Post by lugnut on Jan 30, 2012 23:24:59 GMT -5
Today in news you absolutely care about: X Factor host Steve Jones no longer with show
The American version of The X Factor had a fairly successful debut season, in terms of actual ratings for a brand new reality show. But in terms of its network's huge amount of pre-air hype, its suitability as the "next" American Idol, and creating "buzz," it was a flop. Even though you probably didn't watch the show, most years, you would have known the Idol winner via sheer media saturation, but it's incredibly likely you have basically no idea who the winner of X Factor was, nor could you name a single salient fact about them*.
Anyway, this means the retooling process has begun, and rather than question whether America really needs another singing competition, the questioning has begun with the show's host, Brit Steve Jones. Most often compared to a robot for his lack of emotion, remarkable efficiency at keeping the trains moving on time, and almost certain barely-suppressed desire to kill all humans, Jones has confirmed (via Tweet, no less) that he will join original Idol host Brian Dunkleman on the scrap heap of history by not returning to the series next year. Earlier in the day, executive producer and judge Simon Cowell praised Jones' work to the Daily Mirror but suggested there is a "Brit limit" to the show.
There's still no news on what this means for embattled judge Nicole Scherzinger (also heavily rumored to be the victim of "retooling") or who will replace Jones. Were we a betting website (and how could you ever suggest that we were?), we'd bet Jones would be replaced by his polar opposite, so probably somebody who cries a lot, lets the show run 30 minutes over, and gives out hug coupons for birthdays. Barring that, we hope Cowell gives Dunkleman a second chance.
* It was Melanie Amaro, who was most noted for initially being cut from the show during the winnowing down rounds, before Cowell realized the error of his ways and brought her back, thus creating a narrative that would all but ensure her victory. Who says these things aren't scripted?
The American version of The X Factor had a fairly successful debut season, in terms of actual ratings for a brand new reality show. But in terms of its network's huge amount of pre-air hype, its suitability as the "next" American Idol, and creating "buzz," it was a flop. Even though you probably didn't watch the show, most years, you would have known the Idol winner via sheer media saturation, but it's incredibly likely you have basically no idea who the winner of X Factor was, nor could you name a single salient fact about them*.
Anyway, this means the retooling process has begun, and rather than question whether America really needs another singing competition, the questioning has begun with the show's host, Brit Steve Jones. Most often compared to a robot for his lack of emotion, remarkable efficiency at keeping the trains moving on time, and almost certain barely-suppressed desire to kill all humans, Jones has confirmed (via Tweet, no less) that he will join original Idol host Brian Dunkleman on the scrap heap of history by not returning to the series next year. Earlier in the day, executive producer and judge Simon Cowell praised Jones' work to the Daily Mirror but suggested there is a "Brit limit" to the show.
There's still no news on what this means for embattled judge Nicole Scherzinger (also heavily rumored to be the victim of "retooling") or who will replace Jones. Were we a betting website (and how could you ever suggest that we were?), we'd bet Jones would be replaced by his polar opposite, so probably somebody who cries a lot, lets the show run 30 minutes over, and gives out hug coupons for birthdays. Barring that, we hope Cowell gives Dunkleman a second chance.
* It was Melanie Amaro, who was most noted for initially being cut from the show during the winnowing down rounds, before Cowell realized the error of his ways and brought her back, thus creating a narrative that would all but ensure her victory. Who says these things aren't scripted?
