Khloe Kardashian and Mario Lopez Will Host 'The X Factor'

The Awkward Steve Jones era is almost officially over: "The X Factor" is on the verge of signing its two new co-hosts on for the second season. The lucky winners? Khloe Kardashian and Mario Lopez.

Kardashian and Lopez have been hammering out deals with the show for a few weeks now, but until recently there had been other names in consideration, such as Corbin Bleu. Now, according to TMZ, Lopez and Kardashian are all but official, as their deals are close to completion.

This means more money for the already inflated "X Factor" budget, which shelled out $15 million to bring on Britney Spears for this second season. The salaries for Kardashian and Lopez combine for multiples of millions, though the exact figure it not yet known.

The two will begin their work during the live shows, which begin in November after the run of episodes that include Boot Camp and further eliminations at the judges' homes. Finally, this will mean the end of the oddly staged, voyeuristic interview style that has been used in the auditions thus far, which seems to have been recruiting contestants to fake a conversation or rivalry with other contestants.