gq: Season nine premiered on January 12, 2010. The upheaval at the judging panel continued. Ellen DeGeneres joined as a judge to replace Paula Abdul at the start of Hollywood Week.
Question: When did season nine premiere? Question: What year did season nine of American Idol first air? Question: Who filled the judges spot vacated by Paula Abdul on season nine of American Idol? Question: Who replaced Abdul? Question: Which original judge left prior to the start of the season? Question: At what point during season 9 of American Idol did Ellen Degeneres become a judge? Question: When did Ellen join the judges' panel?