US X Factor: Viewing figures are in and they don't look great!

It’s probably been the most hyped up show in the world, ever.  Heck, we don’t even live in the USA but know enough about it to write a book. Yep, we are of course talking about The X Factor USA.

In case you didn’t know, the show kicked off last night in America but surprisingly aired to disappointing viewing figures.

Well, we say disappointing but 12.5 million still tuned in to watch. However, Simon had said in the past that he hoped for at least 20 million.

Despite nearly 13 million viewers, the show lagged behind in third place after shows Modern Family andCriminal Minds which pulled in 14.1 million.

To put things into perspective, the show that Simon dumped for The X Factor, American Idol premiered it drew in a ridiculously massive 28 million viewers which suddenly makes 12.5 million look rather puny in comparison!

Considering that Simon Cowell is boasting a $5million prize for the winner, coming in third place must be a bit of a let down!

US critics love Cheryl Cole on The X Factor USA

Simon Cowell, if you’re reading this you might want to look away now (also, hi!). 

After months and months and months of fuss, kerfuffle, hype and anticipation the first episode of the US X Factor finally aired in America last night (we get to watch it tonight). Which means the US audience got it’s first (very short) look at Cheryl Cole’s judging abilities. And the verdict? She is a hit with American critics.

The New York Times has said, "She just kind of disappears mid-show without much explanation and suddenly Nicole Scherzinger of Pussycat Dolls is in her chair. It’s a downgrade. Ms Cole showed glimmers of being interesting. In two seasons as a judge on The Sing-Off on NBC, Ms Scherzinger was a pretty face but, judicially speaking, not much more than a seat warmer.”

Ouch! We doubt this is the reaction Simon and for that matter Nicole were hoping for.

TV Guide is also full of praise for Chezza, “She shows up in the first episode, which becomes a disservice to her replacement, Nicole Scherzinger, whose breathy shtick and robotic comments are grating by comparison.”

As for the concerns about Cheryl’s Geordie accent being too thick for US viewers to understand, The Los Angeles Times adored the Girls Aloud singers voice, complimenting her "fabulous Geordie accent".

But not everyone’s a huge fan of Cheryl’s brief stint on The X Factor USA, The Sun’s US editor commented, "Cheryl appears in most of the first show and holds her own - but it's hard to deny her replacement, Pussycat Doll Nicole Scherzinger, immediately looks more comfortable in the American arena."

Still, this all seems to contradicts Simon Cowell’s comments about Cheryl being "bewildered" on the show, doesn’t it?

We’ll get to see just how Cheryl got on tonight - we can't wait to tune in. Before that though, you can see some of Cheryl's performance by watching the clip above from round about the five minute mark

Nicole Scherzinger Has Boobs, Conan Can't Help But Notice

Former Pussycat Doll Nicole Scherzinger came on "Conan" on Monday night probably to promote some TV show or album or movie or something or other, but all that Conan (and the audience) really took from appearance was that my, does she have some gigantic breasts.

The interview started smoothly, but it was only a matter of time until somebody pointed out the two massive conversation pieces that presented themselves between Conan and Scherzinger. Once Andy Richter pointed out that it wasn't even fair to pretend that they weren't distracting every man, woman and child within a fifteen mile radius, the floodgates opened and Conan quickly turned into a Tex Avery cartoon.

"My God, I just threw my neck out," said an exasperated O'Brien.

WATCH: