Next to Fifth Harmony, Emblem3 was the other act I was rooting for on the second season of The X Factor. Sure Drew Chadwick aka the broad shouldered one was beyond douchey with his assortment of tank tops and gratuitous flexing, but there was something appealing about the three of them. Keaton Stromberg’s Tourette’s-looking dance moves were adorable and older bro Wesley was just cute period. Given their appeal to the tween demo, not surprisingly Simon Cowell signed them immediately. The Brit knows he has a cash cow when he sees one.

The Huntington Beach trio debuted their first single during On-Air with Ryan Seacrest. “Chloe (You’re The One That I Want)” is exactly what you’d expect from them. It’s poppy fun and in the vein of Blink 182, LFO, Sum 41 and all those other trio boybands from the early 2000s. The track tells a tale of a girl named Chloe with a really hot sister, but it’s Chloe they pine after and not the one everyone wants. Take a listen below.

listen to the track after the jump

As I’m typing this, my fingers are literally shaking. I want so badly for Fifth Harmony to make it. So much so, I actually voted last night for the first time this season. Here’s hoping my 15 votes made the difference ;)

Speaking of my favorite girls, it’s kinda hilarious Bruno Mars is on deck tonight. After all, it’s because of his sisters that Fifth Harmony had to change their name twice- LYLAS and 1432. Would the Mars family again be responsible for “locking them out of heaven”? Let’s get to the results. BTW. Some teen chick named Bridgit Mendler wearing glittered shorts performed, making me wish T. Swift was here instead ;)

find out who was eliminated

It’s The X Factor Season 2 semifinals and finally the decision is out of the judges’ hands. There’s no singing for survival on tomorrow’s results show and no deliberation by the panel. It’s all about America’s votes. Here’s hoping the public makes the right call.

Each act performed two songs a piece. One of their choice and the other chosen by their mentor. Personally, I thought the contestants collectively fared better when the decision was in their hands. I don’t feel any of their mentors did them any favors and in Simon’s case, I thought he hindered more than assisted. Check out all the performances below.

check out this week’s performances after the jump

This week’s X Factor results episode was brought to you by Sony X Headphones. As if the Pepsi sponsorship wasn’t in your face enough, Simon Cowell is now pimping out Sony products. He even forced asked the Top 6 to praise the superior quality of the headphones which apparently he had a hand in their development evolution. Yay, right. That said, they do look pretty sexy and I want a pair. Simon, I expect my pair in the mail before Christmas.

On deck as filler for the episode were reigning X Factor champion Melanie Amaro and trash-pop innovator Ke$ha. I have to give Amaro credit. She really sold “Long Distance” with her live performance. I enjoyed it much more this time than the first time I heard it. Girlfriend was working that long side blond pony like her rent was due. To be honest, it is due. Melanie needs a hit stat. Otherwise, she might find herself back in Sunrise, Florida working on that island accent of hers *wink*.

Ke$ha performed “C’mon” from her Warrior album. Accompanying her were a quartet of crop-wearing male dancers wearing tiger heads. God love Ke$ha. Personally, I like “Die Young” better, but I’m sure “C’mon” will grow on me as with many of her songs. Note to production: They might want to check the pedestal Ke$ha was performing on for STDs. Girl was writhing on it like nobody’s business. I’m sure a drop or two of her juices leaked out. LOL. As expected, glittered confetti came fluttering down midway through her number. Without further ado, let’s get to the eliminations.

find out the results after the jump

Only six remain in the running for that huge $5 million contract. Who will be this season’s Melanie Amaro? Hopefully none of them, because I’m sure they want to sell downloads. ZING. Speaking of which, the Season 1 singer will be performing on the results show to drop her new single, “Long Distance“.

For the first time this season, the X Factor contestants were required to perform two tracks. The first being an unplugged one and the second chosen by the public via the Pepsi Challenge. From song choice to stage production to outfits, X Factor fans had a say. Surprisingly, all performed solidly tonight. No real trainwrecks.

The night proved so successful, Simon announced that next week was going to be another week where viewers picked the songs. Truth be told, even the judges admitted the public did better with song selections than themselves. Check out this week’s performances below and see if you agree Cowell’s thoughts.

check out this week’s performances after the jump

Tonight’s X Factor results recap is going to be extremely short. I have an event to go to tonight and have to leave the second the show is over. Trying to primp and get dressed in between commercials is kinda hilarious. This is ONE time I’m thankful for the show’s overabundance of ads.

On deck tonight for guest performances were X Factor Season 1 runner-up Josh Krajcik and R&B superstar Alicia Keys. That woman is scorching hot. Fittingly enough, she sang her catchy “Girl on Fire“. She tore it down during her performance. It was so effortless yet powerful. The more I listen to the track, the more I LOVE it. I enjoy belting out the chorus no matter how tone deaf I am. Krajcik on his part sang “One Thing She’ll Never Know” off his new EP. I forgot how rich and strong his voice is. Vino Alan wishes he could sing this well. Now on to the results.

find out the results after the jump

Let me preface this by saying I wasn’t drinking or smoking anything while watching The X Factor this week. Some of our regular readers know I’ve been hard on the contestants and on production. But dare I say it… I actually really enjoyed this week’s performances. For the most part, they were entertaining to watch. Unlike last week’s Thanksgiving show, tonight wasn’t filled with all ballads.

Even more shocking, one contestant whom I’ve been hard on, won me over with a spectacular performance. Who knew she had it in her? Find out who below. On a side note, props to Britney Spears’ team this week. Brit looked gorgeous tonight. She definitely stepped up her game to debut her new music video with will.i.am.

check out this week’s performances after the jump

The sporting gods certainly don’t love Simon Cowell, do they? First, the World Series preempted The X Factor a couple of times, and now the NFL pushed tonight’s results show by almost twenty minutes. Side note. I wonder what genius over at FOX decided it was a great idea to hold a LIVE results show while families across the land were having Thanksgiving dinner? Is it me or does it seem like FOX has given up on the show?

Before I get to the results, can we chat briefly about the hosts? Khloe Kardashian has certainly received a lot of negative criticism, but how do we feel about Mario Lopez? While Kardashian mispronounced Cher Lloyd’s name last night to Cheryl Lloyd, Lopez called Carly Rose, Carly Rose “Sonenblerg” on tonight’s show. And he does hosting for a living. With four weeks in, I pose this question to you. Are Khloe and Mario better than Steve Jones or are you missing the British host? Be sure to leave your comments below.

Before the results, the Top 10 performed “Fix You” by Coldplay with a choir from Bancroft Middle School. X Factor teamed up with Best Buy to give the inner Los Angeles school a technology makeover. Later in the show UK X Factor alum Cheryl Lloyd performed “Oath” with Becky G. I have to say, Lloyd is so much better with her live performances then her time competing on the show. On to the results…

check out the performances and find out this week’s rankings below