Who Should Replace L.A. Reid? The X Factor Team Weighs In

Mariah Carey. Nicki Minaj. Keith Urban. Shakira. Usher. In recent years, the revolving door at the judges' table on reality singing competitions like American Idoland The Voice has seen a lot of action. And The X Factor has been no exception, cleaning house following the first season by handing pink slips to judges Paula Abdul and Nicole Scherzinger (who, in turn, replaced Cheryl Cole, who was ousted during the auditions) and hiring on Demi Lovato and Britney Spears in Season 2.

Now Simon Cowell and producers must return to the drawing board to find a replacement for L.A. Reid, who announced last week he will not return for the show's third season. So who should replace him? We asked The X Factor's Reid, Cowell and co-host Mario Lopez that very question backstage after Thursday's finale.

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L.A.'s pick: "I think Rihanna should fill my spot so I'll have a reason to watch."

Mario's pick: "I love Demi  and Britney, but if they want to add a female as opposed to getting a man, I've been campaigning for my girl Fergie from The Black Eyed Peas. I think she'd be awesome. We've been friends a long time and she's so talented and I think she'd be an awesome judge/mentor. She's cool and hip and I think the kids would really respond to her and like her."

Simon's pick: "I'm firing them all. I'm going to be the only judge next year. I'll just [mentor] the whole lot."

Who would you like to see join the show? Sound off below!