Review : X Factor USA

A look at Simon Cowell’s furthering world conquest of light entertainment with the launch of his X-Factor brand this september on FOX network.

Why Simon feels the need to inflict X Factor on the American public remains to be seen. The lineup has been confirmed with Steve Jones UK TV presenter alongside Nicole Sherzinger and till recently Cheryl Cole (English Popstar/Lady Di replacement) on the panel with Darklord Simon. It now seems that Cheryl has been binned off because of her accent.

The UK version of Idol called Pop Idol only ran for 2 seasons in the UK and X Factor came along at the right time and filled the void. What makes Simon Cowell’s X factor American experiment all the more strange is that he is going head to head with his old show American Idol, a well established show in its 10^th year.

Originally, American Idol seemed to be on borrowed time after Cowell’s departure. New panel recruits Aerosmith front man Steve Tyler and J Lo didn’t click with Randy Jackson initially, but over the course of the season they both came into there own. Tyler becoming the Cowell bad guy and J Lo the “I feel your pain” maternal mother of the acts.

Where Idol and X-Factor are supposed to be different is in that X-Factor allows acts and groups to audition, Idol does not.

Another difference between the two shows is that American Idol has endorsements with Coca Cola, X-Factor US will be sponsored by Pepsi, clever touch there Simon.

Indeed, Simon’s own company SYCO TV will be producing the X Factor show and will reap the rewards if it is successful. American Idol was produced by Simon Fuller, the British Pop impresario who was also responsible for unleashing the Spice Girls on the world in the mid-nineties.

Where Idol and X-Factor are supposed to be different is in that X-Factor allows acts and groups to audition, Idol does not.

Another difference between the two shows is that American Idol has endorsements with Coca Cola, X-Factor US will be sponsored by Pepsi, clever touch there Simon.

The bottom line though is money, Simon’s own company SYCO TV will be producing the X Factor show and will reap the rewards if it is successful. American Idol was produced by Simon Fuller, the British Pop impresario who was also responsible for unleashing the Spice Girls on the world in the mid-nineties.

So it will be interesting to see how X-Factor pans out, particularly whether Simon will be able to oust American Idol as number one audition entertainment show. Spaceman thinks not, as American Idol will be too strong for X Factor and too much part of American culture now.

X Factor US – begins on Fox in September.