'The X Factor' Season 1, Episode 10 Recap - 'Live Show'

The first live show begins as recappy and dramatic as all the other episodes have, but there's a noticeable difference... Steve Jones isn't doing the announcing. Maybe they put him back in those semi trucks and he's once again lost in the desert?

Nope, he's here, he's just doing the hosting work while some other dude does the announcing. The high-octane is still going behind his dramatic intro, which makes me uncomfortable. I also sneer at the umpteenth usage of "Carmina Burana." That particular song must be public domain, I guess.

Once again, the show wants us to know how BIG and IMPORTANT and FANCY everything is. Just look at the lights on that stage, and the dramatic reveal of the judges. It's like "American Idol" on steroids.

It's also feels like when a poor person comes into a bunch of money and starts buying stuff that he thinks is classy, but is actually really trashy.

Oh, and it's time to face the music and so on.

Apparently the contestants from each category will perform one after the other, which means all four contestants from the Boys will go first. Astro is up next, and it looks like we're supposed to drop the whole Brian Bradley thing and use his nickname from now on.

The lights and giant screens on this stage are absurd. Why bother with the group of dancers? You can barely see them. Oh, right, Astro's performing. Yeah, he's pretty good. He does his version of "Jump." The kid is flashy enough that he might actually have a chance, despite being a rapper in a singing competition.

Nicole loves it, Paula says "this is what you'll be doing for the rest of your life." Simon tells Astro that he "just killed everyone," and L.A. asks his fellow mentors if they have anything that can compare. "I do," responds Simon. Maybe.

And by the way, while each judge gives their feedback, their faces appear on those 50-foot-tall screens. They look like the judgement scene on Krypton in "Superman."

Chris Rene is up next, doing his version of "Love Don't Live Here Anymore." It's definitely a change of pace from Astro's high-octane performance, so it feels a little weak. His voice breaks on him a little at the beginning. It's a decent performance, but Chris just doesn't have a wow factor like some of the other contestants have. Can't quite put my finger on it. I'm rooting for him nonetheless, though, as I'm sure many others are.

Nicole thought it wasn't the best song choice, but she doesn't pin that on Chris. Paula calls him "honest" and "genuine," and Simon says that while he isn't the best singer in the competition (truth), he is the "best recording artist." Interesting point. I think that's putting into words what I've been feeling about this guy thus far.

Phillip Lomax is up next, and the big question is whether or not his jazzy, crooning style will translate and allow him to move on in a pop-dominated competition.

Oh god. They gave him "I'm a Believer." Listen, I don't really have anything against The Monkees, but there's so much going on between all the dancers and the too-loud backing track that you can barely even hear Phillip. It's so opposite to his style and who he is as a singer that it's a mess.

Nicole credits him for being charming and confident, and Paula says he's great at connecting with an audience. Simon, bless his heart, tells it like it is: he credits Phillip for his talent but says that it's like he was "a race car driver and L.A. gave you a tractor." He calls the song choice "cheap," "cabaret" and "throw-away." Agreed.

The response from L.A. explains his intent: "You stepped outside of your comfort zone, you were no longer imitating Frank Sinatra." That's a good idea on L.A.'s part, but I'm not sure about the execution. Even if you're hell-bent on using that song, at least make sure we can hear the vocalist over the track.

Last up for the boys is Marcus Canty, who is apparently going to be singing "Do You Really Want to Hurt Me." I can't wait to hear what Simon has to say about this choice.

To L.A.'s credit, though, the arrangement plays out a little Usher-y, which allows Marcus to shimmy around and add in some vocal embellishments.

"You just make it look too easy," says Nicole. Paula says she gets nervous at how Marcus looks at the audience and connects. Simon, surprisingly, calls it a "brilliant song choice." Go figure. I guess L.A. gets points for thinking outside of the box.

The cuts, it seems, are going to happen right now. Nice, I much prefer this to waiting until the end of the show and doing them all in one swoop. Gives the show some levels. L.A. puts Astro through first, then follows up with Marcus. L.A. pretends that this is difficult for him and he hasn't already made his decision. "This is really hard," he keeps saying, but then quickly and without much build-up, says that Chris is the third one through.

That means Phillip will be going home, which isn't a huge surprise. You gotta feel for the guy, though, considering that train wreck of a song he was given. Hopefully the kid gets a record deal from whoever signed Michael Bublé and he can keep on crooning.

Eliminated: Phillip Lomax

Steve says they're "tracking every single Tweet," which sounds ridiculous but sure enough there's a counter up on the screen showing how many people are Tweeting with the #xfactor hashtag.

Groups are up next, and the Stereo Hogzz, who may be the favorite in the category, are up first. They're all looking pretty spiffy in their suits with varying degrees of formality (the lead guy has no sleeves) and their choreography is solid as usual. They do a great performance of "Try a Little Tenderness," with some modern flair.

Nicole loves it, Simon loves it and even manages to give Paula a compliment, saying that there's nothing like them on the charts right now, but there should be.

The Brewer Boys are up next, and their clip package shows that Paula has been trying to get them to connect with the audience. We'll see if they do.

So they start off with "Rich Girl" and then transition into "Faith," and then awkwardly transition back into "Rich Girl." Props to the boys for playing instruments and whatnot.

L.A. says they were good, but they seemed a little outside of their comfort zone. Nicole says she'd have them all over her wall. Simon says it "didn't shine" and the choreography was "a little throw-away." Paula gives them some positive reinforcement, but it's not looking great for the guys thus far.

Paula awkwardly introduces InTENsity, who will be performing next. The big question here will be whether they continue to be a big clusterf**k with their way too many members.

Yep. They do a good job with "Footloose," but there's just sooooo many of them. They still get good feedback from the judges, especially from Simon who calls them "the next young Glee." Here's the problem with that, though: "Glee" is successful on the charts because it's a TV show. A group of ten random kids who sing together don't have the same appeal or fan base.

Lakoda Rayne, who is up next, has the advantage of being four hot girls. They come out with "Come On Eileen," and I have flashbacks to every time I've ever been to a karaoke bar. They have a certain country-girl appeal, their harmonies sound pretty good, and of course they're all gorgeous... but they're still just a bit disconnected from each other.

Still, the judges have nothing but positive things to say about them, and they should be safe despite the one girl's awful sequined pants.

Paula's already crying and the cuts haven't even happened yet. Prepare yourself for the waterworks. Paula names The Stereo Hogzz first, no surprise there, and also a no-brainer is Lakoda Rayne, who is also going through. It's down to the children, and Paula decides to send InTENsity through. That means the Brewer Boys go home, and sadly Paula's final words to them get cut short. Looks like the program will be running a bit long tonight.

Eliminated: The Brewer Boys

The Over 30s will go up next... makes sense, saving the crowded Girls category and its two cuts for last. Dexter Haygood will lead things off, and he has a lot to prove. What will be interesting, though, is seeing how he does with a full production.

Hilariously, Dexter does a mash-up between "Womanizer" and "I Kissed a Girl." Yes, that means he's singing Britney Spears and Katy Perry. They really seem to have no idea what to do with this guy. Obviously they refuse to give him anything by James Brown or The Rolling Stones.

Still, Dexter gives it his all and it's a fun, energetic performance. L.A. didn't love the song choice, and Simon felt weird about it too. "It's like the weirdest milkshake in the world," says Simon. Nicole is just happy he remembered his lyrics. Dexter keeps yelling "AND I LIKED IT" into his mic. Dude's off his rocker, and I like it.

LeRoy Bell is up next, the oldest contestant in the competition. Given the entire history of music, Nicole chose "Nobody Knows" by Pink for LeRoy to sing. Of course, he's great, so it doesn't much matter.

L.A. immediately says "I would have given you a better song," but wonders why he isn't a star already. Paula calls his voice "velvet." Simon acknowledges LeRoy's talent, but notes a lack of confidence and some awkwardness. It'll be tough for LeRoy, considering he has to compete with Stacey and Josh.

Speaking of which, Stacey Francis is up next, decked out in some shiny shiny pants and a coat made out of plumage. She sings "One More Try" by George Michael very well, and Nicole is immediately in tears.

L.A. approved of this song choice, and is happy that Stacey isn't crying. Give it time, man. Paula loved it, but Simon didn't love the song or her outfit, and says she's a wonderful church singer and should be focusing on that. "I wanna be a pop star, Simon," says Stacey, and we might have gotten some interesting back and forth if Steve hadn't cut it off.

Josh Krajcik is up next, and they keep talking about his Chipotle job. Man, if you're going to work at any burrito place, that's the one to go with. Delicious.

Josh is doing a version of "Forever Young" that is even slower than the original. But I like it: he stands alone on stage with the silhouettes of two dancers behind him, and takes his time as we enjoy his amazing tone and the intricacies of his voice. This guy is special.

Simon says "you are the artist I fear." Sure enough, if Simon has to worry about anyone beating the sublime Drew Ryniewicz, it's Josh. Nicole calls it "soul-stirring." Paula and L.A. agree that he has one of the best voices they've ever heard.

Time for cuts! This will be interesting... it seems that it's pretty clearly going to be between LeRoy and Dexter. Dare Nicole send Dexter back to homelessness? She sends Stacey through first and Josh right behind her, while Steve desperately tries to move things along ("I need a name"). Finally, she sends LeRoy through, which means Dexter has to go home. Thanks to time constraints, Nicole doesn't get to give him any parting words. That's probably a good thing.

Eliminated: Dexter Haygood