Yeah Nah: The X Factor - do the finalists have it?

Beyond the screams from the teenage girls (and not a few boys) there's a lot of hate being flung at the very idea of The X Factor.

Perhaps it's the idea that talent can somehow lie hidden for years behind the counter at McDonald's, waiting to be recognised, nurtured and feted on the televisual lottery of a reality show.

Perhaps those doing the hating think true stars should do the hard yards gigging for years at clubs and pubs and earning their shot at stardom.

Or is it the old revulsion at another yet celebration of mediocrity masquerading as a talent show?

As with a lot of lazy criticism, I'd wager that The X Factor's harshest detractors haven't sat through a single show with an open mind.

Of course, if the very concept offends them, you wouldn't expect them to. But if they wouldn't know a Benny Tipene, Jackie Thomas, Whenua Patuwai or Moorhouse member if they fell over them in the street, who are they to judge?

Thomas has been the show's darling all along.

From her unexpected indie-cool choice of Skinny Love in the audition to her mostly inspired selections throughout, she's been a class performer.

Faced with losing her at the first hurdle, when she was dropped from the show in Bootcamp before the judges' retreats rounds, producers 'pulled a Simon' and changed the rules so she could be pulled back on board.   (Simon Cowell did the same with Melanie Amaro on the US version and Amaro went on to win. Thomas will be hoping the same happens here.)

Thomas is at her best sticking with an indie vibe - her Lana Del Rey stands out - though her cover of Rihanna's Stay was sublime and her Love Fool was awful.

Until this week, when on Sunday night she found herself unable to sing a rock song (at least she didn't pull out Joan Jett - as if that's  the only rock song women are allowed to attempt), Jackie's had this X Factor thing in the bag. She's such a Kiwi, self-effacing ("Please vote if you didn't think I was totally rubbish") despite obvious talent, a bit of a joker.   But her frankly terrible version of Wonderwall (um, not really a rock song mate) could have done irreparable damage.

Honestly, I'm sure she could have spun her magic on something from the grunge era, but the smart money is on songs the voters (ie teenage girls) will recognise and love.

Benny Tipene, meanwhile, had a barnstorming week. His track Boxes was the best original track on X Factor since Emblem 3 auditioned.

His reworked Sweet Child was wicked. This week he showed he's got the goods to go far, and that Jackie Thomas isn't the only serious contender for this X Factor title.

Either one has the potential to be more than just the next Ben Lummis, Rosita Vai or Matt Saunoa (remember them?)

Which leaves Moorhouse and Whenua.   A quick peek at the artists' Facebook pages reveals Moorhouse have more fans than the others combined.   That should have been a major advantage heading into a final judged on popular vote - but at that final hurdle their army of fans deserted them.

But are they a one-trick pony? Does the world need another boy band?

Moorhouse this week faced the rock challenge, and chose Kings of Leon's Use Somebody. The problem with a boy band doing rock is that rock = loud instruments + charisma. A group of four lead singers and a backing band plays havoc with that equation.

The best thing Moorhouse had going for them, besides their fans, is that perhaps, just perhaps they could offer something uniquely Kiwi on the world stage.

As for Whenua. Crikey he's lucky to be there at Moorhouse's expense.

Good on the big man.

Roll on the final. May the best artist win. And then be a success.