X Factor USA judges: "Nicole Scherzinger is a downgrade from Cheryl Cole," say critics

“Nicole Scherzinger is a downgrade from Cheryl”: Critics prefer sacked judge Cole on first episode of U.S. X Factor

2:59 PM on 22nd September 2011

First impressions: Cheryl Cole, pictured arriving at the Los Angeles auditions in June, will appear in approximately half of tonight

Fired: Cheryl Cole, pictured arriving at the Los Angeles X Factor auditions in June, will appear in tonight”s episode

Old line up: Cheryl was part of the original judging panel alongside L.A. Reid, Paula Abdul, and Simon Cowell, with Steve Jones and Nicole Scherzinger as judges

Old line up: Cheryl was one of the original judges alongside L.A. Reid, Paula Abdul, and Simon Cowell, with Steve Jones and Nicole Scherzinger as hosts

No improvement: Some U.S. media critics have been scathing in their reviews of Nicole Scherzinger

“No improvement”: Some U.S. media critics have been scathing in their reviews of Nicole Scherzinger”s performance on the X Factor judging panel in comparison to Cheryl

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New line up: Nicole replaced Cheryl as a judge on the show, after Cowell said the Girls Aloud singer seemed bewildered and uncomfortable on the reality talent show

New panel: Nicole replaced Cheryl as a judge on the show, after Cowell said the Girls Aloud singer seemed bewildered and uncomfortable on the talent show

In action: Nicole sits to Paula

In action: Nicole sits to Paula”s right on the show, which Cowell is hoping will compete with American Idol

Irrelevant: USA X Factor host Steve Jones also gets short shrift from the critics in today

“Irrelevant”: USA X Factor host Steve Jones also gets short shrift from the critics in today”s reviews