Television: The X Factor and 'Fix' Factor Fixation
Having studied and worked in the television business for quite a few years I know a thing or two about how the production mechanism of a television show works. I also earned a Diploma in Music Management (managing/promoting recording artists and events) a few years ago and so understand the techniques and lengths a promoter will go to 'sell' their artist.
With this in mind, I still genuinely find it quite fascinating how reactive people are to some of the mainstream TV shows and musicians/performers alike and how emotionally involved we can all become in their journey, how we all interact with them unconsciously through such media and how it impacts our society and culture somewhat. 
The latest series of X Factor has produced some of the most interesting headlines, stories and conspiracy theories to date that truly expose quite an unpredictable relationship these television promoters have with the reporting media. That stated, there's been a kind of backlash fuelled by the reporting internet media and social networking sites in particular this year that's never been seen before. Are the popular X Factor' show days numbered? Like many previous years, this year's X Factor show has not been short of a headline, many might say for all the wrong reasons.
Firstly, it's no secret at this stage, nearly every contestant that made judges houses in the early stages of the competition had some kind of 'back-story' - Misha Bryan had a tough upbringing and was estranged from her mother. Frankie Cocozza was tagged the relentless 'wildchild'. Johnny Robinson was the older ex-transvestite with a heart of gold and Kitty Brucknell was the eccentric and unpredictable crazy Lady Gaga wannabe etc.. The unspoken message we have all been given through the wonderful medium of television is that they all deserve a place on the talent show because of these reasons (aside from the fact they can hold a tune of course). That has been the shows 'spin' and that's exactly how it is produced and transmitted. Fact.
This year we have been constantly emotionally blackmailed with these stories throughout the series, the after-show (which I can't watch for this reason!) is the back end for all storyline referrals and addicts and then the soap opera continues when we are bombarded again through online and other types of media. A few weeks ago, one such show saved Misha B from being voted out I believe. Viewers saw Misha – who has found herself in the bottom two several
times during the competition and her mentor Kelly Rowland having an
emotional heart-to-heart during a filmed segment on Saturday night’s
live show. During the chat they both broke down in tears as Misha talked
about the open letter her mother had sent via the 'press'. The following
night she acquired enough votes to stay in the competition. An online debate of whether it was a coincidence or a 'fix' went viral afterwards but the truth is it could be a bit of both. 
The Mark & Spencer's
christmas TV campaign presented all remaining contestants nicely but it
was reported that many were unhappy because Misha B performed the notable finale of the song/advert which suggested she was tipped to win the competition. Then previously eliminated contestant Amelia Lily was voted back into the show after Frankie Cocozza left or was 'kicked out' for drug-taking and M&S switched Misha from the advert finale to Amelia and the rumours were rife that she was then tipped to win!
This week the media reported that the shows' producers were left red-faced after it emerged another X Factor bungle sparked 'fix' speculation. Amelia Lily's 'winner's single' was made available for pre-order on HMV's website yesterday, days before the ITV series final. Oops! While all three finalists have pre-recorded their single to go on sale immediately after the winner is announced this weekend, only Amelia Lily's appeared on the website. An immediate Twitter storm ensued, causing the HMV site to crash as curious fans flooded the website to see for themselves. A representative from HMV then came forward and appologised saying it was basically a 'technical glitch' and that 'Hmv.com was looking to accept customer pre-orders for versions of the X Factor winner’s single recorded by each of the three finalists.
From my understanding the 'fix' conspiracy theory is that Simon Cowell/Syco/ITV/Sony/Talkback Thames (or whoever runs the show are using The X Factor as a launch pad for an artist(s) of their choice. It doesn't matter what the public want: the contestant(s) the bosses have chosen will win. The theory usually includes unverified "evidence" that the
aforementioned "fixers" have been grooming the chosen one for months or
maybe even years before they enter the competition. But the reality is there is no verified evidence to support this theory. 
But is there substance behind the rumours? The reality is, if you are a television show, movie or musician's promoter say, your role is to feed the media a story - that particular media obviously needing stories to sell their product. But to use an analogy, it's like feeding a colic baby, the information formula is sucked down, digested by the public, if it goes against the grain it's regurgitated
back at the feeder (artist/promoter) and that's the way it's always been whether you agree or disagree on
it's morals or inner workings. Of course it's not fair, but tell that to the baby! The media doesn't know how to work any other way! I guess what I'm saying is that we are all part of the response mechanism that the media is constantly trying to guage so we are all responsible in a way. Crazy, I know! If you are someone who suspects that the producers are laughing at us all and counting their cash while we
good honest folk vote in their premium-rate phone polls without a hope
in hell of really changing the outcome, well then don't pick up the phone and vote. It's still your choice!
At the end of the day Simon Cowell and his teams are working to a brief that aims to find a popular recording artist within the medium of light entertainment television and it doesn't always work out - remember Joe McElderry anyone? Exactly, neither do I! Remember 'Fix' is a strong word - it is light TV entertainment that's aim is to get us all talking and voting. It is what it is.