THE SKED: X-FACTOR TRAILER TONIGHT

At the end of tonight's pregame show for the MLB All-Star Game in Phoenix, FOX previewed this fall's THE X-FACTOR.  The on-air promotion department went to that old tried-and-true technique: the dream sequence.  The long spot opens with an audition featuring all positive comments -- even from Simon Cowell -- about a little girl's mediocre rendition of "Tomorrow" from Annie.  Cowell goes on to say that the show is not about him and that it is a new show for a new decade.  The show, he adds, will even have "green" elements.

And then he wakes up.  Clips from the actual show follow, showing it to be as mean and nasty and snarky as one would expect from Cowell.  And of course there are slow-mo glamor shots of the four judges stepping off private jets and helicopters.  All in all, X-Factor looks exactly like what one would expect from a Simon Cowell-hosted singing contest.  Not much new ground here.

See for yourself: Deadline has the video of the trailer.