No exaggeration needed because 3/5 of the X Factor team have not been asked to return for Season 2 of the US version of the singing competition.
Host Steve Jones, and judges Nicole Scherzinger and Paula Abdul will not be returning next season.
Many had already assumed Steve and Nicole would not return for the next season. But the firing of Paula was a shock - to everyone.
Many people did not connect with Steve, but I am a huge supporter of his hosting style and his humor. He went above and beyond, fighting with producers in his ear, while staying as professional as possible to make sure the show stayed in its time frame...and boy did it! Not 1 episode, not even the finale went into the next show, and most episodes ended 2 minutes early! If FOX could not appreciate that, I don't know what they can appreciate. Many criticized Steve's hostility and "cruel" nature...while I saw a host who did everything possible to win the American hearts. The biggest criticism was when he told Lakoda Rayne the "dream is over" and the social media world went for the jugular. What most people probably don't realize is that Steve is only reading the script, the script that is written on a teleprompter. I am not sure who writes the script, most likely a producer, but the script writing is something that will need help. The script should be written by an American who knows how to phrase intros and exits, making smooth transitions between segments, and allows the host to show full emotion. On a positive about his comment to Lakoda Rayne, Steve was 100% right for Lakoda Rayne, because indeed, the dream was over, and I think they responded so negatively because they knew it was true. They did not act like or sing like a group (**insert a tuner in each of their faces to show pitch-iness**), they didn't think like a group, they didn't even look like a group! Hence...they were voted off pretty fast on the show.
At the beginning of the series, critics didn't see Steve on air often and he was often the punchline to many jokes about him appearing in front of large monuments to announce city names and announcing in a huge truck, and that's it. Well, honestly, he was interviewing every single contestant and their family's - but most of that wasn't aired. Also, because of the production, the background music was usually too loud to hear anything he was saying - so of course it would seem like he was shouting at us, but he was just trying to be heard! To the fault of the producers and writing on the show (as well as the firing of Cheryl Cole and switching Nicole from host to judge), Steve was not given the opportunity he needed to be a success on the XF and therefore was let go. It would have been a better idea to go from the inside and see why Steve was perceived poorly, rather than fire him completely. It may be easier to fire him, but if the producers don't change their writing, and presence of the host early on, similar criticisms will follow.
As you can see, I was a Steve Jones fan! Now for Nicole...
Nicole is one of my favorite singers, her album Killer Love was received incredibly well in the UK and she had 3 "top 5 Hits" and a Number 1 album. Unfortunately, Nicole and her label (Interscope) were not prepared for her to have a full time commitment on the show and release another single (Don't Hold Your Breath) and her album (Killer Love). Maybe watching Cheryl Cole release 2 albums (to Number 1, nonetheless) on the UK X Factor made her and her label a bit confident to not stress over the promotions - but that's what led to many mistakes on the show concerning Nicole. Nicole tried some promotions in the US during the XF, but also was in the UK performing and spreading word about her 2012 tour...but what about her 3 "Over 30" contestants that she had to mentor. Well...it seems like they were mentored via Skype - which is not how you mentor an artist. She was unprepared for her role as a judge and unfortunately her solo career has had too many hick-ups. Currently she is touring in Europe, but there has been no word of when her album will be released or if she will still promote, my favorite single on the album, Don't Hold Your Breath, which saw immediate downloads when it was released, and then fizzled away.
Besides Nicole's music, she was seen as incoherent, childish, and annoying. From speaking in 100 different accents, to baby voices, to crying over 2 contestants (where one was significantly better...*insert Rachel Crow's big fall here!*), to choosing horrible song choices for her acts - Nicole was not ready to be a judge. While she is one of the nicest celebrities you could ever meet, she is not a judge, and should only be a solo artist selling millions of record worldwide. In the world of business, stick with what you good at, and do it well!
Finally...on to Paula.
Shockingly, I have not as much to say about Paula because, well, I am shocked! Simon and team XF went through trying times when they signed Paula (long contract signings until the day of the first auditions)! They were Saula, the loveable two, the two who could not stop arguing, but that American's fell in love with. If anything, Paula was more coherent, lucid, constructive, and kind than ever before! So, it is to my shock that she was canned. The only explanation to her firing is that Simon wants a complete change - possibly a more serious panel of critics that will be able to balance each other better. While keeping LA Reid as Simon's sparring buddy is a great idea, there needs to be 2 female panelists to fight for what they believe in as well.
So after this long blog, who will replace Paula and Nicole, and who will be the next Steve Jones?
Rumors for Judges: Mariah Carey, Cheryl Cole (really...does anyone think she would go through this again?!!), Nicki Minaj, Katy Perry
Rumors for Host: Victoria Becham (what about her as a judge...Mel B was a smash hit on the Aus X Factor and gave them HUGE ratings!), Ryan Seacrest (insert lots of $$$$ here)
For now, I have no opinion to who I think should be a judge or host just yet, since the rumor mill is just starting. I am anticipating news within the next few weeks since audition dates should be announced very soon! If I was firing 3/5 of my team, I would already have a list of people in mind to hire right away - so we shall see shortly who the new judging panel will be.
Only one prediction, or rather opinion for what Paula should do next - she would be an incredible addition to the UK X Factor panel to replace Kelly Rowland, if rumors are true she is not returning. The banter/chemistry between Paula, Gary Barlow, Louis Walsh, and Tulisa would be incredible! So Simon, you can thank me for this incredible idea!
That is all for now!
~ AKPrO!
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