It feels like American Idol only finished yesterday (we know it was actually last month sometime) but already the judges have been talking about next year’s season of the show. Ellen DeGeneres has revealed how her judging style will change next year and Kara DioGuardi has been talking about who she wants to replace Simon Cowell.

Ellen DeGeneres joined the panel as a newbie for the 2010, but says she has now found her feet as a judge and plans to be tougher on the contestants next year. Admitting that she was ‘too soft’ on hopefuls like Casey James, Mike Lynch and Aaron Kelly, Ellen told USA Today:

“Your first year anywhere is going to be tough, because you’re trying to figure out what your role is.”

“I think next year my role will be to be exactly who I am, sometimes funny and sometimes serious, and I think I’ll probably learn to be a little harder on people without being rude. But I think it was a fine line for me to walk this year.”

“It’s always been Simon’s show. There’s a whole dynamic there. You want to be respectful, and it was his last year, and so a lot was going on that needed to happen. “I think next year will be a different year. No one can replace Simon, just like I wasn’t replacing Paula.”

Speaking about who she would like to see joining them in 2011, Kara DioGuardi told The New York Times:

“I’ve voiced who I think would be pretty good. They know that I thought Harry Connick [Jr.] did a really good job. He really helped those contestants and he obviously cared a lot – he sat and did all those arrangements. He’s funny, Ellen [DeGeneres] and Harry are close friends, so that would be a good chemistry.”

It might seem very early to be discussing replacements for the 2011 season, but realistically show bosses only have another 3 months before the audition process kicks off once more. Are you looking forward to a non Cowell Idol? Leave your comments below.