<a href="/topics/Simon_Cowell">Simon Cowell</a>'s "<a href="/topics/The_X-Factor">The X Factor</a>" is the latest TV program to use the mysterious, vaguely ominous-sounding 24th letter in its title. Here are five others: 
 The X-Files (1993-2002). Spooky series in which two stalwart <a href="/topics/Federal_Bureau_of_Investigation">FBI</a> agents (<a href="/topics/David_Duchovny">David Duchovny</a>, <a href="/topics/Gillian_Anderson">Gillian Anderson</a>) searched for The Truth . . . which was out there. 
 The X Games (1995-). Annual summer and winter action sports competition created by <a href="/topics/ESPN">ESPN</a>. 
 The X Show (1999- 2001). Male-oriented late-night talk show on FX 
 XFL (2001). Short-lived, made-for-TV pro football league created by wrestling impresario <a href="/topics/Vince_McMahon">Vince McMahon</a>. 
 The X-Men (2011). The newest TV incarnation of the Marvel superheroes debuted this past Friday night on G4.

Simon Cowell's "The X Factor" is the latest TV program to use the mysterious, vaguely ominous-sounding 24th letter in its title. Here are five others: The X-Files (1993-2002). Spooky series in which two stalwart FBI agents (David Duchovny, Gillian Anderson) searched for The Truth . . . which was out there. The X Games (1995-). Annual summer and winter action sports competition created by ESPN. The X Show (1999- 2001). Male-oriented late-night talk show on FX XFL (2001). Short-lived, made-for-TV pro football league created by wrestling impresario Vince McMahon. The X-Men (2011). The newest TV incarnation of the Marvel superheroes debuted this past Friday night on G4.

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