'The X Factor': Watch a Preview of Simon Cowell's Singing Competition (Video)

6:03 PM PDT 7/12/2011 by Kimberly Nordyke

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The tongue-in-cheek promo, which debuted during Fox's MLB All-Star Game broadcast, features a seemingly nicer Cowell -- who's even wearing a pink sweater.

Brian Dowling/PictureGroup

Paula Abdul and Simon Cowell

Viewers finally got their first peek at Simon Cowell's singing competition The X Factor, which debuts in September in Fox.

The clip debuted Tuesday night during Fox's broadcast of the MLB All-Star game.

In the promo, Cowell makes an effort to say he's changed from his days as an American Idol judge, freely handing out compliments and even wearing a pink sweater during auditions (instead of his usual black). He also is seen giving a standing ovation to a young girl who has just sung "Tomorrow" from the musical Annie.

"Let's face it a years a long time, and we all change our attitudes," Cowell says in voice-over. "This is a different decade. It's not about me anymore; it's about them."

STORY: Simon Cowell: Why No One Turned Me Down for 'X Factor'

He even claims his new attitude is about "helping others make a better tomorrow."

But then -- fortunately for those who love the Brit's acerbic wit -- he "wakes up" from what was all just a dream.

"What a nightmare," he says as the promo kicks in to Guns 'N Roses' cover of "Live and Let Die" and the judges are shown mostly dissing a range of contestants.

Cowell and fellow judge Paula Abdul also are seen getting into a tiff where she spills his drink on him.

STORY: Fox Downplays 'The Voice' Competition; 'The X Factor' and 'American Idol' Are the Gold Standard

Of shooting the promo, Abdul said: “Simon says that I inspired him for the whole idea. I don’t know what that means. I don’t know if it is a compliment or an insult. It’s probably an insult, but it was funny. Having Simon high-five me and watching Simon giving a standing ovation to a young girl singing ‘Tomorrow’ from ‘Annie’…we had to hold it in. We were laughing very hard.”

The judges' panel also features Antonio "L.A." Reid and Nicole Scherzinger, who replaced Cheryl Cole early on in the audition process.

Steve Jones chosts.

STORY: Official: Nicole Scherzinger to Replace Cheryl Cole on ‘X Factor’

STORY: 'X Factor' Drama: Cheryl Cole Breaks Silence