L.A. Reid managed to avoid the axe that fell on the cast of X Factor after the show's first season. On the heels of news that Paula Abdul, Nicole Scherziner and Steve Jones were fired -- THR.com reported that L.A. Reid signed a contract to return to the judge's table.

Reid reportedly inked his new deal on Friday. He received largely positive reviews on the show, with some critics saying he was meaner than Simon Cowell at the height of his Mr. Nasty reputation.

There's been no official word on any new judges, although Cowell has long been open about his desire to work with Mariah Carey.