LOS ANGELES (AP) — Britney Spears is out of "The X Factor" after a season in which the pop star failed to deliver a ratings boost for the singing contest, a person familiar with the show's plans said Thursday.
Creator Simon Cowell and fellow producers are discussing replacements for Spears and another panelist, record producer Antonio "L.A." Reid, said the person, who lacked authority to comment publicly and insisted of anonymity.
Reid previously announced he was leaving after two seasons. Demi Lovato appears likely to return, joining Cowell on the revamped panel. The show is due to return in the fall.
The departures are yet another shake-up for "The X Factor," Cowell's attempt to strike magic with a U.S. version of his successful U.K. series. Cowell replaced panelists Paula Abdul and Nicole Scherzinger and host Steve Jones after a disappointing first season, and ratings dropped in the second season.
The December season finale drew 9.7 million viewers, compared to about 11 million for the first year's season-ender. Although the series has failed to match Cowell's bold pre-debut predictions, and certainly hasn't eclipsed sister Fox show "American Idol," it's helped shore up the network's fall schedule.
Pop star Spears, however, proved less than a one-season wonder.
Combining fame and a history of erratic behavior, she was seen as a potential spark for better ratings. But reviewers faulted her for appearing inexpressive to the point of boredom and a repetitively dull use of the word "awesome."
On Tuesday, Fox network chief Kevin Reilly defended Spears, saying she was doing "a really good job" during a Q&A with the Television Critics Association.
"She came on, people remain fascinated with her and always will be," he said. "Maybe some people were waiting for more drastic displays of some nature that never came, so for those expecting that, it didn't happen."
Asked whether Fox would be on board to bring Spears back, Reilly replied "yeah" — this despite the fact producers have been talking since Christmas about substitutes for her and Reid.
Mario Lopez and Khloe Kardashian joined the show as co-hosts this season.
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Online:
http://www.fox.com
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