The X Factor Shakeup! Simon Cowell Dumps Judges Paula Abdul, Nicole Scherzinger & Host Steve Jones

THR says the reason for the meeting was to take a hard look at the show’s first season to detail “what went wrong and what was done right on season one.”

The show premiered on September 21, 2011 on Fox, and despite Cowell’s assertion that it would garner huge ratings, the show fell short of expectations.

The first news that Jones would not be returning as host  came late Monday afternoon. In fact, the Brit  -- who never seemed to connect with the U.S. audience -- took to Twitter to confirm the news, writing: "I won't be hosting next season Xfactor which is a shame but I cant complain as I've had a great time," Steve tweeted on Monday afternoon. "Good luck to everyone on the show."

THR says that Cowell did not personally make the call to Jones; instead, he left it to a show producer.

Shortly thereafter came the news that Nicole Scherzinger -- best known as a former member of the Pussycat Dolls and for winning Dancing with the Stars in May, 2010 --  was also leaving the show.  

In an apparent case of classic Hollywood spin, E! reports that a source close to Scherzinger -- who’s currently rehearsing for her upcoming European tour -- claims it was her decision to leave the show.

"She wants to focus on her music career," a source told E!. "She's spoken to Simon Cowell and he's given her his blessing."

Scherzinger had a rocky time on the show from the get-go. She was brought in to replace British pop star Cheryl Cole and she often clashed with Cowell on-camera, who would openly mock her feedback to the contestants. Scherzinger also received stinging criticism from viewers who were upset when, prodded by advice from Abdul, left it to America to decide the fate of 13-year-old singing sensational Rachel Crow, who was then voted off the show.

The Hollywood Reporter also says its sources indicated Paula Abdul was out -- a particular surprise given that Cowell personally hired the Straight Up singer for The X Factor and helped resurrect her career that stumbled after she left American Idol.

While Fox has confirmed the departures of Jones and Scherizinger, official word on Abdul has yet to come.

There are reports that Cowell wants bigger name judges for his show, ala NBC’s The Voice, as a way to boost ratings. The Voice returns on February 6 with judges Christina Aguilera, Cee Lo Green, Adam Levine, and Blake Shelton.