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Sources close to “American Idol” are saying that producer Nigel Lythgoe is indeed returning to the show he helped create. That opens the door again for wild speculation about who might sit at the judges’ table when the audition rounds with the judges begin taping.

Lythgoe said last spring that he thought Usher, Elton John and Paula Abdul would make a winning panel.

Don’t hold your breath if you’re waiting for Usher or Elton John, but Paula? She’s a wild card. She tweeted on Tuesday night this Winston Churchill quote: “A lie gets halfway around the world before the truth has a chance to put its pants on.”

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Who believes that Whoopi Goldberg got a little rough with Michaele Salahi today?

The View is up in arms over the Real Housewives of D.C. matron’s claim that Goldberg hit her during the show, calling Salahi’s accusation “completely unfounded and erroneous.” (Which is funny, because it looked as if all of her castmates really were raring to hit her throughout their appearance.)

Sure, they ended up in a “heated exchange backstage, “show rep Karl Nilsson said, but that’s only because Goldberg was forced to adamantly defend herself.

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LOS ANGELES — Fox sources say there will be no “American Idol” announcements during the network’s portion of the Television Critics Association press tour on Monday.

That leaves plenty of unresolved questions surrounding the biggest show on television, which is in disarray after Ellen DeGeneres made the shock announcement last Thursday that she was leaving the judges’ table after just one year.

To wit: Has fellow judge Kara DioGuardi really been fired? Is Jennifer Lopez really taking over? And what about Steven Tyler? If executive producer Nigel Lythgoe returns after a two-year absence, what changes does he have in store to restore some luster to the fading franchise?

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When Ellen DeGeneres was picked to be Paula Abdul’s replacement on “American Idol” less than a year ago, it seemed like an inspired choice.

Ellen was a huge fan of the show who was a natural fit to take over as the “Nice Judge” and expand the show’s reach into the demographics of her hit daytime talk show. And as a brilliant comic with a ready supply of one-liners, she’d have the tenacity to throw elbows with Simon Cowell in a more entertaining way than Paula could manage with her rambling commentary.

But it didn’t work out quite as planned

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LOS ANGELES — He began as “Mr. Nasty,” morphed into one of the most beloved (and richest) stars of U.S. pop culture, and ushered in a brutal style of reality TV.

Simon “I don’t mean to be rude, but..” Cowell bids farewell to “American Idol” this week, leaving a litany of stinging put-downs, an assortment of black and white T-shirts and big shoes to fill on what began in 2002 as a summer talent contest and became America’s most watched TV show.

Full Story at marquee.blogs.cnn.com

Talk show host Barbara Walters announced Monday she will undergo surgery this week to replace a faulty heart valve.

“I have known of this condition for a while now, and my doctors and I have decided this is the best time to do the surgery,” the 80-year-old co-host of ABC’s “The View” said at the opening of Monday’s program, which was dedicated to “Hot Topics.”

“I love you all, and that’s my hot topic for this morning,” she told her studio audience after announcing her plans. Walters predicted she would be gone from the show for one to three months, “and then I can come roaring back.”

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NEW YORK – Betty White demonstrated how it’s done as host of this week’s “Saturday Night Live.”

Drawing on her six decades in comedy, she was the consummate pro at 88 years old — sweet, sassy, salty, charming and clearly game for anything.

“I’m not new to live TV,” she reminded the audience at the top of the show, and recalled that she had starred in a sitcom that aired live back in 1952.

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“American Idol” is certainly having a rough go at it this year, and there’s no easy answer about what can be done to keep ratings from sinking farther when Simon Cowell is absent from the judges’ panel next year. One rumor floating around is that the show will bring Paula Abdul back.

Official comment from “American Idol” and Abdul’s rep was a “no comment.” But according to one “Idol” source, “With Paula, anything’s possible. She could come back. She’s not banned or anything, but I’m not even sure that would do the trick.”

Full Story at CNN.com

(EW.com) — When a grassroots campaign involves both Facebook and a beloved “Golden Girl,” the scope of its influence cannot be underestimated.

To wit: Sources confirm to me exclusively that “Saturday Night Live” is thisclose to signing TV legend Betty White to host the show for the very first time.

But there’s a catch — and a pretty cool one at that.

White would not be hosting alone. Rather, I hear “SNL” is putting together a “Women of Comedy” episode that would team the former Rose Nylund with several of her younger contemporaries. Ex-”SNL” MVP Molly Shannon is on board, I hear, and feelers have also been put out to Tina Fey and Amy Poehler.

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Los Angeles, California (CNN) — Family tragedy, bad timing and tough competition kept Angela Martin from moving past “American Idol’s” Hollywood Week in three separate seasons.

The 28-year-old mother of a special needs child learned Friday that, despite not making the top 24 again, two “Idol” judges will help get her singing career cranked up.

Ellen DeGeneres, who is in her first season as a judge, invited Martin onto her talk show to discuss her struggles and to sing. And, DeGeneres said, fellow judge Kara DioGuardi will pen a song for her.