Take THAT Paula Abdul!

It looks like Simon Cowell (and the other producers of American Idol) will get the last laugh after all.  TMZ is confirming that Ellen DeGeneres will officially be filling the vacant seat on American Idol left by Paula Abdul several weeks ago when Abdul gave the show a Twitter-kiss-off after weeks of tense contract negotiations.

DeGeneres herself made the announcement on her talk show earlier today.  Since then, the blogs have been lit up.

She’ll be the fourth judge on the ninth season of the show which premieres January 2010 on FOX.   Other guest judges that season include Victoria Beckham, Mary J. Blige, Kristin Chenoweth, Joe Jonas, Neil Patrick Harris, Avril Lavigne, Katy Perry and Shania Twain.

Ellen expressed excitement at her new assignment:

“I’m thrilled to be the new judge on American Idol… 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.”

The mere thought of Ellen being a judge on American Idol is enough to make us giddy.  Imagine Ellen (lovable and hilarious) reacting to someone’s painfully bad audition.  It would only take one confused look for her to sign, seal and deliver the entire scene in a way that Ms. Abdul (no disrespect intended) could never do.  Ellen DeGeneres is simply comedic brilliance (and a shrewd and brilliant move on the part of the American Idol producers who needed to pump new life into a tired, flailing format).

It’s Ellen bitches!

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