generate questions: Season nine premiered on January 12, 2010. The upheaval at the judging panel continued. Ellen DeGeneres joined as a judge to replace Paula Abdul at the start of Hollywood Week.
What year did season nine of American Idol first air? {sep_token} Who filled the judges spot vacated by Paula Abdul on season nine of American Idol? {sep_token} At what point during season 9 of American Idol did Ellen Degeneres become a judge? {sep_token} When did season nine premiere? {sep_token} Which original judge left prior to the start of the season? {sep_token} Who replaced Abdul? {sep_token} When did Ellen join the judges' panel? {sep_token}