Ellen DeGeneres Departs 'American Idol'

By PopEater Staff Posted Jul 29th 2010 08:33PM

After just one season, Ellen DeGeneres is bowing out as a judge on 'American Idol,' FOX announced in a statement Thursday. After the news hit, DeGeneres tweeted, "Dim the lights ... I've voted myself off American Idol."

"A couple months ago, I let FOX and the 'American Idol' producers know that this didn't feel like the right fit for me," DeGeneres said in the FOX statement. "I told them I wouldn't leave them in a bind and that I would hold off on doing anything until they were able to figure out where they wanted to take the panel next.

"It was a difficult decision to make, but my work schedule became more than I bargained for. I also realized this season that while I love discovering, supporting and nurturing young talent, it was hard for me to judge people and sometimes hurt their feelings. I loved the experience working on 'Idol' and I am very grateful for the year I had. I am a huge fan of the show and will continue to be."

In the same statement from FOX, 'Idol' creator Simon Fuller shared his thoughts. "I loved Ellen's passion for the artists and her nurturing skills. She brought honesty and optimism to our judging panel and I will miss her greatly."

DeGeneres is the second judge to depart after the ninth season -- Simon Cowell made headlines earlier this year when he announced his plans to leave to focus on bringing a new show to American audiences, 'The X Factor.'

In a statement to The Hollywood Reporter on the occasion of Ellen's resignation, Cowell said, "As I got to know Ellen, I grew to really, really like her. I have huge respect for her because she's always been in control of her own destiny."

Ryan Seacrest also chimed in on his Twitter: "I will miss her on 'Idol.' She's one of the kindest and most talented people in Hollywood!"

Rumors are running rampant in Hollywood about who will succeed Cowell and DeGeneres in the judge's chairs. Names thrown around include Jessica Simpson, Justin Timberlake and Sean 'Diddy' Combs.

UPDATE: TMZ is reporting that Kara DioGuardi has been fired and the show is close to locking up Jennifer Lopez and Aerosmith's Steven Tyler in a return to the three judge format. Read more here!

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Tags: American Idol, ellen degeneres

Comments

(253)

Friday 30 July

By New York

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Is this what you are teaching your family??? Poor parenting.

By fkurtin

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I don't want my kids thinking that being a perv is ok

By justhorses

You don`t want your kids thinking that being a "perv" as you put it, is okay, so I guess it`s okay for your kids to think their mom is a total jerk with a dried-up prune in the place where her heart should be.

By Pat

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Hate to see Ellen leave but it makes my skin crawl to hear about Jessica Simpson possibly taking one of the places on the pannel, She is nothing but trailer trash! People, please don't allow this to happen!!!

By james claypool

PAT trailer trash is a very bad word

By mountinangel

Hey, Trailer Trash is an elite culture! Jessica Simson no longer rates!

By Kenny Nash

Kenny Nash here...........recording artist/song writer. All the judges are getting the ax. The ratings have been so low since Paula left that they are gettng rid of all of them. Randy's contract is up and American is sick of looking at him as well. ELLEN WAS JUST RANDY'S PARROT ANYWAY.

KENNY NASH

YOUTUBE KENNY NASH "DESIRE"

Kenny who?

By mesaman

I bought a Nash once. Couldn't stand it. It looked like a bathtub, used oil like BP, and wobbled like Barney Frank.

By carole del monte

I think Ellen's great. Thank goodness (& I'm not surprised, in her case) that someone has the sensitivity to be turned off by this genre of reality shows, where someone gets "dissed" with what seems like pleasure, by judges & viewers.

By bgs

Other than one winner, (30 year old who went no where), all of the winners have been between 18 and 25. I think this is the age they should narrow the contestants down too. I don't like dropping the age. If they narrowed it down to this age group, the lines would be shorter--young and old would leave!--and they could go visit MORE cities to get people to audition and we could hear better talent.

ELLEN-should never have been a judge in the first place. She's not a musician or vocalist! What gives her the right to judge someone who may need a big break? See Ellen- that didn't hurt at all. LOVE your show though.

By hitman

This discrimitory show should not even be on air, it discriminates on age and if your over 28 you can not appear on it as proven in Nashville during registration for it, so no real talent is ever on the show at all due to this.

By potbelli6

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No talent, never funny at all & you are right, she probably does have "Balls"!!

By George

I think she really just wishes she had balls!

By Bella

The original 3 judges and the 3 judge format worked the best. I miss Paula and I'll definitely miss Simon. I have to admit Kara did grown on me. She at least has the music smarts but I think she may also be leaving. Last I heard, J-Lo and Steve Tyler may be the replacements. This is going to be just too radical of a change and I'm afraid the show won't be able to sustain itself. I'll tune in to see, but I'm not all that optimistic.

By Yatzar

How can they even think of having Howard Stern judging American Idol. That guy is a pervert, what kind of example will be given towards the young kids?
Howard Stern is washed out, looking for new job action.

I belive "Niles from dancing with the stars would be a good replacement for Simon.

By Noodles

Aww bummer! I'll miss Ellen! I thought she was great - and gave more of a "gut feeling" opinion rather than the more critical other opinions. Besides - I happened to enjoy her funny quips. They lightened things up. I also thought it was great that she didn't just go along with what the other judges were saying.

Howard Stern, Ozzie Osborne(on his worst day) & Glen Beck would be a great trio of judges. The music they play is crap anyway!!

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