'The X Factor USA' reveals new Four Chair Challenge Round

Credit: FOX

Tonight's episode of The X Factor USA marks the end of audition rounds, as tomorrow night's show will unveil the judges' Top 40 acts, 10 from each of the four categories. But a new twist will throw a wrench into the process, as the Boot Camp/Judges' Homes format is out the window, according to an official FOX press release (obtained via TV By the Numbers).

In its place comes the Four Chair Challenge Round, as the Top 40 acts will perform in front of the judges and a live audience of thousands, with each judge choosing four acts to take with them to the live shows. According to the official FOX press release, "contestants who impress the judges will be given a chair on the new “X”-shaped stage, and the others will be sent home. But just because they get a chair, it doesn’t mean they are safe. Each judge has The Choice to replace one of his/her already seated acts with a new act, or send that act straight home, upping the emotion and drama to new heights."

“This is a brand new section of the show and we had no idea what to expect when we filmed it,” said judge Simon Cowell, “but it became obvious very quickly that it really raises the stakes – for the contestants, for the judges – and especially for the audience. It’s a cross between Musical Chairs...and a Roman Coliseum. At one point, the audience totally disagreed with the judges and was so out of control we actually had to stop filming. What happened next was extraordinary. It’s like nothing you’ve ever seen before.”

The Four Chair Challenge round will continue Thursday, Oct. 3 and Wednesday, Oct. 9, concluding Thursday, Oct. 10 with the unveiling of the top 16. However, anxious viewers will have to wait nearly three weeks for the season's first live show, as the top 16 take the stage for the first time on Tuesday, Oct. 29.