Randy's happy Ellen's joining 'Idol'

LOS ANGELES, Sept. 10 (UPI) -- Randy Jackson says he is excited to have Ellen DeGeneres joining the "American Idol" judges' panel this season.

Fox announced Wednesday DeGeneres would be Paula Abdul's permanent replacement on the show, joining Jackson, Simon Cowell and Kara DioGuardi on the panel that sits in judgment of would-be singing stars.

Abdul and the show's producers reportedly couldn't agree on the terms of a new contract.

"Yo baby! You know we got love," Jackson told TV's "Extra," adding he is "so happy" about DeGeneres joining the "Idol" cast.

"It's going go be fun. We're gonna rock the house every night!" he said. "Ellen's gonna be rockin', man."

The new season of the singing competition series begins in January.