When Paula Abdul hinted as early as last year that she was leaving the top rating reality show American Idol, numerous possible replacements ran through my mind. But I have to admit, this particular possibility never entered my mind.

And now, presenting the newest judge for American Idol…

Yup. It’s true. Top daytime host Ellen DeGeneres is going to jump into the evening primetime slot and be the 4th judge for AI. She will be completing the judging cast for the singing reality show together with Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson and Kara DioGuardi.

It’s not that I don’t believe Ellen will be a good judge. It just never occurred to me that AI will be getting a judge outside of the music industry. This is a surprising decision indeed from the producers of the show.

Fans would definitely miss not seeing Abdul on the panel. But for sure Ellen is going to bring a fresh new perspective. The producers are targeting this will be enough to sustain or further lift viewership for the upcoming 9th season of the show.

I guess it is true, you never know what’s going to happen in reality TV.