Simon Cowell’s given The X Factor a dramatic makeover, but not all fans are on board with the changes.
In particular, the new Prize Fight segment – brought in to replace the Sing Offs of old – has fans both baffled and bored.
Where once the results show revolved around the contestants with the lowest votes, the new format pulls the attention to those who did the best.
The all new Prize Fight round sees the two top acts from each night, perform their original songs for the judges, with the winner landing an extra prize.
This weekend saw Grace Davies come top on Saturday night, with Rak-Su winning Sunday – sending the two acts head to head to compete in the first Prize Fight, with a masterclass with P!nk as the prize.
After another viewer vote, Grace came out on top, and will head to New York to see the iconic pop star in concert, and attend a private masterclass with her.
Meanwhile, instead of getting to sing for their life, the lowest vote getters from each night were simply – and somewhat abruptly – sent home.
Saturday night saw Spencer Sutherland eliminated, while Sunday was a farewell for wildcard entrant Talia Dean.
While some of the show’s new elements have met with approval – including the full action being spread across two nights, in place of a performance night followed by a comparatively dour results show – the Prize Fight did not go down well.
“What is this prize fight nonsense? Surely no one cares? #Xfactor,” one viewer tweeted, while another pointed out that it made the judges almost redundant: “I think #Xfactor should rethink this prize fight thing and bring back bottom 2. It makes no sense, the judges don’t do a thing.”
Read more: Simon Cowell “unlikely” to be back for X Factor live show after doctor’s advice
Some complained of having to hear the same song again: “#PrizeFight @TheXFactor They should definitely have to sing a different song. You can learn an extra song in a week,” said one fan. “I am loling that no one @TheXFactor thought about learning two different songs for the pointless ‘prize fight,'” said another.
Others pointed out that the prize itself may not be that well timed: “Seems a bit weird voting for who wins the Prize Fight to see Pink 😯 Would have thought they would be too busy to go on holiday? 😂 #XFactor,” tweeted one fan.
To top it all off, there were some users concerned that each week would simply be a repeat performance: “Also, unless the girls/groups perform on the same night, what’s stopping it from being a Grace/Rak-Su top two every week? #XFactor”