I'm getting some of this wrong, but each of the judges on X Factor (there were three, now there are four) mentors a certain amount of contestants. I think you have:

- a group (2-4 people)

- a teen set

- an older man group

- an older woman group

(older being up to about 30-35 I guess)

The mentors pick the songs for each of their acts.

Then in the early rounds of public voting, the public votes for a bottom two and the judges decide who among the bottom two should go. If they don't want to make a decision, then they go to a tie vote, a deadlock, and the public vote decides.

When you get to a top 5 or so, the public vote is the sole decider.

You also have a lot of backup dancers and silliness on X Factor. Here's a group I really enjoyed, for both good and bad reasons.

So wait, there's multiple contestants in each of those categories? How many contestants are there in the televised end of the competition?

That clip is hilarious (love the little leap thing she does at 1:59!!), but I don't see any American contestants doing something that fun. Idol was overtaken by those weak ass contemporary country songs, and I expect XF will be too.

So wait, there's multiple contestants in each of those categories? How many contestants are there in the televised end of the competition?

That depends on who makes it to the end...usually either it's all solo acts at the end or one group sneaks in. One year Same Difference made it through, along with Rhydian and Leon, and that was four people. The next year, the group JLS, which is about 4 or 5 guys, made it in with Alexandra Burke and Eoghan (JLS have since gone on to be very popular in the UK).

Aww, poor Kara, I didn't hate her though I think she and Randy pretty much served a similar function as the straight men while Paula/Ellen had the kooky role, Simon the villain. If Tina Fey knew music, she'd be a great type of Kara replacement.

Do you guys remember the show A Current Affair? They did a piece on a singer (ooh, I wish I could remember who it was b/c iirc she went on to do more stuff that we'd know her from) who was trying to sue Paula because she was credited on her album as a "background singer" when on Opposites Attract (I think that was the song) she wasn't singing "background" at all. She sang the song completely and they doubled the track with her voice and Paula's creating once smooth synced voice. I don't remember whatever became of that case.

Her name was Yvette Marine and here's what happened:

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1355/is_n18_v84/ai_14330373/

She was a Mary Jane girl.

(why I know all this is beyond me...)

Her name was Yvette Marine and here's what happened:

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1355/is_n18_v84/ai_14330373/

She was a Mary Jane girl.

(why I know all this is beyond me...)

Billie Frank: What do you mean "ghosting me"?

Now, I wish "American Idol" were year-round. Anything to keep J. Lo from making another godawful movie.

JLo out

http://tvwatch.people.com/2010/08/11/jennifer-lopez-out-judge-american-idol/

That was fast....lol

Wait...that article doesn't mention Kara's ouster....please tell me she's still out....right!?

She's still gone.

JLo out

http://tvwatch.people.com/2010/08/11/jennifer-lopez-out-judge-american-idol/

“Her demands got out of hand,” says the source. “Fox had just had enough.”

Wow, what a surprise. Diva's like Lopez would hardly be good for the show. She's not a person to look up to, basically not a role model.

I will miss Simon he was the closest to dead on this season. I would have given up the other chick before Ellen but I guess it's not that much of a difference

Kara out

http://www.hitfix.com/articles/breaking-kara-dioguardi-is-leaving-american-idol-after-2-seasons