'Nicole Scherzinger is a downgrade from Cheryl': Critics prefer sacked judge Cole on first episode of U.S. X Factor

By Liz Thomas and Eleanor Gower

Last updated at 2:59 PM on 22nd September 2011

First impressions: Cheryl Cole, pictured arriving at the Los Angeles auditions in June, will appear in approximately half of tonight's episode of X Factor

Fired: Cheryl Cole, pictured arriving at the Los Angeles X Factor auditions in June, will appear in tonight's episode

She was dramatically fired from the U.S. X Factor after just three weeks as a judge back in June.

Yet Cheryl Cole has had an overwhelming response from U.S. critics who hail her as the better judge over her replacement – the pop singer Nicole Scherzinger.

Many prestigious U.S. television critics saw previews of the opening episode, which airs tonight, and branded Nicole a 'downgrade' from the British star, who appears in approximately half of the programme before she is replaced.

'The opening episode gives a surprising amount of screen time to Cheryl Cole, a British pop star whom Mr Cowell jettisoned from the panel last spring, in the middle of auditions,' said Neil Glenzinger of the New York Times.

'In the premiere she just kind of disappears midshow, without much explanation, and suddenly Nicole Scherzinger of Pussycat Dolls is in her chair.

'It’s a downgrade. Ms Cole showed glimmers of being interesting; in two seasons as a judge on The Sing-Off on NBC, Ms. Scherzinger was a pretty face but, judicially speaking, not much more than a seat warmer. '

The Los Angeles Times's Mary McNamara is equally unimpressed with the former Pussycat Dolls singer.

Old line up: Cheryl was part of the original judging panel alongside L.A. Reid, Paula Abdul, and Simon Cowell, with Steve Jones and Nicole Scherzinger as judges

Old line up: Cheryl was one of the original judges alongside L.A. Reid, Paula Abdul, and Simon Cowell, with Steve Jones and Nicole Scherzinger as hosts

'Cowell has said he replaced Cole because she seemed 'bewildered,' but on a first impression, she is much more interesting than Scherzinger, if only for her fabulous Geordie accent,' she writes.

'In early scenes [Nicole] seems more interested in tearing up and out-glamming Idol’s Jennifer Lopez than bringing much to the commentary.'

Steve Johnson of The Chicago Tribune says: 'Scherzinger doesn't come off as an obvious improvement in the early going. She's more earnest like Kara DioGuardi than lovable like Jennifer Lopez.'

'No improvement': Some U.S. media critics have been scathing in their reviews of Nicole Scherzinger's performance on the X Factor judging panel in comparison to Cheryl

And USA Today writer Robert Bianco seems similarly bewildered by the loss of Cheryl, writing that: 'Factor doesn't tell you why Cole was replaced or show you why she had to be.

'Scherzinger does seem both a bit sharper and more effusive in her comments, but that can be chalked up to editing,' he adds.

'Which is why, by the way, it would be wise to withhold judgements on the panel until we get to the live shows and we see how they really deal with time pressures and with one another.'

Welsh import Steve Jones, who takes on American Idol host Ryan Seacrest's hosting role also doesn't win many plaudits.

New line up: Nicole replaced Cheryl as a judge on the show, after Cowell said the Girls Aloud singer seemed bewildered and uncomfortable on the reality talent show

New panel: Nicole replaced Cheryl as a judge on the show, after Cowell said the Girls Aloud singer seemed bewildered and uncomfortable on the talent show

In action: Nicole sits to Paula's right on the show, which Cowell is hoping will compete with American Idol

The New York Times describes Welsh host Steve Jones as 'utterly irrelevant,' while The Boston Herald's Mark A Perigard says he 'is so far in the background, he might as well be on another network.'

The X Factor has been Cowell’s big venture Stateside and he has staked his reputation on making it a success, particularly as the U.S.’s other big reality show American Idol made by his rival Simon Fuller, pulls in big ratings.

Cowell's show differs from American Idol because it has no upper age limit and groups can take part too.

The music and media mogul had originally brought Cheryl to the U.S after her success in the UK to work with him. But she was axed after just four auditions.

'Irrelevant': USA X Factor host Steve Jones also gets short shrift from the critics in today's reviews

In a recent interview with Piers Morgan, Cowell said: ‘She looked a bit bewildered. You come to a country like America, it's a bit deal, takes a while to adjust.

'And I took the view, along with a few other people, that she would have been more comfortable back in the UK.'

The 28-year-old British star still received her full $1.8 million (£1.2m) fee despite being axed so quickly after filming began.

Cheryl rejected an offer to return to the British version of the show, and an opportunity to work on Britain’s Got Talent.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2040121/X-Factor-USA-judges-Nicole-Scherzinger-downgrade-Cheryl-Cole-say-critics.html#ixzz1YhFMF4en

What happened to Cheryl? Ms Cole's unceremoniously cut after blink-and-you'll-miss-it appearance in launch of X Factor USA

By Daily Mail Reporter

Last updated at 12:17 PM on 22nd September 2011

She had big dreams of conquering America and even bigger hair, but tonight Cheryl Cole fell decidedly flat after making a blink-and-you-miss it appearance on X Factor USA.

The 28-year-old was unceremoniously dumped midway through the launch show, which aired on the Fox network tonight after months of hype.

She was introduced as one of Britain's most successful pop stars in the opener, but later vanished without any proper explanation to viewers.

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Shock and dismay: This will be the first and only episode of X Factor USA Cheryl Cole will appear on

Over Cole: Cheryl Cole fell flat during the series premiere of X Factor USA tonight

It was quite the disappearing act, with a voiceover from Steve Jones that said: 'With a new city comes a big change – the arrival of a new judge.'

When asked about his controversial decision, Simon Cowell, 50, recently said he replaced Cole because she seemed 'bewildered' - and many may well agree.

While some U.S. critics today branded replacement Scherzinger a 'downgrade', those who had watched Cole for years on the British X Factor were certainly left wondering where her stardust had gone.

Goodbye girl: The 28-year-old singer has left the X Factor building

Happy days: Her time on the show was brief, but the Girls Aloud singer looked happy back in the day

When she joined the U.K. version in 2008 fresh from her split from footballer Ashley Cole, she immediately became a television darling who was sassy, sharp and sparkling onscreen.

Her chemistry with Cowell was undeniable, and he unapologetically made her his favourite on the panel, which then included Dannii Minogue and Louis Walsh.

It was quite the disappearing act, with a voiceover from Steve Jones that simply said: 'With a new city comes a big change – the arrival of a new judge.'

But her charisma and well, x factor, didn't seem to follow when she jettisoned across the pond earlier this year.

During the first round of auditions in Los Angeles, she was left out in the cold by Cowell, who was busy rekindling his spark with his former American Idol cohort, Paula Abdul.

Cole seemed lost without her mentor and boss by her side and seemed to parrot critiques and rely on familiar material.

Even her once-admired taste in fashion had vanished - her teased hair, and ill-advised colour-block orange top and purple trousers combination failed to impress.

But it is unclear if her replacement will fare much better. So far, critics have been unimpressed with Scherzinger.

Just the two of us: Cheryl's gone, but Paula Abdul is still judging

The Los Angeles Times' Mary McNamara wrote: 'In early scenes [Nicole] seems more interested in tearing up and out-glamming Idol’s Jennifer Lopez than bringing much to the commentary.'

But like the talent, it will be up to the viewers to decide if they like her smile and short skirts.

Welsh host Steve Jones also received a battering from the critics, with one branding him 'utterly irrelevant'

The star of the judging panel is perhaps record label heavyweight L.A. Reid, who is shaping up to be a tough, no-nonsense rival to Cowell.

Cole will still received her full $1.8 million (£1.2m) fee despite being axed so quickly into filming.

After being fired in June, she rejected an offer to return to the British version of the show, and an opportunity to work on Britain’s Got Talent.

Gleeful: Nicole Scherzinger was more than happy to take the vacated spot

The new panel: Nicole Scherzinger has replaced Cole

The X Factor has been Cowell’s big venture and he has staked his reputation on making it a success, particularly as the U.S.’s other big reality show American Idol made by his rival Simon Fuller, pulls in big ratings.

It differs from American Idol because it has no upper age limit and groups can take part too.

Cowell had originally brought Cheryl to the U.S to work with him but she was axed after just four auditions.