Walking away from a five-year contract worth tens of millions of dollars, Ellen DeGeneres said Thursday evening that she was leaving “American Idol” on Fox after just one season because it was not a “right fit” for her. That must be nice to be able to just turn your back on millions of dollars simply because you already have millions of dollars. In bowing out, she joins the infamous judge Simon Cowell, who departed in May.
The departures of two of the show’s four judges denotes that a wholesale makeover is under way as “Idol,” the nation’s most popular entertainment show, heads into its 10th season this winter. Singer auditions are already under way. More details about the changes to “Idol” could come on Monday, when Fox executives are scheduled to answer questions at a conference for TV critics here.
Hardly a day goes by without a new name being floated for one of the seats on the judges’ panel, one of the most enviable jobs in television and music. Trade publications and entertainment Web sites have said recently that the musicians Harry Connick Jr., Chris Isaak, Elton John, Jessica Simpson and Justin Timberlake have all been considered.
