Is the new 'X Factor' promo poking fun at 'Idol?'
July 13th, 2011
04:10 PM ET

Is the new 'X Factor' promo poking fun at 'Idol?'

That sound you just heard may be the first shot fired in the "X Factor" vs. "American Idol" war.

In the forthcoming talent show's first promo, featuring all four judges - Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul, Antonio "L.A." Reid and Nicole Scherzinger - "X Factor" appears to be taking a jab at its Fox neighbor and rival.

Cowell, dressed in a pink sweater, is shown along with his fellow judges in a room, which looks suspiciously "Idol"-like, enjoying the mediocre auditions of tepid singers. Known for his acerbic comments and harsh judging on "Idol," the promo shows a kinder, gentler Cowell.

He and the judges have nothing but praise – perhaps mocking a common complaint among "Idol" fans last season that judges Steven Tyler, Jenifer Lopez and Randy Jackson were too nice.

In the promo, Cowell  leaves the auditions by driving away in an electric car, the Volt, to show he is even sensitive to the environment.

"It's not about me anymore," Cowell says. "It's about them."

Before you start worrying that Cowell has lost his edge, the promo dissolves from a nightmare sequence for the "X Factor" creator, and viewers get a peek at footage from the actual auditions - at which point Cowell and Reid dole out some harsh criticisms.

"That was horrific," Cowell snipes at one aspiring contestant.

Check out the new promo:

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Filed under: Celebrities • Paula Abdul • Simon Cowell • television • X Factor
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soundoff (36 Responses)
  1. Um booyah tig bitties

    I lub boobies

    July 15, 2011 at 1:46 pm | Report abuse |
  2. Pliny

    It was never 'about you' simon.

    you are nothing more than a narcissistic, smarmy punk.

    July 15, 2011 at 1:08 pm | Report abuse |
  3. mejazzbo

    "It's not about me anymore". That's why Simon keeps yacking about AI in reference.

    July 14, 2011 at 5:37 pm | Report abuse |
  4. LoJenkins

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XVdV4X2M2AI

    July 14, 2011 at 12:49 pm | Report abuse |
  5. TheWordMaster

    Sigh....so sick of singing shows....*goes back to watching Warehouse 13 (quality tv right there!)*

    July 14, 2011 at 7:34 am | Report abuse |
  6. wasthat

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PdKBsjyBhHU&feature=youtube_gdata_player

    July 14, 2011 at 4:46 am | Report abuse |
  7. nerp

    People, where's the love? C'mon, buds, let's have a group hug.

    July 14, 2011 at 4:19 am | Report abuse |
  8. charlie crack

    Zzzzzzz....

    July 14, 2011 at 12:02 am | Report abuse |
  9. Rosewood11

    Simon, after further thought, I know what you can do with that pink sweater. You can send it to me, and I'll rip it up and turn it into some lovely yarn!!! So glad it was just a nightmare!!!

    July 13, 2011 at 11:44 pm | Report abuse |
  10. BaltimoreGeorge

    Ahh, I feel a little better now!

    July 13, 2011 at 11:22 pm | Report abuse |
  11. BaltimoreGeorge

    The joke is that all the losers get offended when you badmouth their American Idol garbage. Please, get a life already. Everybody does not have to love Idol,the Kartrashians, or any of this stuff. If you want to spend all the precious minutes of your life living through complete strangers then go for it! Just don't be shocked that a few people still actually do have their own lives.

    July 13, 2011 at 11:20 pm | Report abuse |
  12. Jason

    If you want reality, get outside and live. You can even take a video camera with you and watch it later so it's more "realistic." Life: it's a long season and no commercials.

    July 13, 2011 at 9:39 pm | Report abuse |
  13. dfs

    brilliant promo! may the same be said for the show, looking forward to it!

    July 13, 2011 at 8:31 pm | Report abuse |
  14. Abe

    Looks better then Idol. Simon is worth watching!

    July 13, 2011 at 7:43 pm | Report abuse |
  15. art vandolaye

    Won't be watching for Simon "the scowl" Cowell. Won't be watching to watch Paula flop around and slur her speech. Don't know who the LA dude is, so won't be watching for him. WILL be watching for Nicole. She's a hot babe with a smokin bod and smile. -Art

    July 13, 2011 at 7:19 pm | Report abuse |
  16. Gawd

    Lame factor. Sorry but reality tv is garbage.

    July 13, 2011 at 6:50 pm | Report abuse |
    • Jennifer

      Listen,
      Reality tv is in now and it has a HUGE audience and will never ever ever ever ever ever die! You ugly troll! I cant believe u write on here when u know dam well this is a pro-reality comment section

      July 13, 2011 at 6:53 pm | Report abuse |
    • bunghole

      Jesus, get a life

      July 13, 2011 at 8:24 pm | Report abuse |
    • wasthat

      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kbTcSpv1Q-s&feature=youtube_gdata_player

      July 14, 2011 at 3:17 am | Report abuse |
    • Name*Buzz

      @jennifer. Time to trade in your brain for one that works.

      July 14, 2011 at 9:26 am | Report abuse |
    • Ralph

      I used to feel the same way but I really fell in love with SYTYCD and Dancing with the Stars. I did watch this season of Idol just to see if anything had changed and the nicer comments made the show more bearable. It's very uncomfortable to watch Cowell. I think most people are over Cowell and X factor may not do well.

      July 14, 2011 at 10:28 am | Report abuse |
    • wasthat

      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6WUmlFM5z7I&feature=youtube_gdata_player

      July 14, 2011 at 10:52 am | Report abuse |
    • wasthat

      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P-bnFz8-OPA&feature=youtube_gdata_player

      July 14, 2011 at 11:07 am | Report abuse |
    • JustPassingBy

      LOL@Jennifer. Sweetheart, time to get a life. If you think that reality TV is here to stay, you are gravely mistaken. It's had it's 15 minutes of SHAME and the general public is getting sick of it fast.

      Yes, OK, people seem to be fascinated with Simon Cowell and his "self love," but this show won't last. It'll go the path of most of these wannabe reality shows.

      I don't much care for reality TV. I take it or leave it. It doesn't rule my life and I don't go around defending it like my life depended on it. Really, an ugly troll? Because someone disagrees with you? Honey, time to move on. I think it's time you go for a "Reality Check".

      People have gotten tired of Reality TV and I don't think it's going to last, but you just keep on dreaming. Everyone has a right to dream.

      July 20, 2011 at 12:39 pm | Report abuse |
  17. Consuela

    Oh no they didn't!
    *wiggles head & snaps fingers

    July 13, 2011 at 4:56 pm | Report abuse |

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