X Factor aims to entertain, maybe find next musical star

X FACTOR When: Wednesday, 9 p. m. Where: CTV, FOX

Shame is overrated. That’s not Simon Cowell’s mantra, of course — at least not publicly — but he’s done quite nicely for himself, thank you, from other people’s shamelessness.

Which brings us to The X Factor, and the sophomore season of a TV talent competition that, in its first year, introduced the global music superstar that is — well, enough about that.

The X Factor is TV entertainment, first and foremost, and Cowell made little effort to hide that when he appeared before reporters via satellite in Beverly Hills last month, alongside returning judge L. A. Reid and new judges Demi Lovato and the artist still known as Britney Spears.

Meanwhile, Cowell told Reuters Tuesday that reality TV star Khloe Kardashian is in the running to host the X Factor. The original host Steve Jones was fired after a disappointing run on U. S television.

Call Cowell what you want — and many have called him plenty — but dishonest and a liar are not what you’ll hear. Clearly, Cowell would make a hopeless speaker at a political convention.

When The X Factor returns Wednesday, Cowell just wants viewers to have a good time, whether it’s a giggle at somebody else’s expense or the possibility that maybe, just maybe, viewers will spot the next Taylor Swift or Carly Rae Jepsen right out of the box.

Wait, didn’t Jepsen first come to fame on a little- known TV show called Canadian Idol? Never mind.

Mere mention of the Idol name is enough to get Cowell’s eyebrow twitching. And when a reporter from Canada points out that the Carly Rae Jepsens of the world always seem to finish second or third in TV talent competitions, but don’t win, Cowell becomes positively owly.

Yes, the winner of this type of show often goes on to become the answer to a future trivia question, but, hey, didn’t you have fun watching?

Besides, where else on TV will you have the pleasure of watching noted songstresses Spears and Lovato dissect the singing ability of a complete unknown who maybe, just maybe, will play Carnegie Hall one day?

“Britney’s quite mean, which you’ll discover,” Cowell said, mindful that he was there to sell a TV show.

“I think she’s tough,” Lovato protested, “but she’s not mean. She’s a sweetheart who is very honest.”

“As sweet as a lemon,” Cowell said.