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Ellen DeGeneres Quits American Idol

Comic blames bad fit; show now has 2 judging vacancies

By the Associated Press

Posted Jul 29, 2010 9:27 PM CDT
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(AP) – Ellen DeGeneres is dancing off American Idol after one season, leaving Fox's hit show with two vacancies on its judging panel. If the singing contest intends to revamp itself to stem a ratings slide, it has the opportunity to bring in two new faces for Season 10, which starts in January. Fox has yet to announce a replacement for Simon Cowell, who left after the season finale in May to start a new talent show for the network.

"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 a statement. The comedian-talk show host said she realized that while she "loved discovering, supporting and nurturing young talent, it was hard for me to judge people and sometimes hurt their feelings." A Fox statement contained no announcement of a replacement for DeGeneres. The network could make an announcement Monday, when it presents its 2010-11 programming schedule to members of the Television Critics Association meeting in Beverly Hills.

This undated publicity image released by Fox shows American Idol judges Simon Cowell, Ellen DeGeneres, Kara DioGuardi, and Randy Jackson.
This undated publicity image released by Fox shows "American Idol" judges Simon Cowell, Ellen DeGeneres, Kara DioGuardi, and Randy Jackson.   (AP Photo/Fox, Michael Becker)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 17 comments
John
Jul 30, 2010 5:47 PM CDT
I like Ellen, but who cares? Really?
Misha
Jul 30, 2010 3:47 PM CDT
Entertainment Weekly is reporting that the producers of Idol are planning to replace Ellen DeGeneres with Mel Gibson.
Rob Williams
Jul 30, 2010 10:49 AM CDT
Yeah Ellen, you are just too sensitive and caring, that's the problem. How 'bout, you are a nasty, passive aggressive pedant who thought she would march in and take over, and that didn't pan out now did it? Go back to your adoring, drooling bib-equipped fans.

Copyright 2012 Newser, LLC. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. AP contributed to this report.

 
entertainment • television • reality TV • American Idol • Simon Cowell • celebrity • Fox • Ellen DeGeneres • Ellen DeGeneres American Idol • Ellen DeGeneres Simon Cowell • Television Critics Association

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