FOX has announced a replacement for departed “American Idol” judge Paula Abdul: ELLEN DEGENERES!  I could not be happier, I love Ellen. My only concern is that she’ll be TOO funny all the time and not know when to be serious.
Ellen had this to say, “I’m thrilled to be the new judge on American Idol. [...]

She once had a pretty strained relationship with “American Idol,” but now season 1 winner Kelly Clarkson is back to guest-judge. She will be accompanied by Joe Jonas of the heartthrob teen group the Jonas Brothers.
Jonas and Clarkson are both currently on tour but apparently will find some time to squeeze in a little judging [...]

ABC confirmed today that talks between former “American Idol” judge Paula Abdul and the network for her to appear as a guest-star on “Ugly Betty” have fallen apart. The episode she was to guest-star in, wherein she plays a temp who becomes buddies with Becki Newton’s Amanda, was supposed to start filming this week.

In today’s “American Idol” news, Paula Abdul has received a call from her old friend Stephen McPherson, the ABC programming chief. He told the Television Critics Association that he was stunned to hear about her departure from “American Idol” but that she is welcome to join “Dancing with the Stars” on ABC.

Well, only for one episode. Victoria Beckham, formerly known as Posh Spice of British group The Spice Girls, has signed on to guest judge on the FOX’s juggernaut television program “American Idol.” This comes on the heels of the announcement that Paula Abdul is no longer returning as a judge.

Paula Abdul announced on Twitter tonight that she is not coming back to “American Idol” next season. Her exact statement, strung together from Twitter messages, is after the jump:

FOX sent out a press release today announcing Kara DioGuardi’s return to “American Idol,” making it all official-like. DioGuardi was the fourth judge, added just this past season and was very polarizing with fans. I happen to fall into the Like Kara category, even despite the fact that she helped write that horrible song for [...]

Jam! Television is reporting that British singer Cheryl Cole has turned down $6 million to take over for Paula Abdul on “American Idol.” Cole is no stranger to judging, as she took over for Sharon Osbourne on British show “The X Factor” last year.