Ellen DeGeneres Tapped as Paula Abdul's Replacement on 'American Idol'

Bet you didn't see this coming. On Ellen DeGeneres's daytime talk show, she dropped the bombshell that she will be the newest fourth judge on ninth season of the hit Fox reality singing show American Idol, replacing Paula Abdul.

Before you think this is some early April Fools, this story has been confirmed by The New York Times, as well as Fox broadcasting. Some early accounts even report that Fox and DeGeneres signed a five-year contract to serve as judge on American Idol.

DeGeneres will join host Ryan Seacrest, along with judges Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson, and sophomore Kara DioGuardi. Longtime judge Paula Abdul left the show, seemingly over a contract dispute. The signing of DeGeneres certainly means the door on Abdul as a judge is closed.

Ellen DeGeneres's daytime TV talk show is a hit in its own right, and Ellen will frequently talk about pop culture goings-on, and she's frequently seen dancing around her stage. Viewers can imagine she will be bringing that zaniness to the American Idol stage. It will be a completely different zaniness than what Paula Abdul brought the show, as she was rumored to be hopped up on pain medication, and her critiques would trail off into the surreal.

DeGeneres made the announcement during the taping of her talk show on September 9. It's too early to tell if Ellen will be able to star in both shows at once, but she certainly won't get any sympathy from Simon Cowell, who was appearing on the American-based American Idol and the British-based Britain's Got Talent at the same time. Ellen's show tapes in the daytime, so she will likely be able to accommodate the double time.

Ellen DeGeneres is no stranger to television audiences, starring in her own self-titled groundbreaking sitcom in the 1990s, as well as being a capable host of the Academy Awards and the Emmys. She also voiced Dora, the tang with a short memory, in the hit Pixar movie, Finding Nemo. However, her daytime talk show has been her biggest success, making the former comedienne a veritable force in the entertainment industry.

Paula Abdul should not feel too bad. Rumors have swirled about her coming to guest-judge for another hit reality show, So You Think You Can Dance, and the former pop star is definitely hosting the next installment of VH1 Divas.

The ninth season of American Idol will debut in January of 2010.

NY Times, "Ellen DeGeneres to Become Fourth American Idol Judge"