"American Idol" audition have been going on for weeks now with the use of guest judges. After the auditions, the singing show will finally have a permanent fourth judge: Ellen DeGeneres.

This is not her first time as a judge on a FOX reality show. She had previously been a guest judge on "So You Think You Can Dance?" Ellen is hoping to represent the viewer's voice.

"Hopefully, I'm the people's point of view because I’m just like you," DeGeneres said on her syndicated talk show Thursday. "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."

So what will Ellen bring to the show? Definitely a little humor, but is she really appropriate for a singing competition? Is this choice a good thing or the beginning of the end for "Idol?" What do you think?

--- Quote taken from a story by the Associated Press

When "American Idol" returns in January, it will once again have just three judges. But not the judges you think.

Paula Abdul announced on her Twitter account that she will not be returning to the singing competition show.

“With sadness in my heart, I’ve decided not to return” to Fox’s singing contest, Abdul posted Tuesday night according to the Associated Press. “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.”

On Monday, FOX announced Kara DioGuardi would return to the judging panel with Simon Cowell and Randy Jackson.

So this raises the question, can "American Idol" survive without Abdul? Isn't she the reason some people watch --- waiting to see what she'd say or do next that would be fodder for the tabloids and TV news magazines?

Will you still watch without her?

To me, DioGuardi was to wishy washy. She'd be totally off on her review when Randy, Paula and Simon would be right on.

What do you think?

You know I thought this was a possibility. I thought there was some chance that the dark horse would upset the favorite. Kris Allen is your new American Idol, but just how did he pull it off. I'll tell you. It's his nice guy charm. His humble beginnings with a very meek audition and from there he grew into the confidant performer you see in front of you today. He's one nobody really saw coming. He took in the criticizims the judges gave him and grew from week to week, allowing him to win the Idol crown.

Now, what I do want to question is whether he's been the front runner for a while and no one realized it because everyone was so focused on Adam. Yes, Kris was in the bottom 3 a few weeks ago. Yes, Adam was the most consistant performer, probably the most polished. But no one really knows if he was definitely the front runner. We all just assumed he was.

Looking back at past seasons, it really doesn't matter who wins. After all, one could finish fourth and still become a big star (Chris Daughtry).

So how do you all feel about your new American Idol? Are you disappointed? Should Idol reveal who's actually in first place every week instead of who is safe and who is going home? Should they change the format of how people win? Let me know how you feel.

It's been fun hearing what everyone has to say about American Idol. If the show comes back next year (and I'm assuming it will), we'll be back here again chatting about who's the favorite and who has to go. In the meantime, if there is any Idol news that comes up about Kris, Adam, other alumni or the judges, you can bet that I'll have something to say here on my blog. See ya' next January!

As I'm writing this, millions of fingers are dialing or texting, casting votes for the next American Idol.

But just who that will be will remain a mystery until Wednesday night. Trying to predict who that will be is nearly impossible.

Tuesday was the battle of the acoustic rocker and the glam rocker.

Here is what I thought of both Kris Allen and Adam Lambert in the finale.

Each had to sing three songs: one of their favorites from the season, a choice from creator Simon Fuller and a song co-written by Kara.

Adam (Mad World) -- This was my favorite of all his performances. I hope he puts this on his album. Still as good as the first time we heard him sing, if not better.

Kris (Ain't No Sunshine) -- This too was one of my favorites by Kris. I think he had more memorable performances during the season, but still one of the best!

Adam (Change is Going to Come) -- IT was kind of a more subdued Adam. I was hoping for a real rock song not so much blues. Still a good performance, but not what I was looking for from him.

Kris (What's Going On) -- I love the arrangement with acoustic guitar, bass and drums. This showed the power of his voice. True to what he does as a performer. Loved it!

Adam (No Boundaries) -- It was a good performance, but it doesn't sound like the type of song he would sing. Personally -- with him singing it --- I don't like the song.

Kris (No Boundaries) -- This song was too high for him and it's too bad because he's much better than this.

Overall, after hearing them both sing it, I hate this song. It's horrendous and doesn't suit either of them. They should have picked a good song, not just one written by Kara.

For me, both Adam and Kris were at their best in the first songs. The rest of the show was kind of a letdown.

It really is difficult to call this one. I can tell you I'm probably more apt to by Kris' CD than I am Adam's. But If I have to choose a winner, I pick Adam Lambert as the next American Idol.

The moment we've all been waiting for is a mere 24 hours away.

Who will outsing their opponent to covet the title of the next American Idol. Will it be the super rocker Adam Lambert, with vocals that have been compared to Steven Tyler and Mick Jagger; or is it the humble Kris Allen whose performances have been understated but leave a mark on audiences?

Last week Ryan announced there were only a mere 1 million votes separating Lambert from Allen. So who will do enough to garner those precious votes left when Danny Gokey was voted off?

Give me your predictions as to who you think the winner will be and why.