X Factor in America

With Simon Cowell having announced this week that he's leaving American Idol to focus on producing an American version of The X Factor, the British talent singing contest is suddenly all over the American press. It's been fun to see, as someone who is at least somewhat familiar with the X Factor. Certainly I follow who has won and have a working knowledge of what the show is about, even if I've never seen a full episode. Alexandra Burke, Shayne Ward and Cheryl Cole, who are complete unknowns in America, are suddenly getting quite a bit of press, as reporters inform future American X Factor fans about what the show is.

For example, CNN has a nice piece here highlighting the biggest stars to come from American Idol and X Factor. It features five of the The X Factor's six winners, although it says that Alexandra Burke has approached Stargate and Timbaland about working on her album, when in fact said album was released two months ago and includes two songs produced by the former and none by the latter. It also claims that Jedward was a popular novelty act (really?) and ignores the fact that nonwinner JLS has managed to become successful too.

I wonder who the judges will be? I'm not holding out any hope of Dannii Minogue or Cheryl Cole getting any U.S. screen time. Since the U.S. version is slated to air in the fall--the same time as the British one--I imagine we'll be getting new judges (unless they want to shuttle themselves across the Atlantic with Simon, but really, who would want to do that?). Maybe another pop has-been will resurrect herself or himself--a la Paula Abdul. Celine Dion? Ricky Martin? Toni Braxton? Here's your big chance.