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I’ve got to admit it, I have a newfound appreciation for Paula Abdul’s comedic abilities. Last night Paula hosted VH1’s “Divas Live” – and to say she’s getting rave reviews is an understatement. She lightheartedly poked fun at “American Idol” a few times, sang, danced, and did an all-around fabulous job. But the best part was the show’s opening. Paula did the most uncanny impression of Ellen DeGeneres, who ended up filling Paula’s judge spot on Idol. It was hysterical not just because Paula was making fun of the situation, but because her impression is so freaking good. If I weren’t wearing my glasses I would absolutely believe that was Ellen.

Paula Abdul mocked her American Idol replacement, Ellen DeGeneres, while hosting the VH1 Divas Live concert Thursday night. Dressed in a blonde wig and the talk show host’s trademark suit, Abdul, 47, joked: “Why are you all staring at me? Can’t a girl try out for a new job?” She then took a seat in a chair similar to the one DeGeneres conducts interviews from on her show.

“All kidding aside, [I have] nothing but love for Ellen, and I wish you the best of luck and congratulations on your new gig,” added Abdul, who hosted the show from the Brooklyn Academy of Music in NYC.

Abdul said DeGeneres could reach out to her if she ever needed advice.

“And call me! You gotta call me if you have any Simon problems, ’cause you know, I know him best,” she said.

That wasn’t the only American Idol reference on the show. Abdul’s first line after taking the stage? A spin-off of Idol host Ryan Seacrest’s traditional show opener. “I’m Paula Abdul, and this is not American Idol!” she said. Former Idols Jennifer Hudson, Jordin Sparks and Kelly Clarkson also performed. Abdul also sang a medley of her hits, including “Straight Up,” “Forever Your Girl” and “Opposites Attract” — during which a photo of Simon Cowell was flashed on a giant screen behind her.

[From Us Weekly]

Everyone knows Paula’s a great dancer since she worked as a choreographer for many years. But her impression is fantastic for more than her dance skills. She gets all of Ellen’s mannerisms down pat: her facial expressions, signature moves, that thing she does with her shoulders, the awkward stiff-legged thing she does. I don’t think there are any dance terms for Ellen’s moves; that’s just the best description I could come up with. The whole thing was executed flawlessly, and it very easily could have been cheesy and unfunny.

It seems like it was done in fun – I mean it’s not like Ellen stole Paula’s job. She and the producers couldn’t come to a salary agreement and negotiations broke down. So they started looking elsewhere. While Ellen’s a fun choice that’ll definitely bring some much-needed new energy to the show, I doubt she was the first person the AI producers thought of. And I’m guessing she wasn’t at their doorstep begging for a job the morning it was announced Paula wasn’t doing the show. I’d assume there are no real hard feelings between Paula and Ellen. Now, time for some retributive dancing: Ellen with MC Skat Kat.

Here’s Sheryl Crow and Miley Cyrus, Leona Lewis, Kelly Clarkson, Jordin Sparks, Jennifer Hudson, Adele, and Toni Braxton at Divas Live last night in Brooklyn. Images thanks to WENN.com .