Good News: In our exclusive one-on-one with GLEE star and fellow Canadian Cory Montieth, the actor talked candidly about how his life has changed since GLEE catapulted him to world-wide fame and what to expect from the final string of episodes prior to the show’s holiday hiatus. Bad News: You’ll have to wait until Wednesday for the interview in its entirety. And until then, settle for this good (albeit slightly obvious) news. According to Monteith, it’s official: GLEE is being paired up with the powerhouse that is AMERICAN IDOL when the show returns in 2010. Pass it on.

Good Great News: Ellen Degeneres will join AMERICAN IDOL as the show’s fourth judge for the upcoming ninth season. Bad News: For Paula whatsername, whose fifteen minutes just came to a screeching halt! Full press release after the jump.

Emmy Award-winning talk show host Ellen DeGeneres has joined AMERICAN IDOL as a fourth judge. DeGeneres will sit alongside Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson and Kara DioGuardi and offer her own unique perspective to the contestants throughout the competition.

The ninth season of AMERICAN IDOL premieres January 2010 on FOX. DeGeneres will join the judges’ panel after the auditions, which will feature appearances by guest judges Victoria Beckham, Mary J. Blige, Kristin Chenoweth, Joe Jonas, Neil Patrick Harris, Avril Lavigne, Katy Perry and Shania Twain.

“I’m thrilled to be the new judge on AMERICAN IDOL,” said DeGeneres. ”I’ve watched since the beginning, and I’ve always been a huge fan. So getting this job is a dream come true, and think of all the money I’ll save from not having to text in my vote.”

“I could not be more excited to have Ellen join the AMERICAN IDOL family,” said creator and executive producer Simon Fuller. “Ellen has been a fan of the show for many years, and her love of music and understanding of the American public will bring a unique human touch to our judging panel. I can’t wait for this next season to begin.”

“We’re all delighted to have Ellen join our ninth season of AMERICAN IDOL,” said executive producer Cecile Frot-Coutaz. “Beyond her incredible sense of humor and love of music, she brings with her an immense warmth and compassion that is almost palpable. She is one of America’s foremost entertainers, and we cannot wait to have her join our team.”

Mike Darnell, President of Alternative Entertainment for FOX added, “We are thrilled to have Ellen DeGeneres join the AMERICAN IDOL judges’ table this season. She is truly one of America’s funniest people and a fantastic performer who understands what it’s like to stand up in front of audiences and entertain them every day. We feel that her vast entertainment experience – combined with her quick wit and passion for music – will add a fresh new energy to the show.”

A beloved television icon and entertainment pioneer, DeGeneres’ distinctive comic voice has resonated with audiences from her first stand-up comedy appearances through her work today on television, in film and in the literary world. DeGeneres has made a home for herself in the daytime arena with her hit syndicated talk show, “The Ellen DeGeneres Show.” The show, now entering its seventh season, won the Daytime Emmy for Outstanding Talk Show Host four years in a row and has earned a total of 29 Daytime Emmy Awards.

DeGeneres was recently included in Forbes’ Top 5 “Most Influential Women in Media” and was voted “Best Daytime Talk-Show Host” by Parade.com readers. In addition, DeGeneres has been voted “Favorite TV Personality” by The Harris Poll’s annual favorite television star list beating out Oprah Winfrey and Jay Leno. DeGeneres was included in MSNBC’s “Power players who shape your TV habits.” DeGeneres also was honored with Television Week’s Syndication Personality of the Year and voted No. 1 in Oxygen’s “50 Funniest Women Alive” special in the company of such comedic legends as Carol Burnett and Lily Tomlin and has been included in TIME’s 100 Most Influential People.

DeGeneres had the honor of hosting the highly rated 79th Annual Academy Awards and was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Individual Performance In A Variety or Music Program. This follows her 2005 stint hosting the Primetime Emmy Awards, which marked her third time hosting the show. Her performance hosting the 2001 award show garnered her rave reviews for providing a perfect balance of wit with heartfelt emotion to the post-September 11 telecast audience. DeGeneres won an American Comedy Award for her inaugural effort hosting the show in 1994. Additionally, DeGeneres co-hosted AMERICAN IDOL’s very successful IDOL GIVES BACK special that raised money for children in extreme poverty in America and Africa.

In 2008, DeGeneres became the newest face for CoverGirl. The national print and commercial campaign for Simply Ageless Foundation premiered in December and the product quickly became No. 1 in the marketplace, outperforming expectations. DeGeneres partnered up with American Express in 2005 where she appeared in their ad campaign “My Life, My Card,” including a national commercial and a print campaign. DeGeneres later appeared in the national commercial “My Life Goal: to work with animals” which won a Primetime Emmy Award.

Prior to the launch of her talk show, DeGeneres scored simultaneous achievements on stage, film and in the literary world. She enjoyed unprecedented popular and critical response to her character, Dory, the fish with extreme short term memory, in the blockbuster animated feature film, “Finding Nemo.” At the same time, DeGeneres crossed the country on a 35-city stand-up comedy tour, entitled the “Here and Now” tour. Her stop at the famed Beacon Theater in New York was turned into an HBO special and was subsequently nominated for two Emmys. Finally, in October, Simon & Schuster published DeGeneres’ second book, “The Funny Thing Is….,” comprised of the author’s comedic short stories and essays. The book hit the New York Times’ Bestseller list upon its release. In 2005, DeGeneres was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Comedy Album for the audio version of the book. Her first book, “My Point…And I Do Have One,” published in 1995, debuted at No. 1 on the The New York Times bestseller list.

DeGeneres’ career began as an emcee at a local comedy club in her hometown of New Orleans, which led to national recognition in 1982 when her videotaped club performances won Showtime’s “Funniest Person In America” honor. When DeGeneres moved to Los Angeles she filmed her first HBO Special, “Young Comedians Reunion,” then in 1986 “Women of the Night.” That same year, DeGeneres scored a first by becoming the first female comedian to be summoned by Johnny Carson to sit down with him after her performance. In 1989, DeGeneres received a Cable Ace nomination for her “Command Performance: One Night Stand” special. She was also named “Best Female Stand-Up” at the 1991 American Comedy Awards.

DeGeneres began her acting career in television on the FOX sitcom “Open House.” She moved on to ABC’s “Laurie Hill,” prior to being offered a part on “These Friends of Mine” by ABC. After the first season, the show was renamed “Ellen.” Running from 1994 to 1998, the show garnered record ratings, with DeGeneres receiving Emmy nominations each season in the Best Actress category. In 1997, DeGeneres was the recipient of the coveted Peabody Award as well as earning an Emmy for writing the critically acclaimed “Puppy Episode” when her character came out as a gay woman to a record 46 million viewers.

Both on and off screen, DeGeneres’ humanitarian efforts take center stage. DeGeneres is passionate about bringing awareness to the people of New Orleans, her hometown, which was devastated by Hurricane Katrina and her efforts have resulted in “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” raising over $10 million to improve the lives of New Orleans residents. Overall, “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” has raised over $50 million and brought attention to various causes, including global warming and animals. Additionally, DeGeneres continues to raise awareness about breast cancer, and served as spokesperson for General Mills’ breast cancer awareness initiative, Pink for the Cure, and hosted special episodes of her show to mark Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Since she was first nationally recognized in 1982 as a comedian in New Orleans, Ellen’s many contributions to the entertainment industry have earned her numerous accolades including a Golden Apple Award as Female Discovery of the Year from the Hollywood Women’s Press Club; a Lucy Award honoring women in Television and Film, as well as an Amnesty International Award.

AMERICAN IDOL is created and executive-produced by Simon Fuller, founder of 19 Entertainment; and executive-produced by Cecile Frot-Coutaz, CEO, FremantleMedia North America, Inc. and Ken Warwick, Executive Producer, FremantleMedia North America, Inc.

Welcome to our morning round-up of big/interesting TV news that you may have missed over the past 24 hours because unlike us, there’s a fairly good chance that have a life outside of the small screen.

On the very same day Michael Ausiello breaks the news that has Chuck Bass going gay in GOSSIP GIRL’s sixth episode of the season, the CW released the above photo. Coincidence, we think not! [EW]

From his Emmy-worthy performance on HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER, to his extra-curricular TV Land, Tony and upcoming Emmy hosting duties comes yesterday’s news that Neil Patrick Harris was tapped by AMERICAN IDOL to guest judge during the show’s recent audition stop in Dallas. Begging the question, is their anything the legendary NPH can’t do? I mean, aside from the whole getting married thing. [LATimes]

Take that America, Paris Hilton can read! How else to explain this recent paparazzi shot snapped upon her arrival in Vancouver for an upcoming guest spot on SUPERNATURAL. [Splash News]

TV-Tie-ins 101: GREY’S ANATOMY branded Kleenex boxes just in time for the sixth season premiere. [E! Online]

Good News: Paula Abdul’s manager David Sonenberg is not talking to AMERICAN IDOL. Bad News: A fact that he takes great pleasure in reminding anyone who will listen every other day. [LA Times]

Good News: Seth MacFarlane continues to release tongue-in-cheek ‘For Your Consideration’ videos for his Emmy nominated series FAMILY GUY. Bad News: And much the show itself — where MacFarlane and Co. have a nasty habit of running gags, well, into the ground — these youtube clips stopped being funny two videos ago. [YouTube]

Good News: The future is now! With CBS and Pepsi teaming up to save the print industry put a video ad inside the upcoming Fall TV Preview issue of Entertainment Weekly. Bad News: This incredibly cool sounding video ad will only be sent to subscribers in the New York and Los Angeles area. [B&C]

Good News: MELROSE PLACE books a Tatum! Bad News: Not Channing, rather his less talented no-name wife, dancer/actress (probably singer) hyphenate Jenna Dewan. [EW]

On a scale of 1 to 10, just how bad do you think Brian Dunkleman is feeling this morning upon waking up to the above headline courtesy of The Hollywood Reporter?

NURSE JACKIE (10:30PM Showtime)
Jobs we would not want to have include being the teacher, school nurse and/or district psychologist who have to let Jackie know that her daughter Grace needs to go on anti-anxiety medication.

NEW & NOTABLE:
AMERICAN IDOL: THE JACKSON TRIBUTE (8PM FOX)
As much as our first reaction to FOX continuing to mine, not to mention profit from the Michael Jackson tragedy by re-broadcasting this season’s AMERICAN IDOL Michael Jackson Songbook is one of disgust. It’s pretty hard to blame the network when Janet is already making a ’surprise’ appearance at last night’s BET awards while father Joe Jackson hit the BET red carpet to promote his record label.

JON & KATE PLUS EIGHT (9PM TLC)
Bonus points if you can spot the exact moment Jon & Kate really stopped liking eachother when TLC continues to milk this train-wreck with a glorified clip show highlighting the first ten years of the Gosselin family.

KATHY GRIFFIN: MY LIFE ON THE D-LIST (10PM Bravo)
Kathy’s attempt to infiltrate the ‘youth’ market by taking actress Rachel True’s advice and creating a Facebook page hits a snag… when she discovers that everybody’s moved to twitter. We’re just saying, Facebook is so 2008.

DANCE YOUR ASS OFF (10PM Oxygen)
In what gets our award for the most literal title of the night, comes DANCE YOUR ASS OFF, where 12 plus-sized contestants infiltrate LA in a competition to shed pounds by means of dance and diet, hosted by Hairspray’s Marissa Jaret Winokur.

Three observations with regards to this really cool video (courtesy of the LATimes) that has this season’s AMERICAN IDOL Top 10 rehearsing just prior to hitting the road for their summer tour.

1. Scott MacIntyre is no Cory Monteith.
2. FOX continues to live up to its name, as in “sly as a…” by having the IDOL Top 10 promote their summer tour with what has now become GLEE’s calling card… seriously, genius! (Not to mention, corporate synergy at its finest.)
3. And speaking of which… can GLEE return any sooner?

Thanks to GMMR for the Tip!

For those three people who still care, Adam Lambert shocked three people in western Peoria by coming out on the cover of the new Rolling Stone. Now that it’s official, maybe we can stop wasting time on this nonsenes and focus on something equally important… you know, like Heidi Pratt’s I’M A CELEBRITY health crisis or Megan Fox’s efforts to legalize marijuana.

“I know it’s a long shot, but I’m hoping I do.” – Steve Martin when asked who he believed would win AMERICAN IDOL.