No regrets: Mike Darnell said he is very happy with the launch and stands by his decision to axe Cheryl Cole
U.S. television critics widely preferred axed X Factor USA judge Cheryl Cole over her replacement Nicole Sherzinger. But Fox chief Mike Darnell, who is known as ‘the Rumpelstiltskin of reality TV,' is satisfied he made the correct call in having her axed.
He ordered Simon Cowell to fire her after being underwhelmed by her performances, much to the embarrassment of the music mogul. However the Newcastle star received surprisingly good reviewers, with many saying she performed better than the Pussycat Doll on last night's show. Most bitingly, Neil Glenzinger of the New York Times referred to the former Pussycat Doll as a 'downgrade.' He added: 'Ms. Scherzinger was a pretty face but, judicially speaking, not much more than a seat warmer.'
Fox boss who axed Cheryl Cole from X Factor USA stands by his decision
However Fox executive Mike Darnell was unmoved by the critics, and in a diplomatic statement stood by his decision. He said: 'It’s easy to love the one that’s gone, but Nicole is great too. Both are stunning but also very different. No regrets,but I also love Cheryl.'
Mr Darnell was shocked when he saw audition tapes of her in Los Angeles after being tied up for a fortnight with meetings, and immediately told Simon the axe had to fall. He reportedly had a crisis of confidence after receiving the call, at the time telling a friend in LA: ‘I’ve got major problems.’ When the woman, a senior music industry figure, asked what was wrong, Cowell replied: ‘It’s Cheryl. They’ve told me to get rid of her.’ The friend said: ‘I’ve never heard him sound so upset. He was embarrassed and sounded defeated. He said he was convinced Cheryl would be great in America but that he now realised he had got it badly wrong.'
He ordered Simon Cowell to fire her after being underwhelmed by her performances, much to the embarrassment of the music mogul. However the Newcastle star received surprisingly good reviewers, with many saying she performed better than the Pussycat Doll on last night's show. Most bitingly, Neil Glenzinger of the New York Times referred to the former Pussycat Doll as a 'downgrade.' He added: 'Ms. Scherzinger was a pretty face but, judicially speaking, not much more than a seat warmer.'
Fox boss who axed Cheryl Cole from X Factor USA stands by his decision
However Fox executive Mike Darnell was unmoved by the critics, and in a diplomatic statement stood by his decision. He said: 'It’s easy to love the one that’s gone, but Nicole is great too. Both are stunning but also very different. No regrets,but I also love Cheryl.'
Mr Darnell was shocked when he saw audition tapes of her in Los Angeles after being tied up for a fortnight with meetings, and immediately told Simon the axe had to fall. He reportedly had a crisis of confidence after receiving the call, at the time telling a friend in LA: ‘I’ve got major problems.’ When the woman, a senior music industry figure, asked what was wrong, Cowell replied: ‘It’s Cheryl. They’ve told me to get rid of her.’ The friend said: ‘I’ve never heard him sound so upset. He was embarrassed and sounded defeated. He said he was convinced Cheryl would be great in America but that he now realised he had got it badly wrong.'
X Factor USA attracts 12m viewers for launch show
(but it couldn't top American Idol)
More than 12 million viewers tuned in to watch the debut of X Factor USA last night. It is considered a solid number for a new show and premiered at a 4.4/12 among adults 18-49, up 52 per cent from Fox's performance on the night last season. But Simon Cowell had, of course, been hoping to outdo American Idol. However, it couldn't stack up to the well-establish talent show, which the 51-year-old walked away from last year to launch X Factor. The most recent season opener of American Idol attracted about 26 million viewers and only time will tell if the new Fox show will reach such lofty figures.
Cowell pulled out all the stops, in addition to that $5 million prize fund, to ensure his beloved format hit the ground running. The production was undeniably slick - zooming overhead shots showed panoramic American scenes as the judges were introduced with explosive fanfare and that catchphrase so familiar from the UK show - 'it's time to face the music.'
This was no accident, Cowell brought out the best of his production team to ensure that the magic translated across the Atlantic, and tonight we saw plenty of it at the L.A. and Seattle auditions. A single mother who had everyone in tears, a reformed drug addict hoping to turn his life around, the most bizarre but endearing older couple, and a man who pulled his pants down mid-act, were just a few of the highlights of the first show.
(but it couldn't top American Idol)
More than 12 million viewers tuned in to watch the debut of X Factor USA last night. It is considered a solid number for a new show and premiered at a 4.4/12 among adults 18-49, up 52 per cent from Fox's performance on the night last season. But Simon Cowell had, of course, been hoping to outdo American Idol. However, it couldn't stack up to the well-establish talent show, which the 51-year-old walked away from last year to launch X Factor. The most recent season opener of American Idol attracted about 26 million viewers and only time will tell if the new Fox show will reach such lofty figures.
Cowell pulled out all the stops, in addition to that $5 million prize fund, to ensure his beloved format hit the ground running. The production was undeniably slick - zooming overhead shots showed panoramic American scenes as the judges were introduced with explosive fanfare and that catchphrase so familiar from the UK show - 'it's time to face the music.'
This was no accident, Cowell brought out the best of his production team to ensure that the magic translated across the Atlantic, and tonight we saw plenty of it at the L.A. and Seattle auditions. A single mother who had everyone in tears, a reformed drug addict hoping to turn his life around, the most bizarre but endearing older couple, and a man who pulled his pants down mid-act, were just a few of the highlights of the first show.
