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Noel Gallagher tears into X Factor and Dannii
Last updated at 08:46am on 14.10.08
Noel Gallagher: says X Factor 'has absolutely nothing to do with music and everything to do with television'
Dannii Minogue with her sister Kylie
Noel Gallagher has hit out at The X Factor for having "absolutely nothing to do with music".
The Oasis star accused Dannii Minogue, last year's winning judge, of being unable to recognise talent.
Gallagher, 41, told the Radio Times: "If somebody is dangling this carrot of 'fame and fortune' in front of a check-out girl from Barnsley who can sing like Britney Spears then they're going to go for it, right, because they live in a s***hole - no disrespect to Barnsley.
"But it seems to bring on instant mental illness. You're going in at the top, with a number one that sells 750,000 or whatever and you've got someone like Dannii Minogue telling you you're really talented - and if there's one person in the room who wouldn't know talent if it kicked them in the a*** it's Dannii Minogue.
"You spend a year slogging around the country and then what? You can't go back to Barnsley and be a check-out girl cos that would look bad.
"So you end up either trying to be an actress or trying to sustain your profile by going on celebrity shows."
He said: "Instead of instant fame and celebrity and all your ex-boyfriends and girlfriends coming out of the cupboard and your family being ripped apart the prize ought to be, 'I'll introduce you to someone who might introduce you to someone who might, if you're very lucky, know a producer who'd record one of your songs'.
"That's the only way to make any money. Otherwise you sell five million records and earn 50 grand."
The X Factor "has absolutely nothing to do with music and everything to do with television", he said.
Gallagher also criticised Madonna, saying the star "has all the money in the world and yet she still works out six hours a day.
"Six hours! In a gym! You sleep for eight, right - so that's 14 gone already. What do you do with your one hour off?
"Do you want to get so supple you can eventually stick your own head up your a***?"
He told New! magazine "It'll be Simon (Cowell) or Cheryl (Cole)" who win as judges, adding: "It's not about winning."
Bad Lashes, one of Walsh's bands, became the first contenders to be voted off the ITV show at the weekend.
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Reader views (14)
Whatever one may say about Oasis' music (guitar-based and bland unless, of course, that happens to be your cuppa), at least they achieved their success by working their way up from playing all the crappy venues for years, writing their own music (again, not necessary that you actually like what they produce for that to be objectively true) and - essential for a band, and the reason why neither Westlife nor Girls Aloud are "bands" - have members who play musical instruments.
It's a pity he's an ex- cokehead, so hardly in a good position to criticise others for the way they spend their time, but that doesn't make what he says untrue or invalid.
His summing up of what the X-Factor prize ought to be was spot on.
- Helen, London, UK
Not a fan but its actually true...although I guess some of these people that go on the show really do get the break they deserve..jennifer Hudson (US) and Leona Lewis, but I do hate the fact we end up with all these minor celebrities who's lives are then played out over the next few years and Im sure in alot of cases, ends up quite sadly for them. Re Madonna..guess her perogative that she works out..im sure the press have exagerated the amount of time she is in the gym...i think she is better doing that rather than getting blind drunk at celeb parties and taking the magic white powder? what do you think Noel?
- Nicky, London
X Factor is what it is. Light entertainment for kids. If you want serious music there's plenty of avenues to explore - although Oasis isn't one of them.
- James, London
He's right, reality TV is utter dross but then so are Oasis.
- Bob, Cheam
Simon Cowell wouldn't still be doing x-factor or american idol if it wasn't making him millions and millions of pounds!
- Julie, London
Why does this guy always have to share his opinion?? We all know that X-Factor is simply entertainment so give it a break! Get off your pompous high horse. If you don't like it, don't watch it. I don't like you're music so I don't listen to it. Doesn't mean that I have to go around telling everyone how crap it is!
- Sarah, London
Noel, darling!!! Right on! Can you please come and do the same for American Idol!! Bless ya! xx
- Kat, NYC, USA
Absolutely SPOT ON! Thank you Noel!!!! I wish he were in the States and could run for President!
- Rebecca, San Francisco, CA. USA
Couldnt agree more. Noel is spot on here.
- Paul, Dublin, Eire
Although I agree entirely with what Noel Gallagher says about television shows like "X Factor", I find his rantings about other artists to have a touch of the "green eyed monster" about them. So what if Madonna chooses to focus her energies into keeping fit? What would he rather her do - shop all day instead? At least Ms Ciccone is doing something positive with her time, unlike some people who choose to utilise it mouthing off about every body else because they feel it makes them more "real" or endearing. I seem to remember a time when all the Gallagher brothers were known for was picking fights and snorting Colombian marching powder...it would seem they've outgrown (allegedly) the latter activity but haven't quite yet succeeded in knocking the former activity on its head. Between Madonna and Noel - the choice is simple; one makes music that makes you active and want to dance, whilst t'other regurgitates the same old, cerebral, bland guitar music that he always has and, unfortunately for the rest of us, always will. Note to self Noel: GET A GRIP!
- Ali Sichilongo, London
Great stuff Noel. Do any of the judges know anything about music? i.e. playing an instrument, singing and writing? The judges are business people and TV actors and actresses. The scary thing is that the younger generation are confusing the X-Factor as having something to do with music. I think Simon Cowell must be quite a powerful businessmen as very few musicians have the guts to really say what the X Factor is about. TV, ratings, money, karaoke and songs that are garbage and will be forgotten in 3 months.
- Anand, London
Sadly, it's all too true.
- H, London, UK
I have to agree with Noel about the X-factor. And what's with the all the crying on the show. Who want's to see men sorry boys blubbing like a baby.
- Vittoria Romeo, Bromley, UK
I totally agree with everything he says. When does Madonna have time for her children - why does she think anyone cares about her body - its all me me me - look at me and my fab body. Get a life and try and spend time with your children.
- Julie, London
