TV show construction

Jay James sings Say Something by A Great Big World - X-Factor audition week 1

The X-Factor is an example of how the media is constructed to entertain the audience and to appeal to and influence the audience in different ways. This video shows how the editors of the X-Factor have selected certain individuals to show to the public/audience, they have obviously shown Jay James because of his looks - he will be seen as attractive to some of the audience - and because of his back story. The reason that these factors make a difference in who gets shown or not is that, the more appealing the persons looks or the sadder the 'sob story' the more entertaining it is for the audience who are watching it at home. The camera people have also made his story more effective by showing shots of the family watching him on the screen, to add a more emotional aspect to the performance.

Sam Bailey sings Listen by Beyonce - X-Factor audition week 1

The audition of Sam Bailey is also an example of how the editors of X-Factor have constructed the programme as when she is singing, the camera people show shots of the judges faces, of her partner watching her from backstage on the screen and also of some of the other contestants turning to face the screen after hearing the sound of her singing voice. This constructs the show for the audience so the know how good she evidently is and how much of a surprise she has taken the others - both on the judge panel and in the audition waiting room - this has in addition added an emotional aspect to this performance as well and tries to affect the audience sitting at home by showing that not only is her job something you would't expect someone with a voice like hers to have but also to give her a sob story as well.