AMERICAN IDOL - ELLEN TO TAKE PAULA'S SEAT ON IDOL

ELLEN TO TAKE PAULA'S SEAT ON IDOL

Ending weeks of speculation over who will replace Paula Abdul on American Idol, Fox announced Wednesday that Ellen DeGeneres will be permanently filling Abdul's seat on the judging panel. The announcement came as a surprise -- particularly since DeGeneres's name had played virtually no part in the public speculation. In a statement, the comedienne and daytime TV host said, "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." There was no indication how much she'll be paid either. Abdul had reportedly snubbed an offer of $5 million per season, pointing out that host Ryan Seacrest had signed a deal for three times that amount. Appearing on her daily talk show today (Thursday) DeGeneres assured her audience that she would not be leaving daytime TV but would be holding down "a day job and a night job. The times we're living in, we're all doing that," she joked.

10/09/2009