'American Idol' Execs Reveal Story Behind Ellen DeGeneres' Hiring

After producers came up with the idea, it took just two weeks to get the talk-show host to sign on.By Eric Ditzian Ellen DeGeneres Photo: Jordan Strauss/ WireImage Paula Abdul quit "American Idol" a mere three days before Simon Cowell and the rest of the judges' panel were set to begin overseeing the audition process for season nine, leaving the show rushing to fill her chair with a series of guest judges. The prospect of an entire season populated by a rotating fourth judge seemed a ...

Read full article Share article