Ellen DeGeneres American Idol‘s new fourth judge and stepping in as the Paula Abdul replacement? WTH? FOX announced that Ellen DeGeneres, the mega-talented comedian and talk-show host with twenty plus years as a music industry producer big-wig…errrrr, sorry about that…will be the new 4th judge on American Idol. Ellen DeGeneres is an amazing comedian, one of the funniest comedy acts around, but an American Idol Judge??? Why? My guess is the bottom line…ratings.

Is having Ellen as a judge on Idol a good plan? Will you still watch American Idol with Ellen as the new judge? Did FOX screw up big-time choosing Ellen as a judge and you don’t plan on watching when Season 9 starts?

Here is the new American Idol Judge announcement, straight from FOX:

“Emmy Award winning talk show host Ellen DeGeneres has joined AMERICAN IDOL as a fourth judge. DeGeneres will sit alongside Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson and Kara DioGuardi and offer her own unique perspective to the contestants throughout the competition.

The ninth season of AMERICAN IDOL premieres January 2010 on FOX. DeGeneres will join the judges’ panel after the auditions, which will feature appearances by guest judges Victoria Beckham, Mary J. Blige, Kristin Chenoweth, Joe Jonas, Neil Patrick Harris, Avril Lavigne, Katy Perry and Shania Twain.

“I’m thrilled to be the new judge on AMERICAN IDOL,” said DeGeneres. ”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.”

“I could not be more excited to have Ellen join the AMERICAN IDOL family,” said creator and executive producer Simon Fuller. “Ellen has been a fan of the show for many years, and her love of music and her understanding of the American public will bring her own unique human touch to our judging panel. I can’t wait for this next season to begin.”

“We’re all delighted to have Ellen join our ninth season of AMERICAN IDOL,” said executive producer Cecile Frot-Coutaz. “Beyond her incredible sense of humor and love of music, she brings with her an immense warmth and compassion that is almost palpable. She is one of America’s foremost entertainers, and we cannot wait to have her join our team.”
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