I’m not especially heartbroken that Ellen DeGeneres announced yesterday that she’s done with American Idol. As that largely lackluster season went on (and on and on), critics who felt the comedian/talk-show host wasn’t a good fit for the show from the start found such worries confirmed; DeGeneres was much more inclined to bring the funny and offer some variation on “I think you’re great” than to level any real (read: negative) critique. Anyway, she’s savvily figured out a way to capitalize on unsigned vocal talent without needing the extra weekly spotlight and associated hassle, so kudos to her.

Word on the street is that Jennifer Lopez has signed on to take DeGeneres vacated seat at the judges’ table. Splitting with Sony Records after flop single “Louboutins” broke her stride (unfairly, I must again add), the former Fly Girl looks like she’s gonna land on her feet at American Idol. Having served as mentor during Season 6’s Latin Week, Lopez arrives as no stranger to the singing contest.

Really, Jennifer Lopez is the perfect Paula Abdul replacement we’ve been waiting for. Both ladies had (yes, past tense, had) crazy successful music careers though their bid for showbiz stardom began with The Dance. Crazier still (but not crazy cool), neither Abdul nor Lopez possess the strongest of chops, to put it mildly. Could this news get more quintessentially spot-on? Yes. Both have the same tally of Top 10 singles, with eight apiece. Abdul hit #1 six times (in a row) while Lopez has had to settle for just four trips to the top (non-consecutive).

J. Lo’s third song to reach number-one status (after “If You Had My Love” and “I’m Real”) was 2002’s “Ain’t It Funny,” which spent six weeks in the penthouse. The steeped-in-sepia video features Lopez kicking up her heels and some dirt in flirtatious pursuit of a not-unhandsome gentleman:

Okay, so that particular version wasn’t the #1 hit, but if America had had any taste at the time, it should have been. Sadly, it was this take that took the chart-topping honor, an altogether different track dubbed the Murder Remix that really had only the title in common and featured Ja Rule.

Anyway, what do you think about Lopez as latest Idol judge? Can’t hurt to have someone on the panel who’s had a few hits of her own in the last decade. But will J. Lo do it well?

Purchase Jennifer Lopez – “Ain’t It Funny” via iTunes, Amazon MP3.