Breaking News: Ellen DeGeneres Leaves American Idol
Credit: Noel Vasquez/FilmMagic
After serving as a judge for just one season, Ellen DeGeneres is leaving American Idol, Fox confirmed in a statement Thursday night.
"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 says in the statement.
"I told them I wouldn't leave them in a bind and that I would hold off on doing anything until they were able to figure out where they wanted to take the panel next."
PHOTOS: Before they were Idol judges
DeGeneres, 52, replaced Paula Abdul as judge for the show's ninth season, sitting at the table with Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson, and Kara DioGuardi.
"It was a difficult decision to make, but my work schedule became more than I bargained for," the star continues.
"I also realized this season that while I love discovering, supporting and nurturing young talent, it was hard for me to judge people and sometimes hurt their feelings. I loved the experience working on Idol and I am very grateful for the year I had. I am a huge fan of the show and will continue to be."
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"I loved Ellen's passion for the artists and her nurturing skills," Idol creator and executive producer Simon Fuller says in the statement. "She brought honesty and optimism to our judging panel and I will miss her greatly."
The show's lower-rated ninth season saw Lee DeWyze crowned as the champ; it was also the final season for imposing judge Cowell, who left to develop his own projects.
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Among the many names mentioned as possible Cowell replacements for the show: Bret Michaels, Elton John, Jessica Simpson, Howard Stern and others.
Tell Us: are you sad to see Ellen go?
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83Ellen was fabulous, with the exception of not being able to be mean enough. I loved that! I adore Ellen, adore her talk show, and will always respect her. She's a one-of-a-kind wonderful person. Yes, Ozzy Ozbourne would be great if he'd learn to enunciate so that we could understand him. Put him next to J-Lo, now there's sexual energy. PS - To the morons who crawled out from under their rocks (as they always do) to enter sexual preference into the mix: Please slither back under your rocks, it's where you belong. There's no place at all for you in the new age except to remind the rest of us that we are progressing in the right direction.
I'M GOING TO MISS HER ON THE SHOW. SHE CRACKS ME UP!!!!!
Ellen leaving will improve the show ... she was a "fish" outta water
I'm sad to see Ellen leave :( Her positive energy and sense of humor will be greatly missed. I could tell, though, that she wasn't comfortable being cruel, which is what America seems to crave, just for t.v. drama. That is not Ellen, which is why she is such a wonderful person. Stay on the positive side of entertainment, Ellen, and you'll be happy!!!! WE LOVE YOU!
It appears that Idol has jumped the shark. Is swirling the bowl. However you say it, all things have a lifespan, and it appears Idol's is nearly done.
I think they need to stick with judges who know something about music. Why would contestants take someone like Ellen serious when she is not in the music industry. Paula may have been out there but she was a singer and dancer. At least she knew something about it and was more of an expert than Ellen. I never got why they put her as a judge.
Good! Now I can watch the show again! She was only on because it's the new "politically correct" thing to do.
Nobody cares about Ellen, so news about him/her/it are a waste of space. It's all about Simon. He's the star and will leave the star. Ellen was a nobody in the show. Glad she was there but...really, what a waste of computer space. One line telling of her leaving the show would have been enough.
Although she didnt have much to offer, her time in Idol was great and made us laugh. I will miss her. Cant wait for the new season of the Ellen Show
Give me a break! She knew she didn't have much to offer the show. She finally read the writing on the wall. In a competition as a judge you need to have a backbone. Tell the truth! You are there to make constructive criticisms. If the competitor can't take it, he/she doesn't belong there. Ellen was a poor judge, she needed to stay with her other job where she could laugh and indulge in nothing. Hardly doing anything constructive, just being silly and entertaining.
HARRY CONNICK JR! That's who they need on the panel! I'll miss Ellen though, she sure brought funny to the show!
I hope Randy stays. He does know what he's talking about. They need to change it up significantly. I vote for Bret Michaels and/or Ozzie Osborne and someone well known in country music. I would like to see Paula back.
Love Ellen! Even on American Idol! I thought she did good. She was honest unlike Paula who loved everyone and never had a real opinion.
Ellen is WAY too sweet to be a critic. I feel bad for her now that she ever criticized anyone's talent becuase that is just not who she is....LOVE YOU ELLEN!!!
They were cleaning house with the judges anyway. They are all going to go with a possibility of Randy being the only one they keep. The show is lame anymore so they are hoping to keep/attract viewers who have left (like me) with big name musicians & celebs. I could care less who's judging. I used to tune in because I like to see raw, untouched talent grow. I quit this season almost before it began because the vocal skills on 99% of the performers was way below par. If they don't select vocally gifted individuals I wont bother again.
Please AI judges WAKE UP! The show is going down the tubes it is a SINKING SHIP Bring OZZY OSBOURNE on to liven it up.It needs OZZY!!!
I LOVE Ellen, but was always disappointed in her as a judge. She should stick to her talk show where she truly shines.
I am definitely SAD to see Ellen leave AI. I definitely won't watch it again next year. I only watched it again this season because of Ellen. I also don't want to see Jennifer Lopez or Steven Tyler on the show as judges.
this show is getting desparate - Given that JLo is replacing her - I wonder if the decision was actually made for her... now there is talk that Jessica Simpson may be a judge - this takes any credibility out of the show - JS never came close to making it as a singer & sorry to say but has zero talent as such. All this ensures Simon victory with his new show!!!!
I think American Idol has worn out its welcome. They should just cancel the whole thing altogether. It hasn't been good talent for quite a while. Last good talent was Season 7 when David Cook won!! Show has been sucky since after that!!