Simon Cowell was not kidding about major changes coming to The X Factor.
With Steve Jones officially out as host - the Brit Tweeted the news himself - new reports indicate that neither Paula Abdul nor Nicole Scherzinger will return for season two.
"At this point, the only ones staying are Simon and L.A. Reid," an insider tells E! News. "Simon wants to take the show in a different direction."
We can only hope that direction involves fewer contrived fights between judges and more of a focus on the singers themselves.
Producer Nigel Lythgoe was apparently taken aback by this development, Tweeting late last night: "Shocked to see Simon has fired Paula Abdul, Nicole and Steve from the X-Factor."
The X Factor was far from a ratings disaster for Fox, averaging over 12 million viewers per week and regularly winning its time slot in the key demographic of 18-49-year olds. But Cowell had predicted 20 million households and instant competition for American Idol from the outset, lofty standards that he never came close to meeting.
Who might Cowell now recruit to help him compete with the other Fox singing juggernaut? Mariah Carey has been a rumored replacement for weeks and would certainly brings attention to the competition.
February 5th, 2012 4:15 PM
I thought nicole was very good and very sexy ,and 9 out of real men was only watching that show just to see her
February 2nd, 2012 7:02 PM
I am glad you got ride of Nicole and Steve they were both horrible...I wish you would have kept Paula though....You and her work well together....L.A needs to go though or he needs to judge fairly and not pick favorites.....But since you did get rid of Paula :( then I think Mariah would be a great choice for her replacement.
January 31st, 2012 11:28 PM
X Factor Judges Steve Jones, Paula Abdul and Nicole Scherzinger OUT of Season 2, reason leaked here: http://is.gd/XwGjvX
January 31st, 2012 7:21 PM
ALL I CAN SAY IS THANKY YOU, THANK YOU SIMON FOR FIRING THOSE 2 BIMBOS...... I ALWAYS LOVED YOU, BECAUSE OF YOUR HONESTY AND KNOWING WHEN YOU HAVE MADE MISTAKES....IN YOUR HEART, YOU KNEW THIS WAS NOT GOING TO WORK OUT, AND I GIVE YOU LOTS OF CREDIT.....NICOLE WAS SUCH A PHONY ON THIS SHOW, AND FUTHERMORE, NO ONE LIKED HER...PAULA ABDUL WILL ALWAYS BE PAULA.....SHE NEVER CHANGES...ALWAYS SOOOOO NICE AND KIND TO THE CONTESTANTS, AND TO ME SHE IS THE PHONIEST OF THE BUNCH...
January 31st, 2012 7:20 PM
ALL I CAN SAY IS THANKY YOU, THANK YOU SIMON FOR FIRING THOSE 2 BIMBOS...... I ALWAYS LOVED YOU, BECAUSE OF YOUR HONESTY AND KNOWING WHEN YOU HAVE MADE MISTAKES....IN YOUR HEART, YOU KNEW THIS WAS NOT GOING TO WORK OUT, AND I GIVE YOU LOTS OF CREDIT.....NICOLE WAS SUCH A PHONY ON THIS SHOW, AND FUTHERMORE, NO ONE LIKED HER...PAULA ABDUL WILL ALWAYS BE PAULA.....SHE NEVER CHANGES...ALWAYS SOOOOO NICE AND KIND TO THE CONTESTANTS, AND TO ME SHE IS THE PHONIEST OF THE BUNCH...I'M NOT SAYING SHE'S NOT A NICE LADY, BUT COME ON, SHE WAS TOO DAMN MUCH WITH THE COMPLIMENTS CONSTANTLY, IT GOT ME SICK..... AS FOR L.A.REID, I STILL THINK HE IS A VERY BIAS MAN, BUT EVENTUALLY SIMON, YOU'LL READ RIGHT THRU HIM AND HE MIGHT BE EXITING SOON ALSO....HERE'S HOPING MARIAH CAREY, OR SOMEONE WITH REAL TALENT GETS TO JUDGE ALONG YOU AND L.A......
January 31st, 2012 7:04 PM
Hello Mr.Simon Cowell,This is Michael Jo,Have a great new year
I have always had this opinion of you~ You have been a straight up
guy,who tells it like it really is.I like that quality in People.
That quality makes talent even better.Hope to meet you one day.
Best Regards always,
Michael Jo~ Music of God,Peace and Love,and togetherness
P.S working on coming out to perform my songs in a few months.Wish me Luck.God Bless you and your family(:
January 31st, 2012 4:22 PM
I think Simon made a mistake getting rid of Paula
January 31st, 2012 2:46 PM
i think paul should stay with simon and the other 3 can go no paula no me!
January 31st, 2012 2:40 PM
Hmmm, I didn't mind Steve Jones and I liked Paula... I thought Nicole and LA should be out. LA showed favouritism (should be same rules for everyone). Maybe Simon should replace everyone then.
January 31st, 2012 2:34 PM
"OUT"..,,,,,..Steve, Nicole, Paula.....AND ME!!