As predicted here a couple of weeks ago, the upcoming season of “Idol” will be Cowell’s last. The producer, musical entrepreneur and professional playground bully will be sitting at the judges’ table in the fall of 2011 when the American version of his hit show “The X Factor” debuts, according to Entertainment Weekly.

The move was officially confirmed today at the Television Critics Association Press Tour by Cowell himself, who said, “We did talk about me staying on both shows but when we looked at the practicalities of that, it was impossible. In my opinion, it’s like having a good player and a good football team. The two have to be OK together.”

The former Paula Abdul foil also told the assembled reviewers his time on “Idol” was “the best 8 or 9 years of my life.”

Credit for the best line of the day has to go to newest “Idol” judge, Ellen DeGeneres. In a statement issued through her reps, the comedian quipped, “He’s leaving on my first day. I’m trying not to take it personally.

“But seriously, I am going to be very, very sad to see him go, because I think he’s made the show what it is. He’s a huge part of that show but he wanted a change.

“I wish him all the luck in the world hosting ‘The Tonight Show.’”

Speaking of “American Idol,” fans of runner-up Adam Lambert should point their televisions in the direction of cable network Fuse tonight.

Lambert will sit down with host Touré to spill the dirt about what’s next on his plate musically, opening the closet door on his personal life and his sometimes lonely past.

“Adam Lambert: On the Record with Fuse” premieres at 8 p.m. EST.

Monday, January 11
Mary J. Blige – “The Ellen DeGeneres Show”
Brad Wollack, Natasha Leggero, Matt Braunger – “Chelsea Lately”
Ke$ha – “Lopez Tonight”
Ryan Bingham – “Late Show with David Letterman”
Bill Cosby – “The Jay Leno Show”
Vampire Weekend – “The Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien”
Ray Romano, Mighty Mighty Bosstones – “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” – rerun
Nellie McKay – “Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson”
David Gray – “Last Call with Carson Daly” – rerun

Tuesday, January 12
Bette Midler – “The Ellen DeGeneres Show”
Jo Koy, Loni Love, Josh Wolf – “Chelsea Lately”
Pitbull – “Lopez Tonight”
Whoopi Goldberg, Findlay Brown – “Late Show with David Letterman”
Rosanne Cash – “The Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien”
Melanie Fiona – “Jimmy Kimmel Live!”
Ringo Starr – “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon”
Paula Poundstone – “Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson”
The Raveonettes – “Last Call with Carson Daly” – rerun

Wednesday, January 13
Joan River – “The View”
Gloriana – “The Ellen DeGeneres Show”
Jen Kirkman, Dan Levy, John Caparulo – “Chelsea Lately”
The Hotrats – “Late Show with David Letterman”
Riky Gervais, Whitney Cummings – “The Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien”
Aziz Ansari, Larry Gatlin – “Jimmy Kimmel Live!”
Ke$ha – “Late Show with Jimmy Fallon”
Ringo Starr, The Ben Harper Band – “Daily Show with Jon Stewart”
Richard Lewis – “Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson”
Lisa Hannigan – “Last Call with Carson Daly” – rerun

Thursday, January 14
Norah Jones – “Live with Regis and Kelly”
Whitney Cummings, Ross Mathews, Chris Franjola – “Chelsea Lately”
Snoop Dogg – “Lopez Tonight”
The Low Anthem – “Late Show with David Letterman”
Katharine McPhee – “Jimmy Kimmel Live!”
Rosanne Cash – “The Tavis Smiley Show”
Julie Andrews,Vampire Weekend – “Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson”
Pete Yorn – “Last Call with Carson Daly”

Friday, January 15
Emilio Estefan – “The View”
Mark Walhberg, Ricky Gervais – “The Ellen DeGeneres Show”
Robin Thicke,Jo Koy, Christina Pazsitzky, Guy Branum – “Chelsea Lately
Lifehouse – “The Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien”
Joan Rivers – “Jimmy Kimmel Live!”
The Hotrats – “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon
Bob Newhart – “The Tavis Smiley Show”
Luke Bryan – “Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson”
Paolo Nutini – “Last Call with Carson Daly” – rerun

Saturday, January 16
K’Naan, Mos Def – “Austin City Limits”
The Ting Tings – “Saturday Night Live”