Celebrity Update Simon Cowell is leaving American Idol. The 50 year old English music executive, television producer and celebrity, and entrepreneur confirms that it will be the last season for him and leaves after the season. Cowell announced it Monday at the Television Critics Association winter press tour in Pasadena, Calif., while announcing his show “X Factor” will launch in the United States in 2011.

“We did talk about me staying on both shows, but when we looked at the practicalities of that, it was impossible,” Cowell said. “In my opinion, it’s like having a good player and a good football team. The two have to be okay together. I believe it’s not my show, but it’s still very close to me… I’m confident [American Idol] will continue to be the No. 1 show. Everyone is committed to keeping it that way.”

Meanwhile the new season of American Idol featuring new judge Ellen DeGeneres will start airing on FOX by January 12.

Celebrity Update Ellen DeGeneres has been named by FOX as the fourth American Idol judge. The 41 year old twelve-time Emmy Award-winning American stand-up comedienne, television hostess and actress will be joining the 9th season of American Idol. “I’m thrilled to be the new judge on American Idol. 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.”

After Paula Abdul announces that she wont be returning for the 9th season of American Idol. Now Ellen will be joining Simon Cowell, Kara DioGuardi and Randy Jackson on the “American Idol” judging panel. She will join the judging panel after the initial auditions.

Ellen also announces that she will not abandoned her show The Ellen DeGeneres Show.

“Hopefully, I’m the people’s point of view because I’m just like you,” DeGeneres said on her show. “I sit at home and I watch it, and I don’t have that technical … 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.”

Celebrity Update Paula Abdul has announced that she wont be returning as a judge for the new 9th season of the hit reality talent show American Idol. On twitter Paula stated, “With sadness in my heart, I’ve decided not to return to American Idol,” “I’ll miss nurturing all the new talent, but most of all… being a part of a show that I helped from day 1 become an international phenomenon.”

American Idol has been hitting the slots of the viewers as it is the most watched talent show in the world bringing celebrities like Carrie Underwood and Oscar-winning actress Jennifer Hudson at the top of their careers right now.

Paula do have some personal reasons not returning to the show as a judge but she sure will be missed by a lot of viewers as now the panel goes without her.

“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,” Fox said.

“While Paula will not be continuing with us, she’s a tremendous talent and we wish her the best.”

And the show must go on with or without Paula, as talents all over the US are now on their high gears for the newest season of American Idol.