Simon Cowell’s highly anticipated stateside version of “The X Factor” is just days away, and the reality TV mogul is only thinking positive thoughts about his latest talent competition series.
AccessHollywood.com’s Laura Saltman caught up with Simon at the premiere of “The X Factor” on Wednesday night in Los Angeles, where she asked what might happen if viewers don’t factor in his new show to their TV time.
“You have said that this show is ‘epic.’ What will happen if the show is an epic failure?” Laura asked Simon.
“We don’t think that way,” he said. “We never think that way.”
Simon said he’s hoping the audience builds over time to rival “American Idol” ratings.
“If we get over 10 million with this, it will be a good day,” he said. “I think people are going to like it.”
Though “The X Factor” is a singing competition like “Idol,” Simon warned that the two differ in many ways.
“It is a very different show. The auditions were very different,” he told Laura. “This was like being on something totally brand new.”
One familiar aspect will be judge and mentor Paula Abdul, who Simon said brings plenty of wacky fun to the show – despite how toned down she appears in the premiere episode.
“Trust me there’s a lot,” Simon said of Paula’s sometimes kooky ways.
Paula herself told Access that Simon – though he appears kinder to contestants in the premiere episode – has not completely changed his ways.
“It’s off putting, at times disturbing, how kind he is. I love it!” Paula said, but quickly warned, “He can snap right back in a nanosecond to his old self.”
“The X Factor” premieres on September 21 on FOX.
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