Ellen Becomes 4th Idol Judge
 

SEPTEMBER 9, 2009, 8:34 PM
Ellen DeGeneres to Become Fourth ‘American Idol’ Judge

By BRIAN STELTER
Ellen DeGeneres will join Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson and Kara DioGuardi as the fourth judge on “American Idol” next winter, Fox announced Wednesday evening.

The announcement comes after Paula Abdul said last month she would depart the program ahead of its ninth season, which is scheduled to start in January 2010.

Ms. DeGeneres, the popular daytime talk show host, will join the famous judges’ panel after the auditions, which are currently taking place in cities around the country.

“I’m thrilled to be the new judge on American Idol,” Ms. DeGeneres said in a statement. “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.”

http://mediadecoder.blogs.nytimes.co...an-idol-judge/

I am SO happy about this! I'm in the UK but have watched American Idol for the past few years because ut's just so much bigger and better than the UK one. I think Ellen isbrilliant too and also wish her show was on in the UK. Basically, I live in the wrong country when it comes to music!

Does she have a music background?

I just find this very odd...

But she'll likely bring a lot of laughter to the show.

I don't know if she's got any music knowledge, but she's hilarious!

I'd rather have her on there than the drunken-rambling-Paula.

I hope she doesn't dance in that stupid way of hers at the beginning of every program. She appears to believe she's an extraordinary dancer with great street rhythm. She's deluded, is what she is.

Is music knowledge necessary for being a celebrity judge on American Idol? I wouldn't think so.

I do love her so may actually tune in. I haven't watched Idol for years.

http://tv.msn.com/tv/article.aspx?ne...t1=28103&mpc=2

JESUS. If this is true I'll have to actually watch this awful show.

I'm really excited for this. Ellen has such a broad base appeal, and she can certainly help pacify some of the fans upset at the loss of Paula. She just makes me smile.

Paula pretty much dominated the news after she announced she would not be returning, so Idol had to do something big to bring attention back to them. While I love Ellen, this is a lame choice. It reeks of desperation “please continue to watch us.” Having a Jody Watley or Katy Perry fill Paula shoes (those names came up as possible replacements) just weren’t going to cut it. Paula was on top of her game last season, and most people agreed. She was the heart of the show and Idol has now lost that. It was just last week I think both Simon and Randy were on E stating how the show just isn’t the same anymore and they miss their girl. Paula wasn’t even seeking what the guys were making, she just wanted the deal to be fair and it wasn’t. I understand why she walked.

Me too! :D She cracks me up!

B4 the show ever aired Paula was a has-been. Now she'll fade into the woodwork and become a has-been once again.

That's pretty rude. Have you accomplished in your life as much as Paula has? Nobody stays at the top forever. Paula is an ultra talented woman and sometimes in life it's all about timing. Paula would not have landed the AI gig if she was just a nobody that wasn't talented, she got the gig because of her talent and experience as a performer.


Ellen isn't a singer, dancer or a songwriter (trained or untrained). I like Ellen very much, but this choice is just wrong on all counts.

I dunno . . . Me personally, I feel like I'm exactly the opposite of her! . . . .

:laugh: . . . . . . . . . ;)

Probably a whole lot more but not in the public eye.