Cheryl Lost In Translation As X Factor Sacking Looms
Cheryl Cole is reportedly being dropped by Fox producers on upcoming reality show The X Factor USA, with a main suggested reason being that test audiences could not understand her ’Geordie’ accent.
The English singer, star of reality show-formed girlband Girls Aloud, has been in the job for less than a month, with filmed-for-TV auditions already completed in Los Angeles and Chicago, with reports going on to suggest that she will be replaced by Pussycat Dolls singer Nicole Scherzinger, who had been working as a co-presenter of the new show.
If Nicole is moved from behind the camera to behind the judging table, then plans are afoot to allow Welsh host Steve Jones, who had been the other half of the presenting duo, to go solo in fronting the Fox project.
X Factor producers are said to have given more reasons for Cheryl’s dismissal, including being dubbed the ‘weak link’ in the panel, a ‘lack of chemistry’ with fellow female judge Paula Abdul, and a backlash from American fans over how she was seated next to Simon Cowell on the table, rather than Paula as is ‘the norm’ on the American shows the pair (Simon and Paula) have been on.
The main reason that Americans have not taken to her, though, looks like her accent, although it is not the first time that American TV has given the thumbs-down to a Geordie accent, after Newcastle-based TV presenters Ant & Dec tried (and failed) to launch a gameshow across the Atlantic a few years ago, with viewers reportedly requiring subtitles to comprehend the dialect.
Although a recent promotional video for the show came out featuring Cheryl, she may now be sent packing back to her former job on the UK version of X Factor, but she may be unwilling to do so given the circumstances of her departure on Fox.
If the sacking reports are true, then it will be likely that segments featuring her on the X Factor USA will describe her as a ‘temporary guest judge’ in order to maintain the flow of the on-air production. With the possibility her American dream is now over, then Cheryl may be unsure of what to do next, but MTV might be more than willing to take her back to her hometown of Newcastle for a bit of ‘Geordie Shore‘…
Meanwhile, the show that will X Factor will be looking to beat ratings wise is fellow Simon Cowell-based singing competition American Idol, which is currently in the process of its final. Fox are claiming that last night’s total voting numbers were higher than 122 million, as viewers chose who they would rather be the winner out of Lauren Alaina and Scotty McCreery.
The result is to be broadcast tonight in a two-hour special, which will feature several star guest performers in a night of musical entertainment . What moves will Simon Cowell have up his sleeve to try and beat his former focus in ratings and reviews later in the year? Perhaps the Cheryl Cole ‘story’ is just part of it?
Related News:
- Simon Announces Cheryl For X Factor Role
- Ozzy, Cheryl And Simon Set For X Factor Switches
- Paula Abdul Completes X Factor Line-Up
- Mariah Makes X Factor U-Turn
- Simon Could Vote Himself Off UK X Factor
Really, what is wrong with these test audiences’ ability to comprehend English? Somewhere else I read that Americans supposedly primarily only understand two British accents, and that “no one” in America understands Northern accents. I think all of this is a bunch of hot air. I am an American and I understand Geordie accents, and several other regional accents just fine, and so do plenty of my friends.
[...] and on fellow Fox singing series American Idol. While the new series has had some difficulties in finding panel members, below expected (but still high) ratings, episodes being delayed due to baseball, and comparisions [...]