As X-factor enters the final stages of hysteria, two bothers with moronic hairstyles divide the country into three groups: the ‘Love’ group, consisting of fourteen to sixteen year old girls; the ‘Worried’ group, the boy friends of fourteen to sixteen year old girls, and the ‘Recently purchased a Gun’ group. Also known as ‘us’.

 The talent show formula, as ratings will inform us, is ruthlessly effective.  So it is little surprise that the BBC announced it’s to launch its own version. What is surprising is that it will not focus upon glitter-clad dancers nor wanna-be pop stars, but rather the world of modern art. Even more startling is that it is backed (but not presented) by renowned and reclusive art collector and gallery owner Charles Saatchi.

 This broadening of culture is viewed by many as a positive. It makes things more accessible to the general public, leading them to explore new avenues of entertainment and expand their cultural understanding. The danger is, however, that by broadening the spectrum to include vast numbers of people we sacrifice creative integrity, and therefore destroy the purpose of art.

 With regards to the show executive producer Peter Dale said the series would try to ‘demystify’ modern art. To achieve this, the BBC will need to appeal to individuals who feel alienated by art, yet still engage its target audience, art lovers. This is a fine line; become too broad and informed admirers will disregard it, yet become too niche and it will further distance the people it wishes to educate.

 This raises the question: will it give us ‘better’ art? It is arguable that shows like X-factor have damaged the music industry. They claim to give the public control over the charts, yet when was the last time they actually uncovered somebody original?

The constant churn of melodramatic, Trans-Atlantic singing styles stifles any talent that doesn’t conform to this model.

 During an interview for The Observer, Saatchi said ‘Talent is in such short supply that mediocrity can be mistaken for brilliance…[and] genius can go undiscovered.’ If the proposed show does unveil some genuine new talent then it will have served its purpose, regardless of ratings. But the barrage of ‘mediocre’ artists combining with the competitiveness of television will surely create a temperamental mix.

 Having said that, as long as Saatchi doesn’t discover cubist twins with gravity defying fringes, I’m sure as a nation we can cope.