American Idol's New Judge: Ellen!

Talk-show host tapped to be the fourth judge this season on American Idol

By Natalie Finn Sep 10, 2009 12:24 AMTags
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Paula Abdul has a successor.

Ellen DeGeneres will be filling that empty fourth chair at the judges' table on the upcoming ninth season of American Idol.

And none of that one-and-done, guest-judging stuff for her—DeGeneres is coming onboard for the duration.

"I'm thrilled to be the new judge on American Idol," the Daytime Emmy-winning talk show host said in a statement. 

"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."

Hey, we thought dancing was her thing, but this works, too.

DeGeneres will be joining Simon Cowell, Kara DioGuardi and Randy Jackson once the audition rounds—with its oodles of special celebrity appearances—are over.

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