'X Factor': The Second Coming of Simon Cowell

After nearly a year of promotion (if one does not consider all the "X Factor" name-dropping going on when Simon Cowell announced he was leaving "American Idol" to promote and produce an American version of the British show), including one shown during the Super Bowl, the long-awaited new reality-competition show featuring the judge everyone loves to hate is set to premiere Wednesday. And everyone wants to know: Will it be an "American Idol" clone? Or will "X Factor" be better?

The inevitable comparisons are already coming in. Neil Genzlinger at The New York Times found that the man behind the magic of "American Idol" simply "remixes the well-established gimmicks of the earlier entries in the genre" and "no longer has a curtain hiding the secrets of his tricks." Although noting that "X Factor" does have the no age limitation aspect and a mentoring segment (preempted by NBC's "The Voice"), it appears to be just more of the same old, same old.

But will that matter? Cowell, who first appeared on American television in June 2002, quickly became the guy to watch and, along with the the live performances, the voting, the drama between the judges, the host (Ryan Seacrest), and the various participants helped drive the show that has held the top spot of most-viewed American television shows for six consecutive years. At present, "American Idol" Season 10 sits atop the ratings heap for the present calendar year as well and, in Cowell's absence, might have put together one of its most successful group of finalists to date -- all despite doomsayers predicting the show's demise without the popular Cowell.

In his second incarnation as a judge (and producer), Cowell has already stated he will brook nothing less than a successful superstar from the show or he'll pull the plug on his own show. Still, at the Los Angeles premiere last week, Cowell noted that the show was different than "Idol."

"We'd been asked the question over and over again, 'How is the show different from 'Idol','" Cowell told Rolling Stone. "I kept saying, 'You've got to see the show. It feels different, it feels more modern, it looks bigger, but most importantly it's just got a different voice to 'Idol.''"

Cowell also understands the expectations of the new show. "We're going to be judged as much as the contestants. And if it goes wrong it's my fault and if it goes right you take part of the credit. But it's a very, very different experience being on this show compared to 'Idol' ..."

But the most noticeable difference between "X Factor" and "American Idol" will be Cowell himself. His brutal honesty -- even if many disagreed with him -- was what won him his most avid fans as well as detractors as a judge on "Idol." And after watching Season 10 of "American Idol," where nary a harsh word was said (except to perhaps Haley Reinhart), Cowell's matter-of-factness will undoubtedly be a portrait in contrast. And it is the Cowell factor that might make "X Factor" just as big as "Idol."

Maybe even bigger.

"X Factor" premieres September 21 and 22 at 8:00 p.m. on Fox Television.

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Sources:

Neil Genzlinger, "Singing Gladiator Time," NYTimes.com

Steve Baltin, "Simon Cowell: 'X Factor' Could Be Bigger Than 'Idol'," RollingStone.com