Ellen DeGeneres--American Idol Judge?

DeGeneres, who has no musical background but says she is an avid fan of the show, told "American Idol" host Ryan Seacrest on Thursday that she would be the people's voice on the panel.

"I'm just a fan like everyone else," she told Seacrest in an interview on his Los Angeles morning radio show. "The people choose. Ultimately it comes down to them, not some executive in the music industry. I hope to be that voice."

Mike Darnell, president of alternative entertainment for Fox, said producers felt that "her vast entertainment experience -- combined with her quick wit and passion for music -- will add a fresh new energy to the show."

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Entertainment Weekly's Michael Slezak acknowledged that the addition of DeGeneres had created a huge buzz. But he called the move "a big risk" on the part of producers given the comedian's lackluster appearance as a guest judge on Fox's sister TV reality show "So You Think You Can Dance" earlier this year.

it seems pretty obvious that they wanted abdul out, and they want to do everything they can to fill that seat to keep her out

to be honest, i've never watched one episode of the show, but i think she's a good choice, her fans probably already watch the show, so it's not going to be a shock to the audience, she's universally liked and popular, i see it as win win

I think it's great. She has the ability to be serious and I think she would make great calls...But she will be hilarious! I love her. And she will have the "nice" factor. She might flirt with Simon, who knows?

Last season showed us all to clearly that a mediocre
but clean-cut Christian boy from Arkansas only won because his opponent
was gay and more flamboyant.

The entire show is a joke to begin with, what's the diff if they put a comedian up there to add some more humor to the equation?

The only part of American Idol worth watching is the auditions, and she's going to absolutely murder during those.

Cycloptichorn

Cycloptichorn wrote:

The entire show is a joke to begin with, what's the diff if they put a comedian up there to add some more humor to the equation?

The only part of American Idol worth watching is the auditions, and she's going to absolutely murder during those.

Cycloptichorn

Unfortunately, Ellen will not be getting her feet wet starting with the auditions. I think her comedic responses to the untalented attention seekers who audition would have us all in stitches. The producers announced that her involvement in American Idol won't begin until after the auditions are over.

CalamityJane wrote:

Last season showed us all to clearly that a mediocre
but clean-cut Christian boy from Arkansas only won because his opponent
was gay and more flamboyant.

pertinent comment given that as I was leaving work I was watching the news clips on the little tv in the elevator. The news about Ellen and AI came on. I made some kind of "oh, interesting" sound. A fellow in the other corner of the elevator just about turned purple, saying "I'll never watch that show again if they're having THAT lesbian on." I made another "oh, interesting" sound and waited for the ground floor with everyone else.