with it. Indeed.
• MATT ~ Boys are first again? I really must check out this, I'm sure it's a conspiracy!! I check. Out of 7 live shows, boys have been first 3 times and last once, while girls have been first once and last a whopping 5 times!! Hmmm. Anyway, Matt is very upset that Aiden has left and compliments his tight ass. Or something. Matt is having dancers this week though i suspect he won't dance. He's forgotten to put his shirt on (i'm not complaining) as he does Come Together (how bukkake) and it's all rather good. A little bit dangerous. A little bit sexy. A little bit amazing. Christ alive! Louis has been using CherylChainMail's hair dye! How scary. Matt (mercifully) has stopped using his praying hands and kisses one of his fists instead. Dannii says she is dripping. I've heard that happens to women once they've had a baby...
• CHER(YL) ~ CherylChainMail introduces her as adorable and I'm on the phone right away complaining to trading standards about that description. A puppy is adorable. A girl who looks like she would glass you with a WKD bottle is not. During Beatles week she decides to sing a John Lennon solo song. Because apparently rules do not apply to her! I don't even think she is that good and why she keeps grinning inanely as if to say "yes, i'm really this brilliant" is beyond me. Simon takes a drink mid performance. He's probably bored. To be honest, i went to heat up some mulled wine! PS ~ CherylChainMail's hair looks greased down in bacon fat. Yuck.
• ONE DIRECTION ~ Yay! I'm really loving a bit of Wand Erection. And I actually wrote that as WE without even thinking about it. Incredible. Dannii says they must get it perfect. Dear god, don't let Zain sing then! hoho. They are up on boxes singing a rather glorious, uplifting version of All You Need Is Love. COMPLETE WITH LOVE LOVE LOVE BACKING VOCALS. AND HAND CLAPS. It sounds totally beatles via Bay City Rollers via 2010. I love love love. KEY CHANGE. EUPHORIA. Yes, i liked it. A lot. CherylBaconFat is in a right pissy mood tonight. I'm perversely pleased by this. Yay.
• REBECCA ~ Rebecca is loving airbrushing. I would love it.I have to attempt photo shop to get rid of my lines, wrinkles and bags. She is singing a Beatles song according to her "scintillating" VT, because that little nugget is as interesting as it's going to get this week. At least that puts her one ahead of Cher(yl)!! She's doing Yesterday and sadly not the En Vogue hip hop version. She's dressed as a blood clot and obviously has a terrible vitamin deficiency as she has rickets. Her legs are REALLY FAR APART, like she has taken it up the 'arris!! Good God! She must have had a hard day's night, chortle. Look, I haven't written much about the song because we all know Rebecca is a jolly fine vocalist. I'd just like something a bit different. Dannii should have dragged her along when she went to see Elouise this week to see how someone can excel at slow songs but also be more versatile.

• MARYFROMTESCO ~ Maryfromtesco's daughter (DawnfromBeeJams)is the spitting image of her in't she?! I'm half hoping that Mary sings while scanning items through on a till. She's not. Sadness. She does that Shirley Bassey version of Something In The Way She Moves. I think she's trying to be sexy with her girlish headbead on. And Pat Butcher's flowing jacket. (Dannii has the matching Pat Butcher earrings). I really quite like the performance. I think it's a bit pointless getting Mary to do anything beyond 1979 as it's not what she is about nor is it what people want from her. PS, i totally think Louis' suit is from the "buy the suit, get the shoes, shirt and tie free" range for £129 at Burtons. Bargainings!
• PAIJE ~ Paije felt punched in the face last week. Oh dear, he must have run across CherylBaconFat in the toot!! More chortling. He's doing Let It Be. It's a bit big for him, like his usual line in cabaret jackets. I wanted to give this to Princes and Rogues this week for my fake judges choices so I'm a bit miffed. He wheels out the children's choir from Michael Jackson's Earth Song and looks a bit godly on his podium. I suppose someone had to give them some work. Personally i'm grossly disappointed that he didn't bend the rules and do the Frog Chorus. That is proper immensicles. Louis calls him a little Marvin Gaye. Jesus, don't let his dad in the building...
• WAGNER ~ Each week the judges (rightly) slag Wagner off but let's not forget he wouldn't be at this stage of the competition if they hadn't kept putting him through the various stages and the public kept voting him through, so in effect they are slagging themselves off (which is ok) and slagging off the voting public who pay their wages (sort of) (which is not ok). Wagner runs on stage practically frenching the mic doing Get Back. Then it goes a bit weird for the Hippy Hippy Shake. I think someone is standing on his foot as he keeps going "ow" a lot. Then he does Hey Jude-Ju-Ju-Ju-Jude-Na-Na-Na-Na-OW! Oh. My. Christ. Said like Pamela Arugelashefsca Shipman from Gavin And Stacey. Was there a note in tune? I couldn't find it! CherylBaconGrease is in a right strop about something Wagner allegedly said in the paper. We have to ignore all the stuff written about her acts, and their behaviour and what they have said, but we must have our attention drawn to something Wagner allegedly said about CherylBaconFat. Hideous.
• KATIE ~ A girl goes last for the 5th time. Does being in the bottom 2 a total of four times out of 6 so far not tell you anything?! "The public saved you, don't forget that" bleats whiny CherylBaconFat. Uh, not really they didn't. She's come this week dressed as Eponine from Les Mis in her latest manipulative attempt to trick the public and she sort of sings Help. But it's not the Lanananeenanoonoo version so i'm not interested and she's not Aiden so that's a double negative. Which in this case does not make a positive. Meh meh meh. I don't know why I bother. It's clear the producers and half the judges want her to stay and will manipulate the show to keep her in so my opinion or anyone else who doesn't vote for her in their millions doesn't really matter. Dannii is right on the money and I absolutely love her for it.

Top performances ~ One Direction; Matt; Mary
Bottom 2 ~ Katie; Paije

Although I write my notes while I'm watching the show on the tellybox, I usually type this little intro bit after so I can tell you that I'm well miffed that two of my Elton John songs that I had chosen in the week for my own fizzypop factor were snaffled tonight. Bah. Oh well. I'm still having one of them, i'm just moving it from Elouise to Princes & Rogues (who will no doubt do a much jauntier performance of it - I'd initially thought they would do a sterling Something About The Way You Look Tonight but never mind). So here are the sort of songs of Elton John i would have picked for my lovely acts...

• Elouise ~ Written In The Stars (from Aida)
• Simon Curtis ~ Electricity (from Billy Elliot)
• Princes & Rogues ~ Can You Feel The Love Tonight/Just Can't Wait To Be King medley(Film version of the former with the playful intro, Elton version of the latter - i do a mean medley of this on the piano!!)...

Right on with the show proper, but not until you've enjoyed the latest Princes & Rogues video above...

ELTON JOHN WEEK

• THE INTRO ~ It's the first proper theme week really isn't it? Like actually properly one artists songs. I'd have preferred Take That Week really (see my choices for that in the comments) but I'll take what I can get. The Bitch Is Back plays as the judges come on - for rubbish voter Cheryl no doubt. Louis has dressed as Dermot once again which is most annoying. Ooo it's straight to the boys before I've even had time to diss Cheryl's hair...
• PAIJE ~ Apparently the Harry Potter main cast all recognise Paije from some bit part he did 4 years ago. Rrriiiiigggght. Paije comes on stage in a hideous pink jacket - like something Victoria Wood would wear in the 80s. HE would be a brilliant drag queen - someone call RuPaul's Drag Race stat! He's singing Crocodile Rock which I absolutely rock on the piano. My fingers are flying up and down them keys. Paije does ok but I think he got a bit distracted by all the balloons at one point. Christ alive, Louis compares him to Luthor Vandross. This is bordering on offensive now - next week it will be Tracy Chapman!! Simon and Louis are quite nasty about the ok performance and you can live pause the moment Paije's heart breaks. Back to extras work on Deathly Hallows part two then :(
• AIDEN ~ Hang on! 2 boys in a row again? This happened last week! Surely this is some weird conspiracy! Aiden too would make a brilliant drag queen though he would be more elegant than Paije. He thinks it would be "rubbish" to leave at this stage of the competition, which is about as honest as you get and akin to Nicola Girls Aloud saying she thought it was a "boss experience" on Popstars The Rivals. Aiden's doing Rocket Man (I would've picked Tiny Dancer) in a far too jazzy jacket standing on a white formica table inbetween two pianos. Which he walks on. I'm not happy about this, i have a thing about people walking on pianos. I have never walked on mine, though drunk i did mock hump it once and I think it never recovered. Louis naturally spaffs some more man love over Aiden while Cheryl is back to looking like Princess Fiona (the ogre version). Simon accuses Louis of "manstruating". My words not his. It's all drama tonight innit? It was an ok performance. I'm more and more convinced that Aiden is whispering "call me" in Dermot's ear when they shoulder bump each week!!
• MARY ~ An ace gang member unkindly suggests that Mary and Hagrid have never been seen in the same room at the same time. I swear a piece of cheesecake comes out my nose at this point. I think she looks lovely this week and does a fine version of the Elton Can You Feel The Love Tonight with a tricky key change. I thought it was quite decent and she was much more confident this week. Simon thinks telling Mary she has a heart is a compliment, but let's face it most people have a heart otherwise they would be dead. Next he'll be telling Rebecca she's real. Oh. Pissing nora!

• KATIE ~ Will she "sod it" this week? No one wants her here (except Mark) including CherylFiona. Sadness that she doesn't do the only song that could have potentially made me be interested for a millisecond (The Bitch Is Back). Instead she looks like an auditionee from failed musical Desperately Seeking Susan and sings Saturday Night's Alright For Fighting. And not well. There's a lot of fisting in the performance at one point and Dannii looks as unimpressed as I am. CherylFiona and Louisontheblob have a fight and then Simon joins in and it all gets a bit uncomfortable. I would be furious if someone told me to shut up though. It's the main reason I don't like the Black Eyed Peas...
• MATT ~ I wish I had thought of the name Matt Cuddles. That is rather brilliant and more socially acceptable than Matt Hardon. CherylFiona says any artist is only as good as their last performance so god knows what that says about her ogre like abilities. I do prefer Matt's outfit this week and he does huge credit to Goodbye Yellow Brick Road. Kudos to it being more uptempo than normal (though he looks pained and strained in some of the falsetto)... Incredible performance though and when I've watched back some of his older shows this week he has given a winning performance week on week. THE PRAYING HANDS CONTINUE THOUGH!! (Probably to ward off his new superfan Bellatrix Lestrange!)
• CHER(YL) ~ I sort of predicted Cher(yl)'s song on twitter this week. I said she should do Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word (Blue version complete with Simon Webbe "yo yo"s). Then I thought she might do Eminem's Stan cos Elton duetted with him on it once. So I was sort of right. Go me. Cher(yl) says she could've worked in a shop "which is fine". How magnanimous of her!! "What I gotta do to make you love me" she starts singing - a lot more than this you future Asbo holding little dear. Meh. She merges Sorry... with some Eminem song. Simon loved it though I am left pondering what there was to love as her singing vocal wasn't that great particularly on some of the higher notes. And there are a lot of better, more innovative singers out there right now - DeeDee, Jessie J, Eliza Doolittle, Caro Emerald, Nicki Minaj et al

• WAGNER ~ "Dur-mot". Brilliant. Daniel Radcliffe initially looks terrified of Wagner but this is probably because he has dressed as Lucius Malfoy for the HP premiere. Jesus! Technical difficulty means dead air time - which is still better than Wagner who does I'm Still Standing. Sort of. Loving the dance routine behind - like it's the reception of his wedding from last week. His "wife" stands next to him as he does a sort of ghastly Circle of Life. I'm surprised the Mrs didn't give birth and hold Wagbo baby high in the air at the song's finale. Dannii is stunned. "Is it the divorce next week?" She muses. (PS Louis - THIS IS NOT A MASH UP)!!!
• ONE DIRECTION ~ They are just turning into a proper little boyband int they? Accessible fashions from high street stores that still look proper decent; Harry snogging "birds" in Simon's dressing room; singing my FAVE Elton song that I've always thought would work for a boyband (and the one I wanted to give to PnR tonight!), etc. Daniel Radcliffe gives them permission to fantasize over Emma Watson. CHRIST ALIVE. This sounds well pervy. I love love love a bit of Something About The Way You Look Tonight. It's very Westlife visually but the song is a corker. Stunning - love the key change. If they win this competition (and they might), pick this as the winner's single because it will be the first one I've bought since Shayne Ward if they do. Adore them. So off to iTunes to purchase this right now.
• REBECCA ~ Will it be a slow song? Probably. Her posture is dreadful in VT but her dress at HP is lovely so it all balances out (though she might not in later life if she doesn't sort them shoulders out). She's doing Candle In The Wind (I would've picked Your Song). It's performed very well but i'm not sure what else to say about Rebecca. She's good, yet I'm strangely unmoved. Oh my.

Top 3 ~ One Direction, Matt, Mary
Bottom 2 ~ Wagner, Katie (though if Wagner is in bottom 2, we get Katie ANOTHER week. Sheesh)...

Take That week suggestions in the comments...

In a week where i've been compared to Sue Heck (The Middle), the Hallowe'en theme is bound to work my last nerve, so I'm going to put my fizzypop alternative contestant choices right at the top this week. And kicking it all off with a rather glorious interpretation to remind you of how grand they are - it's Princes and Rogues! Above is a little video breakdown of Relax by Frankie Goes To Hollywood. Totally different interpretation, loving the Bohemian Rhapsody formation, the harmonies and the perfectly synced head turns. Genius. That's why the continue to be part of this fun little feature. Here's what I picked this week...

• Princes & Rogues ~ This Is Hallowe'en (from Nightmare Before Christmas)
• Elouise ~ Love Song For A Vampire (Annie Lennox)
• Simon Curtis ~ Touch A Touch A Touch Me (From Rocky Horror)

More next week from them - now on with the show...

• THE INTRO ~ Dermot is in a waistcoast (vest for Americans). This is very good news indeed because I do like a nice waistcoat on a fella. The judges walk on to Thriller. Dannii looks ravishing in red. Cheryl's Split End has cleared right up - obviously L'Oreal (because she's worth it) sent over some deep root nourishing shampoo and conditioner (see I can be fair!) Though her skirt looks like the ruffle I put round my Christmas tree...
• MARY ~ Even if you take into consideration the Take That version of Could It Be Magic, the song is a good 18 years old. I see she's sticking with the Joan Ferguson haircut but added some Steps-esque Better The Devil You Know type horns. Festive. I think Mary generally knows the words, she just chooses to sing them in her own order. This means there is no childish smirk factor as she omits the classic "could it be magic come" line. Sadness. It's very dramatic and quite good, but it's no Rapino Bros remix. (Louis kind of looks like the puppet on the tricycle from the Saw films tonight)... SHOULD'VE DONE: Shakira's She Wolf with leotard and requisite wolf howls. Ow-ooooo"
• AIDEN ~ Aiden really needs to do something marvelous this week to make me reconnect with him. And so he doesn't look like he's actually home in his bedroom pleasuring himself to bad Twilight fanfiction. He's doing the Imogen Heap version of Thriller and doing it incredibly tensely. Even though his "woo" and "wiggle" with Dermot last week were very cringy, I am still just willing him to bust out the disco and do some Thriller dance moves. Le sigh. I always feel like I need a valium after seeing him sing. His guyliner is actually set to racoon. (He does the thriller dance for two seconds with Dermot, and on reflection he shouldn't do it at all. Ever). SHOULD'VE DONE: Jace Everett's Bad Things...
• BELLE AMIE ~ How they weren't in the bottom two last week is beyond me. The most interesting thing about their VT is the quick flash of finely sculpted male flesh. They are doing Venus - presumably because Bananarama did a video to accompany their version which could be loosely linked to Hallowe'en, I suppose. Sheesh. The vocals are dreadful to start with, get marginally better but at least they have really mastered standing and walking in a rigid line together. bravo girls, slow clap. It wasn't great. SHOULD'VE DONE: All*Stars Things That Go Bump In The Night (and remind us all of how cute Sam Bloom was)...

• REBECCA ~ She's wearing a pilgrim's hat in the VT. Or Elphabas. It seems like she is going for a nice emotive ballad for a change. You know, just to spice it up. She actually looks marvelous on stage though and does Chris Isaak's Wicked Game. Tenuous theme link and I should also moan about her doing a slow song again. However, she absolutely captures the spirit of hallowe'en by giving an utterly spellbinding performance. It was delightful. Cheryl's ruffle loves her but I still can't work out why The Tweed is wearing a badminton net as a top. This is why Dannii has the M&S deal and she's stuck with shampoo. SHOULD'VE SUNG: Bewitched, Bothered & Bewildered - History Boys Version...
• TREYC ~ She was Scared Trekless at being in the bottom two last week. She's back though and ditching the rock for pop. She promises to put blood, sweat and tears into her performance, which taken literally is incredibly repulsive. She looks like Sinitta in a hoody (which means she wouldn't be allowed in my local Tescos, or if she had more than 3 school children with her!) and does that Hallowe'en staple, Relight My Fire (because of the devil horns on tour, I'm presuming. I'm too enraged to go into why this is shoddy choosemanship!)(Plus these choices are really buggering up the potential for Take That week). Um ok. It's fine, much better towards the end. Dannii questions whether she has a signature sound or not. Simon disses Cheryl's Ruffle and the two have a row. Trek answers Dannii back. It's feisty. Dannii and Cheryl's Badminton net fume through the break. SHOULD'VE DONE: Hocus Pocus version of I've Put A Spell On You...
• MATT ~ I'm sure Dannii introduces him as Matt Hardon. I don't argue. Some girls in the VT scream "be my boyfriend, I'm from Essex" as if geographical location is all one looks for in a date/shagbuddy. He's doing Bleeding Love and i've given up on judging how songs are linked to the theme. Because periods are terrifying for young teenage girls?! It's nice to see him have a song with a beat, but it's fairly obvious he's not having a good moment. He does deliver a brilliant note just as the light shines behind him and this just about pulls it back together. I think he broke a blood vessel in his eye though. Ouch. Matt does the praying hands thank you a lot throughout his shoulder bumping hug time with the Derm. SHOULD'VE DONE: The Automatic's Monster, acoustic styl-ee...
• WAGNER ~ Louis says Wag0Nur again. Christ Alive. His pronunciation is as ridiculous as the judges bitchiness this week. There is allegedly a (sit on your) facebook campaign to get him to win the show. This is as absolutely ludicrous as trying to Family Guy's Bird Is The Word to the Christmas number one. He has borrowed Paije's redcoat jacket and Matt's burst bloodvessel eye. Lovely. He does a bit of Carmin Burina and Bat Out Of Hell. Neither well. It's on a par with Jedward's Ghostbusters from last year. He also has his guyliner set on racoon. Speechless. Dannii quotes Kath & Kim and saves the last three minutes of my life from being a total waste of time! SHOULD'VE DONE: Most probably Monster Mash or The Tubes Attack of the 50ft Woman. Who knows?!

• PAIJE ~ Zzzz. Oh sorry. Dropped off. The real terror this week will be what on earth Paije is wearing. I am warming to his starjumps in his VT however. I actually refuse to acknowledge Back To Black as a hallowe'en song so technically this fairly dull performance shouldn't even be allowed. He's this year's little aussie battler (been battling all his life, you can't stop progress, etc) and so the script says that the judges should love him. Ooo it's my shortest review this week. SHOULD'VE DONE: Defying Gravity from Wicked/Idina Menzel, all green paint, the whole shebang...
• KATIE ~ On reflection, apart from some flapping around the stage, her performance vocally didn't have a lot going on. She wears a massive muff in her VT and the script has now decided she is quirky. This terrifies me more than whatever non theme song she sings. Which i think is the Bewitched theme tune?! Dressed as The Corpse Bride mixed with Glenn Close in 101/2 Dalmatians. At this rate she will be doing I'm Going Bananas by Madonna in a few weeks. Louis is glad people identify with her talent (ie not her non-winnig personality then, though she is most natural with Dermot). STOP COMPARING HER TO GWEN STEFANI! She is not Gwen Stefani - she would never pull off a sterling failure to be the next madonna is not an option performance of What You Waiting For. SHOULD'VE DONE: Lady Gaga's Monster...
• ONE DIRECTION ~ Liam hurts his leg this week. And got his hair lightened. Harry looks increasingly like one of The Wanted. None of these salient facts are mentioned but may be in the dvd extras! I totally despair as to why Total Eclipse of the Heart (unless Eclipse = Twilight) is Hallowe'en (but then neither is my choice other than the video imagery so now I'm hypocritical). It's a perfectly nice Westlife version with a few dodgy harmonies. Probably my least fave performance of theirs, but thank god and hallelujah - Zain got in a decent note at the end. Chuffing heck. Sue Heck. Still find them entirely adorable and they will be here next week, SHOULD'VE DONE: Backstreet Boys' Backstreet's Back of course...
• CHER(YL) ~ This will either destroy Cher(yl) or have twitter spaffing up their love chuff over how magnificent it is. I'll tell you in a minute which. They sadly choose not to show her being booed at the Tinnie Tempah gig but do play Fight For This Love incase you forget that Cheryl's Badminton Net is a relevant popstar too, despite that shoddy Promise Me performance. It's Shakespear's Sister and Stay. Which honestly, only French & Saunders should do as a cover. Parts of it do work incredibly well, though she does shy away from the tougher notes. She cries at the end, with that old beauty pageant trick of stabbing herself with a bobby pin. Well played! Simon thinks it was incredible and the song of the series which means Twitter is ejaculating praise and glory on this performance as I write. I liked it. I've seen better...SHOULD'VE DONE: Probably this, i begrudgingly admit. Why have I gone from loving her so to being so irritated by her that even good performances put me off? Anyone?!

Fave 3 ~ Rebecca, Matt, Mary
Bottom 2 ~ Belle Amie & Wagner...

So guilty pleasures week on the x-factor was nothing of the sort. Frankly, my suggestions for the contestants were far superior. And this week is Hallowe'en? Sweet merciful Blossom Russo, how they will stretch and butcher that theme is beyond me!! (For my song suggestions for the contestants, see the comments box)... But it got me thinking about some very good indeed acts that put out some very good indeed cover versions that are frankly all of the pleasure and none of the guilt. Here are four of my current faves...

Aston ~ Viva La Vida: This Australian orchestral group continues to absolutely amaze and delight me with their classical interpretations of modern day pop songs. And according to an email I just got, their debut album is winging it's way across the ocean to England as I type. Good job, import fees are a mother :P Anyway, what I adore about this version is that it is not only a seamless blend of instruments, weaving together a gloriously rousing version of the tune - but the accompanying video is just as uplifting (the guy on percussion is well foxy). They all look like they are having such a fun time and that reminds me of being in the orchestra band, playing piano at school. It was such fun to hear the tunes come together. The chorus here in particular is a work of genius - the piano really stands out and isn't drowned out by the dramatic percussion and plays perfectly with the violin melody. Quite heavenly. Oh! And the softening just before the choral part of the middle 8 kicks in just sends goosebumps running all over my body. Absolutely celestial.

The Overtones ~ Well Well Well (Duffy cover): I have written a lot about The Overtones lately. And quite rightly so. I find myself quite charmed by them and eagerly await the release of their debut album in a week. They've taken the new Duffy single and managed to turn each unique vocal on the track into an essential element of their performance of the song; it comes across like it was always meant to be a rather avant garde 50s doo-wop classic; the chorus (at around 48s) speeds it up a little bit and you find yourself in finger clicking heaven. It's a catchy tune and they've managed to twist it around and make it something that is completely them. And let's face it - they all look rather marvelous. I adore their style and twitter has taught me that Lachie (far left) knows how to rock a pair of pink jeans. Now that's avant garde :)

Princes & Rogues ~ Acapella (kelis cover): I still mourn the fact that P&R didn't actually make the live shows of the X-Factor, but manage to cope with my varying stages of grief by picking songs for them each week. Not they actually need me (though if they want to offer me paid employment, I can live with that :P) judging from the assorted excellent cover versions on their youtube channel. One of my current faves is their version of Acapella by Kelis. And not just because it's acapella! And not just because of the enthusiastic WOO at the start of the video. And not just because Ash is a bit of a dish. No, mainly because they certainly know how to tightly harmonise, look like they are having a brilliant time and are definitely vocally miles better than about at least 6 of the current x-factor crew. And, like the overtones, they are another group that I am just utterly taken with. I'm wishing them all sorts of success in the future and have a brilliant song lined up from them for Sat's hallowe'en theme :)

Miss Kookie ~ Putting On The Ritz: I have to finish with something that makes me absolutely joyous and uplifted each time I hear it. If you want a song that is unashamedly fun, completely delightful and just insanely, deliriously wave your hands like you just don't care fantastic, then you have come to the right place. It's a modern day take on a classic 20s dancehall number that just enchants from the second the (rather hot) guy introduces us to Miss Kookie in the clip above. It's all hip thrusting vogueing, addictive dance routines, get your flapper on, horn laden magnificence. Miss Kookie delivers an outstanding vocal that totally encapsulates the vibrancy of the tune & there are enough modern day musical additions to make it sound fresh and relevant for today's market. A performance like this would bring the house down on the x-factor. I absolutely must have more, more more :)

Tomorrow: Boyband albums or the new Darin video!

Hurrah! JLS are back. They seem to reinvent themselves with every single. Beat Again was slick pop-cool that solidified their status as boyband du jour following on from their runner up status on the X-Factor. Everybody In Love was cheesy boyband brilliance with enough feel good factor to power a smile a minute. One Shot took them into ravey dance territory. Club Is Alive mixed barely recognisable musical theatre with auto-tuning and modern pop trends. As they clearly missed a trick by not releasing the delightful Close To You last Christmas, this stands as their first ballad single. And quite lovely and traditional it is too. It's for children in need and demonstrates some luscious layered harmonies, as well as the dreamiest, most romantic middle 8 I've heard for a while. I'm a smitten little kitten. So here's the video breakdown :)

• Ooo, it's in black and white. This means they are being arty and serious. I feel sombre already.
• There is a nice shot of a lamp on the wall. I think we had a lamp like this in the house I grew up in. I cracked my head on it when my dad was playing aeroplane with me when i was a lad. The pain of this memory is eased by the sight of Marvin looking fine and chiselled in a nicely fitted peacoat (is that what they are called?)
• Marvin has a nice singalong in some deserted cafe. This is very unrealistic. If JLS were in a cafe (no matter how bad the decor) it would be beseiged with screaming tweens and moms. And me. While he is having a singalong, there are some close ups of the other boys. Including what I assume is JB's eye. I could be wrong. If I am correct though, he would have made a good Big Brother eye circa year one.
• Now JB is having a nice singalong in a rather fetching coat. They have made good fashion choices in this video. Oddly, at 42s, there is an upside down reflection of Marvin giving his legs a good rubbing. Perhaps he was a bit chilly (though if he keeps his peacoat on inside, he won't feel the benefit when he goes outdoors)...
• Aston is going backwards down an upwards moving escalator. I have never done this in my entire life and I am 36 (I know, I only look 25). Yet Aston is living the dream and is about 12. Or something. I'm too scared I will fall. I haven't lived :(
• During the chorus, everyone joins in. They try to make the cafe look a bit more full by sitting apart from each other. This works, but isn't very sociable is it?
• They are emoting like crazy. Clenched fists, big "why me" type hand shrugs, head bobbling. This is not a criticism. Nay, this is essential behaviour when you are creating a classic boyband video that will stand the test of time. Blimey, next they will be on a beach doing Christ-like poses a la Take That and Pray.
• 1m30s!! Marvin has got a lot of bottle. ho ho, etc. Oh god, this stuff just writes itself doesn't it?!
• There are some weird lighting effects going on - perhaps Marvin is looking at people through his bottles? It does make Aston look a little bit angelic though. Bless him (and so on)...
• 1m59s - the boys are now all sitting in a row at the greasy spoon cafe (where they haven't even been asked for their order yet. No wonder it's deserted!) Perhaps this is because they now love each other a little bit more?! :P
• From about 2m11s to 2m20s, there's a frenzied build up to that glorious middle 8. and very lovely it is too. Lush, layered harmonies and gorgeous vocals. It's taking the song to another level just in time for this...
• (BTW, pause at 2m20s and there's a decent shot of Aston doing a clenched fist emotional moment in a bathroom that's far too posh for that cafe. Good mirror reflection too. I always get the camera in the way!)
• THE MIDDLE 8! It's marvelous. they do some digit work to signify day one and two. How pleasing. It reminds me of I Can Hear The Bells from Hairspray but less theatrical. I'm loving the dreamy middle 8 and it's shot beautifully. I particularly like the cheeky but seductive "come hither fair maiden/dude" look (depending on your preference) that JB gives the camera at 2m42s...
• Yay! They are at the beach. And the arms outstretched poses abound. The best is at 3m01s when Ortise does an upside down pose which turns the archetypal boyband stereotype on it's head to show JLS are ahead of the curve. Or i'm probably just reading too much into it.
• The clip ends with the boys staring at the crashing waves; the intensity of the sea mirroring the intensity of their feelings. And gazing. Oh I love a bit of symbolism in pop, I do.
• (See chartrigger for their new album cover btw)...

OTHER VIDEO ESSENTIALS:

• Princes & Rogues: If, like me, you are mourning the loss of Princes & Rogues from the X-Factor live shows, then you will need something to get you through the pain. I have just that something. I love Princes & Rogues. They wear bow ties and manage not to look silly (and as the latest Dr. Who said "bow ties are cool"!); they have an effervescent charm about them; the dark haired one in bowtie/jumper combo at the back of the video above is VERY cute indeed (Cosmic horn alert)(I really must learn their names); they could have been - and still could be - a quirky, cool addition to the boyband genre. They have done an entirely pleasing acapella cover version of Nadine's In-in-say-satiable that not only nimbly showcases their vocal ability, but manages to sound like it was written for a boyband to sing! Je t'adore. I feel a new obsession coming on (dear god i hope there's more to come from them)...
• Robbie Williams & Gary Barlow: As the world and his civil partner know by now, Robbie and Gary sang the brilliant Shame on Strictly Come Dancing on Saturday. This is not a show I watch as I can only commit to the X-Factor and The Apprentice in the reality tv genre this autumn. However, the live performance is well worth a gander. It's like an indoor dinner party attire version of their video - all coy looks and shuffling feet dancing. can't wait for The Flood to hit radio this Friday :)

Coming soon! McFly! Singer songwriters! Something else!