Last night was the big premiere of the X-Factor US season two, featuring new judges Britney Spears and Demi Lovato. I’m not a big fan of reality competition shows, although I’ve watched American Idol in the past. X-Factor is different from similar shows and has a kind of gritty realness to it. The emotion seems right on the surface, and they really ratchet up the drama. The backstage scenes make you feel like you’re overhearing conversations instead of listening to a contestant try to impress an interviewer. For instance we got to see two sisters, Kaci and Kaylee, gossiping and mean-girling other contestants with comments like “you look better than she does,” and “she has a run in her stocking.” When Kaci went on stage and failed miserably, there was real satisfaction in it for the at-home audience.

In another scene, a contestant with experience touring in a boy band tried to give advice backstage to his competition, three teenage boys in a band. The boys were receptive, but later told the cameras that they write their own music and play their own instruments and don’t consider themselves a “boy band.” When the veteran failed miserably and the three teens killed it, we got to share in their triumph.

As for how the judges did, I have to say that Demi was my favorite. She was warm, honest and genuine and held her own in some mild spats with Simon. Toward the end of this episode, when the group was in their third location of Providence, Rhode Island, a 19 year-old girl came onstage and told Demi that she looked up to her and was grateful for her anti-bullying campaign. The girl, Jillian Jenson, was the victim of bullying throughout school and explained that she often cried herself to sleep. As she belted out a song everyone was amazed at what a talented, powerful singer she was. Even Simon was moved and got a tear in her eye. Jillian and Demi hugged afterwards as Jillian sobbed.

Britney definitely held her own, I have to say. We’ve heard that she had problems on set and walked off the first day, but none of that was shown. Instead, we got to see her be incredibly blunt and to-the-point with many singers. Even when Britney was giving praise it could come across as harsh. She doesn’t mince words. There were flashes of crazy Britney when we saw her mocking Simon’s accent backstage, but she’s a tough cookie, she came across as in control and she seems fine overall. She was nervous during her introductory segment in which she spoke just to the camera, but other than that I got a very good impression of her. I think this is going to be her comeback.

Oh and there was a scene where a guy auditioned in San Francisco who had sung a duet with Britney 10 years ago. TMZ reported on this audition when it happened. The guy was a mess and was crying before he performed. All the judges told him that his voice wasn’t strong enough and that he couldn’t get through, and Britney very firmly told him “No.” She didn’t seem to cry or fret much about it, or maybe it was edited that way. She’s comfortable judging talent and she’s just as bitchy as Simon. I’m going to watch this show again for sure, I just hope they cut future episodes to one hour because it’s hard to spare two, even after you fast forward through the commercials.

I have to give a shout out to TV Fanatic for their review also. They have a very nice overview of all the contestants last night, good and bad, as well as their thoughts on the judges. They agree with me on Britney and Demi. Oh and I liked L.A. Reid! I didn’t watch last season so I wasn’t familiar with him, and he brings a real industry perspective and comes across like such a professional. Simon is Simon, and is always making rude comparisons. At one point he was incredibly rude to a 14 year-old boy. I wish he would consider who he’s talking to before he opens his mouth.

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