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The X Factor

2011 – 2013Show3 seasons79 episodes

Reality
64
DecentGoodWatch score
IMDb5.0Metacritic715.9Rotten Tomatoes–74%

A nostalgic, tense reality series about show business and everyday modern life.

Good for family movie night · friends night · party vibe

Where to watch

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Not streaming in any country yet.

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Not for brutality, big ideas or scares.

Shows with

Episodes

3 seasons · 79 episodes · best: S2E1 "Auditions #1" 7.9

Episodes

6.7
6.4
5.9

Story

The X Factor was a singing competition on a mission to find America’s next undiscovered superstar. The X Factor, on FOX is going to give someone like you the chance to win a $5 million recording contract with Sony Music. What’s great about The X Factor is that it is open to anyone – vocal groups and solo singers, over the age of 12 – and there’s absolutely no upper age limit.

Feels like

  • Unscripted Talent Competition
  • Music-Centric Reality TV
  • Judges' Panel Dynamic
  • Audition Drama & Tears
  • Pop Culture Phenomenon
  • High-Stakes Performance
  • Nostalgic Early 2010s Era
  • Mass Audience Appeal
  • Production Spectacle

Cast

24 of 26 · most episodes first

Facts

September 21, 2011 · December 19, 2013 · Ended

First aired
September 21, 2011
Last aired
December 19, 2013
Status
Ended
Length
3 seasons · 79 episodes
Genres
Reality
Original language
English

Tropes

Rules Lawyer, He's Back!, Gary Barlow +9

  • Rules Lawyer
  • He's Back!
  • Gary Barlow
  • Lethal Joke Character
  • Ambiguously Bi
  • Serious Business
  • Deadpan Snarker
  • Remember the New Guy?
  • Little Mix
  • Little Mix
  • Epic Fail
  • Talent Show

12 of 106 tropes. From TV Tropes.

Q&A

6 questions, like "Is The X Factor worth watching?"

Questions about The X Factor

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Is The X Factor worth watching?

64
DecentGoodWatch score

Opinions are mixed, with a GoodWatch score of 64 (IMDb 5 and Metacritic 71). Critics rate it higher (71 out of 100) than audiences (61).

Which season of The X Factor is best?

Season 1, with an IMDb average of 6.7. Season 3 is the weakest at 5.9. The highest-rated episode is Auditions #1 (season 2, episode 1) at 7.9, and the lowest is Top Finalists Perform Live #3 (season 2, episode 19) at 2.5.

Is The X Factor okay for kids?

Yes: the viewing guide lists it for kids.

Can I half-watch The X Factor?

Easy watchDemanding

Yes: it's easy to follow, with complexity at only 3 of 10, and the viewing guide calls it good for background watching.

Will I feel good after watching The X Factor?

BleakHopeful

Yes, it's an uplifting series: the title analysis rates it 7 of 10 for hopefulness and 6 for wholesome.

What tropes does The X Factor use?

Rules LawyerHe's Back!Gary BarlowLethal Joke CharacterAmbiguously BiSerious BusinessDeadpan SnarkerRemember the New Guy?Little MixLittle MixEpic FailTalent Showand 94 more

TV Tropes lists 106 tropes for it, including Rules Lawyer, He's Back!, and Gary Barlow.