This document discusses postmodernism within the television shows X Factor and Britain's Got Talent. It summarizes that both shows exhibit elements of simulation and lack of originality as contestants mainly perform covers of existing songs. The document also discusses how the shows create artificial hyperreal environments for contestants and influence their behaviors, in line with postmodern concepts like Baudrillard's ideas of simulation and Foucault's notion of panopticism. Differences between the UK and US versions are noted, and debates around the merits and criticisms of the shows are outlined.

1. Postmodernism within X Factor
By Rahel Fasil

2. X Factor
• Talent show created by Simon Cowell and first aired
on television in 2004.
• Aired on ITV channel and runs from mid August to
mid December
• There are 4 stages in the show: Auditions, Bootcamp,
Judges Houses and Live Shows
• There are 4 judges who each take a category to
mentor (Girls, Boys, Over 25s, Groups), the idea is
that they ensure they mentor them to success (the
final)

3. Context
• X Factor was created in 2004 during the rise of
democratic all-generation reality shows, eg. I’m A
Celebrity, Big Brother etc.
• Democratic shows are successful as people like the
involvement they have in the voting process
• Shows like that are successful in providing a light
hearted atmosphere when natural disasters and world
attacks are happening
• The purpose of the show is to find the next big star by
having the audience involved in selecting who this is
and also to satisfy the growing celebrity culture.

4. Britain’s Got Talent
• Aired on ITV from April to May
• Anybody of any age with a talent can audition
• Its been on television since 2007

5. Postmodernism in Britain’s Got
Talent..
There is an element of homage and simulacra in
Britain’s Got Talent as the singers on the show
mainly do covers of other established songs
Here, the contestant sings a cover
of Skinny Love by Birdy

6. The X Factor supports Baudrillard's main ideas about what is
real and the hyperreal and simulation.
Contestants stay in a hotel for the duration of the live shows and
attend premieres, living what we see as the ultimate celebrity
life style. This is hyperreal as they came from normal
backgrounds and majority will go back to this lifestyle.
Hyper-realism
Before X Factor (Reality) During X Factor

7. "world in which stylistic innovation is no
longer possible...all that is left is to
imitate dead styles“
- Frederic Jameson, 1988
The contestants sing covers of songs created by
established artists so reality and originality is
removed.
Lack of innovation

8. Panopticalisation
Foucault’s theory of Panopticalisation relates to
X Factor because..
• Knowing that they are being watched by
millions every Saturday their behaviour
changes in response to the control

9. Audience Theory
Hypodermic Needle Theory relates to the X
Factor because..
X Factor audiences are somewhat passive as
they just watch the performances every week
and do not participate.. They are dominated by
the producers/judges of the show

10. Weekly Themes
• Each week of the lives shows consists of a different
theme, eg Divas week, Best of British etc
• The aspect of weekly themes demonstrates imitation
as they all do covers of different songs
• This is evidence of simulacra – everything is a copy of
a copy and has been removed from the original
Rylan Clark imitated
the Spice Girls in a
medley of their
greatest hits for
Best of British week

11. Audience
Baudrillard said “When the real is no longer what it used
to be”
• The audience know that they are also part of a
structured reality show, and they succumb to it.
• They're told to boo and cheer
• They cheer the bursts of flame, because the heat feels
authentic and reminds them that this is "live".
• They cheer the Coldplay wristbands when they light
up, transforming them into part of the show.
• They cheer the confetti falling from the ceiling: a
wedding between audience and the TV, between
simulation and the real.

12. Differences between X Factor UK and
USA
UK
More about finding the next authentic, edgy and
fresh artist that will sell records, i.e. James Arthur
and Little Mix
USA
Don’t focus as much on the uniqueness of the
contestants, they look for anybody with potential
success. Linking with the American Dream, the
belief that anybody can do well if they work hard
enough

13. Contestant Changes
With the aid of make up artists, hairdressers and
choreographers (eg Brian Friedman pictured right)
contestants like Diana Vickers get their natural image
changed to a ‘superstar’ image.
This goes with the idealistic representation that in
order for them to be famous and successful they need
a make over.

14. Debates for and against
For Against
Its democratic – we can all vote! Its not fair that winners are almost
guaranteed a Christmas Number 1
single
Its entertaining for the whole family Makes audience feel inadequate as
they can’t live up to the false ideology
Helps contestants find confidence and
success
It’s a fix – the producers/judges know
who they want to win and can keep
them in despite votes
Nurtures talent and gives automatic
pedestal to recognition if that’s what
they want
The determining vote is up to judges –
Sing Off round
Audience is involved throughout –
they can watch auditions and live
shows
Its more about the judges than the
singing, or contestants private lives
(headlines)
The producers tell them what to wear
and mentors tell them what to sing

15. Historical periods..
80’s and 90’s = musicians were found via talent
scouts, advertisements and showcases
00’s = emergence & rise of talent shows (Pop
Idol, PopStars The Rivals, Fame Academy, X
Factor, Britain’s Got Talent, The Voice

16. Future
• The buzz of the X Factor will dry up as they
will get bored of the same structure
• Budding musicians will look to Youtube for
fame and recognition now as many have
found fame this way ie. Justin Bieber