I hope this is wrong, but it looks pretty official. Ellen says she's leaving AI:

http://www.ryanseacrest.com/blog/whats-hap..._medium=twitter

It was just "breaking news" on CNN. I can't say that I'm surprised - I just don't think it was a good fit. She didn't look confortable.

I love Ellen on her own show, but never thought she was a good fit as an Idol judge, she really did look uncomfortable there and I don't think she liked giving a contestant a critique unless it was positive, I'm not too surprised to hear this news.

I also hear that Jennifer Lopez is taking her place, it's on MJ's site now.

I'm not surprised. I heard Nigel Lythgoe saying something about it the other day.

July 27, 2010
Huge shake-up coming to American Idol?
The last season was so boring, I stopped watching before I'd even begun. A shake-up can only be a good idea, except, of course, for everyone who thought they had a smidgen of job security. The Hollywood Reporter has this:

"Reality producer Nigel Lythgoe is near a deal to to return to Fox's "American Idol" - and that could spell trouble for the current judges panel. Fox is seeking to bring back Lythgoe to work on the hit series as part of a master plan to reboot the show following the exit of top judge Simon Cowell. In addition, "Idol" fans can add pop star Justin Timberlake to the list of potential Cowell replacements. Timberlake, along with legendary singer Elton John, is on "Idol" producer 19 Entertainment chief Simon Fuller's wish list. Lythgoe helped launch the "Idol" phenomenon in the U.K. with "Pop Idol" along with creator Fuller and shepherded the U.S. version for six years. He currently produces and judges Fox's "So You Think You Can Dance." Two years ago, Lythgoe left "Idol" as part of a shake-up by Fox and 19 Entertainment to try to freshen the series. But ratings continued to slip, and Lythgoe has often criticized the series, saying the contestants and judges panel weren't very compelling. Industry rumors have been circulating for weeks that Fuller and Fox are considering not just replacing Cowell, but dumping the entire judges panel. And the biggest public advocate of such a nuclear option is Lythgoe, who told a reporter in April that if he was in charge, he would replace all the remaining judges. Lythgoe was also a critic of having four judges on the show instead of three, saying having an extra judge distracts viewers from focusing on the competitors. Pulling off a dramatic slate-cleaning maneuver depends on Fox signing multiple new judges, however, when not one has yet been found. Sources say Randy Jackson, who has another year left on his contract, is the most likely to survive any purge. Booting Ellen DeGeneres could also be problematic - she has a multiyear deal at the network. A source in DeGeneres' camp said she's prepared to fulfill her contract on the show. Kara DioGuardi's one-year-at-time deal has yet to be renewed. When asked whom he would choose to judge "Idol," Lythgoe has cited Elton John, Usher and Paula Abdul. John has been previously reported as a potential "Idol" candidate. Sources say Fuller has been after John for some time, though coming to a financial agreement has proved difficult. John and Timberlake are part of list that includes Chris Isaak that would be really weird and fantastic, Harry Connick Jr. and other celebrity music industry names. Given Lythgoe's experience judging "Dance," it's not unreasonable to think Lythgoe himself might be considered for a seat. Sources say Lythgoe is expected to take an executive producer credit on the show. What about Ryan Seacrest? Why isn't anyone mentioning Ryan Seacrest? Is something bad happening to Ryan Seacrest?"

aww, that's too bad. without her there, i might not have any more reason to watch this show.

Looks like Kara is now gone also.

Kara DioGuardi Reportedly Fired From 'Idol'
Steven Tyler and Jennifer Lopez said to be replacements
WENN

Kara DioGuardi has been fired from "American Idol" — and is set to be replaced by Aerosmith rocker Steven Tyler, according to a new report.

The revolving door of judges on the TV talent show is spinning once again — DioGuardi is said to have been booted from the judging panel as part of the producers' ongoing cast shake-up.

oh well oh well. if they're putting steven tyler in, they could be leaning towards making idol more rock than pop. and i actually liked kara so too bad. lythgoe? no thanks. elton john does have some credence cause he is, well, elton john. harry connick would be great.

bottom line, i think this show is starting to feel the pinch.

^

The one person I wouldn't mind seeing getting the boot is Ryan.

*Seacrest out*

:rotfl:

haha - that was good, Sk8888!

hahaha. that was my thought too. maybe they should just have ellen be the host. now that would be worth seeing.