Talk show host and entertainer Ellen DeGeneres will be sitting alongside Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson and Kara DioGuardi in American Idol‘s ninth season, according to a Fox spokesperson.

DeGeneres will be filling in a judge’s seat left empty when American Idol veteran Paula Abdul announced that she would be leaving the show after an eight-season stint.

American Idol’s ninth season will commence on 2010, after its audition rounds have been finished. Until then, guest judges are scheduled to proxy in Abdul’s place, including, but is not limited to, Mary J. Blige, Kristin Chenoweth, Joe Jonas and Neil Patrick Harris.

“I’m thrilled to be the new judge on American Idol,” DeGeneres said Wednesday. “I’ve watched since the beginning, and I’ve always been a huge fan.”

DeGeneres holds years of experience speaking and entertaining people in media as the host of “The Ellen DeGeneres Show“, and also of the 79th Annual Academy Awards. Fox, however, is also relying on DeGeneres known wit and humor to help spice up the show even more.

“So 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,” shares DeGeneres.

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