The X Factor welcomed new co-hosts Khloe Kardashian Odom and Mario Lopez to kick off the live shows in Season 2 – Photo: Fox
Now that The X Factor is live with new co-hosts Khloe Kardashian Odom and Mario Lopez, Simon Cowell recently explained his decision to hire two people to host the popular Fox series instead of one.
Ahead of the live shows on The X Factor, The Deadbolt spent a few minutes with executive producer, judge, and mentor Simon Cowell to get his thoughts on the two host format after the departure of first season host Steve Jones.
“The very first show I ever did on TV was the British version of American Idol,” Simon told The Deadbolt this week, “and we had two hosts. It was so much fun. I always think that with two hosts they’ve got each other to rely on.”
When Simon brought American Idol to the United States, as many fans will recall, the series featured two co-hosts in Ryan Seacrest and Brian Dunkleman.
Although Dunkleman left Idol after the first season, Cowell chose to return to the two host format this season on The X Factor by hiring Khloe Kardashian and Mario Lopez.
So, why did Cowell decide to go with two co-hosts?
“We worked out that there’s so much talking one host has to do on these live shows,” added Cowell to The Deadbolt, “in terms of voting information and other information that it would be more fun for the viewers to split it up so you’re not hearing the same person talk and talk. We’ll find out soon if it was a good idea or terrible idea.”
The second live X Factor show airs Thursday at 8/7c on Fox.
After the first live show this week with Khloe Kardashian and Mario Lopez, how do you feel about the two host format?