X-factoring pop idolatry into the equation, Peter Kay’s ‘Britain’s Got the Pop Factor and Possibly a New Celebrity Jesus Christ Soapstar Superstar Strictly on Ice’ is a hilarious, heavily sugared parody of reality pop show, X-Factor. From the credits right down to the key-changes, Kay’s Pop Factor is delivered with the style and precision of the show it so accurately apes. Watched by an audience of almost 6m earning Channel 4 its largest audience at the tail end of 2008, this DVD arrives in plenty of time before 2009’s X-Factor winner consumes the Christmas number 1 spot.
Kay’s ability to attract stars seems boundless, not only pulling in Neil Fox, Nicki Chapman and Pete Waterman to effortlessly overact as the judges, but also Paul McCartney, Stella McCartney, Rick Astley and Rustie Lee. Yes, OK – the pecking order falls off a little there, but nevertheless Astley and Lee throw in solid performances to nostalgic effect. The show (split into two segments – the results and the finals, all ably presented by the stunning Cat Deeley) succeeds mostly by appealing to different age groups. The 30-somethings who, like me, despise X-Factor will appreciate the kitsch additions of children’s stars from the ‘80s along with the genre mocking, and though younger audiences may not get these deft comic, cultural references, it’s the accurate competitor portraits that will sweep them along.
The young, northern R Wayne has less in common with R Kelly, and more with the the comic character Oor Wullie; 2 up 2 down features the singing talents of two couples – who each have a wheelchair bound partner; and then there’s Geraldine. Played by Kay, Geraldine is post-op, piano-playing Irish transsexual Gerald. Sounds preposterous? It is. And that’s precisely why it works so well.
Charting the adventures of all three artists, ‘Britain’s Got the Pop Factor and Possibly a New Celebrity Jesus Christ Soapstar Superstar Strictly on Ice’ is an enjoyable 120 minutes of entertainment. Extras include a ‘Where are they now?’ feature that links nicely with some of the contestants who didn’t quite make the cut. Could X-Factor have to battle Geraldine for this year’s Christmas number 1? Don’t bet against it.