It’s official. Ellen DeGeneres is the permanent fourth judge on American Idol.
In the taping for Thursday’s Ellen DeGeneres Show, DeGeneres said the deal had been in the works for the last couple of weeks.
Set to have both “a day and night job,” Ellen is a big pop culture fan.
“I have not missed one episode of that show. I’ve watched every single thing and I love everything about it,” she said.
“Hopefully I’m the people’s point of view. Like you I sit at home and I watch it. I’m not looking at it in a critical kind of way, from the producer’s mind. I’m looking it as a person who’s going to buy the music.”
In a statement, executive producer Simon Fuller says, “Ellen has been a fan of the show for many years, and her love of music and understanding of the American public will bring a unique human touch to our judging panel.”
Paula Abdul was not renewed for the show following a breakdown in contract negotiations.
The show airs in Australia on FOX8.
Did any of you guys catch her guest judging on Dance US? She was such an idiot and she came off as someone who knew jacksh** about Dance. All she did was make jokes and say ‘that was a really good dance!!”
If that’s all I’m gonna hear next season…I’m gonna be pi**ed. As if they’re not gonna get someone with knowledge of the music industry?
I was very happy with them getting Kara but this is a Terrible step in the Wrong direction. I’m mighty pi**ed that Simon Cowell has sold out.
I like Ellen but I’m not sure she’s the best choice for this job
My first thought when I heard this was that it was a prank. It is certainly a left fielder!
Wow, was so suprised. Am an Ellen devotee, yet thought was odd addition. But Paula was a mumbling nothing we laughed at, now we can laugh without feeling guilty! Love Ellen and US Idol! Maybe an Adam Lambert can win now.
Now, Simon Cowell, prepare to learn to dance… (Ellen starts to boogie)
How bizarre!
What next? We’ll have Kerri Anne Kennerley being a 4th host on Oz Idol?
I’d prefer Gina Riley’s version!
I didn’t get it at first … but let’s face it, our yawnful panel could really do with a comedian.
I American Idol as dead as Australian Idol so the producers just don’t care any more? How does Ellen fit in to the music industry?
I guess Ellen is someone you either love or hate and right now more people love her, she’s just started her 7th season and now this, what next Finding Nemo 2 will finally be made
An amazingly out of left-field choice and one I am on board with 100%! Ellen will bring value to the show guaranteed! Brilliant choice!!
How good is this news?! Ellen is hilarious, likeable, world-famous and most importantly a real person, not a caricature, which makes her very different and way better than Randy, Simon, or Paula have ever been. And here we are stuck with the wallpaper-boring Jay Dee.
Never did I ever expect to see this headline. Interesting.
this is as ridiculous as Ellen being a guest judge on So You Think You Can Dance. horrible.
@ sliced and diced..she knows as much about music as Kyle Sandilands when he was on Aust Idol…bit of an odd choice though, i cant imagine her and Simon Cowell on the same judging panel…i dont get the point of 4 judges in these formats anyway, they would have been better sticking with Randy, Simon and Kara.
Awesome, awesome news!! Absolutely brilliant choice in my opinion!
I don’t think this will work in the long term, as Ellen isn’t funny. If the US ratings decline, I expect Paula will be asked back, but it’ll cost the producers dearly and rightly so.
Who cares if she’s unfunny? She’s not there to do stand up
Wonder if she’ll bring her “Kah…KAH” phrase to Idol being a judge
bahahhahahaha
Idol will be on against Portia in Better Off Ted. Poor Portia. Maybe they can have a holiday here and give Ellen some more practice guest judging Australian Idol.
Unusual choice. I don’t think anyone predicted this. But it will be interesting to see how this turns out.
Lame.
What exactly does she know about music? Crtiticise the show if you must (I agree it’s rot) but paula knew her music and paid her industry dues (and so have the other two in their own way). What has Ellen done for the music industry…….?
I love Ellen and I think she will be great, however, I’m sure her good mate Ryan Seacrest had some influence over this appointment
I’m so happy for her. I know how much she loves the show and i can say that she definitelly deserves it. She always puts a smile on my face. We <3 Ellen.
OMFG!!
That woman is soooooooooooooooooo unfunny!!
Idol will be tragic without Paula.
She might almost make Idol worth watching!…
What am I saying – strippers couldn’t make me watch this tripe!
wow, have any contract details surfaced? surley they would be paying ellen more than the 4mil that they refused to give to paula.