Categories: American Idol, Deals, News, Television
Fox announced today that Ellen DeGeneres has decided to step down from her role as as judge on American Idol. DeGeneres joined the panel in its ninth season. The network released this statement today: “A couple months ago, I let Fox and the American Idol producers know that this didn’t feel like the right fit for me,” said DeGeneres. “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. 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.”
Fox released a statement of its own: “We love Ellen and understand and support her decision to bow out of IDOL,” said Peter Rice, Chairman of Entertainment, Fox Networks Group. “We were fortunate to receive the humor, energy and love for talent that she brought to the show.”
EXCLUSIVE: We've just learned the backstory of how Ellen DeGeneres bowed out of American Idol and who will be its new judge taking her place: Jennifer Lopez, who's singing and acting career has been on the skids after her recent movies failed at the box office and she was dropped by her record company Sony. We hear her manager Benny Medina, whom she once fired, orchestrated the meeting with the American Idol producers a month ago, and negotiations have been ongoing ever since. We've learned a deal was closed earlier this week under the utmost secrecy. Still to be decided is who will replace Simon Cowell. Everyone associated with the show wants Elton John, but we hear he's asking for too much money and has too many touring commitments he can't get out of.
As for Ellen Degeneres, we're told she wanted off the show two months ago, and she and her reps went in to to see Fox Broadcasting's Entertainment Chairman Peter Rice and Alternative TV President Mike Darnell to ask if the execs would let her out of the year left on her contract. "She's not comfortable. She's not happy. It's not been fun," Fox was told. But Rice and Darnell responded that, with Cowell leaving, "We can't let you out now because it would be bad for our franchise. Give us a chance to figure out who we could get." In the end, all the show's producers -- Fox, Fremantle, and 19 Entertainment -- worked it out. "Peter Rice was awesome," an insider tells us. "Ellen is thrilled and relieved." We've learned that serious conversations took place between Idol and Jessica Simpson to replace Ellen. But once Jennifer Lopez was locked in this week, the DeGeneres announcement went out.
http://hollywoodinsider.ew.com/2010/07/29/ellen-degeneres-is-leaving-american-idol/
http://www.deadline.com/2010/07/breaking-ellen-out-of-idol/