photo: WireImageOkay, "X Factor" fans, I have good news and bad news. Which would you like first? Oh, heck, let's just rip off the Band-Aid and get down to it: The bad news is, Khloe Kardashian--yes, THE Khloe Kardashian--has officially signed on to co-host "The X Factor," when the show goes live on November 1. [Insert Edvard-Munch-painting-esque scream here...]
Honestly, I do not know what Simon Cowell and Fox are thinking with this kontroversial Khloe kasting. Last year's "X Factor" host, British underwear model Steve Jones, was a disaster on the show, coming across as utterly un-empathetic and unlikable...and Steve actually had plenty of past TV-presenting experience. But none of that past experience properly prepared him to oversee a chaotic program that frequently involved sobbing children, contestant meltdowns, deadlocked decisions, rambling judges, and a strict schedule (because gawd forbid that the show ever preempt "Bones"). Poor Steve tried his best, but he just couldn't handle it. So what makes Simon think that Khloe, an E! reality starlet with zero TV hosting experience, will fare any better?
Simon has actually bizarrely stated before that he likes the whole idea of a newbie emcee and the element of surprise that such a wild card could bring to the without-a-net live shows. But we'll see if he's still liking it when some 13-year-old drops to her knees crying out for her mommy on one of "The X Factor's" inevitable shocker results episodes, and Khloe freezes up, unsure of how to react. Maybe then he'll wonder if the ratings boost that a token Kardashian inexplicably provides was all worth it.
Perhaps Khloe should be given the benefit of the doubt, for now. She does have radio hosting experience on Miami's WHYI, so I guess that's something. And after all, I--along with many other viewers--assumed that new "X Factor" judges Britney Spears and Demi Lovato would be trainwrecks on legs, but both have performed quite well so far. Then again, neither Britney nor Demi have appeared on a live episode yet. Factor in Britney and Demi's unscripted unpredictability with L.A. Reid and Simon's notoriously hot tempers and Khloe's inexperience, plus an excitable tween-heavy cast, and it could be such a TV trainwreck, "The X Factor" will end up being sponsored by AmTrak.
photo: Frazer Harrison / Getty ImagesAnd now for the much-needed good news: Also signing on to co-host "The X Factor" is Mario Lopez, an actual seasoned professional. While Mario's live television presenting experience is somewhat limited, he has always done a bang-up hosting "Extra" and Randy Jackson's MTV talent show "America's Best Dance Crew," and if you look up "likability" in your Funk & Wagnalls, you'll probably see his benevolently smiling face. (He was A.C. Slater, for corn's sake!) Hopefully Mario's charm and experience will offset any Khloe negatives. Maybe the show will be saved by the bell, so to speak.
What do you think of "The X Factor's" new hosting dream team? Think it could be a nightmare? Share your opinions below.
Related links: