Ellen DeGeneres Taking Paula Abdul's Empty 'Idol' Seat

By PopEater Staff Posted Sep 9th 2009 09:33PM

Ellen DeGeneres will replace Paula Abdul as a permanent 'American Idol' judge, Usmagazine.com reports.

"I'm thrilled to be the new judge on 'American Idol.' I've watched since the beginning, and I've always been a huge fan. So getting this job is a dream come true, and think of all the money I'll save from not having to text in my vote," DeGeneres says.

But Ellen isn't abandoning her talk show. "I'm going to have a day job and a night job. The times we're living in ... we're all doing that."

Watch Ellen Make Her Big Announcement

'Idol' executive producer Simon Fuller is pleased with the decision to hire DeGeneres.

"I could not be more excited to have Ellen join the 'American Idol' family. 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. I can't wait for this next season to begin," Fuller says.

Abdul announced in August via Twitter that she would not be returning to her judging role on 'Idol.' Many reports cite a salary dispute as the reason she left the show, with some estimates saying she asked for $10 million per season but did not get an offer that high. She's since been tapped to host VH1's 'Divas' concert on 9/17, and her name has been floated for other reality judging roles.

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Ellen DeGeneres

FILE - In this Aug. 30, 2009 file photo, Ellen DeGeneres arrives at the Daytime Emmy Awards on in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Matt Sayles, File)

Tags: american idol, AmericanIdol, ellen degeneres, EllenDegeneres, paula abdul, PaulaAbdul

Comments

(217)

Thursday 10 September

By daver in Austin

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This bad decision will come back to haunt AI. It reminds me of a cat that took a crap in a cat box with no litter; They will be working real hard to cover up their mess while not trying to look like the idiots they have proven to be.Paula must be laughing her butt off and glad she bailed when Idol WAS on top... I won't watch AI again.

By ppii

Wow. What a stupid a$$ comment.

By mitch

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You just lost me as a day one veiwer. Ellen is in no way qualified to be a judge on this show. I will not watch one show this comming season if this is the best you can do..........

By NPS100

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Wow...are you really that ignorant, Missy? Seriously?

Before you go and make such stupid comments on such a public forum, I highly suggest you do some research about the people you're blatantly insulting. Don't go on here and use words like "fag" and then resort to comments like "be as the good Lord made you" and pretend to be all holy and Christian....because, honestly, honey...if there is a Lord...I don't think He would appreciate you using such language like that. And what kind of role model are you to your children using terms like that. Shame on you!

You're also probably afraid to let your children watch TV shows with African Americans...in fear that...OH MY GOD...they may turn BLACK!!!!

Your perception of gay people is so wrong and really only based on your own misconception of a social group you know absolutely nothing about. You base all your opinions on loose stereotypes.

Ellen may or may not be the best choice for the job...but, honestly, this has absolutely nothing to do with her being a lesbian... or a move to appease the gay community.

By MISSY

NPSIOO,
THE PROBLEM WITH YOU AND A MAJORITY OF OTHERS IS YOU DON'T THINK,FEEL OR BELIEVE, YOU DON'T THINK ABOUT RIGHT OR WRONGS AS FAR AS HUMAN NATURE, IF YOU HAD FEELINGS YOU WOULD NOW THERE WAS A GOD AND YOU WOULD HAVE MORALS. YOU DON'T BELIEVE, YOU SAID IT YOURSELVE IN YOUR OWN STATEMENT,..."IF THIER IS A LORD". NEED I SAY MORE.I DIDN'T THINK SO.

By mephibosheth

It's a joke! Paula is coming back.

By Dabsace

Ellen DeGENERATE the show has just jump to a new LOW!! An earlier comment made on the Bible judging people, the bible also says in Romans 1:26,27 that GOD gave these people up because it disgusts him!! And if we are to be GOD LIKE it should disgusts us too!! This is an unnatural act, just like a person having sex with an animal, all unnatural, not how GOD made us.

By randyfburns

First off, I'm ashamed of reading some of this garbage. It's alright to voice an opinion about Ellen joining the "Idol" cast. But to condemn someone because of their sexuality in this day and age is unjustifiable.
Ellen came out to the world and paid a price for it but she has battled back to become one the most respected women on television. Afterall what does her sexuality have to do with anything?
The Bible says that we were created in God's image, not by what we do in the privacy of our homes. We walk down the same streets, eat at the same restaurants and swim on the same beaches. In God's eyes, there is place for all of us...humankind...
That being said...forget Ellen, get off you butts and get Paula back before it's too late.

By Jake

It's your grammar that disgusts me! My GOD! Where was your first grade teacher when you needed her?

By rob

ellen has no musical background and that should be the only qualifacation for the show.

By mira

America votes, are all Americans musical talent experts?

By Timothy

Your kids shouldn't be watching T.V to begin with. Throw it out. It's brainwashing.

By topdwn96

I'm totally blown away by the comments on here. I truly had no idea this much hatred was held toward just about anyone. Heavens, people! All Ellen has done is to be honest about her lifestyle. If everyone knew who all in the entertainment industry is gay/lesbian I guess you folks could give up watching TV, going to movies, listening to the radio or reading magazines!

By Wayne

NPS, Please explain to me how you can possibly compare watching Homosexuals as watching African Americans on Televisions. Is that a Joke?! Your comparing a race of people to Homosexuals? That is the absolute WORST analogy you could possibly use. It's demeaning and It doesn't even make sense. "Out of Fear of turning Black? Her children cannot turn black watching television but they can become Gay. Very frustrating that Gays are always trying to use African American discrimination to prove there disgusting way of life.

Saturday 12 September

By Thomas Bower

Wayne,

You're right. There is NO comparison. Gays tend to be talented and interesting. Who'd want to watch an African American perform something? That'd be a real sin!

You have lost me as a season one viewer. Ellen is not qualified to be a musical judge and i will not watch talet be lost due to this fact..

By c j

You have GOT to be kidding! It was stupid enough when she was a guest, not a single constructive thing to say. I know she's a comic, but she's not judging a comedy contest, this is a music show.
I guess the price was right.
Just my own opinion.

By Cari

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Ohhh Mickey - yum yum slurp ahahaha hahaha ahahaha
ahahahahahahahaha ahahaha ahahah atee hee hee heehehee hahaahah

By Hope

the show has just jump to a new LOW!! An earlier comment made on the Bible judging people, the bible also says in Romans 1:26,27 that GOD gave these people up because it disgusts him!!

So, basically you are telling us what GOD said, because you heard him directly ?? Of course not. The Bible is an interpretation of what some people have demised...no one really knows.

Hope...

The Bible is GOD speaking to us directly and if you are a christian ( which u may most likely not) you would take what is spoken to you as head it as it is a safe haven for us in this WORLDLY enviroment that eventually will be changed as GOD will WIPE out all things that are evil and Homosexuals are some thing detestable to GOD in Matthew again Jesus explains when the end will be and if your not on that boat and going down the Road of Broad and Spacious you are not one of GODS people and you will wonder just like the Israelite did in Mosas day. YOU will lose your life just like they did when they murmured against him. Do yourlelf a favor and read deeply and not in between the lines of your Bible and maybe you to will be concealed in the day of God when he brings destrcution to those who are ruining the Earth.

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