A&E has announced that its new reality series, The Jacksons: A Family Dynasty, will premiere on Sunday, December 13 with back-to-back one-hour shows. The six hours series follows Jackie, Jermaine, Tito and Marlon as they reunite for a 40th Anniversary Jackson Five concert while also coming to terms with the passing of their beloved.

Clark Kent says: Don’t know how I feel about this. What about you?

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A&E presents The Jacksons: A Family Dynasty, a new real-life series that will chronicle the personal and professional lives of Jackie, Jermaine, Tito and Marlon as they prepare for a Jackson Five reunion, while also coming to terms with Michael’s tragic loss. The series premieres Sunday, December 13 with back-to-back one-hour episodes beginning at 9:00pm ET/PT. The series will then move to its regularly scheduled time, Sunday’s at 10:00pm ET/PT beginning December 20 on A&E.

Behind the headlines lies a captivating family, whose lives have been unwillingly played out before cameras for decades. After 40 years in the business together, Jackie, Jermaine, Tito and Marlon, have sold more than 250 million albums worldwide. Now, the brothers allow unprecedented access into their world as they record new material and rehearse for a concert celebrating the 40th anniversary of The Jackson Five. The Jacksons: A Family Dynasty will chronicle the brothers’ relationships with each other, their parents and their children, while also balancing the demands of their professional commitments and celebrity. The series will also document the brothers’ coming to terms with Michael’s tragic loss and how to properly honor his legacy.

“This deeply intimate portrait will provide viewers with a raw and honest look inside a musical dynasty,” said Robert Sharenow, Senior Vice President of Nonfiction & Alternative Programming, A&E Network and Bio Channel. “For the first time ever, the remaining members of The Jackson Five allow cameras inside their very private world, giving the public a glimpse into how they balance their extremely busy personal and professional lives with the demands of celebrity.”

The Jacksons: A Family Dynasty will follow the brothers as they record vocals for a song on Michael’s This Is It soundtrack; attend the bittersweet premiere of the film; travel to London to support Tito who is a special guest star for musical legend Gladys Knight at a Wembley Arena concert performance; and try to balance their obligations as The Jackson Five while also pursuing their individual interests and projects.

The Jacksons: A Family Dynasty is produced for A&E Network by Point 7 Entertainment with Jodi L. Gomes serving as executive producer. Also serving as executive producers are Jermaine L. Jackson, Jackie Jackson, Tito Jackson, Marlon Jackson and Lori Gomes. Co-Executive producer is David Rupel. Supervising Producer is Anthony McLemore. Executive producers for A&E are Robert Sharenow, Scott Lonker and Stephen Harris.

Ellen DeGeneres has been announced as the new fourth judge on American Idol. On the heels of Paula Abdul departing the series, several guest hosts have been chosen during the audition phase – sitting in with Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson and Kara DioGuardi. However, rather than simply appearing as a guest, DeGeneres will be a new full time judge throughout the duration of next year’s Season 9.

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Says DeGeneres, “I’m thrilled to be the new judge on American Idol. 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 American Idol 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.” DeGeneres was a guest judge this summer on FOX’s So You Think You Can Dance.

Before DeGeneres takes over as the full time fourth judge in Los Angeles, guest judges during the audition phase of Season 9 will include Victoria Beckham, Mary J. Blige, Kristin Chenoweth, Joe Jonas, Neil Patrick Harris, Avril Lavigne, Katy Perry and Shania Twain.

Clark Kent says: Daniel from Newsy did bring up a good point. Check out the video of Ellen describing her strengths and weaknesses below. In my opinion, though, Ellen can do whatever she wants, why she chose ‘American Idol’ though, I don’t know.

Speaking to reporters at FOX’s Thursday (Aug. 6) morning Television Critics Association press tour panel, So You Think You Can Dance executive producer Nigel Lythgoe left the door wide open for Paula Abdul to have some sort of role on his hit show.

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“Absolutely there’s no question about that,” Lythgoe said. “I don’t know anybody who’s had her experience of being a performer, being a dancer, being a choreographer and being a judge. So absolutely. I’ve been trying to get her since Season One.”

Abdul’s extra availability for So You Think You Can Dance comes after her abrupt Tuesday evening tweeting indicating a parting of ways with American Idol. Lythgoe, formerly an Idol executive producer, admitted that he wasted no time in reaching out to his former colleague.

“I’ve spoken to her,” Lythgoe said. “I spoke to her yesterday morning. I didn’t get into discussions with her or negotiations, because I believe that’s private issue. I certainly wouldn’t talk about mine.”

Lythgoe said that he invited Abdul to converse, but he was hesitant to commit to the capacity in which the “Straight Up” singer might be used on So You Think You Can Dance.

“At this moment in time, we’re talking about opportunities, not just as a judge on this program, but opportunities for Paula,” he said.

So You Think You Can Dance features Lythgoe and Mary Murphy as regular judges and uses the third judging chair for a variety of choreographing luminaries including Mia Michaels, Adam Shankman, Debbie Allen and more. It doesn’t sound as if Lythgoe envisions expanding the regular panel for Abdul, even if her salary demands became less steep than they seem to be for “Idol.”

“I’m not a huge fan… of four judges,” said Lythgoe, who left American Idol before Kara DioGuardi was added. “I don’t mind a fourth guest judge every now and again, but four judges, on every panel, it should never be about the judges. It should be about the talent who’s up there and then add to that by what the judges are going to say. So no, at this moment in time, I’m not talking filling a third chair or a fourth chair.”

And how does Lythgoe think Abdul’s absence will impact the fortunes of American Idol? Well, for one thing, he isn’t so sure that she’s really all the way out.

“I still don’t know that she’s going leave ‘Idol,’” he said. “I know this is going on and the tweeting and the official statements and everything, but until ‘Idol’ goes on the air, there’s always opportunities of renegotiation. Who knows?”

Lythgoe added, “The impact on ‘Idol’? I’ve said it before. ‘Idol’ is far bigger than any individual. It has been successful all over the world with different judges. Simon Cowell is not a judge all over the world and it’s been successful. Paula Abdul is not a judge all over the world… They have their own judges and it is the format that is successful and  I believe it’s the young talent that goes on the show that makes it such a great success along with, obviously, Simon Fuller’s concept about the country getting behind the next star.”

Stay tuned for more information on Paula Abdul’s future. We’ll be holding our breath.

Clark Kent says: American Idol has yet to find the next supremely urban talent. Fantasia… nope! Ruben? Uh-uh! J-Hud doesn’t count, she didn’t even stay on the show long enough. Bobby Valentino couldn’t even get through the audition.

Paula Abdul has announced on her Twitter account that she will not be returning to American Idol for another season.

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“With sadness in my heart, I’ve decided not to return to IDOL,” she said. “I’ll miss nurturing all the new talent, but most of all being a part of a show that I helped from day 1 become an international phenomenon. What I want to say most, is how much I appreciate the undying support and enormous love that you have showered upon me. It truly has been breathtaking, especially over the past month. I do without any doubt have the BEST fans in the entire world and I love you all.”

Fox said, “Paula Abdul has been an important part of the American Idol family over the last eight seasons and we are saddened that she has decided not to return to the show. While Paula will not be continuing with us, she’s a tremendous talent and we wish her the best.”

Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson and Kara DioGaurdi are returning as judges with Ryan Seacrest once again hosting the show.

Clark Kent says: It was just a matter of time. Either she was going to leave or they were gonna get rid of her. Simon got tired of seeing her down two bottles of Henny before taping started.