The talk so far about American Idol 9? The Judges!

Usually after the first episode, the talk is all about the auditions, but this year is shaping up to be different on lots of accounts. In the second year of Kara, we get to see if she got laid in the offseason or if she’s still as horny as ever.

Paula Abdul? Out! Ellen DeGeneres? In! In what could be a great “free source” of advertising, they brought in Ellen, who’s daytime hit the Ellen Show could help ratings.

But the biggest shocker is the announcement that Simon will be in his last year at Idol. This, season 9, will be his fairwell tour before starting The X-Factor, also on Fox next year. This is his hit British Franchise they are moving to America. Will it be more like the Beatles? Or scarfs with sweaters? We’ll have to see. But we’re surely going to be talking about it. A lot!

Oh, and even Ryan isn’t out of the rumor mill. Some say he could be called into double duty next year, as a host and judge. Could be interesting? But don’t see it happening. Also, rumor has it that Ryan took the news very hard that Simon was leaving. That man-crush that Simon always refers to seems to have some merit.