Ellen Becomes 4th Idol Judge

[LikeAWillow]

SEPTEMBER 9, 2009, 8:34 PM
Ellen DeGeneres to Become Fourth ‘American Idol’ Judge

By BRIAN STELTER
Ellen DeGeneres will join Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson and Kara DioGuardi as the fourth judge on “American Idol” next winter, Fox announced Wednesday evening.

The announcement comes after Paula Abdul said last month she would depart the program ahead of its ninth season, which is scheduled to start in January 2010.

Ms. DeGeneres, the popular daytime talk show host, will join the famous judges’ panel after the auditions, which are currently taking place in cities around the country.

“I’m thrilled to be the new judge on American Idol,” Ms. DeGeneres said in a statement. “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.”

http://mediadecoder.blogs.nytimes.co...an-idol-judge/