BREAKING NEWS: Ellen To Be Fourth Judge On American Idol
Sep. 9 2009, Published 4:08 a.m. ET
In a surprise announcement Wednesday Fox revealed that talk show titan Ellen DeGeneres is set to become the fourth judge on the smash hit TV show American Idol.
Degeneres will join existing judges, Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson and Kara DioGuardi.
In a statement from Fox DeGeneres 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.”
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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.