14 DAY TRIAL // After just one year as a judge on the panel at American Idol, television personality Ellen DeGeneres has announced her decision to step down. In a statement released to E! Online and on her Twitter page as well, Ellen says the decision was not a rushed one but rather one she reached after many months of consideration. In other words, she just doesn’t feel like the right person for the job. Sadly, this is not all the drama that is now going on at AI, TMZ also says.
First things first: Ellen says that, though she did love being on the panel because of the chance it gave her to promote and encourage new talent, she never came to terms with having to turn people down. Of course, she will always remain a fan of the show even if she will no longer be a part of it. Producers knew about her decision for quite some time, since Ellen made sure to let them know the moment she realized she wasn’t the right woman for the job – which happened a few months ago, she says.
“A couple months ago, I let Fox and the American Idol producers know that this didn’t feel like the right fit for me. I told them I wouldn’t leave them in a bind and that I would hold off on doing anything until they were able to figure out where they wanted to take the panel next. It was a difficult decision to make, but my work schedule became more than I bargained for. I also realized this season that while I love discovering, supporting and nurturing young talent, it was hard for me to judge people and sometimes hurt their feelings. I loved the experience working on Idol and I am very grateful for the year I had. I am a huge fan of the show and will continue to be,” Ellen says in the statement.
Not all is lost though, TMZ reports. Producers on the show may have already found a replacement for Ellen in the person of pop star and overall Latino bombshell Jennifer Lopez, who has been approached with an offer and is thisclose to signing on the dotted line. While that may be true, it would see American Idol is confronted with yet another problem, as another judge, Kara DioGuardi has just been let go, TMZ says citing well-placed inside sources.
“Sources connected with the American Idol negotiations tell TMZ Kara DioGuardi has judged her last contestant on American Idol – because she’s been fired. We’re told the show will be going back to a three-judge format and assuming all deals are finalized, the judge’s panel will consist of Randy Jackson, Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler. We’re told the only way Kara could get a reprieve is if the J-Lo deal falls apart – but we’re told that deal is done,” TMZ writes.
With this also being Simon Cowell’s last season (with a rumored replacement in Steven Tyler), rumors in the media are starting to pick up that American Idol can’t possibly survive with just one of the judges audiences have come to know and love. In the context of falling ratings over the past couple of seasons, it could very well be that the once-popular show is breathing its last breath as we speak, it is being said.
Follow me on Twitter @ElenaGorgan