‘The X Factor’ UK host Dermot O’Leary hints at warmer, funnier show

The past few years, “The X Factor” has almost become “The Mean Factor.” Sure, you are giving people chances to become stars, but the editing has become incredibly intense, the Six Chair Challenge has become terrifying, and as a whole there is a major feel of depression in the air almost from start to finish.

Speaking in a new interview on “This Morning,” show host Dermot O’Leary (who is returning this year) is doing his part to make one thing clear: This is a new year, and as a result of that, a brand-new show. There are more times for humor with this judging panel, and Simon Cowell is in a new place in his life where he seems a little more fun and sympathetic:

“It feels very warm and it feels very funny. It doesn’t feel cruel. Simon being a dad might have something to do with that, but he reacts to a ‘no’ in a completely different way.”

We do have to say that it’s been a surprising thrill for us over the past couple of months to watch Simon Cowell on “America’s Got Talent,” given that we were worried he had nothing left to say after so many years on TV. Yet, we’ve been pleasantly surprised, other than the occasion “it’s not good news — it’s great news” line here and there. It’ll also help him on this show that he has both Sharon Osbourne and Nicole Scherzinger around, given that both of them could chide him and have a little fun at his expense. This is something that David Walliams in particular was great at on the British version of the show.

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