X Factor Judges: Simon Cowell, L.A. Reid and Mariah? Katy? Rihanna?

Okay, so despite the dire warnings of doom and gloom for "American Idol" this season after Simon Cowell deserted the juggernaut in favor of bringing his other British singing show "X Factor" across the pond, the show had been enjoying a resurgence. Yup. Returning executive producer Nigel Lythgoe made some necessary tweaks that re-invigorated the show - mainly he shifted the focus back onto the singers and finding singers with big voices and big personality rather than the tepid "singer-songwriters" focus largely influenced by the insufferable Kara DioGuardi over the last few seasons.

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Sadly though, now that we're at crunch time the GAPING HOLE left by Simon's departure has become increasingly evident. The new judging panel with dinosaur rocker Steven Tyler and career resurrected from the dead JLo, are absolutely pitiful at providing the contestants with any real help or constructive criticism. No. They, along with Randy Jackson, have simply become a cheering section. If it weren't for the great Jimmy Iovine who's working with the singers during the week, they'd be getting no direction AT ALL. Note to the producers - please put Jimmy on the judging panel next year. PLEASE!!!

Anyways, all that to say the British "X Factor" is now in deep trouble because Simon is vacating his spot on the panel there in favor of a spot on the FOX show here in the U.S. ITV tells the BBC Cowell will divide his time between the American and British versions of the show, and that the network is "completely comfortable" with the decision.



Hmmm... we'll see how comfortable they are about mid-way through their next season.

And in more "X Factor" news there is a new report that Mariah Carey is set to join the show. The 41-year-old diva will have a role on the new pop star search show, according to Simon, but he's not saying exactly what it will be.

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"I think Mariah will have a role on the TV live shows. I met her recently and she was on great form. And her idea was to be the judge of the judges, which only Mariah could come up with," Cowell said in a radio interview with Jackie Brown.

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And so the speculation about who'll join Simon on the judging panel continues to rage on. To date, only music mogul and record executive L.A. Reid has been confirmed. Among the numerous stars to be linked to judging spots are U.K. judge Cheryl Cole, former Pussycat Dolls frontwoman and "Dancing With The Stars" winner Nicole Scherzinger, Jessica Simpson and pop superstar Katy Perry.

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Rihanna has already turned down an offer to be a judge because she cannot appear when the show launches this Fall on Fox due to her "Loud" tour. "It's something that I would have loved to do, actually. But our schedule doesn't allow it and it's a demanding schedule to be on that show," she said. "You have to be around months at a time, which is impossible for me."