[Lemon:] Some big changes are coming to the "X Factor." Record executive L.A. Reid says he's not coming back for another season. A.J. Hammer of "Showbiz Tonight" is in New York. Hey,
[A.j. A.j. Hammer, "showbiz Tonight":] Hey, Don. Yes, another shakeup at "The X Factor", and the show, of course, has had quite a few shakeups over the past year. So, judge and mentor L.A. Reid is going to be leaving Simon Cowell's singing contest after the season wraps up. They're in the second season. Now, they're up for the finals next week. This was confirmed by a spokesperson for Epic Records. That's where Reid is the chairman and CEO. We're basically told he made the decision so he could concentrate on his responsibilities with the record label. Obviously, it's a pretty big job and it keeps him very busy. So the label tells us Reid really needs to turn his full attention to his day job. Now, the show has seen quite a few other changes over the past year, some turnover with Britney Spears and Demi Lovato. They replaced first season judges, Nicole Scherzinger and Paul Abdul, of course. Two new hosts come onboard. You have Khloe Kardashian Odum and Maria Lopez, replacing Steve Jones who hosted the first season. But Reid really seemed to be enjoying last night. It was the final broadcast and I guess it was really good news for him as he's winding things down to see country singer Tate Stevens being voted by fans into next week's finals. So, Don, the third season of "X Factor" firing up without L.A. Reid and at this point, it's anyone's guess as to who's going to replace him.
[Lemon:] Why do they have so many changes? I mean, is the show not doing well? What's going on?
[Hammer:] Well, from the very beginning, it never up with Simon Cowell's expectations and what he put out for the hopes for the kind of ratings that the show would see. And I think L.A. Reid, you watch him on the show and sometimes you wonder, does he really want to be doing this?
[Lemon:] Yes.
[Hammer:] He's a great judge, I think he calls it like he sees it but he has a big day job. He's running a record label.
[Lemon:] Yes, it was interesting when they brought him on, it just seemed like an odd fit. Oh, well. Let's move and talk about Harry Potter, back in the news. Apparently, the highest grossing franchise of all time, A.J.?
[Hammer:] Yes, this is a pretty great title. "Forbes" just released its list of the highest global box office franchises, and you have Harry Potter on top, ranked number one, earnings of $7.7 billion. As you see, it's followed by "Star Wars" $4.5 billion. The third is the James Bond films, also the longest lasting, according to Forbes, in the span of 50 years, they've done 24 films staring seven dashing action heroes. That's followed by "Pirates of the Caribbean", that's in fourth place. "Batman" series in fifth place. Even though "Harry Potter" is the highest grossing franchise, "Lord of the Rings" is a serious contender. They, of course, have new films on the way. The "Lord of the Rings" franchise currently ranks ninth, earnings of almost $3 billion. But "The Hobbit" three-part series which hits theaters today has the potential to make "Lord of the Rings" one of the most lucrative franchises of all-time and I certainly know they're going to do huge box office, it will be an easy win for number one this weekend, Don.
[Lemon:] Goodness gracious, we're in the wrong business. My goodness. All right. Thank you, A.J. Next hour, A.J. has the story of a man caught trying to break into Taylor Swift's home and he was armed with a knife. Checking our top stories right now: The deejays who pranked the hospital where Prince Williams' pregnant wife was staying say they are not getting death threats. So the deejays and 10 station executives have hired bodyguards. And some reports say the deejays have been moved to a safe house. The nurse who answered the prank call committed suicide last week. A U.S. veteran says he's been put on the FBI's no fly list and doesn't know why. Saddiq Long and the Council for American Islamic Relations held a press conference in Oklahoma City. They said the FBI and law enforcement officials have followed and harassed Long and his sister. In a statement, the FBI says it does not violate anyone's civil rights. Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal says birth control should be sold over the counter. In a "Wall Street Journal" op-ed, Jindal writes the political battle over health insurance coverage for contraception wouldn't be repeated if women could buy it without a prescription. He also said, "As a conservative Republican I believe that we have been stupid to let the Democrats demagogue the contraceptives issue and pretend, during debates about health care insurance, that Republicans are somehow against birth control." The Twinkie and other Hostess brand treats could be back in your lunch bag they're hoping. Bloomberg News reports Wal-Mart and Kroger are among the bidders for the iconic brand. But the company declined any comment. Hostess began to wind down its operation last month after failing to resolve a contract dispute with its bakers' union. Hostess will auction brands like Twinkies and cupcakes early next year. A new report says just because there are fewer airlines, that doesn't mean air fares have gone sky high. Maribel Aber is at the New York Stock Exchange at the NASDAQ I should say. Market site is following this story for us. So Maribel what did the report find?
[Maribel Aber, Cnn Correspondent:] Well Don here's the thing it may feel like you're paying more but there's this report you just brought up here. It's from Price Water House Cooper. It says that you're not actually there have been a lot of mergers over the past few years. Now think back Delta and Northwest, Continental and United, Southwest and AirTran. And whenever we've heard about an airline merger, people think you know what less competition and higher prices, right? Well "USA Today" says the dramatic price increases that people that some people expected they just haven't happened and now yes prices are higher. The thing is not that much. Domestic ticket prices have been rising only 1.8 percent a year so that's less than the rate of inflation. Also I want to point out when a carrier moves out of the market another one usually moves in and so that's maintaining the competition Don.
[Lemon:] All right, thank you, Maribel. The Angels made Josh Hamilton the $125 million man. But can this huge off-season signing lead to post season success? We'll talk about it.