Ray Richmond is contributing to Deadline’s television coverage.
The X Factor creator, executive producer and judge Simon Cowell disclosed today that in Season 2, the show will return to its original template of two co-hosts — a male and a female — which was in place last year with Steve Jones and Nicole Scherzinger until Cheryl Cole was sent home and Scherzinger moved to the judges’ table. Cowell also confirmed that the two new mentors replacing the axed Paula Abdul and Nicole Scherzinger will be female. Beyond that, Cowell wouldn’t give specifics during an afternoon conference call with reporters promoting the show’s Season 2 auditions that launch nationwide on March 1.
The selection of both the new hosts and judges “will happen over the next few weeks,” Cowell said. Among those rumored for the open positions are Janet Jackson, Britney Spears and Fergie. “There’s been a load of speculation,” Cowell said, “some true, some not true. It’s true to say that a lot more (potential judges) have entered the frame this year. We really wanted to see who would contact us before we contacted people. We’re in that place right now, which is a good place to be in.” He added that he and the show would be meeting with several people over the next few weeks but stressed: “I won’t confirm or deny any of these rumors at the moment. … Are we flattered there ...
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The X Factor creator, executive producer and judge Simon Cowell disclosed today that in Season 2, the show will return to its original template of two co-hosts — a male and a female — which was in place last year with Steve Jones and Nicole Scherzinger until Cheryl Cole was sent home and Scherzinger moved to the judges’ table. Cowell also confirmed that the two new mentors replacing the axed Paula Abdul and Nicole Scherzinger will be female. Beyond that, Cowell wouldn’t give specifics during an afternoon conference call with reporters promoting the show’s Season 2 auditions that launch nationwide on March 1.
The selection of both the new hosts and judges “will happen over the next few weeks,” Cowell said. Among those rumored for the open positions are Janet Jackson, Britney Spears and Fergie. “There’s been a load of speculation,” Cowell said, “some true, some not true. It’s true to say that a lot more (potential judges) have entered the frame this year. We really wanted to see who would contact us before we contacted people. We’re in that place right now, which is a good place to be in.” He added that he and the show would be meeting with several people over the next few weeks but stressed: “I won’t confirm or deny any of these rumors at the moment. … Are we flattered there ... Read More »
