‘The X Factor’ USA: One season 3 change via Simon Cowell, Demi Lovato

Even though we are almost at the start of production on the taped auditions for season 3 of “The X Factor,” we still have utterly no idea who all of the judges for the show are going to be. Isn’t that a pretty scary situation to find yourself in? We’ll give that answer a clear and definite “yes.”

However, for Simon Cowell, you may as well go ahead and call that “Thursday.” Why? In the video interview below with “Extra,” he reveals that there have been times where he has been a mere 48 hours from auditions, and still does not have judges set on the dotted line. He, along with Demi Lovato, also explained that one of his biggest goals for the show in the new year is for it to be more fun, and not take itself nearly so seriously as it has with the hyper-competitive L.A. Reid on the panel.

Also worth noting? That Mario Lopez, at least based on what we’re seeing here, is actually coming on the road this year to the auditions. This is a change from the hostless environment of last year, and it’s very good news for him. Hopefully now, he’ll be able to develop more of a connection to the contestants, especially since he came across as a little robotic going through the experience with Khloe Kardashian.

As much as we liked some of the individual contestants on “The X Factor” season 2, the show was dull at times, flawed (revealing the public vote every week led to a boring conclusion), and it felt like so many people just weren’t happy to be there. Hopefully that changes for Simon and Demi this year, though much of it may depend on the new hires.

In case you have not heard just yet, here are a few of the names currently being floated around as possibilities. Interesting, no?

Photo: Fox