Ellen DeGeneres is New Judge on 'American Idol'
Sept. 9, 2009, 8:33 PM EST
By Josef Adalian, The Wrap

"American Idol" has found its new Paula: Ellen DeGeneres.

The Fox series has announced a deal that would make the talk show host/comic the new fourth judge on America's top-rated show. She would replace Paula Abdul, who quit "Idol" over the summer due to a salary scuffle.

"I'm thrilled to be the new judge on American Idol," said DeGeneres in Fox's news release. "I've watched since the beginning, and I've always been a huge fan. So getting this job is a dream come true, and think of all the money I'll save from not having to text in my vote."

"I could not be more excited to have Ellen join the American Idol family," said creator and executive producer Simon Fuller. "Ellen has been a fan of the show for many years, and her love of music and understanding of the American public will bring a unique human touch to our judging panel. I can't wait for this next season to begin."

"We're all delighted to have Ellen join our ninth season of American Idol," said executive producer Cecile Frot-Coutaz. "Beyond her incredible sense of humor and love of music, she brings with her an immense warmth and compassion that is almost palpable. She is one of America's foremost entertainers, and we cannot wait to have her join our team."

DeGeneres has been a major "Idol" fan, featuring contestants from the show on her daytime chatfest on a regular basis. She also came close to guest co-host the show's "Idol Gives Back" charity special last year, but dropped out due to a scheduling conflict.

More recently, however, DeGeneres served as a guest judge on "So You Think You Can Dance," the sister show to "Idol" that airs in the summer.

I hate the fact that there is going to be a fourth judge, period. It doesn't matter who it is in my opinion. I didn't think Kara added much to the mix and will miss Paula's compassion. Even though she was a little loopy, in her lucid moments she was very much needed on the show. 4 judges is way too many-- last year there was all that shouting to be heard and then they talked way too long, taking precious time away from the contestants. As much as I like Ellen as a personality, I don't like the idea of another judge. If they could not have met Paula's salary demands they should have dumped Kara and kept Paula. I have a sneaking suspicion that this was what the producers wanted all along-- to get rid of Paula.

Wow - that's quite a surprise! I think it will be great having her on the show. She'll add some entertainment value to that panel (even Simon is getting boring for me.) I don't like having four judges either, but who knows - next season they'll probably drop either Randy or Kara. Whatever happens, I think it's an interesting move - I'm looking forward to seeing how it works out.

http://www.americanidol.com/

Love Ellen! I'm happy that she will be the new judge on AI.

The biggest problem with the four-judges panel: Too much time spent on the judges, not enough on the contestants. PLUS, the judges tended to ramble on too long and make the show go late.

So who do they get for a fourth judge? The queen of rambling!!! Don't get me wrong, I love Ellen, but she is sooo wrong for this show. Did anybody see her guest judge on SYTYCD? Only funny the first time or two around, then it just got so old and she wouldn't stop talking. ugh. Hopefully she'll be a lot better on AI than she was on SYTYCD...

Me too!

This from People. She plans to serve as the voice of a regular audience member. I love it!

http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20...ss-topheadlines

ETA: Just found this, her announcement on her show:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TCx4orrPtec

I really like Ellen.
"Didn't" like her as a guest judge on SYTYCD.
I suppose she can judge it as the "people" voice, but what does she know about the technical side of music? Can she offer constructive advise?

I believe so. Haven't we disagreed with the so-called technical advice in the past. She can offer constructive advise on how to appeal to an audience is my thinking. She herself said she wouldn't be coming from the technical side of it but from a person that's going to buy the music and relate to that person. I think it's going to be great. :)

I love it also. I think Ellen will be great for the show. Like she said, she'll judge as a regular audience member. She won't be looking at the way they are dressed and how their hair is styled etc. She'll be judging on vocal talent only, as it should be.

They made a very wise choice. I think she'll definitely bring the ratings back up.

She's so funny! I bet having her on there will boost the ratings.

Wait, are you saying regular audience members DON'T judge the contestants based on how they dress and what their hair looks like? I seem to remember a lot more comments about Elliott's looks coming from the audience than from the judges LOL couch critics can be mean!! haha

Found someone at MTV who says EXACTLY what I have been trying to say!!!


Adding an "Idol" superfan to the panel is a fun idea. I think many of us assumed producers would find a washed-up pop star from a past decade to replace Paula. But going with the diehard fanatic is an interesting twist that threw me for a loop. Congrats to "Idol" for still having tricks up its sleeve.

But three things concern me with their choice of Ellen.

First, Ellen posted a video on her daytime chat show's Web site in which she promises to take the role of the viewer. She said, "I'm the people's point of view 'cause I am just like you. I sit at home and I watch it. I'm not looking at that in a critical way from [a] music producer's mind. I'm looking at it as a person who's going to buy the music and relate to that person. So hopefully I'll be the voice of what we're all doing at home."

But let's be honest. Nine times out of 10, the home viewer is the harshest critic of them all. Admit it: You've sad things about these singers that would make Simon Cowell blush. We rag on contestants left and right. If anything, us "Idol" geeks have been upset that the judges haven't been hard enough on certain contestants. (I know I was harshest on Danny Gokey because I didn't think he received enough criticism from the panel.) This video statement from Ellen worries me because I find it disingenuous and not representative of who she actually is. She's a zillionaire celeb who is likely too afraid to piss anyone off. She'll be more like the "Idol" cheerleader than you or I would ever be. If you're gonna claim to be "the armchair critic," Ellen, you better be prepared to really go there. Join the party. Come to the dark side.

Secondly, Ellen guest-judged this past summer on "So You Think You Can Dance" and her appearance was frustrating to say the least. Instead of critiquing any of the dancers, she stammered on and rattled off pre-prepared schtick for 45 seconds. Here's hoping "Idol" producers force Ellen to watch those "SYTYCD" tapes back and tell her to do the complete opposite on "Idol."

Finally, for the past several years, "Idol" has been losing sight of who matters most on "American Idol," which is, of course, the contestants. We tune in to watch no-name singers go from waiters and bartenders to superstars in a matter of weeks. Simon, Ryan and Randy are the supporting cast, not the headliners. Putting a top-shelf celebrity on the panel takes this particular misstep to a whole new level. Not to mention that this particular celeb is best friends with Ryan Seacrest, who loves to burn time on the show by goofing off with the judges. That guy does not need another excuse to make the show all about him, and with a pal like Ellen to bounce bits off of, producers have all but guaranteed that it'll be even tougher for viewers to fall in love with the next Kelly Clarkson.

MTV article

HI Yall, OMG Ellen Degeneres is replacing Paul Abdul! I really don't know if Ellen is the right person for the job? I think Ellen may be ok for a guest judge, but to have the job permently I don't know? I guess it is what it is and all we can do is go with the flow! I don't know if Ellen really know's the music Buss.? This season on AI we will just have to see how Ellen does. I don't have anything against Ellen I just don't want her on AI. Will AI ever be the same with out Paula Abdul? I guess I need to block out Ellen and just listen to Randy, Kara & Simon and watch the great talent AI brings in to this world! I really don't know where they came up with 4 judges instead of 3 I will never know?