Simon Cowell talks 'X Factor' Season 2 changes from Britney to Demi
What do Britney, Demi and the lack of host mean for the FOX series?
Are you a fan of The X Factor?
Sign up to get the latest updates instantly.
One year ago, I sat down to talk with Simon Cowell about the long process of bringing "The X Factor" to the United States and how excited he was to have viewers finally see his vision.
A year later, "The X Factor" is starting its second season, but it might as well be a new series. Judges and mentors Nicole Scherzinger and Paula Abdul are gone, replaced by Britney Spears and Demi Lovato. Host Steve Jones is gone and he has yet to be replaced.
So this weekend, I interviewed Cowell about what is effectively being launched as a new show on Wednesday (September 12) night.
Always the consummate pitchman -- Cowell is even putting his "X Factor" muscle behind a newly released set of Sony/Syco headphones, not coincidentally called X Headphones -- the "American Idol" favorite is optimistic about the new energy contributed by Spears and Lovato, as well as the storytelling potential introduced by the absence of hosts for the first chunk of the season.
Watch the video to hear when Cowell knew "X Factor" would require a reboot, as well as his explanation for the host-less format.
And check back tonight for my live-blog of the season premiere.
A long-time member of the TCA Board and a longer-time blogger of "American Idol," Dan Fienberg writes about TV, except for when he writes about movies or sometimes writes about the Red Sox. But never music. He would sound stupid talking about music.
Trending Now on HitFix Boards
| Topic | Started By | Latest Post | Replies |
|---|---|---|---|
| LianeBonin |
25 days ago
|
2
|
|
| LianeBonin |
10 months ago
|
3
|
|
| Discuss Reality TV on HitFix Message Boards » | |||
News From Our Partners
-
Crosstalk: How does Chris Brown get away with it?
For Our Consideration: What do we mean when we call music pretentious?
Interview: Michael Cera on the evolution of George Michael Bluth and working in Arrested Development’s writers’ room
-
'Bates Motel' Season 2: Will Norman Go Full 'Psycho?'
FX's 'The Strain' Taps 'Alias' Star Mia Maestro as Female Lead
FX's 'Tyrant': Ang Lee Drops out of Directing the Pilot, Cites 'Life of Pi' Exhaustion
-
What to Watch Tonight: SYTYCD, Awkward., and the Finales of Grimm, The Game, and DWTS
What to Watch Tonight: The Season Finales of Rectify and Hawaii Five-0 and the Series Premieres of The Goodwin Games and Motive
Mad Men "The Crash" Review: Uppers Give You Wings!
-
Heather Wagner: 'Hot In Orange County'
John Barrowman's Surprising New Role
WATCH: How A Frog Transformed Kerry Washington's Thinking
-
Ranking the Blockbusters with Summer Movie Scorecard 2013
RT on DVD & Blu-Ray: The Last Stand and Side Effects
Box Office Guru Wrapup: Star Trek Softer Than Expected at #1
-
'Star Trek Into Darkness' Takes Box-Office Crown With $84 Million
'Arrested Development' Gang: Where Are They Now?
'Star Trek Into Darkness': What's Next For J.J. Abrams And The Cast?
-
'The Voice' Live Round Recap: The Top 10 Perform
Beyonce Is a 'Grown Woman' in Leaked Track
Ultra Music Festival Dates Announced, Tickets Go on Sale May 21
-
The Telefile - Veep: The Episode's Best Insults
The Telefile - Saturday Night Live: Straight Outta 8H
The Telefile - Game of Thrones: Our Weekly Westeros Scorecard
Latest Posts
-
Something seems to be wrong with Norman BatesTuesday, May 21, 2013
-
Dan and Alan talk 'Goodwin Games,' 'Motive,' 'Behind the Candelabra' and moreMonday, May 20, 2013
-
Would Nikita kill the President or not?Saturday, May 18, 2013
-
Dan and Alan talk upfronts, reality and 'The Office' finaleFriday, May 17, 2013
Recent Activity on Facebook
Most Popular on Facebook
Top Stories From Around the Web
Comments
Option 1
Comment instantly as a guest GuestOption 2
Option 3
Login or create a HitFix account Login Signupdave1279
September 12, 2012 at 5:42PM EST Reply to CommentGreat interview! I didn't realize there wasn't going to be a host. Not totally sure i buy that it's somehow going to be much different this year.
dan Dave - There's gonna be a host for the live show. In fact, there are going to be two hosts. But generally these shows have hosts in the audition episodes to greet people backstage and whatnot. And apparently that's not happening here...
September 12, 2012 at 5:54PM EST-Daniel
September 12, 2012 at 6:01PM ESTsauloccl "Greet people backstage and whatnot"
September 12, 2012 at 6:40PM ESTSometimes I honestly think that the host is there only to praise the judges with compliments I'm not sure they deserve to hear so many times. After all, Carson Daly (who I actually think is a little better than the show where he is in) says 20 times during an episode of The Voice things like "give it up for your superstar coaches", "n-time Grammy winner", "vocal prodigy" or "four of the biggest names in music".
Let's see how and if "The X Factor" will work without a host. But it sounds really promising. At least they're trying to differentiate their show from other singing competitions shows (by becoming some kind of Big Brother). Plus: nothing can be worse than Steve Jobs hosting the episode where Rachel Crow got voted off, right?
http://i.imgur.com/4Nkuy.gif