The X Factory

Simon Cowell and Sir Philip Green plan to launch The X Factor worldwide, starting in Las Vegas, based on the Formula 1 Grand Prix model. Hmm, I'm not sure I see the analogy. Of course, the show can be staged profitably anywhere in the world as an imported format, but Grand Prix circuits vary in length, difficulty, speedy sections, ability to overtake, and likelihood of adverse weather conditions, whether wet or dry. They are even sometimes staged at night. And the different teams bring to bear different engineering solutions to their cars to try to outwit their rivals in the race to the chequered flag. All this means different drivers have their moment in the spotlight, and it is the cumulative expertise and consistency that wins the World Championship.

The X Factor by definition is staged in a television studio or a theatre with good acoustics, and one telebision studio is much like another. I can't see contestants braving the elements to sing their lungs out in the open air, so moving the show from country to country won't be noticed by the viewing public, unless an itinerant bunch of internationally mixed singers get judged by local stars to reflect the cultural preferences of the host countries. So:

• X Factor (France) could have Patricia Kaas and Johnny Hallyday slugging it out (Serge Gainsbourg would have been fabulous had he still been alive);
• X Factor (Israel) could have Dana International chewing the fat with Ninet Tayeb;
• X Factor (Vatican) could pair Pope Benedict XVI up with some Benedictine monks; and
• X Factor (Africa) could see Baaba Maal exchanging views with Mory Kante and a representative of Ladysmith Black Mambazo

Yes, I know several of these locations already have their own shows ...

Simon Cowell is not a combination of Bernie Ecclestone and Ross Brawn, but he's probably necking crates of Red Bull in the hope the format takes wing in new territories, but I doubt in the long run it'll lead to world domination. In the end, people get bored with the likes of Opportunity Knocks and New Faces, and want a different presentation of their musical preferences (say, Later, YouTube, Spotify). And global X Factor could easily morph into a kitsch larger scale Eurovision Song Contest.