Talk show host Ellen DeGeneres to replace Paula Abdul on 'American Idol'

Ellen DeGeneres has been named the fourth judge on "American Idol," definitively closing the door on talk that Paula Abdul, who left the show two months ago, will be back.

Fox announced the news Wednesday night but only after DeGeneres used her talk show to break the news. A longtime fan of the singing competition, DeGeneres spoke to her live audience as opposed to tweeting about the gig a la Abdul.

The episode airs today.