American Idol Snags DeGeneres as 4th Judge

Comic blames bad fit; show now has 2 judging vacancies

(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. More»

Conan, Ellen, Sarah all deserve a look

(NEWSER) - \With Oprah leaving her show in the all-too-near future, people have been clamoring to find the heir to her daytime throne. The Boston Globe offers a few outside-the-box suggestions. More»

New judge DeGeneres doesn't hold back on American Idol

(NEWSER) - Ellen DeGeneres flashed the humor many expected of her in tonight’s screen debut as an American Idol judge—and beforehand got off a shot at departing fellow judge Simon Cowell, saying the acerbic Brit is “actually meaner than I thought.” That tidbit comes via a video on the Fox show’s site ; the daytime talk-show host succeeded in “establishing what seems like a good-natured, jokey tension between the two new co-workers,” Gil Kaufman writes for MTV . More»

Cowell, Abdul in talks to team up on new show

(NEWSER) - Good news for anyone pining for the good ol' days of American Idol: Paula Abdul and Simon Cowell may be reuniting for Cowell’s X Factor. Sources tell TMZ the pair is discussing the possibility of Abdul coming on the US version of his UK hit as a judge. Cowell himself recently said he adores Paula, and “whatever happens, I will be working with her in some capacity, because I miss her,” the New York Daily News adds. More»

DeGeneres talks Cowell, Paula Abdul as American Idol returns

(NEWSER) - Ellen DeGeneres makes her debut as the newest American Idol judge on Tuesday, and she talks Simon Cowell (he’s “smart,” but “mean” and “insensitive”) and more with the Wall Street Journal :

• Paula Abdul: “I don't know if I'll be as nurturing as she is. I'll probably try to be somewhat encouraging. But I'll be honest. I don't think it helps anybody to be encouraged and not told the truth.”