X Factor UK 2014: New Wildcard Category, Fifth Judge Rumors
The X Factor UK could be undergoing some massive, game-changing modifications for its 2014 season: a fifth judge and a new category for that judge to mentor.
Last month, Louis Walsh, Cheryl Cole, Simon Cowell and Mel B began auditions for Season 11, narrowing down the talent field for each of the four existing categories: Boys, Girls, Overs and Groups. However, the UK's Metro is reporting that a fifth category is in the works: the Wildcards.
In short, it's a category that is pretty much exactly what you'd expect it to be, given the connotations of the term "wildcard" from just about every other musical talent show in existence: the wildcard category will be made up of acts that failed to make it through to live shows in their respective categories.
"Simon Cowell is planning on including a wildcard category which will be mentored by a mystery fifth judge," an insider told the Metro. "There was a creative meeting three weeks ago and plans are now being put into action."
The tabloid reports that Rita Ora and Mary J. Blige are two of the names being discussed as that possible fifth judge, although Avril Lavigne is reportedly also under consideration. Regardless of who gets the gig, however, the role of the fifth judge would be an interesting one: "A fifth judge will prevent the deadlock and add some spice to the panel during the live shows," the insider added.
While I don't know about adding spice (I mean, isn't that what Mel B is there for? Okay, I'll stop), I do find it intriguing that this new wildcard category could allow for bigger stars incapable of committing to a full season to join for half a season instead. Sure, they'd miss out on room auditions, arena auditions, boot camp, and judges' homes (or the four-chair challenge, or whatever the blessed hell they're going to be doing this year), but that fifth judge would add an interesting dynamic to the season with his/her category, since having a mixture of acts from the other categories could cut into the inherent voting blocks for those categories (for example, maybe a boyband in the Wildcards becomes popular enough to cut into the votes of another boyband in the Groups category).
Interestingly, the report also states that this twist will also be included on The X Factor Australia, the new season of which just began this weekend. Reportedly, popular singer/former Australian Idol runner-up Jessica Mauboy has been contacted about filling the role of fifth judge for the Wildcard category for the series. If true, she wouldn't be the only Australian Idol alum appearing this season.
Of course, while the rumors of the new Wildcard category and a fifth judge to mentor it are unconfirmed, I suddenly find myself really wanting this to be true, even though it'll mean farewell to Deadlock (which I actually rather liked as a catalyst for drama. At the very least, it's far better than the disastrous Flash Vote from last season). The show might be a bit crowded if fifteen acts get put through to the live vote, but then, the show's seventh series proves you can still have a really exciting, successful season if you advance more than just 12 acts to the live vote. So count me all in on this twist.
What do you think though?
Via: Metro
Credit: ITV