Watch: JEdward - Under Pressure (Ice Ice Baby)

It's finally here. John and Edward Grimes' first ever official video...



Oh the horror, the horror.

Review: X Factor 2009 Live Finals Week 7

It was George Michael and Wham week this week on X Factor. But sadly Week 7 was the last week for the Irish twins. Sniff. Boo. :( Worst week in Irish history? I think so. :P

Anyhow, on Saturday night, Lloyd Daniels was first up with 'Faith', but was as terrible as he always is. He got a new look this week via a new haircut. It does suit him and make him look better, but sadly it doesn't improve his voice. If he stays in next week, I'll go mental. Although that said, JEdward's fans could well switch over to him. He's the closest in age and talent.

Stacey Solomon warbled her way through 'I Can't Make You Love Me', and she can't. I never will like her. But I must comment on the awfulness of her Group song costume. My dear Jesus, horrid.

Next up was John and Edward in their last ever Saturday performance. They sang 'I'm Your Man' and jumped from a high scaffolding. That was about the only entertaining bit this week. They weren't as funny as any other week, but sadly we'll never get to see them rise to the top again. They were on This Morning this morning (ha), you can watch them here:


Danyl Johnson was poor again singing 'Carless Whisper' and failed to find any groove. We know he has it, remember his first audition? But it's long disappeared. Simon promises to get it back next week though. Come on Stella!

Olly Murs sang 'Fastlove' and it also was his worst performance so far. However, Olly is a fantastic singer, and will be back on top again next week. I doubt he'll be in the bottom two next week either. People may have thought that he was safe and didn't phone in. He has to be more liked than Danyl!

Last up was Joe McElderry singing 'Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me'. He was the best by miles this weekend, and is rightly the current favourite. Plus he got a standing ovation from all four judges. John and Edward never got that. Alas.

The group song this week was 'Wake Me Up Before You Go Go' and was phenomenally cheesy. I actually thought that was the song teh Grimes twins might have sang this week. Alas no.



Celebrities on it this week were George Mich...oh no wait, he wasn't here. Wonder why they didn't have Mariah week or SuBo week? Susan Boyle was great but I thought she performed 'Wild Horses' much better on America's Got Talent or American Idol (whichever one she was on) a few weeks back. Her debut album is out this week.

As is Mariah's debut album. She sang her new cover of 'I Want to Know What Love Is' and was as screechy as always. The Foreigner version is a million times better!

It was the end of the road for Jedward as they sang 'No Matter What' by Boyzone. They finally got a chance to sing properly, but it was too little too late, and only their mentor, Louis saved them.

Also, have a look at myself and Sweary discussing the show live on Saturday and Sunday night here:
www.culch.ie/2009/11/23/x-blather-with-ronan-and-sweary/

Check out Sue_de_nim's take here:
http://suedenim-thecatsmother.blogspot.com/

Review: X Factor 2009 Live Finals Week 6

Stage Invasions, Deadlock, Vanilla Ice, Pineapples, this week's X Factor had it all. Especially the bloody deadlock. Six weeks in, five deadlocks. It's getting bloody ridiculous. Just as ridiculous as that stupid noise when it goes to Deadlock. It's not tense the fecking fifth time!

Anyhow, on with the show review. This week was Queen Week, so Brian May and Roger Taylor were celebrity mentors (yay! The mentors are back). So every song was a cover of a Queen song. Well, except one. But if Simon can bend the rules, certainly Louis can too! (Oh and I predicted the bottom two right on twitter yet again.)

Jamie Archer opened the show with 'Radio Ga Ga'. It was probably his worst performance of the series, and a far cry from his first audition where he sang 'Sex on Fire' by Kings of Leon. I always thought he was a bit pompous anyway. We won't be seeing any more of him as the arrogant git lost out in Deadlock. Obviously the public liked him as much as his barber. Maybe now he can wash and get rid of those lice.

Lloyd Daniels was better this week, but even still he's the worst in it by a mile. At least John and Edward are entertaining. Lloyd is dull. And have you heard him being interviewed? I've had better conversations with my morning Weetabix! He sang 'Crazy Little Thing Called Love', but I didn't really notice what he was doing due to the fact he was using my draughts/checkers board as a costume, complete with dire leather trousers. Lucky to stay in. Very, very lucky.

Eventual winner Olly Murs (yes I know I said Lucie a few weeks back, but people are stupid) sang 'Don't Stop Me Now' and was once again very assured. He's the most consistent performer and is a great entertainer. Pity he wears awful Fred Perry clothes. He's better in a suit.

Teen heartthrob Joe McElderry once again performed the 10 degree head tilt. (See Popjustice's hilarious article on it here.) Oh yeah, sorry, where was I? Yes, he sang 'Somebody to Love' which was great. He'll be in the final too. The ladies love him. Awww, he's so cute.



Every week, we wait for John and Edward, and every week they are fantastic. (This week I watched the repeat, not the live show, as Ireland were playing France, but had to still watch the twins regardless. I missed nothing in the game, luckily.) They sang, no wait, rapped 'Ice Ice Baby' with about twenty seconds of 'Under Pressure', but it all makes Brian May more money, so why dispute it? They were hilarious, and are actually improving from week to week. Simon even liked it, saying that it was good for "JEdwardland". Think he's coined a phrase there. I don't think it was fair on the other acts that they already had their celebrity duet though. Calvin Harris did his best to show them up by dancing beside them with a pineapple on his head and then ran off. At the time it seemed like a natural part of the performance, but Holly told us it wasn't on Xtra Factor. Still great though.

Stacey Solomon is a totally different person on stage than when speaking according to Brian May. No shit. You can actually understand her when she's singing. This week her nose took on 'Who Wants to Live Forever'. I was bored, but plenty weren't. She's still in it. God is she dull. And absolutely crazy. In a bad way. Not in the kooky Paul Thomas Anderson way.

Massive mouthed Danyl Johnson (who am I to talk, my mouth is huge too) opened his gob this week to let bats fly out sing 'We Are The Champions' complete with stage school clapping. It was like a horrid adult High School Musical. Terrible. Hopefully him or gormless Lloyd will go next week.

The Group song this week for Sunday's Live results show was a very much lip-synced 'Bohemian Rhapsody'. I thought this was a singing show. Obviously none of the contestants have the X Factor either. In my opinion, John and Edward should just be allowed mime every week now. Alexandra did it, why can't they?

Shakira's new song may sound good on the radio but live it was horrible. She also had some limboing drummers which made absolutely no sense. Although if I could shake my belly I'd make a career out of it too.



This year the charity single which is destined for number one is all 12 finalists singing the late Michael Jackson's 'You Are Not Alone'. They mimed that too, but even still Rikki Loney did not miss his chance to be awful. And it was nice to see Kandi Rain take time out from filming their latest porno movie to come back on the show.

The sing-off was Jamie and Lloyd this week, and once again went to deadlock. Lloyd was actually better in the singoff, in my opinion, as Jamie's song choice of 'The Show Must Go On' was awful. He did not do it any justice. Lloyd played safe, but it worked. He's still on the show. For only one more week, hopefully.

Next week is... I'm not sure. But Susan Boyle and Mariah Carey will be on it. Come on the SuBo! She's crazy in a good way, unlike Stacey. "Rarer than caviar" allegedly.

Preview: X Factor 2009 Live Finals, Week 6

Queen week this week on X Factor, and here are all the songs the remaining finalists will be singing tonight.

Stacey - 'Who Wants To Live Forever'

Joe - 'Somebody To Love'

Lloyd - 'Crazy Little Thing Called Love'

Danyl - 'We Are The Champions'

Jamie - 'Radio Gaga'

Olly - 'Don't Stop Me Now '

John and Edward - 'Under Pressure'

Review: X Factor 2009 Live Finals Week 5

The most dramatic week so far on X Factor Series 6! It was Movie Week where all the contestants were required to sing songs from films. Once again there was no mentor, but live performances came from the Black Eyed Peas and from former X Factor winner Leona Lewis.

Incredibly annoying Stacey Solomon opened the show with 'Son of a Preacher Man' by Dusty Springfield. She tried to look all sexy, but looked about as sexy as a cucumber in lingerie. Her performance was decent, but nothing could actually make me like her at this stage. That voice just ruins it all.

Olly Murs was once again excellent - he's the show's most consistent performer, and is rightly favourite to win. He sang 'Twist and Shout' by the Isley Brothers, made famous in Ferris Bueller's Day off.

Lloyd Daniels amazingly stayed in this week, and even missed the bottom two. This show is much too big for Lloyd, and maybe would be suited to him in a few years' time. He did Ben E. King's 'Stand By Me'. It was nothing impressive.

Jamie Archer gave the same performance as every other week, but was one of the least impressive doing Roy Orbison classic 'Crying'. Although its inclusion in Movies Week was questioned by Louis, he should have actually questioned where Jamie's ability went, as he failed to meet any potential he had earlier shown.



My (former) favourite Lucie Jones left the show after being in the bottom two. Dannii chose wrongly by giving her Demi Lovato's 'This is Me' from Camp Rock. While a lot of younger viewers would have liked it, it would have alienated a lot of older viewers, many of who would have been fans of Lucie's grown up soul style.

Danyl Johnson stayed in again, and cut his hair as an attempt to change his image. It's an awful pity he's so arrogant. His version of Prince's 'Purple ain' was good, but it'll never make me like him. It's too late for Danyl now.

John and Edward gave their best performance of the series so far, but were still in the bottom two. However, Simon saved them by sending the show to deadlock, and Lucie left the show with the least public votes. They sand Ray Parker Jr.'s hilarious 'Ghostbusters', and were marvellously entertaining.

Last up was Joe McElderry, the housewives' favourite. He sang Elton John's 'Circle of Life' and once again was very impressive. Could eventually win the show, you know.



The group performance 'Hot N Cold' by Katy Perry was a bit of a mismatch, it suited some of the singers, but others were clearly out of their depth. I'm looking at you again Lloyd. Black Eyed Peas' new tune 'Meet me Halfway' is awful, but is sure to chart well, and everyone was on their feet (of course) for the return of Leona Lewis. Her new song 'Happy' is anything but. I don't recall the song at all, as I was too busy trying to see if she had had a nose job.

The bottom two were Lucie and the twins. Lucie did a lovely version of Whitney's 'One Moment in Time' and didn't deserve to go at all. That said, I really enjoy JEdward and their choreography-free 'Rock DJ' was hilarious once again. I didn't want to see either go, but as I wasn't a hardcore Lucie fan, I'm glad the boys stayed in.

Next week is Queen Week, and will feature a performance from the She Wolf herself, Shakira.

Preview: X Factor 2009 Live Finals, Week 5

MOVIE WEEK this week on X Factor. Here are the songs all the acts are singing tonight.

Stacey: 'Son Of A Preacher Man' - Dusty Springfield

Lucie: This Is Me - Demi Lovato

Joe: 'Circle Of Life' - Elton John

Lloyd: 'Stand By Me' - Ben E. King

Danyl: 'Purple Rain' - Prince

Jamie: 'Crying' - Roy Orbison

Olly: 'Twist And Shout' - The Isley Brothers/Top Notes

John and Edward: Ghostbusters Theme - Ray Parker Jr.

Review: X Factor 2009 Live Finals Week 4

Sham Rock Week this week on X Factor, as it all proved a bit too much for most of the contestants. Luckily, in the end, it all worked out as the worst overall act was voted off, but somehow I doubt that this first-time experience will be repeated next year in Series 7. It would have been a good idea if John Bon Jovi had been their mentor, but as the band were touring, there was no mentor this week. Thus it didn't really matter what week it was. Although Louis did point out that the first time Simon had a rock act, there was a rock week. Don't think that's too far from the truth.

Current bookies' favourite Joe McElderry opened Saturday's live show with the classic cheese rock 'Don't Stop Believin'' by Journey. It was an inspired choice, and made us all feel that Rock Week was going to be a great success. It's no wonder he's the favourite either. A good singer, and he can't stop smiling. Unlike the Incredible Sulk (but more on that later).

My own favourite Lucie Jones was a little out of her depth this week. In her future singing career (if she sticks with it), she'll never be singing rock. She did a soft version of Guns N' Roses 'Sweet Child o' Mine'. A cautious choice, which worked out well, as it didn;t show her failings as a rocker.

Mister strop Danyl Johnson sulked his way through Rock Week when he should've been using it as a chance to shine. Luckily he didn't end up in the bottom two, but with a personality like that, he's sure to exit the show sooner rather than later. He has ruined his image, in my eyes. You'd think a teacher would know better. He did Aerosmith's 'I Don't Want to Miss a Thing'.

Lloyd Daniels was having throat problems this week, so a lot was made of that. (The twins were sick too) Luckily X Factor allows sick notes, so Lloyd luckily made it through to the next round. He sang a poor version of Katy Perry's pop tune 'I Kissed a Girl', but was saved in Deadlock by the voters.

I'll only talk about her singing this week, as the rest makes my blood boil. Stacey Solomon sang 'Somewhere Only We Know' by Keane, and did a decent performance of the pop-rock song. Not too many of these songs where straight out rock. Where were the White Stripes or Zep songs? Sorry, I had to distract myself, otherwise I might have talked about Stacey's horrendous voice.

The man with the dead cat on his head, Jamie Archer was in his element this week with Rock Week (specifically for him!). He sang 'Rocks' by Primal Scream, better known as 'Get Your Rocks Off'. He really should've stood out, but was very much pedestrian, and missed his chance to shine. A bit like his hair. No shine whatsoever.

Thank God, this was the week where the awful Rachel Adedeji was voted off. She sang 'One' by U2 (which is probably U2's least rock song). She was actually better than many of the others this week, but I can't stand her and wanted her out. She should've gone a few weeks ago when she was up against Rikki.

Everyone was waiting to see what John and Edward were going to do, and the twins did not let us down this week. They took on the Five version of Queen's 'We Will Rock You' and were highly entertaining (and out of tune) once again. They were sick this week, so there wasn't as much bounding around the stage. That said, they were still fantastic.

Olly Murs closed the show with a very strange song choice. 'Come Together' by the Beatles (and later covered by Michael Jackson) isn't so much a rock song as a jokey pop song. Olly was very good though, and could well make it to the final. He's by far the best of Simon's three acts.



Sunday's live results show brought a version of 'Walk This Way' by Aerosmith, which gave the twins a chance to shine, but didn't really show off anyone else. If there was a rap week, the twins would be brilliant, because they only talk anyway. But that'll never happen. Especially now that Miss Frank are gone, and by the fact that he didn't have them in his category either.

Bon Jovi's new single 'We Weren't Born to Follow' sounds the same as everything else they've ever done, but there was a great moment after when Dermot O'Leary lived his dream and high-fived Richie Sambora! JLS are another X Factor success story (despite being dressed by Louis last year), and they sang new single 'Everybody in Love'. Not my cup of tea, but teen girls love it. Amazingly, they kept their shirts on for the whole thing.

The bottom two saw Rachel battling against Lloyd. Rachel sang Oasis' 'Stop Crying Your Heart Out', and Lloyd took on Billy Preston's 'You are So Beautiful'. The judges once again went to deadlock and Rachel left the show with the least votes. I don't like the whole Deadlock thing. It's a way of pussying out of making a decision. They should bring over Len Goodman to decide. He'd do a great job.

Next week is Movie Songs Week. X Factor winner Leona Lewis will be promoting upcoming single 'Happy', and Cheryl's buddy Will.I.Am will be joined by his Black Eyed Peas. He might even be the mentor too. Might. Til next Saturday...

I leave you with Rachel's finest moment:

Preview: X Factor 2009 Live Finals, Week 4

X Factor has just started on TV3 (and ITV). Yes, both channel and show are back. X Factor had been gone six days, but TV3 was down for the best part of an hour earlier. Here's the songs for tonight's live show.

ROCK WEEK

Rachel: One – U2

Stacey: Somewhere Only We Know - Keane

Lucie: Sweet Child O' Mine – Guns 'N Roses

Joe: Don’t Stop Believin' – Journey

Lloyd: I Kissed A Girl – Katy Perry

Danyl: I Don't Want to Miss a Thing - Aerosmith

Jamie: Get Your Rocks Off - Primal Scream

Olly: Come Together – Aerosmith version

John and Edward: We Will Rock You – Five version (From Brits)

Another cliched choice from Jamie. Olly's 'Come Together' could be interesting. Come on John and Edward, bringing the cheese.

Review: X Factor 2009 Live Finals Week 2

Week 2 of X Factor series 6 was Diva Week. This is never an easy week for the fellas, as for most of them, diva doesn't come naturally. Whitney Houston was their mentor and the musical guest for this week's live show, and a good few of the acts sang her songs. Most of them sang them better than she's able to sing these days too (although none of them would've matched Whitney in her prime - drugs have a lot to answer for!)



Lucie Jones opened the show with her take on Whitney classic 'How Will I Know', showing that she can do upbeat as well as the slower songs. While she wasn't fantastic, she was more than capable, showing her strength across the board. As each week goes on, Lucie just gets better and more polished. She's still my favourite for eventual winner.

Second on was the pelvic masterclass that was Olly Murs. Olly gave the best performance of all on Saturday night, and was first called out in Sunday's results show. He deserved to be, as he performed a stunning version of Tina Turner's 'A Fool in Love'. That dancing was guaranteed to send the girls wild. It even gave me a palpitation or two. I could never get away with trousers like that!

Miss Frank were without their mentor Louis Walsh this week (due to Stephen Gately's funeral). This made things more difficult for them, and they didn't have the same impact as before. They did a pedestrian version of 'All the Man that I Need', leading to a clever but snide remark from Simon that it took 3 years for Girls Aloud to gel!

Rachel Adedeji hasn't improved at all since the first live final. She didn't fall, and that alone is an achievement for her! She sang 'If I Were A Boy' by current queen bee diva Beyonce, but was as ordinary as ever. Once again, her hair was the only thing that stood out; this week making her look like Grace Jones.

Housewives favourite, and permanently smiley Joe McElderry took on Whitney too, singing 'Where Do Broken Hearts Go'. He was decent enough, thus winning over more fans. Plus he's very humble, so that'll help his case. When Rachel was interviewed on the Xtra Factor afterwards, she just seemed like a spoiled child. Joe, on the other hand, seems like a really nice guy. He should go far too.

Simon pulled off a coup for Danyl Johnson, allowing him to sing a new Whitney song (thus probably getting him some extra mentoring along the way). He wasn't as good as last week, and I don't think he'll actually get much better. He has probably peaked, but for now, he still remains the favourite. Doesn't seem as likeable as some of the other contestants either.

Sixteen year-old cutie Lloyd Daniels sang previous winner Leona Lewis's massive hit 'Bleeding Love', but was scuppered by the arrangement. Once again, Cheryl showed poor judgement, cementing her place as the worst judge in the competition. Even Louis is better, and I can't stand Louis. Dannii, you see, hasn't ability herself, so she knows how to sell, and what song suits what artist. Cheryl is only a novice, but she'll get better. As will Lloyd. His looks will keep him in for another while yet.



One of the highlights of the evening was John and Edward. They took on their idol Britney Spears's 'Oops... I Did It Again', and massacred it in style. Their singing and dancing was all kinds of awful, but with this song, and their outfits, I'm now starting to see why people like them. It was hilarious. Like everything that makes the auditions funny rolled into one double act. Priceless. Glad they stayed in. A note to Cheryl regarding her comment about them at the end of Sunday night's show: they're still in it because Louis makes the correct song choices. He knows his acts strengths and weaknesses.

Rikki Loney was another of Cheryl's acts, and while he had a better song, he had a terrible night. His vocals were all over the place. Perhaps it didn't suit him at all. He sang 'Respect' by Aretha Franklin (but written by Otis Redding). Diva week didn't suit him as well as musical heroes in the first week, but now we won't have the chance to see his return to form. Alas. Rachel should be gone.

The man of the hair, Jamie Archer, sang 'Hurt' by Christina Aguilera, and he is another act whom I think has reached their peak. He's good, but he seems to do the same routine every week, regardless of the song. You'd know he was a pub performer all along. He'll do well in the competition, but I hope he doesn't win. Plus, I'd be afraid I'd get the nits from him.

Last up was Paul Whitehouse's Perry Stacey Solomon, who sang Etta James's 'At Last' (originally by the Glen Miller Orchestra, and more recently covered by Beyonce). Her version was pretty good, and I know she's very popular already. It's her off-stage persona that ruins it for me though. She's be great if it wasn't for that. I expect if you threw a yarn of wool in her direction, she'd run after it.



Sunday night's live results show opened with 'Queen of the Night' by Whitney Houston, and it was hard to see anyone who stood out - it's a damn repetitive tune. Whitney herself sang (sort of) on the programme, performing new single 'Million Dollar Bill'. She only seemed to sing parts of it, and when talking to Dermot after, struggled to compose herself. Her dress almost opened during the song, which would've given us a glimpse of Titney, but as that never happened, and her singing wasn't up to scratch, it was all a bit Shitney.



Overshadowing Whitney's performance was Cheryl Cole's will-she-mime story, which seemed to run all week. In the end, she chose not to mime (she didn't really have a choice, unlike Alexandra who mimed last weekend). She was all the better for it. Although she was far from great, she improved as the song ('Fight For This Love') went on, and gave a worthy performance. Although she was dressed up as M. Bison from Street Fighter.

The bottom two this week was made up of Rachel (once more) and Rikki. I had predicted this before the show, but had hoped Rachel would be the one sent home. However, after the two girls voted to keep their own acts, Simon made the very wrong choice to send Rikki home. Rachel won't bring anything next week, and will probably face the chop third time of asking. At least there was a chance that Rikki might have returned to form. Rachel can't, the only good thing she's good at is falling.

I can't wait until Saturday already. Next week is Big Band week with Michael Bublé set to mentor and perform, and Westlife to give the first ever live performance of new single 'What About Now'. See you Saturday...