Well it seems that one time around was enough for daytime talk show host Ellen DeGeneres who announced yesterday that despite inking a two year deal with American Idol producers last year that she would not be returning to the show this coming season. Although it’s a surprise to Ellen’s fans it’s not a surprise for show producers as DeGeneres says she told American Idol producers months ago that it didn’t feel like a right fit for her. Claiming her reasoning was a mix of scheduling conflicts and the fact that while she loved nurturing talent, she feels “It was hard for me to judge people and sometimes hurt their feelings.”

While long-time fans of the show have watched it slowly sink as its mainstay staff, has jumped ship so to speak. Others feel that the show needed a change and it certainly is not the same show it was just a few years back. While the shows most popular and talked about judge Simon Cowell will not be returning it’s still unclear who will replace him, Internet rumors have put several popular folks in his chair. Some of Cowell’s replacements are rumored to be Piers Morgan, Bret Michaels, Avril Lavigne, Howard Stern, David Foster, Jessica Simpson just to name a few.

It would appear Idol has already found Ellen’s replacement and it appears it is none other than Jennifer Lopez, Idol insiders report that the superstar singer has already accepted one of the two vacant judges’ chairs on the Idol panel and the two sides are ironing out contracts right now. Apparently it’s as good as a done deal, the two don’t have much figuring to do as the same source has reported that Lopez was offered an identical contract to the one Ellen signed just last year in terms of money and duration and is fine with that. So in my opinion this is a step up for the show after all Jennifer Lopez has sold millions of albums worldwide and is definitely more qualified to be judging vocalists than DeGeneres ever was.

Although Lopez’s career has all but disappeared in the past 5 years or so I really think she is much like Paula Abdul was when she started the show, they have both had stellar solo careers and can sing, dance and act. So great job Idol in this selection, you have finally done something I agree with!

As for the Simon Cowell Replacement I would like your opinion so please vote below, I will include the top five prospects based on recent media reports so let us know who you think is the best Simon Cowell replacement.

Who Should Replace Simon Cowell

• Bret Michaels
• Jessica Simpson
• Piers Morgan
• David Foster
• Howard Stern

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According to Abdul’s manager David Sonenberg, Fremantle and 19 Entertainment the two companies responsible for the Blockbuster Reality Show, have made no attempt to propose a new contract for Abdul yet.

Fellow Idol personality Simon Cowell has reportedly inked a one hundred million a year deal with management and just a short time ago host Ryan Seacrest signed a three year deal set to pay out 45 Million.

Paula’s representative told the Los Angeles Times that “Very sadly, it does not appear that she’s going to be back on American Idol” also adding that he finds the lack of a new contract offer not only strange but downright disrespectful, not to mention hurtful.

“I find it under these circumstances particularly unusual; I think unnecessarily hurtful. I find it kind of unconscionable and certainly rude and disrespectful that they haven’t stepped up and said what they want to do” David Sonenberg

Several sources have reported in recent weeks that Ryan Seacrest was spotted on a lunch date with Jennifer Lopez and was said to be offering her a Judging spot on the American Idol Panel next season, although it was widely believed at the time the position being offered was that of Kara DioGuardi who has previously slammed the Idol Management and was reportedly feeling underutilized by the franchise.

So that leads to the real question. How long has Ryan known Paula’s Contract was not being renewed and is Jennifer Lopez going to be Paula Abdul’s replacement next season?

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