Kara DioGuardi Hopes Ellen Sits By Her On 'Idol'

Sit by me! Kara is pushing for Ellen as her judge-buddy

Who doesn't love Ellen DeGeneres? The news explosion that she'll replace Paula Abdul on American Idol shocked us all, but now that the dust is settling, the audience aren't the only ones getting pumped.

Kara DioGuardi wants Ellen literally to take Paula's seat. Kara said, "I am lobbying for [Ellen] to sit next to me." Kara said she's assuming that will be the case, because the old pattern was Randy Jackson, Kara, Paula then Simon Cowell. It's looking promising that Kara will get her way, elbow-to-elbow with America's favorite moring talk show host.

Meanwhile, what does Kara think is the most important thing for an American Idol judge to keep in mind? She says, “For me it was to be myself, but she’s already herself. I think it’s just really to have an opinion and never make an excuse for it. Just go with your first reaction.”

But Kara wasn't always so crazy about the new lineup. Click here to read how she felt when Fox ousted Paula Abdul.