In January of 2010, "American Idol" judge Simon Cowell announced he would be leaving the FOX juggernaut to bring his U.K. creation "The X Factor" to the U.S. Fast forward 20 months and the big day is finally here as "The X Factor" bows tonight at 8:00/7:00c. Cowell is joined at the judges' table by fellow "Idol" alumnus Paula Abdul as well as famed record producer Antonio "L.A." Reid and songstress Nicole Scherzinger.

Will it live up to the hype and be an "Idol"-sized hit? Could it be bigger? With a $5 million dollar prize and a recording contract with Epic Records, it just might be! Our Jim Halterman was on hand for the show's junket last weekend in Beverly Hills and had the chance to talk to Cowell himself about said expectations as well as the show's host Steve Jones about his splashy arrival on American television.

"The X Factor" airs Wednesdays and Thursdays at 8:00/7:00c on FOX.

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