It’s a slow news day so far, but here’s all the tube news that’s fit to surf …

– What did you think of Ellen DeGeneres‘ big premiere as an American Idol judge last night? Check out my full review at AOL TV, but bottom line: I think she was awesome, and will really freshen up what was threatening to become a very tired show.

– Portia De Rossi, star of Better Off Ted and wife of the aforementioned Ellen DeGeneres, is writing a book where she’ll dish on her relationship and her struggles with bulimia. Here’s hoping she’ll give readers scoop on her time on Ally McBeal, where most of the female cast seemed to be anorexic.

– The Bachelor host Chris Harrison confirms we haven’t seen the last of Ali, who left the show to return to her job in Monday’s episode.

– You’ve been warned, South Beach: The Jersey Shore cast is heading your way for season two.

– Sad news from the Discovery Channel: Deadliest Catch‘s Captain Phil Harris died Tuesday after suffering complications from a stroke.

– Emmy-winning Survivor host Jeff Probst has signed on for two more seasons of hosting and exec producing the CBS reality series.

– And American Idol season four winner Carrie Underwood has already won more awards and sold more records than her fellow AI alums, and now she’s going to become the first AI-er to inspire her own Sesame Street character: Carrie Underworm.

• No Comments
• Filed in American Idol, TV News
• Tags: American Idol Ellen DeGeneres, Deadliest Catch Phil Harris, Jeff Probst Survivor contract, Jersey Shore season 2, The Bachelor Ali