What's going to happen to the judges' table on American Idol now that Ellen DeGeneres has waved bye-bye?

The comedian/talk show host cited a busy schedule as the cause for her abrupt departure but also didn't feel totally comfortable in her critiquing role.

``A couple months ago, I let Fox and the American Idol producers know that this didn't feel like the right fit for me,'' DeGeneres said in a statement. ``[I]t was hard for me to judge people and sometimes hurt their feelings.'' Awww.

There's also another gaping hole left after Kara DioGuardi was sacked, soon after DeGeneres' shocking announcement.

Deadline Hollywood reported Thursday that the tough talking DioGuardi, 39, was no longer welcome on the set. The Grammy-nominated songwriter joined the show in 2008 but never quite fit in with the panel -- or the fans.

``It was pretty hellish,'' she admitted of her first season. ``Yeah, I got slagged. It was difficult for [people] to understand why somebody who nobody had ever heard of could kind of come out of nowhere and sit next to these iconic figures.''

So who will fill the vacancies? Who will join now solo Randy Jackson? The Internet is awash in rumors.

A source tells UsMagazine.com that former Fly Girl Jennifer Lopez has already been hired, but nothing's solid. The Back-Up Plan star has already mentored on the show and knows the deal.

Other celebs rumored to be in line:

Steven Tyler: The Aerosmith frontman is considered another front runner. But he's fresh out of rehab for an addiction to painkillers, due to falling on stage and breaking his shoulder. You can't judge coherently when you're high on Vicodin.

Bret Michaels: The rocker/ Celebrity Apprentice winner battled back from a brain hemorrhage to appear on last season's Idol finale and made no secret that he hopes to be chosen. Let's just hope his health holds up.

Jessica Simpson: This serial dater is no stranger to fame whoring, reality shows or -- almost forgot -- singing.

Elton John: Talk about pedigree -- and he can be snippy a la Simon Cowell. But EJ may be a little too long in the tooth for this all-American rah-rah type show.

Howard Stern: You want brutal honesty? The radio host can dish it out and then some. But his puerile history may come back to haunt him. Translation: We doubt Howard's ready for prime time.

Jamie Foxx: The singer/actor/comedian already has experience mentoring Idol contestants last season about their onstage charisma. Maybe he could inject some oomph back into this anemic dinosaur. He'll be performing at LIV Sunday night if you'd like to inquire (beg).