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After serving as a judge for just one season, Ellen DeGeneres, 52, is leaving American Idol. "A couple months ago, I let FOX and the American Idol producers know that this didn't feel like the right fit for me," DeGeneres says in the statement. "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." "It was a difficult decision to make, but my work schedule became more than I bargained for," DeGeneres continues. Among the many names mentioned as possible Cowell replacements for the show: Bret Michaels, Elton John, Jessica Simpson, Howard Stern and others.