Context: 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.

Question: What year did season nine of American Idol first air?
Answer: 2010

Question: Who filled the judges spot vacated by Paula Abdul on season nine of American Idol?
Answer: Ellen DeGeneres

Question: At what point during season 9 of American Idol did Ellen Degeneres become a judge?
Answer: Hollywood Week

Question: When did season nine premiere?
Answer: January 12, 2010

Question: Which original judge left prior to the start of the season?
Answer: Paula Abdul

Question: Who replaced Abdul?
Answer: Ellen DeGeneres

Question: When did Ellen join the judges' panel?
Answer: Hollywood Week