Ellen Degeneres Replaces Paula Abdul As 4th Judge On American Idol

According to Fox Television, comedienne and TV talk show host Ellen Degeneres will replace Paula Abdul as the 4th judge on American Idol.

Abdul walked off the show last month following a dispute with AI producers over her demands for a bigger cut of the show's profits in her paycheck. The producers didn't call her bluff and Abdul found herself outside in the cold.

"DeGeneres will sit alongside Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson and Kara DioGuardi and offer her own unique perspective to the contestants throughout the competition," Fox television said in a statement.

Degeneres will begin her stint as 4th judge after the audition rounds, which has been featuring temporary celebrity judges such as Mary J. Blige, Joe Jonas of the Jonas Brothers and Victoria "Posh" Beckham.

"I'm going to have a day job and a night job," DeGeneres said during a taping of her Ellen DeGeneres Show on Wednesday when she made the surprise announcement.

I don't watch AI at all, but it seems to me that Ellen cracking jokes will be an odd fit for the show.

  • jazi65

    I :heart: Ellen - she's hilarious & would keep the show interesting..simon's jokes are either insensitive or dry.

  • Anna

    I heart Ellen but this won't work. I want my "train wreck" Paul back.

  • Anna

    Jazie65, I must have been typing because there was not a comment and we said the same thing. We heart Ellen.

  • http://charactercorner.blogspot.com attorneymom

    I don't watch her show, but I think it was a good choice. Sandra, I am sure your community is very happy about Ellen's new gig.

  • ELove

    I'm quite sure Ellen didn't come CHEAP ...

  • Anna

    ELove Says:

    I’m quite sure Ellen didn’t come CHEAP …
    ~~~~~~~
    I know. So why did they not pay Paula? Ryan gets $15 mill a year. I love Ellen but she is a comedian and this is a do or die, make or break my career talent show.

  • anti-PC

    I think she would be a nice addition. She is a very funny lady although no one will ever truly replace Paula...

  • PAGESINADIARY

    IM WONDERING WHAT TYPE OF MUSICAL EXPERIENCE ELLEN BRINGS TO THE TABLE?

  • Daisy

    :offtopic: Anybody see the RHOA on Ellen yesterday LOL

  • mizzdallas

    I like Ellen but I still wont watch AI I havent since Fantasia won!

  • Shauny

    I like Ellen but this isn't a good fit. She WILL NOT critique anyone, just as she didn't do on SYTYCD. What advice can she give them, she knows crap about singing and I'm willing to bet you that they paid her more that what Paula was getting. That sucks that they played Paula like that. With Ellen's contract and all the guest judges, the probably overpaid what she was asking for. Then they keep Kara who most people HATED. I hope their ratings tank. I haven't watched since I don't know when anyway.

  • http://twitter.com/LaydeeJustice LadyJustice

    this will be GOOD. i love ellen.

  • iscream

    Good morning SR fam.

  • Daisy

    I love Ellen but not sure how this will workout. She is funny but like Shauny said she didnt give any good feedback when she sat in on so you think u can dance. If they paid Ellen they could have paid Paula. I hadn't planned on watching anymore anyway so I am good lol I can see Simon making Ellen cry for some reason lol

    I agree Shauny Kara SUCKED but they brought her back

  • VAALLDAY

    I'm not to sure about Ellen on there.

  • ELove

    @mizzdallas
    SAME HERE and the only reason I watched then was my daughter MADE ME WATCH IT WITH HER... which wasn't bad for me because I actually LIKE Fantasia ALOT (She can Sangy-SANG !!!)