Ellen DeGeneres takes Paula Abdul's 'American Idol' seat

Link to LA Times story

A little more than a month after Paula Abdul tendered her high-profile Twitter resignation as a judge on "American Idol," Fox announced Wednesday that she was being replaced by one of the show's biggest fans, comedian and talk-show host Ellen DeGeneres.

The network's five-year deal with DeGeneres puts to rest a major challenge facing Fox as the aging singing competition enters its ninth season in January: filling the shoes of the judge considered by many to be the heart of the show.

DeGeneres, who has hosted the Oscars and the Emmys and was recently a guest judge on Fox's "So You Think You Can Dance," broke the news to her audience during a taping of "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" on Wednesday.

"I don't know how it happened myself, but I have not missed one episode of that show," DeGeneres said in the episode of the talk show that airs today. "I love everything about it and I love music, as you know. Hopefully I'm the people's point of view because I'm just like you. I sit at home and I watch it and I don't have that technical . . . 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."

The move to sign DeGeneres came after a series of guest judges filled in for Abdul during the "Idol" audition rounds, including Spice Girl Victoria Beckham, singers Mary J. Blige, Katy Perry and Avril Lavigne, and actors Neil Patrick Harris and Kristin Chenoweth.

Rest of the story at above Link

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i just saw this. I love ellen on her show but when she was a guest jusge on sytycd I did not think she did that well, her jokes sems rehearsed and she seemed awkward...we will see

I agree rallen. I think her routine will get old on AI.

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Superstar, Legend and Icon Number of posts: 22946 Registration date: 2007-12-28

I love Ellen but I want Paula on AI!!!!!!! Why are they getting rid of Paula? snooty

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Superstar, Legend and Icon Number of posts: 11812 Registration date: 2008-09-20

Moody wrote:

I love Ellen but I want Paula on AI!!!!!!! Why are they getting rid of Paula? snooty

She said he said... contract negotiations fell through. Simon said Paula was a star before she became a judge and that he will respect 'her' decision. (paraphrased)

hmmmmmmm, i dont knwo about this choice.
What does ellen know about music, pitch, etc?

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I think it's great and a wonderful shot in the arm to the show.

1. It's American Idol. It's not brain surgery. It's not like in the scheme of things it's really that important.
2. I like Paula, but she wasn't that much of a music expert. It's not like Ellen is replacing Maria Callas.
3. Ellen can give an every-person spin on it. She is so witty and I think she will take over the role of being the "nice" one.

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All Star Number of posts: 1230 Registration date: 2008-01-13

I think Ellen will do a great job. I will be very interested in how her humor works with sullen Simon. I think she will do her homework and be knowledgeable and yet, kind.

If Paula did this as a publicity stunt, I really did backfire on her.

Superstar, Legend and Icon Number of posts: 11812 Registration date: 2008-09-20

NancyB (admin) wrote:

I think it's great and a wonderful shot in the arm to the show.

1. It's American Idol. It's not brain surgery. It's not like in the scheme of things it's really that important.
2. I like Paula, but she wasn't that much of a music expert. It's not like Ellen is replacing Maria Callas.
3. Ellen can give an every-person spin on it. She is so witty and I think she will take over the role of being the "nice" one.

My thoughts as well. Ellen loves music. All genres from what I can tell. Her perspective will be welcome I believe. My only concern they didn't have enough time when Paula was 'responding' what will they do with Ellen?! lmao

Famous for being Famous Number of posts: 4204 Registration date: 2008-05-09

This was the BEST news I heard this morning!!!!

I loved Paula on AI but I think Ellen is going to bring a lot more fun and more laughs to the show.
I just wish she got to do the auditions with Randy and Simon...can you imagine how extra funny that would be with her?
When Ellen gets belly-laughing it is so hard NOT to belly laugh along with her.

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http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/09/09/ellen-degeneres-joining-a_n_281466.html

Partial

"Hopefully, I'm the people's point of view because I'm just like you," DeGeneres said on her talk show. "I sit at home and I watch it, and I don't have that technical ... 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."

All Star Number of posts: 2311 Location: NYC Registration date: 2008-01-13

I LOVE Ellen. It's true she can give a more "everyman" view to the show. Kara knows more technically about music & the industry than Paula ever did so they don't really need another "expert" type.

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Houseguest Number of posts: 243 Location: Chicago Registration date: 2009-06-06

Ugh. I cannot stand her. She just isn't funny to me. That aside, what does she know about music?

All Star Number of posts: 1580 Registration date: 2008-01-16

I like Ellen, but I want Paula back on Idol - she is an expert at being a rock/pop star, which is what these kids dream of being.

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I'll miss wacky, crazy, loveable Paula. I have no idea whether I will like Ellen in this role until I see for myself. Either she will be great or awful.