Fox has announced that tonight's episode of "The X Factor" -- the first live installment of the series -- will find the judges eliminating five contestants.
The surprise announcement means the contestant pool will be whittled down to 12 by the end of the episode.
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The show, which has so far failed to earn the kind of ratings -- 20 million viewers -- that judge Simon Cowell said he would consider a success, will air an extended two-and-a-half hour episode for its first live showing.
The remaining 17 acts will perform after having worked with stylists, vocal producers and choreographers.
