'X Factor' Shake-Up: Is Nicole Scherzinger Replacing Cheryl Cole as Judge?
Simon Cowell's new show 'X Factor' doesn't premiere for another four months, but there's already trouble in his post-'Idol' ploy for TV domination.TMZ is reporting that one of the previously announced judges, British pop singer Cheryl Cole, is out. Replacing her? Former Pussycat Doll Nicole Scherzinger, who was set to co-host the show with Brit Steve Jones.
Why the switch? No one knows for sure -- could it be the rash of "Who is Cheryl Cole?" searches lately? -- but it doesn't bode well for the show, which has already been taping audition rounds in L.A.
Fellow judges Simon Cowell, L.A. Reid and Paula Abdul are staying put, as far as we know. Also Jones will now reportedly be the only host; Scherzinger's former co-host slot will not be filled.
TMZ claims that producers were worried Cole's accent would be too thick for American audiences to understand. They're also hearing that Cole and Abdul had a "lack of chemistry" ... and we all know how much Simon loves his Paula.
On top of that, there were rumors a few weeks back that Scherzinger nixed co-host frontrunner and former 'High School Musical' star Corbin Bleu, telling producers to go with Steve Jones instead. Apparently, the Doll's got power ...
The bigger issue now will be how this affects Cole's involvement in the original British 'X Factor.' After a dismissal like this, will she ever work with Cowell & co again?
No one from the network or Cowell's camp has commented on this story, so expect more details as they come.
What do you think of the change? At this point, do you even care?

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