Strictly and X Factor -- Phone Lines

[smurfchops]

Why oh why do people phone up and vote? And then complain? Just don't vote in the first place !!! Do people really think their vote counts for something ?? It is the same with the X Factor ... the whole thing is rigged from the start, especially with Simon Cowell - do people think he would just agree with what the public want? We are talking big money here ... and all for him !! These phone lines are a complete rip off -- just watch the programme and keep away from the telephone !!

[4getmenot]

I just laugh at people saying its a fix because the person they want to win doesnt, As if it is after the phone line sxcandle and come on leon winning last year cannot have been a fix, I mean how much money has simon made out of him. yer right

[smurfchops]

No, I wanted Alexandra to win, or it didn't matter to me if JLS won - but I'm not putting my money into Simon Cowell's Bank or the BBC's bank ! I didn't even watch Strictly. I really don't care who wins to tell the truth, its just a programme, it won't affect me anyway ! Although I must admit you were right about Leon ... Leon who ?? I can't remember who the runners up were now .. maybe someone will help me.

[4getmenot]

I wasnt saying you were saying it was a fix. I was just saying in general, no right or wrong. I know ridion was 2nd but dont know who 3rd was. lol

[chazza]

Unfortunately a lot of people seem to think that SCD is for charity, or that some of the money spent on phonecalls goes to charity.

It's sad really!

[barney1966]

following the ofcom enquiry a few years back where there were massive fines they have all had to be squeaky clean. They are strictly monitored these days. All the votes cast and voting percentages are now available for X Factor and IACGMOH.

The situation with last Saturday's SCD is a totally different one where because the two girls had tied for 1st position there is no way Tom could have been saved from the dance off no matter how many people voted for him so to ask people to vote to save someone who was unable to be saved was wrong which is why they have done what they have done.

[Eve]

I'm sure Strictly used to be for charity but not any more though, not clear where the money is going this time.

I do wonder at all the outcry sometimes though, like the John Sergeant think, people must have voted to keep him in so why the shock when he stays in.

I guess the viewer vote is a great source of consumer research to an extent. Look at the hype over Gareth Gates, which I never personally got. I was so glad Will won and he is still around today and I hope for a long time to come.

As regards Simon Cowell, I don't think for one second he would lose out on ensnaring any of the contestants he thought he could make a lot of money out of whether they win or not.

[weecalf]

What if Tom was in a dance off.Was the pound going to fall lower against the euro .Were Spurs ever going to beat that side not from Manchester So who really cares .Was Santa not going to arrive .Was Cowell going to become less irritable .Were they going to unearth anoher Minogue (or how ever its spelt )It only a vechile for that panel and Brucie and what her name.It only a television prog and not a great one at that .Dance away Tom

[Jeth]

Why is it that the television companies think that erery member viewing public is stupid? Don't they realise that a lot of us resent paying for these shows (twice over in the case of the BBC - licence fee as well). A lot of people purposely vote to show that they actually do have the upper hand - hence the John Sergeant factor. If you want a true talent/dance contest, just use professional judges to do just that - don't try conning the public to pay for the priviledge.

[BenDToy]

Call it a tax on stupidity.
And a quick word just to the people who don't vote - remember that the mugs who do are subsidising you, so please keep quiet and don't keep reminding them how stupid they are. In fact you should actually encourage them to vote as much as possible.
One more point. Anyone who thinks that SC et al actually give a tOss which of the talentless identikit acts wins are sadly and totally deluded. Why should they care? The whole point of the show is to get people phoning in. Once the "contest" is over, they have absolutely no interest in the winners and losers. They are already working on the next exploitation. There is no real money for them in selling records or managing acts. It is much more difficult and less lucrative than conning moronic viewers into making premium rate phone calls.