The thing is X factor is a massive ratings winner and if it werent sucessful it would have been shelved ages ago. Like it or not it this is how the music world works nowadays and a lot of real talent goes unnoticed.
If it were a real singing competition the likes of Jedward would never have gotton into the final 12 or through any of the auditions.
I personally think Lady Gaga is a great live performer although i dont like her songs she is interesting to watch and she does sing live which is rare these days.
If you dont like it dont watch it! Its aimed at the younger market as Panic Button said without a doubt, i dont know if there are any stats as to the average age of the voters but i bet it is under 20.
The fact that the X Factor has had the Christmas number 1 since 2005 says it all, the songs havent been good but the sheer volume of people buying/downloading shows how popular and powerful it is.
Im hoping that the crusade to get Rage against the Machine to number one to fight the X factor's hold over the Christmas number 1 spot works! Up the revolution!