Paula Abdul and Simon Cowell bring their X factor to ‘The X Factor’

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The first day of auditions Sunday for Simon Cowell’s new talent competition was filled with excitement, drama and anticipation.

But it had little to do with the talent, and almost everything to do with the reunion of Cowell and his former ‘American Idol’ colleague Paula Abdul. Abdul, who staged an eleventh-hour holdout on joining the show, joined fellow judges Cowell, Cheryl Cole and L.A. Reid during the first taping at USC’s Galen Center.

Although Abdul and Cowell clashed regularly on ‘American Idol,’ he said he would have not done the show without her, and that they share a magic chemistry. Abdul appeared pleased to be back with Cowell and in the spotlight following the recent failure of her CBS dancing competition series.

Will the duo of Cowell and Abdul give a boost to Fox’s ‘The X Factor?’ For speculation and behind-the-scenes drama, read this feature.

-- Greg Braxton