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Ellen DeGeneres and Simon Cowell

Photo: Jamie McCarthy/ WireImage

In the end, Ellen DeGeneres' run behind the "American Idol" judges table lasted just ten months. After signing onto the reality competition last September and delivering an underwhelming debut during the show's ninth season, the comedian announced Thursday that she's parting ways with the show.

After saying the show wasn't the "right fit" for her, she added, "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," she announced in a statement on her website.

Perhaps the most surprising thing about Ellen's exit is that neither she nor "Idol" producers realized, until recently, that it was never the right fit. A woman who's made a career out of being nice to people simply was out of place on a show dedicated to critiquing people, often harshly and without mercy. Last fall, though, all involved had a rather different perspective on matters.

"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," DeGeneres said a month after Paula Abdul abruptly left the show.

Fox reality-TV chief Mike Darnell had actually approached DeGeneres' reps
with the idea, even though producers also entertained the notion of returning to a three-judge format (as had been the case before Kara DioGuardi came aboard in season eight). Ellen was reportedly ecstatic about joining "Idol," and a deal was quickly hashed out.

Yet before she could even make her debut, Simon Cowell announced he was leaving the show he helped make a pop culture institution. A sense of impending and unwelcome change — and, some might say, doom — enveloped the program as Ellen made her debut. And it really was quite a debut: She was funny but still took the job seriously and was adept at sprinkling her criticism with I-want-you-to-succeed compassion. "You're hiding inside and just scared to death," she told one contestant. "You gotta let go of that, because those nerves are gonna kill you."

We started to wonder if in fact Ellen was what the "Idol" family needed all along. Things changed, however, once the live shows began
in late February. She was nervous and struggled to compress her comments into TV-friendly bites, which was strange considering all her on-camera experience. If we hoped Ellen would provide some competition to Simon's must-hear commentary, we were most certainly wrong.

As the show pushed forward, Ellen didn't seem to improve much. Far too many of her comments began with, "I agree with ...," rather than original insight. She seemed almost apologetic as she foisted criticism on contestants clearly on the skids. All too often she'd pop off a joke rather than delivering an enlightening take on a performance. By the final rounds, it really did seem as if Ellen, much like Simon, had mentally checked-out of her judging duties.

And so it comes as no great shock that Ellen has decided to call it quits after just one season. Her talents are far better suited for talk-show work than reality-competition evisceration. Ellen made the right call, and she did so with class and wit. As she tweeted Thursday night, "Dim the lights ... I've voted myself off 'American Idol.' "

What do you think of Ellen DeGeneres leaving "American Idol," and who do you think would be a good replacement for her and Simon Cowell? Sound off in the comments below!

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Angelina and The Situation in Thursday's episode of "Jersey Shore"

Photo: MTV

When Angelina came back to the "Jersey Shore" this season, drama followed. And her supporters — including her friends, family and fans who showed at the Fushimi Japanese Cuisine & Lounge in Staten Island, New York, where Angelina was holding a premiere viewing party — decided that it was the perfect time for their girl to make her return to the show.

"I was so happy that she's back on the show ands that she went to Miami and that she had fun," pal Gina Landano told MTV News. "I spoke to her every once in awhile while she was there, and she told me she was having fun with all the guys there."

Angelina's mom, Ann Marie Pivarnick, excitedly reacted to her daughter's second season on the hit reality show. "I'm very proud of her, that she went back," she said. "And she was trying her best to get along with the cast."

Another one of her pals, Johnny Donovan, teased what he thinks will happen as season two gets underway. "What I expect to happen this season is a lot of crazy drama, a lot of situations, a lot of fist-pumping down in Jersey," he said. "A lot of crazy, jam-packed action in Miami Beach like you'd never expect."

Drama seemed to be the overarching theme of fan expectations at the party. "I mean, you can tell there's a lot of drama, that's what the show is based on, but it's just exciting to see exactly what goes on there in Miami," Shimon said. "You never know what's going to happen down there."

Heck, Angelina, gave some hints as to what fans can expect from her as the season rolls on. "This season you can expect from basically me to show my emotions more," she said. "I'm trying to show that I have a good side too. I want people out there to know that I do have a sweet side."

"Jersey Shore" airs Thursdays at 10 p.m. ET/PT on MTV. Be there!

Were you excited that Angelina came back? Tell us in the comments!

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Simon Cowell, Ellen DeGeneres and Kara DioGuardi

Photo: FOX

Talk show queen and comedienne Ellen DeGeneres has announced that she will no longer be a judge on the amateur talent juggernaut "American Idol." After sitting down at the judges' panel for just one season, the star cited a packed schedule and her aversion to hurting contestants feelings as reasons for her departure.

"Dim the lights...I've voted myself off American Idol," the star tweeted on Thursday (July 29). In a statement posted on her website, revealed that she broke the news to "Idol" producers months ago, writing "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," DeGeneres continued in the statement. "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 comedienne was announced as the new face on the judging panel in September 2009 after longtime judge Paula Abdul left the show. DeGeneres made her "Idol" debut in February to mixed reviews.

"We love Ellen and understand and support her decision to bow out of 'Idol,' " Peter Rice, Chairman of Entertainment, Fox Networks Group, said in a statement to MTV News. "We were fortunate to receive the humor, energy and love for talent that she brought to the show."

"I loved Ellen's passion for the artists and her nurturing skills," "Idol" creator and executive producer Simon Fuller added. "She brought honesty and optimism to our judging panel and I will miss her greatly."

"We will miss Ellen, she has been the consummate professional throughout her time on the show, and she'll always be part of the 'American Idol' family," said "Idol" Executive Producer Cecile Frot-Coutaz.

DeGeneres' departure follows the exit of famously blunt judge Simon Cowell who recently wrapped up his tenure on the show during the ninth season of "Idol."

Are you surprised Ellen is leaving "Idol"? Who should replace her? Tell us in the comments!

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Jennifer Lopez

Photo: Jeff Kravitz/ FilmMagic

With two open seats now on the "American Idol" judging panel, all types of celebrity names have been bandied about as possible replacements. Elton John and Justin Timberlake were reportedly thrown out as names on an "Idol" wish list. Pop starlet Jessica Simpson has also popped up as a potential name ready to sign on. And with Simon Cowell and Ellen DeGeneres no longer doling out critiques to "Idol" hopefuls, singer and actress Jennifer Lopez has emerged as the latest potential new judge.

Deadline.com reports that Lopez has officially inked a deal to join "Idol" and that the announcement was being kept under wraps until DeGeneres' exit was made public. According to the site, Lopez's manager Benny Medina set up a meeting with "Idol" producers and the singer's camp has been negotiating the deal for about a month. Entertainment website Gossip Cop also reported that a source close to the show confirms that both Lopez and Aerosmith frontman Steven Tyler have been offered spots on the judging panel.

A rep for "American Idol" declined to confirm or deny the rumor to MTV News and only offered "no comment." A representative for Lopez did not respond to MTV News' request for comment at press time.

If Lopez joins the amateur talent behemoth, she would follow in the footsteps of fellow pop diva and dancer Paula Abdul, who brought her experience as a chart-topping recording artist to her critiques for eight seasons.

A gig on the weekly ratings magnet might be a beneficial move for Lopez, who has weathered a few professional setbacks recently. The singer parted ways with her longtime record label, Sony, in February and a tumble at the American Music Awards in 2009 has arguably eclipsed the attention paid to her music. Lopez may also face a $40 million lawsuit after pulling out of a concert in Cyprus.

Would J. Lo make a good "Idol" judge? Tell us what you think in the comments!

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