Well, obviously not breaking all ratings records wasn't Simon's fault, so it's time to start getting rid of personnel. Two gone so far, maybe three, and the firing will continue until the viewership improves...

So far, we have definitely lost Steve Jones (fired) and Nicole (claims to have walked away, but that sounds like a failed attempt at dignity saving: let's say terminated with prejudice) -- plus we have a not-yet-network-backed report that Simon's finally sick of the fumes from that cup and Paula is out. The new incoherent idiot limit per panel is zero! Gosh, that's going to limit the number of possible replacements...

I think that should be it for on-camera losses: Simon's not getting rid of himself and as much as Reid tries to show him up, he probably recognizes that makes for some level of chemistry that was lacking with the others. Which means the question now turns to the upcoming Attack Of The Clones, because someone's gotta sit in those seats and hold that microphone while continually glancing at the stopwatch.

So -- who's available?

Would Cheryl like another shot?

*pulls back slightly*

You don't suppose Seacrest has any free hours left...?

• Paula gone, too,moonbaby, 03:16 PM, 02-01-12
  • RE: Paula gone, too,Estee, 05:21 PM, 02-01-12
    • RE: Paula gone, too,Tummy, 10:06 AM, 02-02-12
      • RE: Paula gone, too,agman, 12:00 PM, 02-02-12
• But this Thursday nite...,emydi, 05:23 PM, 02-06-12
• Whitney Houston approached.,Estee, 05:21 PM, 02-11-12
  • RE: Whitney Houston approached.,Snidget, 10:09 PM, 02-11-12
• Bring in the pros.,Estee, 10:00 AM, 02-19-12
• You must be this drugged to apply.,Estee, 10:21 AM, 02-26-12

So ends the Simon and Paula lovefest. From story below:
Simon Cowell (who will remain as a judge with L.A. Reid) and Abdul went out of their way to indicate they remain close, sources on “The X Factor” contradict that.
The parting was “anything but amicable and there were a lot of angry words,” said a key show staff member. “I know Simon and Paula say they’re still friends, and Simon’s claiming he and Paula will again work together, but there will have to be some time for that to heal after what went down the past few days.”

http://www.suntimes.com/entertainment/10351385-421/paula-abdul-fired-from-the-x-factor-because-she-was-too-soft.html

Most predictable ouster? Nicole. Most surprised about Paula, and I am most sad about losing the Timekeeper. He was so swoony Wonder if they will tear down that awful seizure inducing stage.

Firing Paula for being soft -- when you're the one who hired her -- is like ABC blasting Chris Harrison for being insincere: either way, you knew what you were getting at the time, you knew it was never going to change, and you're the one who decided it didn't work any more. (The flaw in this is that Harrison remains employed. For now.) Paula was never going to be tough on her contestants (plus giving her the youngsters in the groups destroyed her usual source of tension release), and to claim you ever believed otherwise is to lie on a presidential candidate level.

The stage -- it sounds like the producers were paying some degree of attention to viewer commentary and backlash: that's part of what cost Nicole her seat. So if there was enough complaining about the stage, we might see some kind of change. I just think their main priority will be the star power in the seats instead of the voltage power in the back.

And I don't think we'll see Timekeeper get a U.S. job for a few years. The industry needs time for the stink to dispel.

I'm a little sad about the Paula oust. Simon knew exactly what he was getting after working next to Paula for years.

But I do think Nicole and Paula should only be replaced with one judge and not have groups. I just don't think the audience likes groups.

I just
don't think the audience likes
groups.

Amen to that! Look how fast they exited. I'm not sure the judges even took groups that seriously because look how they threw a couple of groups together using castoffs who didn't make the final cut in other categories(most noteably boys and girls)

Asstro is a CBS star!

Whereas Melanie was a dud with Sir Elton