American Idol News – Kara DioGuardi rumored fired after Ellen DeGeneres steps away

American Idol is shaking up the entertainment industry today with news of major changes to their judging panel. First it was Paula, then it was Simon, and now Ellen DeGeneres is calling it quits. And to top that, rumors are circulating that Kara DioGuardi may be getting the boot as well. Fox has not confirmed this, but reports from the LA Times, TMZ, Perez Hilton, and others on the forefront of celebrity gossip say it may be true.

For Ellen DeGeneres, it looks like one season of judging was enough. “A couple months ago, I let FOX and the American Idol producers know that this didn’t feel like the right fit for me,” said Ellen on the American Idol website. “I told them I wouldn’t leave them in a bind and that I would hold off on doing anything until they were able to figure out where they wanted to take the panel next.”

If Ellen is out, who is going to replace her? TMZ and others report that the show will be going back to a three-judge format, and if everything goes according to plan Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler may be joining Randy Jackson on the panel. This is of course, if Kara DioGuardi is out.

DioGuardi is the only judge on a year-to-year contract, so the show could very easily give her the ax. FOX is not confirming or denying the rumor, saying “we are not commenting on any rumors or speculation.”

As American Idol heads into it’s tenth season, ratings are not as strong as they once were. Is this an attempt to spike ratings? Will it be successful? And will America watch? Only time will tell. But if J-Lo and Steven Tyler join Randy Jackson to judge up-and-coming talents, it could be interesting to say the least.

Photo from ronpaulrevolt2008 via Flickr