Moving on from the Cheryl Cole judging drama (she’s definitely out, in case you haven’t followed along), an extended promo for Simon Cowell’s The X Factor premiered during last night’s Major League Baseball All-Star Game.

Following a lackluster season of American Idol, and coming on the heels of so-so, new-kid-on-the-singing-competition-block The Voice, I’m surprised at just how much I’m still looking forward to The X Factor‘s premiere on September 21. The key difference? Acerbic Cowell, of course. Who wants happy-happy all the time?

That said, seeing the reliably positive Paula Abdul return to her spot at his right is just about perfect, no? One of TV’s best-ever pairs, they’ve become the 21st century Bickersons.

Based on the promo’s fantasy-to-reality jolt, while Chevrolet is a co-sponsor of The X Factor, Cowell doesn’t actually deign to drive the Chevy Volt, preferring to zoom through Carmageddon in his Bentley. Can’t say I blame him for picking the more luxurious ride.

The X Factor premieres on Wednesday, September 21 on FOX.