Paula Abdul says she expected 'X Factor' firings

When a football team stinks, the owner fires the coach. When an incredibly hyped and under-viewed music competition show does the same, the judges get the hook.

And there -- via a more or less accurate analogy -- is your handy guide to Tuesday's dramatic putsch at "The X Factor," which ushered host Steve Jones, and judges Nicole Scherzinger and Paula Abdul out the door.

The latter -- as Paula does -- took the bright side, saying in her statement that she knew the end was coming "for awhile now," adding: "I have absolute understanding of the situation. Simon [Cowell] is, and will remain a dear friend of mine and I've treasured my experience working this past season" on the show.

Simon -- suddenly the Death Eater of judges -- took a high road too, saying, "You do develop friendships with the people you work with and Paula, in particular, is a very close friend and I expect to be working with her on another project in the near future."

What happened here? Two words: "expectations" and "chemistry." Of the first, they were not met. For that, Simon can take full blame, following a pre-launch campaign that promised reality TV's version of a cure for the common cold -- something so bold and dramatic (20 million viewers promised Simon) that the country would be forced to take note, then crown a superstar. Viewership (around 12 million) was respectable but hardly better than "America's Got Talent."

Second, chemistry: Beloved though she may be, Paula was especially beloved only on "American Idol," where she provided the essential thrust and parry with Simon. Still lachrymose and still (well) Paula on "X," she seemed less essential when seated next to a boss -- Simon -- who this time around was somewhat kinder/gentler than his old "Idol" self.

Someone had to go. Someone -- in fact, three someones -- did Tuesday.