John
12-15-2010, 06:33 PM
ITV has reportedly warned Simon Cowell to "cut the sleaze" after a record number of complaints were received about this year's X Factor.
It was yesterday revealed that 2,000 viewers had complained about raunchy performances by Christina Aguilera and Rihanna on Saturday night's final. According to The Mirror, this brings the total number of complaints received by Ofcom throughout the series to more than 5,000.
Scandals during this series have ranged from the auto-tune row to fix claims over various results.
"Bosses are worried about the complaints, which have grown rapidly this series," a source told the paper. "They certainly don't want the trouble they have had in recent weeks, including claims that the show is becoming seedy and oversexed as well as the accusations by contestants that the show is fixed.
"That tarnishes the image of The X Factor and ITV so things must change. It's our image as a family channel that's at stake. Serious meetings are taking place with Cowell and executives.”
ITV boss Peter Fincham allegedly clashed with Cowell when the judge backed an appearance by Chloe Mafia during a performance by rejected auditionees on Sunday night.
"Simon and Peter were rowing over why Chloe was on the show and used so prominently," the insider said. "Peter wasn't sure it was appropriate but Simon's attitude was, 'Do you want these big ratings or not?’ He feels that there needs to be controversy to drive the programme and make sure it is talked-about and watched.
"But there is a line - especially before the watershed - and there is a feeling by some ITV bosses that he has crossed it during this series on several occasions."
An ITV spokesman added: "We speak regularly with Simon and his team about the show.
"The X Factor is the most popular and talked-about show on television and it naturally generates a range of comment and opinion from our audience and we listen carefully to what our viewers say about our programming."
Source - Yahoo News.
It was yesterday revealed that 2,000 viewers had complained about raunchy performances by Christina Aguilera and Rihanna on Saturday night's final. According to The Mirror, this brings the total number of complaints received by Ofcom throughout the series to more than 5,000.
Scandals during this series have ranged from the auto-tune row to fix claims over various results.
"Bosses are worried about the complaints, which have grown rapidly this series," a source told the paper. "They certainly don't want the trouble they have had in recent weeks, including claims that the show is becoming seedy and oversexed as well as the accusations by contestants that the show is fixed.
"That tarnishes the image of The X Factor and ITV so things must change. It's our image as a family channel that's at stake. Serious meetings are taking place with Cowell and executives.”
ITV boss Peter Fincham allegedly clashed with Cowell when the judge backed an appearance by Chloe Mafia during a performance by rejected auditionees on Sunday night.
"Simon and Peter were rowing over why Chloe was on the show and used so prominently," the insider said. "Peter wasn't sure it was appropriate but Simon's attitude was, 'Do you want these big ratings or not?’ He feels that there needs to be controversy to drive the programme and make sure it is talked-about and watched.
"But there is a line - especially before the watershed - and there is a feeling by some ITV bosses that he has crossed it during this series on several occasions."
An ITV spokesman added: "We speak regularly with Simon and his team about the show.
"The X Factor is the most popular and talked-about show on television and it naturally generates a range of comment and opinion from our audience and we listen carefully to what our viewers say about our programming."
Source - Yahoo News.