BREAKING: Ellen DeGeneres Joins American Idol As Fourth Judge

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Fox announced tonight that Ellen DeGeneres will take Paula Abdul's seat on American Idol next winter. The Emmy-winning daytime talk show host will join Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson and Kara DioGuardi as the sympathic panelist. While she won't have any anecdotes about working with various musical acts of the 1980's, as least Ellen will understand that the current decade is not the 1980's.

DeGeneres shared her secret at today's taping of The Ellen DeGeneres Show, where she assured the audience that she won't leave her post at the talk show. She also alluded to several weeks of Idol negotiations: "It's just been so hard to keep it a secret and we just finally got the OK and I'm so excited. It is going to be so much fun."

Claiming to have never missed an episode, DeGeneres also said that she would like to assume the audience's viewpoint:

"Hopefully I'm the people's point of view because I'm just like you. I sit at home and I watch it. ... I'm not looking at it in a critical way from the producer's mind. I'm looking at it as a person who is going to buy the music and is going to relate to that person."

In an official announcement, Paula's replacement joked about the new gig: "Think of all the money I'll save from not having to text in my vote." DeGeneres will assume her Coca-Cola sponsored-cup when American Idol's ninth season begins in January.

Video of the announcement below.

· Ellen DeGeneres to Become Fourth 'American Idol' Judge [New York Times]



Comments

  • Mikey says:

    Lemme tell you , American Idol is getting the better of this deal.

  • Freddie says:

    But deGeneres has no talent herself, so how would she recognise talent in others?

  • Ellen Fan says:

    WONDERFUL! Very wise choice for a judge for a change. Paula wasn't bad but Ellen should be a nice alternative to 3 conceited music "professionals".

  • She will cut Simon Cowell by the end of the season. Mark my words.

  • Lowbrow says:

    You're so right! Having no talent is probably the only reason she has won twelve Emmys so far. Dick.

  • Seth Abramovitch says:

    If her guest judging stint in SYTYCD is any indication, we're in for a lonnnng season.

  • Wesam Perth says:

    She is very kind for a judge there, she will never do well and I think this will ruin her career forever, she is better off without doing it, time will only tell..

  • jimmy james monkey death says:

    now, now, you and I both know that talentless people have won Emmys. Not Ellen, but I have my suspicions about some of the main title theme writers.

  • SunnydaZe says:

    So, are we to assume that in this new format American Idol will now be three hours long?

  • I like Ellen, but is there no one left with compassion in the music industry?

  • Petey says:

    How could this possibly "ruin her career forever?" She's a great choice, as far as the show is concerned. And they're getting a definite upgrade. Instead of being an 80's has-been with addiction problems, she's a current star that the public loves. She may love the drinks, but she can obviously hold a public position and not be constantly loopy.
    It may be a strain on her to do both, especially with the publicity, and maintain her relationship... but, really, who else did you want? This is an excellent pick. Stop being ridiculous.
    If you insist on being a contrarian... suggest who would be better. Put up or shut up!

  • Emperor Joshua Norton says:

    For me, the issue isn't whether she's better than Abdul, but that as a worthwhile human being, she's better than the entire show.
    I really can't imagine her being in the same world with the mean-mugging, preening, needlessly unkind Simon. Or supporting the stripping down of real, raw talent in favor of the bland (as always occurs in the preliminaries), or, ferchrissakes, being anywhere near the horrifying freakshow of the auditions.
    When those audition shows run, and tragically deluded folks are paraded for people to sneer at, I can actually feel the IQ of America dropping precipitously.
    The show deserves a trainwreck like Paula. Ellen is to AI as Mothra was to Osaka.

  • SunnydaZe says:

    Might I suggest South Carolina Rep. Joe Wilson as the fourth American Idol judge? He's got moxie!

  • Lowbrow says:

    If the IQ of America was to drop any lower, we'd be Cisco Adler's nutsack.

  • el smrtmnky says:

    i'm hoping Ellen shows up and then rips off her face and it's actually Paula, like in Mission Impossible

  • Jen says:

    Do we still do Commenters of the Week around this place? If so, you are a lock.

  • Lowbrow says:

    Aww, I love you.

  • Liz Lemonazi says:

    Awww, I was hoping she would appear as a performer along with Quentin Tarantino and Barry Manilow on American Idol: Masters.