Simon Cowell, American Idol Season 9 | featured news

According to People, former judge Paula Abdul will join the show for a “special send-off” to the departing judge.

Even before Ellen DeGeneres took her seat on "American Idol," the roar began. Cries of "What does she know about music" and "Bring back Paula Abdul" lit up blogs and message boards. Then the next shoe dropped -- anchor judge Simon Cowell announced that the ninth season would be his last.

Simon Cowell believes a woman is likely to win his final season on "American Idol." The acerbic British judge told a teleconference Thursday he thinks one of the 12 women among the ninth season's 24 semifinalists has a good shot to win the Fox singing contest....

Simon Cowell, despite hinting in the spring that he might be leaving “American Idol,” will be a judge on hit reality show for at least three more seasons and reportedly will earn $45 million under the new pact.

Simon Cowell and the other judges on 'American Idol' will not have Paula Abdul to kick around anymore.