Rumor has it that our beloved sarcastic American Idol British judge Simon Cowell IS seriously considering or planning to leave American Idol after Season 9 ends. News is traveling fast across the internet that yes.., Simon Cowell is leaving American Idol after all, to focus his time and energies on launching the American version of X Factor.

Surprised? Not me.

I told you Simon Cowell is planning to leave Idol after next season’s Season 9 of American Idol ends months ago. We had to say goodbye to Paula Abdul and now it looks like Idol fans are also losing Cowell as well.

Remember, Simon Cowell’s contract ends in May 2010. If you recall, Simon Cowell was said to have plans to leave American Idol when he turns 50 years old. Simon Cowell is now 50 years old, since Simon’s 50th birthday bash was held two months ago.

Times of London is reporting that Simon Cowell is preparing to make an announcement about a new arrangement with Fox, where the U.S. version of X Factor will air in 2011, and his plans to leave American Idol.

“He is considering standing down as presenter of American Idol, which appears on the Fox network in the US, after its next season. The X Factor is due to begin filming in Los Angeles in September 2011, to be shown on Fox and presented by Cowell.

Cowell is currently paid about £22million a year by Fox to act as a judge on American Idol, which is owned by Cowell’s fellow music and TV producer Simon Fuller. For the past five years it has been the most successful TV show in America.

The filming schedule means that Cowell will be able to front at least one more series of The X Factor in Britain.

Negotiations with ITV are expected to conclude soon, people close to the deal said. Cowell has said that his loyalty is with ITV but wants it to pump money into The X Factor.

If Cowell switches from American Idol to presenting The X Factor in America, it would mark the end of his long commercial relationship with Fuller, the former Spice Girls producer.”

Cowell told a BBC interviewer that he definitely plans to launch the show (X Factor) in the US. “It has to go to America. There has to be an American version of the show,” he said. “To not take ‘The X Factor’ to the biggest market in the world would be crazy.”

One can only speculate about the reasons why Ellen DeGeneres was brought in as the new fourth judge, but with Simon Cowell apparently leaving Idol, what’s the point of hiring a new judge? Tick, Tick, Tick goes the time bomb perhaps?

What will happen to the American Idol show is yet to be determined, but do you hear the tick, tick, ticking of the time bomb yet? Will you stick around to watch American Idol with Simon Cowell and Paula Abdul both gone? Rumor has it that if Simon Cowell leaves American Idol for sure, instead of the regular teasing of staying vs. leaving, Idol will cease to exist in no time flat.

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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.”

Mike Darnell, President of Alternative Entertainment for FOX added, “We are thrilled to have Ellen DeGeneres join the AMERICAN IDOL judges’ table this season. She is truly one of America’s funniest people and a fantastic performer who understands what it’s like to stand up in front of audiences and entertain them every day. We feel that her vast entertainment experience – combined with her quick wit and passion for music – will add a fresh new energy to the show.”

American Idol fans are perplexed and internet reactions are mixed, of course. American Idol fan and popular blogger MJ Santilli at mjsbigblog.com took the words right out of my mouth when she wrote, “I mean, really? Ellen DeGeneres?” She guest judged ‘So You Think You Can Dance’ last season, and her critiques were comic relief. So is she going to be a real judge or some kind of joke? She’s a comedian, not a singer or a musician. I’m kinda flummoxed here.” No kidding!

Ellen DeGeneres is the new Paula Abdul replacement. Hmm, who would have guessed this one?! Ellen will join the Idol judges’ panel after the Season 9 American Idol Auditions are completed. Featured guest judges include Victoria Beckham, Mary J. Blige, Kristin Chenoweth, Joe Jonas, Neil Patrick Harris, Avril Lavigne, Katy Perry and Shania Twain. The 9th season of American Idol premieres January 2010.

What do you think about Ellen DeGeneres as the new American Idol judge?

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UPDATE: Watch our LIVE American Idol Finale Adam Lambert vs Kris Allen Finale Showdown! The American Idol Finale on Wednesday, May 20, 2009 will be a real nail-biter, full of suspense to find out who will be the winner of American Idol 2009 Season 8. On Tuesday, May 19, 2009, Adam Lambert and Kris Allen will do their best to win your votes and become the crowned king of Season 8 on American Idol. Who will win American Idol Season 8 is anyone’s guess, but whoever wins the American Idol crown will have won due to having more votes than the other.

The official list of songs (spoilers) to be sung by Adam Lambert and Kris Allen haven’t been released, and typical American Idol Spoilers are often wrong until right after the American Idol Rehearsals are held and confirmed.

We do know that the American Idol Season 8 Finale will have three songs performed by the Top 2 Finalists, Adam Lambert and Kris Allen. Kris Allen won the coin toss and chose to have Adam Lambert sing first during the final show, instead of the typical “pimp spot” Adam’s been used to. Kris Allen will sing last and close the show on Tuesday night.

UPDATE 1: Adam Lambert is going to sing Change Is Gonna Come and Adam’s Personal Song Choice is Mad World “with a little twist”. Kris Allen is seriously considering “Falling Slowly” (or “Heartless”, but leaning more towards Falling Slowly). But then again, maybe not! Newest spoiler rumors are that Kris Allen was NOT rehearsing either Falling Slowly nor Heartless! See what I mean about “spoilers”?

UPDATE 2: Kris Allen will sing “What’s Goin On” (by Marvin Gaye) “Ain’t No Sunshine” tonight on American Idol!

UPDATE 3: Steve Martin will be breaking out his banjo to perform a tune from his album of banjo music, according to ET Online. OMG!

UPDATE 4: ROD STEWART will be performing on tomorrow night’s American Idol Finale!!!

• Round 1 – The Contestant’s Favorite – Favorite song of the season, according to Idol host Ryan Seacrest
• Round 2 – Simon Fuller’s Pick – Previously chosen by Clive Davis last year
• Round 3 – The Winner’s Single Coronation Song – Only one winner/coronation song called “No Boundaries” will be performed this year, apparently co-written by Idol Judge Kara DioGuardi

Next week’s finale at Nokia Theatre will include a lineup of talent including performances by past American Idol winners Carrie Underwood (Season 4) and David Cook (Season 7). Lionel Richie, Carlos Santana, Cyndi Lauper, Queen Latifah, Jason Mraz, Black Eyed Peas and Keith Urban are also among the artists scheduled to perform on Wednesday’s Finale before either Kris Allen or Adam Lambert is crowned the Season 8 winner.

Idol producers are trying to get as many Idol winners back for the Finale as humanly possible. Keith Urban will perform a duet with Kris Allen – Cyndi Lauper performs a duet with Allison Iraheta. Rumors across the net claim that Idol producers are trying to get David Bowie to sing a duet with Adam Lambert. Danny Gokey will duet with Lionel Richie and Santana will perform with all of the Idol contestants in attendance. Rumors are that Britney Spears will perform on American Idol but Perez Hilton says No she won’t.

UPDATE: Bad news: The David Bowie/Adam Lambert duet fell through. Darn it! That would have been very cool! Theres like a 5% chance it will happen so they are still working on someone to perform with Adam at the finale.

The American Idol 2009 Finale showdown can’t come soon enough for Idol fans, Adam Lambert and Kris Allen fans. Vote, Vote, Vote, Vote and Vote some more! There are 4 hours of voting time available for your votes! Who will win American Idol 2009? What songs should Adam Lambert and Kris Allen choose to repeat on Tuesday night as their contestant’s favorite?

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