HAPPY DANCE SYNERGY: American Idol just replaced Paula Abdul on a permanent basis, and the new hire is a bombshell: Ellen DeGeneres. DeGeneres has been an unapologetic fan of the show and didn't embarrass herself in her guest shot last season. If you look at Paula as the panelist who was supposed to focus on the celebrity/fame aspect of the music industry (with Randy as craft and Simon as business), DeGeneres is a good pick.

Plus, it's nice to think that DeGeneres helped launch Fox as a network (with her early sitcom, Open House; she may also have been on Duet, I forget) and is now being rewarded with a role on its most important property.

ICK: Noted via Matt Welch, but -- yeah -- this is the worst thing ever written about sports. It may, in fact, be the worst thing ever written.

Edited by Isaac to add: We at ALOTT5MA always have to walk a fine line between reporting vile things and driving traffic to them. It's safe to say that this will be the most read, and therefore in a strange way the most successful, article that Mark Whicker has written. I therefore propose the following compromise: If you click through to see what's so wrong about Whicker's article, why don't you also drop him a line (mwhicker@ocregister.com), with a copy to Register CEO Terry Horne (thorne@ocregister.com) and Editor/Publisher Julio Saenz (jsaenz@ocregister.com) Editor Ken Brusic (kbrusic@ocregister.com) to let him know what you think?

"BECAUSE YOU WROTE BRIDE WARS" MIGHT HAVE BEEN MORE ACCEPTABLE: E! is reporting that a major factor in Casey Wilson's departure from SNL is not merely the mixed reviews she got, but that she declined to comply with a production ultimatum that she lose 30 pounds. Of course, probably the funniest thing Wilson did last year was the Mad Men sketch in which she played Joan, a bit made possible by the fact that she's not stick-thin. Wilson also excelled at playing the straight woman to the wackier antics of Kristin Wiig in particular. SNL is at its best when it's got a diversity of talent--right now, its female cast is 4 very skinny girls. (Also, of last season's 22 episodes, only three were hosted by women.) It certainly raises some questions.

LET'S DANCE AGAIN, LIKE WE DID LAST SUMMER: There's always something extremely cute and somehow all-American about stars who are big fans of a particular TV show. Particularly when that show is SYTYCD. Enjoy.

I can't believe it's already time for another season of the dancing. I don't plan to cover the audition episodes regularly, but will post if/when the mood hits me. See you in Vegas.

EACH TO BE PRESENTED WITH A LAUREL, AND HEARTY HANDSHAKE: The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts has announced its honorees for 2009, recognizing lifetime contributions to American culture through the performing arts.

The list begins with one for whom such recognition is long overdue: writer, composer, actor, director, and producer Mel Brooks. Also being honored are pianist/composer Dave Brubeck; opera singer Grace Bumbry; actor, director, and producer Robert De Niro; and some guy named Bruce Springsteen. Past honorees are listed here.

THE WORLD IS WAITING: And we have our 12 teams racing for one million dollars in the latest RaceAroundTheWorld. Interesting pairs include:

• A team of two female professional poker players.
• A "self made trial attorney and black belt in karate" and his fiancee, which ring of Rahb and Ambah.
• Team Harlem Globetrotters.
• Weezer and Geezer 2.0, this time described as "Gary is a PC, Matt is a Mac."
• Former Miss America Ericka Dunlap and her husband, the first interracial married couple on the Race.
• "Married Yoga Teachers."
• Two brothers who "will tell you that being gay is only one of the many aspects of their lives."
• Team Asperger's Syndrome.

The race begins on September 27.

APPARENTLY LIV TYLER NEEDS FREE PRESS MORE THAN JEN GARNER DOES: Three episodes into the new season of The Rachel Zoe Project, and it feels like the show has really hit its stride vis-à-vis last year. These first few eps have been really tight -- there's a situation, the situation presents issues needing to be resolved, there's some drama surrounding the resolution, and the issue is resolved. Less of Taylor whining about Brad and more of the clothes and the styling -- these are good developments!

This may just be my own bias, but I am hoping that as the season progresses, we'll get more of the "Liv Tyler needs an everyday wardrobe" stuff. The red carpet dress selection process is fun as far as it goes, but it seems to be more about access to great dresses (not to mention access to designers who are willing to indulge Rachel's whims about possible reworkings) than about exceptional personal styling. I am actually getting more of a kick out of seeing how Rachel styles herself than I am out of seeing her figure out which ballgown Anne Hathaway should wear when she chats with Joan Rivers.

Who's watching?