Television: October 2011 Archives

As I blogged last night, The Brewer Boys of Temecula were sent home on Fox reality show "The X Factor," but not without encouragement from their judge/mentor Paula Abdul.

The pair did a mashup of Hall & Oates' "Rich Girl" and George Michael's "Faith" in their acoustic pop way.

They were up against some tough opposition in the groups category. Do you think Paula made the right decision?

Now we're moving on to the next round--Nicole's 30 and older bunch.

Up first is Dexter the homeless man from Memphis is singing Katy Perry's "I Kissed a Girl." That was, um, something. He had me entertained, that's for sure.

SPOILER ALERT AFTER THE JUMP

We're back and Intensity is up next.They were all soloists but made it through as a group.

There are a lot people in this group. They're singing "Footloose" and I'm having flashbacks to my childhood and "KIDS Incorporated."

This means someone in this group will go on to be Fergie.

The choreography worked better for them than The Brewer Boys, but I liked the Brewer Boys more.

L.A. Reid is impressed that the group of soloists turned into a true group.

Nicole calls them her "little pumpkin patch of yummy pumpkins."

Is she trying to out-Abdul Paula?

Simon called it a "music miracle." He called them the new "Glee."

Did anyone pay attention to the first half of the song?

Paula is very proud.

Up next is the other manufactured group, Lakoda Rayne. Apparently they had a tough soundcheck.

Oh no. OH NO. Are they seriously taking on "Come On Eileen," an '80s classic? Where are your denim overalls?

Remember what I said earlier about "KIDS Incorporated"? My new pick is one of these ladies will be Fergie, possibly the one with the sparkly pants.

L.A. is ready to sign them now.

Nicole said they make girl groups look good.

Paula is tearing up.

Simon is ready to sign them, too.

However, only three of the four can make it.

SPOILER ALERT BEHIND THE JUMP

Justin and Nathan Brewer, of Temecula, are up on "The X Factor."

The Brewer Boys have been performing locally for years and now are on the cusp of being one of 12 finalists competing for the public's votes on the reality show.

"These guys are cool with a definitive sound," Paula introduces them.

We see the boys at home in Temecula wine country, with their family and playing with their dogs.

Justin, 17, opens the performance with Hall & Oates' "Rich Girl."

Nathan, 14, comes in and the pair go into George Michael's "Faith" as they're surrounded by dancers.

I am digging the mandolin touches from Nathan.

Now it's time for a hoedown version of "Rich Girl."

I actually like both of these pieces, but don't know if they totally work together. I thought the brothers sounded good.

L.A. Reid thinks they did a good job, but he said Paula pushed them outside of their comfort zone.

"I don't know if I was blown away, but it was very good," he said.

Nicole wants to put the brothers on her wall, like Paula..

Simon thinks they progressed, but wants to remind everyone that it's a $5 million soundtrack. He didn't like the choreography.

Paula thinks they've come a long way and "nailed it" and have a unique sound.

Stereo Hogzz kicks off the group portion of the competition. They compare it to the playoffs.

They're doing "Try A Little Tenderness" with choreography we haven't seen since the likes of Duckie in "Pretty in Pink."

I like the mix of R&B and hip-hop with this version until we get the disco beat at the end.

Paula's doing the seal clap. She likes it.

L.A. Reid likes it. Nicole calls it "foolproof," "current and classic at the same time." Simon Cowell likes it and even compliments Paula. He loves them.

However, Temecula act The Brewer Boys will be next.

And we're back.

Philip Lomax is a crooner who wants to be a pop star. Either way, he's busting out a Frank Sinatra/Jason Mraz fedora in the pre-performance package.

WHAT? A bad karaoke version of Smashmouth's "I'm a Believer" with weird dancers wearing strange skimpy bellhop uniforms?

Philip is picking it up here at the end.

OOH! Confetti cannons! Confetti cannons make everything better.

Nicole said he was "radiating" up there. Paula calls his smile his "golden ticket."

Simon isn't a fan of the song, either and tells L.A. that he "100 percent failed." OH SNAP! I may actually watch this show.

Marcus Canty is back after yet another commercial break.

OMG, this guy with the Bobby Brown voice is doing Culture Club's "Do You Really Want to Hurt Me?" I kind of love this.

Nicole thinks he makes it look too easy and he was born to be on that stage.

Everyone loves him.

L.A. Reid puts Astro, Marcus Canty and Chris Rene through. Philip Lomax is taking his suit and fedora back to Seattle.

So Fox is saying 17 acts will be narrowed to 12 tonight on "The X Factor."

Is it just me or is this announcer a bit over the top and almost a parody?

We see a quick clip of The Brewer Boys, Justin and Nathan, in the intro.

I feel like everything about "The X Factor" graphics takes "American Idol" and takes it to a new level--like the universe flashing by the X logo in the intro.

Each mentor/judge is only allowed to choose three acts to move on to next week's competition where America gets to vote.

At this point I'm wondering if I will ever be able to spell Nicole Scherzinger without triple-checking it first.

We just found out that the winner gets $5 million and a recording contract and a Pepsi commercial.

Also, did Simon Cowell we know from "American Idol" fall into some sort of time warp and become nice? It's disturbing. Looks like L.A. Reid's group--the boys--are up first.

Vanessa here--we are back for some live blogging as we watch what happens with The Brewer Boys from Temecula tonight on "The X Factor."

This is the first time the reality TV competition will show live performances from the 17 contestants left in the game.

Our eyes will be peeled for Nathan and Justin Brewer, a bluegrass-inspired pop duo who have a sweet disposition and even sweeter harmonies.

Tune in with me as I live blog the show on Pacific time tonight from 8-10:30 p.m.

If you want to know more about the duo, check out my interview with Justin and Nathan.

The Brewer Boys, Temecula brothers Justin and Nathan, have made it through to the top 17 on "The X Factor."

The music competition announced its top picks of who will perform in the live rounds and the brothers were selected by judge/mentor Paula Abdul.

The pair has been playing around Temecula for a while with its bluegrass/pop sound.

Up next, The Brewer Boys will perform on the live broadcasts of the show, where they are competing to become music stars and for a chance at $5 million.

Their original audition had them doing Old Crow Medicine Show's "Wagon Wheel," which is a fantastic song. You can learn a little more about the Brewer brothers in this clip.

The next show is Tuesday, Oct. 25 at 8 p.m.

If you've been watching "The X Factor," you might have seen two local contestants make it through to the next round.

They are Temecula brothers Nathan and Justin Brewer, who have been performing their bluegrass-inspired music around Temecula for a while now.

Justin is 17 and Nathan is 13 and the pair made it through to the final 32 acts of the new musical reality competition. They are being mentored by Paula Abdul, one of the show's judges.

The pair also competed on "Can You Duet" in Nashville in 2008.

Here's a story that freelancer Peter Fischetti wrote about them in April of this year.

If you are looking to lend some local support, Spelly's Pub and Grille at 40675 Murrieta Hot Springs Road in Murrieta has been a gathering place for those who want to watch the show and rally around The Brewer Boys.

The brothers will be on TV again at 8 p.m. Thursday for the new episode.