FOX’s “The X Factor” seemed to have its calendar mixed up.
On Wednesday, the four judges seemed overcome with Thanksgiving spirit. They showered joyous smiles and immense praise on some performances that would barely register as mediocre on most critical scales.
Even Simon Cowell, the man who built a public persona on a proclivity for the rude and frank, repeatedly fell victim to the lure of sugarcoating.
Thursday, the actual night of Thanksgiving, told a different story. Instead of providing the “feel good” announcement that no one would be eliminated on the holiday, FOX’s reality competition series adhered to business as usual. Two contestants were sent packing.
The first, the week’s lowest vote-getter, was Lillie McCloud. Her elimination axed Kelly Rowland’s team of Over 25s to just one–only Jeff Gutt, who received raves for his rendition of “Feelin’ Good,” remains.
The second required a sing-off between Rion Paige and Josh Levi, the two remaining members of the bottom three.
But the sudden death round was not the answer. Boh contestants earned two votes from the judges, which meant that “The X Factor” had to return to the vote totals and axe the person who actually received the least support.
Josh Levi, that person, was eliminated.
Six contestants–Team Simon’s Restless Road and Alex & Sierra, Team Demi’s Rion Page and Ellona Santiago, Team Paulina’s Carlito Olivero and Team Kelly’s Jeff Gutt–remain.