The fifth week of X Factor 2008 live shows aired tonight here in the UK. Check out my 2 Pence on the Mariah Carey themed week below:

{For those unfamiliar with the show; The X Factor is the UK’s version of American Idol – with a twist in that groups and over 25’s are eligible to enter. The show also birthed the career of a certain Leona Lewis}

Undeniably the ‘shocker’ episode of the series thus far, tonight saw the ousting of favourite (and one of my personal favourites) Laura White over the far less talented Ruth. A damn shame.

Anyway, Mariah herself was in the building, mentoring the contestants as well as performing twice. You can check out her performances of ‘I Stay In Love’ and ‘Hero’ (with the remaining finalists) below as well as that of standout contestant Alexandra Burke:

Mariah – I Stay In Love

Mariah – Hero

Alexandra – Without You

Mariah, Mariah, Mariah. What awful performances! Ms. Cannon looked so lost up there when miming through ‘I Stay In Love’ and her live rendition of ‘Hero’ which reminded one of how much her voice is a shadow of a shadow of what it once was. What’s more, she was stiffer than stiff; yes, she’s no ‘mover’ but come on now. I’m sitting here scratching my head wondering why she seemed to be full of personality during the interview segments, yet – with her years of being a performer – offered such a dry and lifeless showing. If she doesn’t fix whatever is wrong with her or simply sit down soon, she will be tarnishing what was a remarkably successful career with such crappy performances (which she seems to have a knack for giving these days). Rant over lol.

On a more positive note, Alexadra nailed it once again – showing in the process why she must win this show!

Your thoughts?

T.I.’s video for Rihanna assisted single ‘Live Your Life’ premiered on BET’s Access Granted literally within the hour. Epic, cinematic and befitting, the vid really is a winner. I must say I’ve been liking the song a whole lot more as of late; something the video, I’m sure, will ensure continues.

Tidbit: While Rihanna did look damn near flaw-less (she really is a stunner), she still moves oh-so-stiffly. Just thinking out aloud…

What do you think of the video?

{Content Removed As Requested}

Terrible. This basically sums up 2007 MTV Video Music Awards. I was already sceptical about the show considering the so-so line-up of performers, but it was a complete mess.

Setting the tone for the night was opener Britney Spears. With all that’s gone on, I was hoping she’d silence the naysayers, but this was a complete and utter and trainwreck. A combination of poor lipsyching, stiff choreography and an outfit that revealed her out of shape body, Britney’s performance will no doubt have many saying her career is over. It will be if she doesn’t find a way to redeem herself from that mess.

Most of the night’s other performers offered little of interest. Although I must give Rihanna props for doing her thing during Chris Brown’s so-so performance and later on during ‘Shut Up & Drive’.

The show wasn’t all bad, though. Alicia Keys’ performance was a standout. She nailed ‘No One’, making me like the song all the more. I wasn’t initially all that hyped for her performance, but she was definitely the highlight of what was a mediocre night (at best).

MTV really need to step it up and the show has been on a downward spiral for years. I was thinking it was all award shows, but the BET Awards this year really showed out – beating this mess hands down. SMH…

What do you think of the performances?