American Idol Shocker! Ellen DeGeneres Replaces Paula Abdul

No, really, this isn’t a joke. Ellen DeGeneres will be replacing Paula Abdul as the fourth judge on American Idol. We couldn’t quite believe it either at first, but as strange as it sounds, it does indeed seem to be true. Ellen DeGeneres will announce the stunning development on her Thursday show.

Ellen DeGeneres, photo: Warner Brothers

In a preview video clip of the episode, DeGeneres says: “We’ve been dealing with this for the last couple of weeks and I’ve been dying to tell everyone.” DeGeneres will join Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson and Kara DioGuardi as the permanent fourth judge of American Idol – at least for the upcoming ninth season.

“I’m thrilled to be the new judge on American Idol,” the Daytime Emmy-winning talk show host said in a press release from Fox. “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.”

We’re not quite sure what qualifies Ellen DeGeneres to judge a television music talent competition. Then again, we’re not quite sure what qualifies half the folks on the American Idol judging panel for that job either. DeGeneres says she hopes she’ll represent the “people” at large and what kind of music they like.

“Hopefully I’m the people’s point of view because I’m just like you. I sit at home and I watch it… So I’m hopefully going to be that voice of what we’re all doing at home.” Watch the Ellen DeGeneres American Idol announcement video here.

Paula Abdul, meanwhile, has her own plans in the works, although it won’t be working as a guest judge on So You Think You Can Dance. The show’s creators offered her a gig, but Abdul’s manager says she’s not interested. No word yet on exactly what her next project will be, but apparently she’s juggling several high profile possibilities.

The ninth season of American Idol premieres in January, 2010.

(Just to clarify again, are we sure this isn’t a joke? Seriously, we’re waiting for the other shoe to drop here…)