After one season of being a judge, Ellen DeGeneres is saying goodbye to “American Idol.” The talk show host and comedienne made the announcement in a post on her official website, “Idol News.”
“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.”
The news comes as FOX is still in search of Simon Cowell’s replacement who left the show in May to start the American adaptation of his UK rating hit, “The X Factor.”
Tommy Mottola, Jessica Simpson, and Courtney Love have been named as possible new additions to the judges’ table joining Kara DioGuardi and the only original judge Randy Jackson.
