Ellen Named 4th 'Idol' Judge

Ellen DeGeneres was named as the fourth judge on American Idol Wednesday night filling the seat that was vacated by Paula Abdul when she left the show in a contract dispute in July. Starting in January, DeGeneres will join the other judges – Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson and Kara DioGuardi – for the hit show's nineth season. Idol had previously named special guest hosts including Victoria Beckham, Mary J. Blige, Kristin Chenoweth, Joe Jonas, Neil Patrick Harris, Avril Lavigne and Katy Perry. (Photo: WENN)