Throng

TMZ are reporting that Kara DioGuardi is the latest casualty of the American Idol reboot.

Rumor is that Steven Tyler and Jennifer Lopez will be joining Randy Jackson on the show's next season.

If this is the new judging panel, is it enough to keep the fans happy?  Will it be enough to reinvigorate the show?  Time will tell...

American Idol will lose the services of judge Ellen DeGeneres for the next season with the talk-show host deciding to exit the judging panel.

The exit is said to be a mutual decision between DeGeneres and the Fox network and part of an Idol overhaul which will see the network try to re-invent the brand.

The Ellen DeGeneres show host made her feeling clear to Idol producers months ago that she was looking to quit in order to concentrate more on her own successful show.

"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," DeGeneres said. "It was a difficult decision to make, but my work schedule became more than I bargained for."

Mad Men for The Simpsons

Mad Men’s Jon Hamm will be lending his voice to The Simpsons for this coming season with a character based on him. Hamm, who plays Don Draper Mad Men, will voice an agent character who is in pursuit of mobster Fat Tony.

True Blood comic book launched

A comic book based on TV series True Blood has been launched by HBO in time for the Comic-Con event in the US. The show’s executive producer Alan Ball helped develop the plot for the book which is the first of a planned six.

BBC denies Doctor Who movie rumour

The BBC have denied they are planning a Doctor Who movie adaptation despite the rumour mill working overtime saying there is one in the works. The British network has labelled it all "pure speculation."

Cowell tips Connick Jr for American Idol

Departing American Idol judge Simon Cowell is tipping singer Harry Connick Jr to replace him on the show. Connick Jr appeared on the show last season as a mentor during a Frank Sinatra-themed episode.

Doctor Who prop sells for £10,000

A Tardis used by actor Christopher Eccleston in a series of Doctor Who has sold for over £10,000 at an auction in the UK. The prop was among a range of items from the BBC series up for sale at the auction which saw most exceed their estimated prices.

Vice-President's wife lands TV role

The wife of American vice-President Joe Biden has landed a guest role on Army Wives. Jill Biden will appear as herself in the drama series which is pulling several real life Army wives to appear in guest roles.

Vinnie Jones lands TV role

British tough guy Vinnie Jones has signed on for his first regular TV role in the new superhero series The Cape. The footballer-turned-actor will play a powerful criminal called Scales whose rare condition causes his body to look as though it is covered in green and gold scales.

Home shopping on the rise

TV home shopping is on a rise in Australia with more and more viewers picking up the phone to buy products they have seen on television infomercials. With the rise of celebrity-endorsed products on the market, Australia’s only 24-hour home shopping channel has seen a 20% rise in business each year for the last four years.

Flashforward protest

Disgruntled Flashforward fans are planning a blackout protest to show their anger over the show’s recent cancellation. The protest will be staged outside the ABC offices in major American cities and will consist of fans mimicking unconsciousness for 2 minutes and 17 seconds. A website PreventTheBlackout has also been launched in support.

Julia Stiles confirms Dexter

Julia Stiles has officially signed on to feature in the fifth season of drama series Dexter. The actress will appear in ten episodes in the upcoming season playing “a mysterious young woman who forms a unique relationship with Dexter (Michael C. Hall).”

Scorsese series proves popular

The hottest show at the recent LA upfronts was the new Martin Scorsese-directed period piece set in Prohibition-era New Jersey. The HBO project, which screened its pilot at the annual LA event, has been hot property with international networks scrambling over each other to pick it up. SBS has nabbed it for Aussie viewers.

Bret Michaels for American Idol?

The latest rumour to be circling American Idol is that Celebrity Apprentice contestant and Poison rocker Bret Michaels is being considered to take up Simon Cowell’s spot on the judging panel. Michaels, who was hospitalised recently with a brain aneurysm, is no stranger to reality TV and has become a household name in the States due to the recent events so he may just be a perfect fit.

SBS in slogan war

Kiwi network TV3 is coming under fire from this side of the Tasman after cloning a slogan used by the SBS network here. The Aussie network is angry over TV3’s use of the slogan “Over Six Billion Stories... and counting” which they say is too similar to their own “Six Billion Stories... and counting”. TV3, however, says it’s a generic phrase based on the population of the world and that it’s not particularly unique to SBS.

Cowell to be honoured

American Idol judge and producer Simon Cowell will be honoured by BAFTA for his contribution to entertainment at next week’s BAFTA Television awards. Cowell, who not only fronts Idol but also Britain’s Got Talent and The X-Factor in the UK, has been described as “one of the most brilliant entertainment producers of our time” by BAFTA TV chairman John Willis. The 50-year-old will be presented a special award at the June 6 ceremony.

Project Runway spin-offs

Two new Project Runways spin-offs are in the works over in the US according to Variety. The first, already in pre-production, will feature former contestants Santino Rice and Austin Scarlett travelling around the country giving wardrobe advice and makeovers to in-need women. The second will focus on host Heidi Klum and husband Seal dishing out marriage counselling.

Lee DeWyze wins American Idol

Lee DeWyze has taken out the ninth season of American Idol, edging fellow finalist Crystal Bowersox in last night’s season finale. The three-hour special also saw a farewell tribute to departing judge Simon Cowell which featured many familiar faces from previous seasons returning to the stage alongside celebrity performers.

If you do not want to know the winner yet, do not click "read more" on this story!

The two contestants that were in the running to win American Idol 2010 were Crystal Bowersox, who was favourite to win, and Lee DeWyze.

Crystal Bowersox is a single mum aged 24 from Chicago who has one son. She was a fraternal twin and used to busker at train stations in Chicago. Crystal is the first girl to make it to final two since Jordan Sparks won in 2007. Stand out performances this season include “Give Me One Reason” originally performed by Tracy Chapman, and “Come Together” originally performed by John Lennon and Paul McCartney. The song she chose for contestant’s choice in the final three show was “Come To My Window” by her idol Melissa Etheridge.

Greenlight for Skins movie

Teen series Skins is heading to the big screen with news today the producers of the English series will begin shooting a movie in September. The intention is to bring back cast members from the first four seasons as well as introduce new characters into the mix. The script is being written by an original Skins writer and will be directed by another series regular.

Keaton, Page in new pilot

Dianne Keaton has signed on to star in a new comedy pilot for HBO which centres on a famous entertainment blogger. She is reportedly set to be joined by Juno lead Ellen Page who will play Keaton’s journalistic protégé in the pilot, entitled Tilda. The project is loosely based on real life blogger Nikki Finke of the website Deadline Hollywood.

With Simon Cowell leaving American Idol at the end of the current season, the producers are on the hunt for a mega international talent to replace him.

The latest star on the Idol with -list is the Queen of Pop herself, Madonna.

Idol creator Simon Fuller is desperate for Madonna to take the role of judge on the talent show, which wraps its ninth season this week.

A source said: "Simon is going to leave a gaping hole. Not only is he an expert, he's also a big star in the States.

"Everyone agrees 'Madge' would be great and they want her as a full-time judge. But if that fails they'd at least like her as a mentor."

Tina Fey honoured

Comedian and 30 Rock star Tiny Fey has been selected to receive the Mark Twain prize for American Humour. Fey, whose impressions of Sarah Palin were a worldwide hit on Saturday Night Live, has been praised for earning “legions of fans for her quick, unapologetic wit and social commentary.” In response, Fey says she is “truly thrilled” to receive the award and assumed “Betty White was disqualified for steroid use.”

Ghost Whisperer to be saved?

Recently axed Ghost Whisperer may be salvaged from the scrap heap by American network ABC says series regular Jamie Kennedy. Earlier in the month, CBS called and end to the series but rival network ABC has shown interest in reviving it with Kennedy saying "They are talking about it, so that's cool," he said. "We haven't exactly gone into the light, we haven't crossed over, but we've got some life."

Underbelly sued

The makers of crime series Underbelly are being sued by a woman who claims that some incidents involving the character based on her never happened. Former NSW policewoman Wendy Hatfield is filing the lawsuit against TCN Channel Nine Ltd for defamation after a previous legal attempt failed to allow her to access to the footage before it screened.

Xzibit joins Extreme Makeover

The Extreme Makeover: Home Edition bus is about to get a whole lot more crowded with news that rapper Xzibit and ex-Bachelorette Jillian Harris are climbing aboard to offer their design services to the show. The pair have previously made guest appearances on the show, but will take up permanent roles next season.