Paula Abdul

We definitely did not see this one coming, but it looks like a stroke of genius! Fox announced yesterday that Ellen DeGeneres will be joining American Idol this season as the fourth judge, replacing the departing Paula Abdul. She won't be giving up her talk show. She will continue to do both, she says.

Paula Adbul might be plotting to take American Idol down, but Simon Cowell still misses her. He says, "I miss her, of course," and that the show is just different without her.

They say living well is the best revenge, but for Paula Abdul that might not be enough.

Abdul, whose in-demand status since her exit from American Idol must be leaving Idol execs with some regrets, is reportly on a mission to destroy the popular reality competition show.

American Idol may be replacing Paula Abdul with Posh Spice, at least temporarily, but that doesn't mean the "Straight Up" singer is likely to disappear from your TV screen any time soon.

Abdul is proving more popular than ever since leaving Idol, with both ABC execs and So You Think You Can Dance's Nigel Lythgoe wooing her with job offers.

Paula may return to her dancer and choreographer roots to serve as a judge on SYTYCD, which is basically the dance equivalent of Idol.

This is MAJOR.

With the news that American Idol is losing Paula Abdul confirmed, the show is left lacking in pop star power. Enter a Spice Girl.

Victoria Beckham will be guest judging an episode of American Idol. She won't be sticking around permanently though, as she's focusing on her new fashion line. 

Paula Abdul is not returning to American Idol.

She has informed her fans of the news via Twitter. Of course, where else would you state important news?

“With sadness in my heart, I've decided not to return to Idol. I'll miss nurturing all the new talent, but most of all ... being a part of a show that I helped from day one become an international phenomenon."

While Paula Abdul is still trying to figure out whether or not she's going to be a judge on the next season of American Idol, another celebrity is already following in her footsteps.

Simon Cowell has signed model Kate Moss on as a judge for a new battle of the bands-esque reality competition show to launch in th US. This is Moss' first foray into the world of TV. 

American Idol has Paula Abdul once again singing "straight up now tell me do you really want to love me forever?"

Abdul's manager has said that the singer may not be returning as a judge for the show's ninth season due to the show's producers dragging their feet in getting her a new contract.

Simon Cowell could be offered up to $144 million a year to host American Idol, according to reports.

Cowell is said to have made $36 million last year for his judging role on the the talent show. 

But producers are willing to pay out up to three or four times that amount to keep the acid-tongued presenter after his contract expires next May.

We'd agree that a little distance in order.

Terri Seymour, the ex-girlfriend of American Idol judge Simon Cowell, who was assaulted after the Idol finale by a woman who was angry about Simon fake-choking fellow judge Paula Abdul earlier in the season, has taken out a restraining order against her attacker.

That's probably a good call. Stay safe, Terri!