The latest blow to the franchise that was “American Idol” is the news that Ellen DeGeneres will not be reprising her role as judge for a second season.
This comes on the heels of the departure of Simon Cowell, largely thought to signal a death knell for the once-invulnerable show.
There was also a news piece recently that the show did not plan to have tryouts in Chicago next season. Considering that both of this past year’s finalists came out of the Chicago auditions, this seems odd.
And, on an unrelated observation, does anyone else think that the Brit (Simon Fuller) tapped to replace Larry King looks like the departing head of BP, Tony Hayward? Just wondering.
“A couple months ago, I let FOX and the American Idol producers know that this didn’t feel like the right fit for me,” she says in a statement. “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. It was a difficult decision to make, but my work schedule became more than I bargained for.”
DeGeneres adds, “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.”
In the same statement, Idol creator and executive producer Simon Fuller says, “I loved Ellen’s passion for the artists and her nurturing skills. She brought honesty and optimism to our judging panel and I will miss her greatly.”
Peter Rice, the FOX entertainment chairman, says, “We love Ellen and understand and support her decision to bow out of Idol. We were fortunate to receive the humor, energy and love for talent that she brought to the show.”
