Ellen DeGeneres replaces Paula Abdul as a judge on “American Idol” on Fox. (Associated Press)
Ellen DeGeneres won't be returning to "American Idol" next season.
But Jennifer Lopez may soon be joining the "Idol" judges' table.
As first reported this afternoon by Variety, DeGeneres' exit comes as Fox and producers FremantleMedia and 19 Entertainment plot a massive "Idol" overhaul.
DeGeneres said she told Fox and the "Idol" producers months ago that she wasn't comfortable with returning for a second go-round on the show.
"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," DeGeneres said. "It was a difficult decision to make, but my work schedule became more than I bargained for." Variety.com More here.
Are you bummed about Ellen's departure? Would you welcome JLo? Or are you like me and have never actually watched an episode of American Idol?
D.F. Oliveria started Huckleberries Online on Feb. 16, 2004. Oliveria's Sunday print Huckleberries is a past winner of the national Herb Caen Memorial Column contest.
