The X Factor recap: Simon Cowell and Demi Lovato pick their teams

Can a leopard, or rather a leopard-faced woman, change its spots?

I guess were going to find out, because CeCe Frey grabbed a spot on Demi Lovatos X Factor team that I think should have been Jillian Jensens.

I suppose I should have seen it coming when we saw a clip of Jillian telling roomie Jennel Garcia she didnt picture either of them going home. Displays of contestant confidence are usually a kiss of death.

And so Jillian was dispatched, sobbing uncontrollably, first on Lovato, then on Jennel, then on fellow reject Nick Youngerman. And were left with CeCe, she of the spotted face and the CeCe thunder, who has stuck in my craw since her first audition and whom even Lovato has admitted can be unlikeable.

Ugh.

Tuesdays episode was a makeup for a show cut short by a late baseball game last week.

We had already watched Britney Spears and L.A. Reid pick their teams and were reminded of their choices off the top: Carly Rose Sonenclar, Beatrice Miller, Arin Ray and Diamond White for Spears and the teens; David Correy, Jason Brock, Tate Stevens and Vino Alan for Reid and the over-25s.

Then it was Lovatos turn to finish her picks for the young adult team, with Jennel and country singer Willie Jones already in the bag.

Nick Youngerman was next to learn his fate, but there was no suspense here. No offence, but the guys a novelty act, which Lovato reinforced when the best compliments she could muster were that Nick was fun to watch and could light up a room.

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Single mom Paige Thomas was just about the saddest successful contestant weve seen.

Lovato could barely get her fakeout lines out, Paige was blubbering so much.

I have no doubt that whatever the future holds, youre going to continue to be a wonderful mother, said Lovato, after Paige protested that shed been balancing the nerves of a regular contestant with motherhood. The question is, is this the right journey for you?

After a couple of excruciating pauses, a! s tears dripped off Paiges nose and chin, Lovato finally told us what we already knew: that Paige had made her team of four.

Then it was down to Jillian and CeCe: Jillian, the bullying victim who seemed more confident; CeCe, the arrogant button pusher who seemed more humble.

As far as I could tell, Jillian sang circles around CeCe in her final audition, but Lovato said this competition is based on more than just incredible vocals and that was it for Jillian.

CeCe was told shed gone a little overboard with Lovatos advice to tone down her unlikeability, but then she got rewarded with a spot in Lovatos final four. Go figure.

I still say covers of Sexy and I Know It should be saved for party tricks not for talent competitions, particularly talent competitions giving away $5 million.

Now it was Simon Cowells turn to choose his four groups.

Newsflash: Lyric 145 were the first to get through, duh.

Also unsurprising: Dope Crisis did not make the live shows; Emblem3 did.

Sure, Cowell gave them a hard time about their missed cue during their judges house performance, to the point that the fellows were begging for another chance, but as he pointed out later, theyre funny, difficult, trouble, but everything I like in a boy band.

I had to laugh when Drew Chadwick, the guy who likes to take his shirt off, told Cowell after his fakeout, Dude, youre making me grow old too fast. I swear every single time I get another chest hair.

Sister C was another easy yes.

Then it was down to manufactured girl group LYLAS or manufactured boy group Playback. Ill admit I initially thought LYLAS members were too individual to be a convincing group, but they have a better sound than the slightly cheesy Playback.

Cowell said he was very impressed with the girls vocals, so they snagged the final spot.

CTV Two has an episode scheduled Wednesday at 8 p.m., a recap of Bootcamp Part 1. The show returns to CTV Two next Wednesday at 8 p.m.

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