The X Factor 2008 - Ruth & Britney Go Down

Down to the last five in The X Factor 2008, and no real surprises about who went. Ruth Lorenzo was booted off the show for having the least amount of votes to save her, and if we’re honest, it was well overdue. Yes, she has an impressive set of lungs but Leona, she’s not.

Each of the contestants sang two songs, one by Ms Britney Spears, who performed in the results show, and one other. The judges final vote has also gone, meaning it’s now a straight fight between the contestants to secure the public’s votes. Cue lots of sob stories, crying, and faces pleading for votes.

So, how did they do?

Ruth Lorenzo - She performed I Love Rock ‘n’ Roll and Always by Bon Jovi. Both more at the rock end of the scale than pop, and both suited her voice incredibly well. At the end of the day though, she’s a cruise ship singer at best. Harsh, but true.

JLS - They performed Hit Me Baby, One More Time and You Light Up My Life by Whitney Houston. So, give Louis Walsh a boy band and he makes them sing two diva classics. Brilliant, except they weren’t. I think they’re too old school to get anywhere, and tonight’s performances showed up their lack of versatility and talent.

Alexandra Burke - She performed Toxic and Listen by Beyonce. Alexandra lit up the stage both times, delivering incredible performance that put the other contestants to shame. Unfortunately she won’t win because Eoghan and Diana seem to be the fan favorites. I hate to say it, but could Alexandra be too similar to Leona for her own good?

Eoghan Quigg - The manboy with the stupidest name ever performed Sometimes and We’re All In This Together from High School Musical. Wow, Simon seriously messed up with those song choices. He turns an already dire Britney ballad in to a dirge and then gets lost among the backing singers for the HSM song. Why is this funky-haired little twerp still in the contest?

Diana Vickers - The worst contestant on the show ever performed I’m Not A Girl and Everybody Hurts by REM. What to say? Diana did she always does: massacred the songs while demonstrating he ability to twist her left hand by her face. Wow, sign her up! Dire is the only word for it.

So Ruth went, which was probably the right decision, but it leaves us with four contestants who won’t be able to have a long career even if they all team up together. Seriously, I thought last year was bad but the talent on display this time around has gone lower than I ever thought possible.

Which just leaves Britney Spears’ woeful performance of Womanizer. Okay, she looked nice, and the routine was quite cool, but she mimed! On a talent show! How stupid can you get? She also didn’t coach the singers or even have much to say past “good luck.” In essence, she may as well have not been there.

Diana will win the show, even though Alexandra is the best singer. But all four who are left are more Steve Brookstein than Leona Lewis. And I’m sure Steve served me in McDonald’s the other day.

[Photo Source: From Newscom with permission]