I would like some serious music programmes but I think radio is the medium for that, on TV they would never be as popular as X factor. The reason X factor is popular is because it is an entertainment show and as such has licence to do things just to keep viewer figures high like their 'twists' and putting comedy acts through which a serious music programme couldn't do. A serious music programme would attract serious music fans but wouldn't capture the attention of any old jo bloggs who wants some lighthearted Saturday night entertainment, which is what X factor is.

Now on the Housemartins reference, they are one of my favourite all time bands. I don't think you could accuse them of breaking up for the money, I got the impression Norman Cook wanted to do his own thing and the others just sort of evolved in the type of music they made, I didn't think they became massively more mainstream although the Beautiful South lost the subtle social and political commentary that the Housemartins had. Still - can you imagine the Housemartins turning up to audition for X factor, they wouldn't have even got to the stage of facing the judges for audition.

I think Simon Moran (Warrington Wolves owner) was their promoter.

That reminds me of a story I always like to tell people. My dad was in a band with Ian Curtis in his younger days and at the first one or two of their gigs, a few people remarked that musically they weren't too bad, but the lead singer was utter shiite

I remember calling in to King Eddy one Saturday lunchtime, just before christmas 1986. The Housemartins walked in and one old pisshead approached Heaton saying: "you're them aren't you? You're them off the telly, go on then, sing it"

A brief discussion resulted in "them" turning their backs to the bar and performing Caravan of Love perfectly. Heaton then went round with the hat, dumped the dosh on the bar and told the landlady to put it in the charity box.

They then simply supped up and left.

I think some people are a bit too bleeding heart about this idea that a group or artist "sells out" or sells their soul to the devil if they achieve success in terms of sales. For instance, I don't think that Beautiful South "sold out", as whatever else, the fact is that they produced (as in wrote, sang, played and produced) a whole array of near-perfect pop, which has stood the test of time very well, and there is absolutely nothing wrong with a popular song just because it's popular. Even God (i.e Neil Young, for the insouciants) did one (Heart of Gold) and while MOR it is, it's an all-time classic nonetheless and the history of music would be that bit poorer without it.

Also, while I admire singers who can write good material themselves, even more those that can compose the music too, I am very happy to include pure vocalists, even those who never wrote a notable lyric or melody, among my musical heroes. Some people's talent is in their voice, and occasional genius in how some can perform with that voice.

Sinatra for instance.

Ben Elton got it spot on in Chart Throb where he says the contestants are categorised into 4 categories :-

Mingers - those who are utterly desperate, there to be laughed at, will do whatever is asked of them on stage
Clingers - the 'needy' ones who 'want this so much', often with a sad back story
Blingers - those convinced of their own greatness despite having achieved nothing
Singers - those who can actually sing but who also need to fall into one of the other categories too

The ideal X Factor contestant is someone who exhibits overlapping traits of all 4 categories.

I agree I was not suggesting they exploited for money or anything like that, my point was their talent led them to earn money ....I loved the Housemartins and followed the Beautiful South I have seen them play many times. I met Heaton and Cook when they first formed loads of times, they went to Hull Uni, and used to drink regularly in Grafton Pub (my hubby knew them a lot better than I did) not sure about Cook but I know Paul has not particularly changed who he is, he still writes music for some very famous artists, the only difference now from then is he is loaded!

The other day while chatting to the barmaid about the Fix Factor, I got asked to go and sup in the other bar.

It was dire on Saturday.

Come on Frankie!!!!
Son of Wagner.
Win it for all the talentless people out there.

Something must have got broken on Saturday.
It must have been serious, because on Sunday Dermot was asking the panel who they think had smashed it.

Didn't Richard Keys get sacked for something like that?

Indeed he did.
A slightly different connotation of course.