Paula Abdul
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In a shocking move, American Idol announced a new fourth judge yesterday: comedian and talk show host Ellen DeGeneres.

Following fan and critic reaction, viewers started to wonder how Paula Abdul - who resigned her post in August when she could not reach a contract agreement with the show - would react to the news. She isn't exactly the most stable person on the planet, after all.

But Abdul Tweeted the following message late yesterday, show grace, humility and poor spelling:

"I think Ellen will b a gr8 judge on Idol. She is wildly funny, talented and I wish her the best of luck!"

Last year's new judge, Kara DioGuardi, also reacted well to the Ellen news. She said:

"She's somebody who loves music, she's positive, she loves kids... She is somebody who has watched the show from the beginning, knows everything there is to know about American Idol and I think ultimately it's going to be a great new energy."

We'll find out when the series returns in January.

It doesn't look like Paula Abdul is done with reality TV.

The wacky judge may have left American Idol last week, but new offers are pouring in.

Producer Nigel Lythoe may it clear that the singer is welcome any time on So You Think You Can Dance, while ABC's entertainment president, Steve McPherson, made the same sort of comment to reporters last week, regarding Dancing with the Stars.

"I was a little stunned by the [American Idol] decision," he said. "We would love to have her on Dancing either as a participant or a contestant... I definitely have reached out to her. I gave her a call first and foremost to say I was sorry about the situation and to say we'd love to see her on ABC."

We can't imagine Abdul becoming a participant on the competition, as she's clearly after millions in salary.

But might she judge this season's new contestants? They're rumored to include Ashley Hamilton, Lou Ferrigno and Dean McDermott.

It's the end of a (crazy) era.

After eight seasons as a judge on American Idol, Paula Abdul has failed to agree to terms on a new contract. She bid farewell to her fans on Twitter last night, writing:

"With sadness in my heart, I've decided not to return to Idol," Abdul, 47, writes on her Twitter page. "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.

"What I want to say most, is how much I appreciate the undying support and enormous love that you have showered upon me. I do, without any doubt, have the BEST fans in the entire world and I love you all."

American Idol, of course, had been preparing for this decision. It hired Kara DioGuardi as a fourth judge last season, and signed her to a new deal last week.

When season nine premieres in January, she'll be joined by veterans Randy Jackson and Simon Cowell, along with far less nonsencial rambling.

Will Paula Abdul really be let go from American Idol?

As the singer's manager speculates on his client's future, one former contestant hopes the rumor isn't true.

“Oh my gosh, they need to keep Paula,” Jordin Sparks told Extra this week. “It would be so different without her on the show."

Speaking from experience, Sparks added that the series needs Abdul's soft touch.

“If they get rid of Paula, the contestants are in for kind of a harsh reality and very, very harsh criticism because Paula is always the one that bounces back and says, ‘It’s okay. Don’t worry,’ ” the season six champion said. “She was the one who usually came back and was like, ‘Are you guys doing okay? Are you fine?’ And I definitely think they need her. She’s amazing and deserves it.”

Jordin Sparks wants Paula Abdul to remain on American Idol. Do you share that sentiment?

Based on her current contractual status, the answer to the question raised above is a resounding NO.

Days after Ryan Seacrest signed a three-year, $45 million deal to remain as the host of American Idol, Paula Abdul's manager is steaming mad that his client has heard nothing about her status.

"It does not appear that she's going to be back on Idol," David Sonenberg told The Los Angeles Times. "I find it under these circumstances particularly unusual... I find it kind of unconscionable and certainly rude and disrespectful that [Idol production companies Fremantle and 19 Entertainment] haven't stepped up and said what they want to do."

What might Abdul do if not asked back for season nine, which premieres in January?

"She's not a happy camper as a result of what's going on. She's hurt. She's angry," Sonenberg said. "I think at this point we're going to be considering everything, including some kind of a competition show. She has tremendous ideas for a whole variety of shows."

Was there really any doubt that Paula Abdul would return to American Idol next season? What else is the wacky judge gonna do?!?

In an interview with The Associated Press this week, Abdul confirmed that Fox has asked her back for next year... and the year after that... and the year after that.

"I've been invited to stay the duration of the show, however long it lasts," said Abdul, whose contract hasn't been renewed after it expired this spring.

Asked about her fellow judges, Abdul referred to the panel of American Idol judges - that includes Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson and Kara DioGuardi - a "dysfunctional family of sorts."

"I'm the nurturing mom, Simon's the disapproving dad, and Randy's the cool brother," Paula said. "It's been an interesting journey. It's something that I'll always would want to be a part of."

Paula Abdul is sort of loved by American Idol viewers.

But will the controversial judge soon be exiting the world's most popular reality show? An insider says Abdul is looking to “transition” out of the Fox hit.

“She knows that every season could be her last. Now she’s got a new secret venture that she’s really excited about,” a source told OK!

Might the series have planned for just such an exit? It did, after all, hire Kara DioGuardi as a judge for the upcoming eighth season.

You tell us: Will you miss Paula Abdul if she leaves American Idol?

Paula Abdul is likely to replace Sharon Osbourne in The X Factor, Great Britain's answer to American Idol.

According to British reports, producers are believed to have lined up singer Abdul, to join judges Simon Cowell Dannii Minogue and Louis Walsh.

Paula Abdul likes to cry. Get ready, Great Britain!

Filming for the The X Factor starts on Thursday.

"She is very, very popular in the States. Simon thinks she'd be perfect to replace Sharon," said a source.

Which crazy judge would you prefer to see on this show, Osbourne of Abdul?