American Idol

Ellen DeGeneres is one of the funniest people alive.

But does she know a lick about singing? We'll soon find out, as the talk show host has been named the permanent fourth judge on American Idol.

Said show creator and executive producer Simon Fuller:

"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."

Over the initial round of auditions, guest judges such as Mary J. Blige and Victoria Beckham have occupied the seat next to Simon, Randy and Kara. But that will change once the show moves to Hollywood.

DeGeneres has been known to analyze American Idol in depth each week on her talk show (which she'll continue to host). But will her presence on the panel add fuel to critics' fire that the series is anythng but a singing competition?

"Hopefully I’m the people’s point of view because I’m just like you. I sit at home and I watch it," Ellen said. "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. ”

We'll see how well that works out.

Having failed to come to terms on a new contract, Paula Abdul officially bid farewell to American Idol this week.

Via Twitter.

The whacky, albeit entertaining, judge posted the following message on her account last night:

"With sadness in my heart, I've decided not to return to Idol. 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."

This announcement leaves TV's top-rated show with three judges: Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson and Kara DioGuardi.

Fox released the following statement, in response to Abdul's departure:

"Paula Abdul has been an important part of the American Idol family over the last eight seasons and we are saddened that she has decided not to return to the show. While Paula will not be continuing with us, she's a tremendous talent and we wish her the best."

Will you miss Abdul as a judge?

Let there be no questions or debate, a source told E! News today, Kara DioGuardi is returning to American Idol.

"Her deal is done. There are no ifs, ands or buts," the insider said. "Done. She will be back."

No word yet on the terms of the contract, but rumors have been swirling for weeks about DioGuardi's status on the Fox competition.

She'll start shooting a new round of Idol auditions in the next week or so.

After nearly 100 million votes were cast, and after a season that featured a Bikini Girl, the first-ever judges' save and one of the most divisive finalists in show history, Kris Allen was crowned American Idol champion last night.

The quiet, handsome crooner expressed true shock when Ryan Seacrest announced his name at the end of the two-hour finale.

Allen overcame Adam Lambert in the finals, a unique, flamboyant artist that some consider to be one of the best to ever take the Idol stage; while others write off as being overly theatrial and too reliant on, well, screaming.

We're unabashed Lambert lovers, but we're comforted by the fact that he'll undoubtedly be heard from again (and again and again).

For now, here's to Kris Allen, the eighth American Idol champion!

After all the hype, all the useless Randy Jackson comments and all the Simon Cowell/Paula Abdul flirting, American Idol simply came down to a pair of finalists last night.

Adam Lambert took on Kris Allen in a finale that pitted the season-long favorite against the momentum-filled underdog.

Following a trio of performances, who came out on top? Who do we think should be crowned champion tonight?

Read our detailed American Idol recap right now!

Adam Lambert will win the eighth season of American Idol.

Heading into this week's performances, there's less mystery between Lambert and Kris Allen than there was over whether or not Ross and Rachel would get back together on the series finale of Friends.

But that's not a bad thing. In fact, this season of the show has been refreshing entirely due to Lambert's sheer domination.

Sometimes, in sports, in life or on cheesy, heavily produced reality competitions, the thrill lies in watching the best perform at the highest level. Sure, suspense is exciting; we were glued to our screens last May, unsure about which David (Archuleta or Cook) would take home the season seven crown.

But when a singer such as Lambert comes along, it can be equally compelling to simply sit back and watch.

The Tuesday night finale ought to play out like the 1997 Masters. That year, Tiger Woods led the field by nine strokes heading into the final round. There was never any doubt over who would win the Green Jacket.

But ask any golf fan where he was during that tournament-ending Sunday and he'll instantly spit out the answer. It was history making, it was a once-in-a-lifetime event that forver changed the world of golf.

Will Adam Lambert do the same for music? Not exactly.

Still, following weeks of pure entertainment - highlighted by unique, versatile performance after unique, versatile performance - we couldn't be more excited to see how Lambert will put a cherry on top of his season eight sundae.

Kris Allen is a perfectly capable singer and likely has a bright future as an artist. But he's a sidenote at this point.

There may be no drama on American Idol this week, but there's a Tiger-like performer on the prowl. Don't miss his coronation.

This whole experience feels like a dream come true.  American Idol has given me a whole new hope for my life.

Which contestant uttered these words during his farewell montage on last night's results show? And whose name did Katy Perry have stiched on to her outfit during her performance?

Find out now in our American Idol recap!

It was a night of great performances and big surprises on American Idol.

Well, one big surprise: Adam Lambert didn't put on the best rendition of a song.

It was close (Lambert was terrific, as always), but Kris Allen simply blew viewers away with his version of "Heartless." Read more about it and other auditions in our detailed Idol recap.

Choose your favorite American Idol finalist. Click on each photo of the performers above to enlarge.

On last night's American Idol results show, viewers proved that they'll listen to anything the judges say.

Danny Gokey made ears bleed with a 10-second long scream at the conclusion of "Dream On" Monday evening? Whatever. Kara and Rany gave him an A-plus for his effort, right?!?

As a result of fans' inability to think for themselves, it looks like Fox will end up with its dream final of Danny and Adam Lambert. That means either Kris Allen or Allison Iraheta were eliminated this week.

Find out which it was in our recap of the results.

Adam Lambert rocked, Adam Lambert rolled and Adam Lambert owned the stage last night during rock 'n roll week on American Idol.

No surprise here, of course, but Lambert officially put to rest talk that he was solely made for Broadway last night, as he performed an ideal version of Led Zeppelin's "Whole Lotta Love."

The other three finalists struggled with their songs, especially Danny Gokey, who caused our ears to ring for hours with his horrendous note/scream to close his rendition of "Dream On" by Aerosmith. Seriously, dude, you're no Adam Lambert.

Catch up on the rest of the night now, via our American Idol recap.