A Rock and A Hard Place

 Nicole Scherzinger aka the only Pussycat Doll we can identify by name had to make a troublesome decision last night in the X Factor eliminations. However instead of making the tough calls, she acted more like Rachel Crow, the thirteen year old being eliminated.
Let me be clear, I haven't watched the X Factor beyond the clips and soundbites on the entertainment news shows. But I am well aware of the judges' constant bickering, contestants' attitudes and anxieties, and the general tepid nature of the show.
 Last night, Scherzinger decidedly didn't vote and the deadlock sent the decision to a higher authority who sent Rachel home. Rachel collapsed but ultimately knew this wasn't her end. Nicole, well. She continued to hear booing from the crowd and disappeared at the end of the show.
 This incident pretty much illuminates the core problems of shows like the X Factor. Judging is never easy or completely objective. The judges have to place themselves in the ears and expectations of the audience. And that's hard when these shows rely on judges who aren't complete household names in their own right.
 And it's not just Scherzinger who isn't that well known beyond the musically fickle youth. You can also lump Sara Bareilles a relatively new singer/songwriter in that category. Ironically enough she replaced Scherzinger on the Sing Off. Not that her musical insights are wrong, but let's be honest if we don't know the name of the person on the screen, it's harder to trust them. Now there is one show that did get it right. NBC's The Voice has the perfect combination of talented judges and a unique approach that sets them apart.
 But this latest happening only challenges the authority and insights of the ever-changing television landscape. They may have the money, but they don't always have the power.