The X-Factor USA - The puzzle begins to take shape

By Jason Wright (Entertainment Expert)

WHEN Fox announced it was to bring The X Factor to USA for 2011, it sparked several theories as to how it would take shape.  Now with less than four months before its planned launch, everything is now starting to take shape.

     Simon Cowell, the brainchild of the format, will obviously have a feature role, having quit American Idol and scaled down his involvement on Britain’s Got Talent and Britain’s X-Factor to take part.  On Thursday, the worst kept secret in showbiz was finally let out; Cheryl Cole is to join the show.  This has obviously got America talking as they have never heard of her and her strong Newcastle accent will perhaps be difficult to understand with some.

     However, getting Cheryl a place on the show has always been Simon’s ambition.  Since Cheryl began working on the UK show in 2008, it’s clear that Cowell has taken a shine to her.  It is now likely that Cole will not return to the UK series for this year.  Many will certainly miss her for the massive emphasis she has placed in the competition though some will be glad to see the back of her, blaming her for causing most of the farce that affected last year’s series.

     Simon and Cheryl are expected to be joined on the panel by former American Idol judge Paula Abdul and music producer Antonio ‘L.A.’ Reid, who is well known in America.  Despite the rumours, there is no place on the panel for Pussycat Doll singer Nicole Scherzinger, but she has landed an even better role.

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     Yesterday, it was formally announced that Scherzinger will co-host the show alongside former T4 host Steve Jones, landing his first US job.  They managed to beat off stiff competition from obvious candidates of UK presenter Dermot O’Leary and the American Idol host Ryan Seacreast.  This is certainly a bold and surprising choice made by Cowell but given that Jones has become a well-liked presenter and Scherzinger is a great US role model, this pairing might just work.

     So what will this mean for the UK edition of The X Factor?  ITV have already stated it will return with a bold and fresh look in the summer.  Cowell is expected to either only judge the live shows or just be in a backstage role whilst Cole will leave permanently.  Fortunately, amidst reports they might be axed too, both Louis Walsh and Dannii Minogue are set to return and after missing out on the US job, O’Leary will recommit his future to the UK show.  The faces expected to fill the empty judges spaces is a very long list.  Take That’s Gary Barlow is said to have agreed a deal to judge whilst the second seat is reported to be a straight fight between Girls Aloud’s Kimberley Walsh and Lily Allen.  It is crucial that the right people are appointed so that very little people as possible become alienated with the sweeping changes.

     With everything nearly set, will the US succeed in their version of The X Factor?  It all begins in the autumn on Fox and for British viewers; it is expected to be broadcast on ITV’s main digital channel, ITV2.