Ellen on Idol: I'm Not Afraid to Tell Simon He's "Mean"
Credit: F Micelotta/American Idol 2009/Getty Images for Fox; Jeffrey Mayer/WireImage.com
Why is Ellen DeGeneres qualified to be an American Idol judge?
"I love music - period," DeGeneres, 51, said on Ryan Seacrest's KIIS-FM radio show Thursday. "And I'm a huge fan of the show. I haven't missed one show since the beginning ... I'm just a fan like everybody else.
"People are the ones who choose the American Idol," she went on. "Ultimately, it doesn't come down to some expert in the music industry. It comes down to everybody at home who says, 'That's the person I relate to.' I hope to be that voice."
How will she handle Cowell's sharp tongue?
"I'll tell him the same thing I tell him when he's on my show - that he's mean," she said. "You can be constructive, and you can criticize someone in a way that's helpful and not mean-spirited."
As for Abdul, DeGeneres said she hopes the former judge is "OK" with her signing on as judge.
Said DeGeneres, "I don't want anyone to think I took her job away from her."
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Before the interview ended, DeGeneres stressed that she'll be an "honest" judge who will "bring compassion" to the show.
"I'm speaking from someone who loves music and someone who's on stage everyday," she said. "Hopefully, I can give them good advice and help choose someone that [people will like].
"I really do pride myself on 'not judging,'" she added. "I'm human and I have opinions, but I do try to catch myself and remind myself everyone is who they are for a reason."
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"[Ellen] can be the voice of the people among us," he said. "I think between me, Simon and Kara [DioGuardi], there's enough musical experts to go around right there."
He added that she's "going to bring a really interesting, different perspective to the people [and] to the panel."
Tell Us What You Think
73Ellen is a great person inside and out, and she will be an amazing addition to American Idol. It was one of teh smartest moves they have ever made, ratings will sky rocket with her on the show. Haven't you seen Ellen has more followers on Twitter than anyone else? Anyone that has a bad thing to say about her, screw u.
That "no talent hag" won't bring anything to the show! Simon Cowell is necessary to "American Idol".
"Well they better add 10 extra minutes to the show to have time for all her uhs and stuttering!s" I purposely watched her show two days in a row and not once did I hear her utter either word. You are an asswipe.
"YOU'LL PROBABLY BE WANTING TO GO TO BED WITH ALL THE WOMEN" What a disgusting thing to say. She is happily married. Do you, Grandma Toni, want to go to bed with evry man you meet? You probably do them all, butch!
I like Ellen but Kara does a great job filling in for Paula's compassionate nature. Why be redundate and drag on the show?
STOP WHINING ABOUT PAULA - SHE CHOSE TO LEAVE NO ONE FIRED HER BUT THEY SHOULD HAVE LONG AGO... MAYBE IF THEY HAD THAT WOMAN WOULD STILL BE ALIVE THAT KILLED HERSELF BECAUSE SHE WORSHIPED PAULA. MAYBE THAT'S WHY PAULA LEFT! ELLEN IS AWESOME AND SHE WILL BE A GREAT JUDGE!
All Paula ever did was say how beautiful they looked or about there outfits... that has nothing to do with singing! She was horrific and her breasts were always popping out for Simon to stare at. Jeepers no wonder she made no sense - the blood was clotting from them being so pushed up!NASTY!
Exactly!!! Who gives A Sh*t if u like her or not. Don't watch the show then! Its always I won't watch it when something changes like the winner is not the one u want or if the judge changes like when Kara started, but the ratings are still High!!! Get a life! Lame excuse!
Exactly!!! Who gives A Sh*t if u like her or not. Don't watch the show then! Its always I won't watch it when something changes like the winner is not the one u want or if the judge changes like when Kara started, but the ratings are still High!!! Get a life! Lame excuse!
if you can't stand her fine don't watch - think we give a flying kahoot!
So happy with there choice! She rocks!!!!!
Love Ellen!
paula is annoying and weird - she never makes sense!! She always takes forever to answer someone and is always lovey with Simon.... what will Simon do.. there is no chance with Ellen... hahahahhahahaha! GO ELLEN! Muahhahaha!
people people people - ellen will be great - you don't know what your missing if u don't watch!!!
ELLEN ROCKS AND WILL BE GREAT!
UMMM, DRUGGED PAULA OR ELLEN WHO IS GAY... I WOULD RATHER A GAY PERSON THEN SOMEONE WHO IS NOT ALL THERE!
Ellen is awesome and she has a great personality. It will be nice to see someone who states there opinion but it nor disrespectful and to all of those who say u won' t watch because paula is gone - you haven't even given her a chance. Paula was half in the bag most of the time and was drugged. At least Ellen is all there!Ellen is a great fit!!!
I say get rid of Seacrest..... then I might watch again....he's the worse host ever!
I can't stand Ellen. She just isn't funny but rather annoying, IMO. I won't be watching the show as I don't want ANY shows she is on. Yes; she bothers me that much. I couldn't imagine a worse person to put on the show outside of that Gilbert Gottfried guy.
AMEN TO WHO EVER POSTED September 10, 2009 - 9:04pm YOU ARE AWSOME....I AGREE WITH YOUR POST 100% I WILL NOT BE WATCHING A.I WHAT SO EVER UNTIL PAULA IS BACK!!!!!!!!!!!