Diva Jennifer Lopez looks set to stage a commercial comeback, after landing a spot on the American Idol judging panel. According to reports, the 41 year old is to replace Ellen Degeneres, whose sensational departure from the hit show (after just one season) was announced a few hours ago.

Full story & poll after the jump…

According to Deadline.com, Lopez officially inked a deal to join ‘Idol’, month ago, and that the official announcement was being kept under wraps until DeGeneres’ exit (which had long been finalised) was publicised.

The report goes to state that it was Lopez’s newly re-appointed manager Benny Medina who set up the initial meeting with producers of the show. Serious  negotiations soon followed,  with the deal being finalised just last month.

Lopez joins remaining judges Randy Jackson and Kara Dioguardi on the judges table. Meanwhile Aerosmith frontman Steven Tyler is also believed to be the top contender for the panel position left vacant by departing Simon Cowell – who launches the US incarnation of the X-Factor next year.

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Needless to say, this is clearly the lifeline Lopez’s limp career has long been in need of. After all, despite recently signing with Def Jam (after being dropped by Epic), public interest in her musically has been minimal, with her acting career faring no better.

Idol may not be the beast it once was (lost it’s spark after Fantasia’s year IMO) and may very well be on its way off the air (I can’t see Idol and the fresher X-Factor co-existing), yet it still commands a huge audience – something Lopez will no doubt benefit from.

That said, we’re keen to hear what you think….

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