Posted by Adam

Thursday September 10, 2009

Ellen DeGeneres has taken on a second job — she’s just become American Idol‘s new fourth judge!

The star — who guest-judged on So You Think You Can Dance this summer — has been drafted in to replace Paula Abdul, who recently quit the show.

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

DeGeneres will continue to host her daily talk show.

“I’m going to have a day job and a night job,” she says. “The times we’re living in … we’re all doing that.”

“Hopefully I’m the people’s point of view because I’m just like you,” DeGeneres adds. “I sit at home and I watch it. … I’m not looking at it in a critical way from the producer’s mind. I’m looking at it as a person who is going to buy the music and is going to relate to that person.

The show’s creator and executive producer Simon Fuller says, “I could not be more excited to have Ellen join the American Idol family. Ellen has been a fan of the show for many years, and her love of music and understanding of the American public will bring a unique human touch to our judging panel. I can’t wait for this next season to begin.”

The next season of American Idol begins in January.

Tags: american idol, ellen degeneres