Simon Cowell Worries It Could Get "Uncomfortable" With Ellen
The week of Feb. 9, Ellen DeGeneres will make her American Idol debut alongside notoriously tart-tongued judge Simon Cowell – and she says she'll have no problem putting him in line if he gets too mean.
"Simon really is, in my opinion, mean to people sometimes," DeGeneres, 51, tells the new issue of Entertainment Weekly. "So I think I'll be hard [as a judge], but if he's rude, I'm going to let him know he's rude.
See all the celebs who have danced with Ellen
"And I may disagree with you," Cowell, 50, tells her in the joint interview. "If everything is 'After you,' 'No, after you,' that's uncomfortable."
DeGeneres says she is more nervous about fans disliking her than Cowell.
Look back at past Idol stars who had wed or had babies!
"Yeah, sure. And I understand it," she says when asked if she's worried about harsh fan reactions. "I was one of those people that was skeptical, like, ‘Why are they adding a fourth judge? I don’t understand this.’ But I do think that Kara [DioGuardi] adds a lot to the show now. And also, it’s not just a new judge. It’s a new judge in the place of someone that they loved. I mean, a lot of people loved Paula, and I don’t want to be the person that took Paula’s job away from her. Which I wasn’t. I’m not going to be able to please everyone. I gave up trying to do that a long time ago.
Check out weight ups and downs of your favorite Idol stars!
As for rumors that Cowell might leave the show after his contract is up in 2010, DeGeneres says: "If Simon goes, I go!"
See pumpkins that resemble Ellen and other stars!
EW notes that Cowell laughed and squirmed when she said that before adding: "Oh, Ellen! ... That’s quite a tricky situation you’ve put me into! I think right now we have to concentrate on the next season and just get through that and worry about everything else afterwards.”
Tell Us What You Think
16I think they should have ALL new judges!
Ellen I love you but get over your self. Simon was just one who told the truth. He has alot of talent in music. ALong with Paula and Randy. I love them all 3. We will see what happend tonight on the show. I think the show is at its end this year unless they Pay Paula what she wants, keeps Simon, Randy,Paula, and ryan all 4 together. the Amazing 4
Ellen's funny, but Paula's a singer/dancer. They're different genres. Idol should have paid Paula what she is worth. They disrespected her talent and contribution to the show's success. I suspect the whole thing will slowly collapse as Simon also jumps ship. Bad moves all around. I like Simon's concept of any age talent competing.
I'm glad to see Ellen judging on AI. Even though she's not known for being musically talented that doesn't mean she isn't somewhat musically inclined. Sure, she's not a professional singer but so what? Unless she has come out and said, "I know nothing about music whatsoever," let's not assume she's clueless; just watch and see what happens. Personally I think that bringing someone in who can put a thought together and add humor to the situation was a great idea for the show. Hopefully she won't have any problems with the show's fans. Go Ellen!
i say bring CHERYL COLE out as a judge. i think a geordie judge would be good :) for those of you who dont know who she is, voted number 1 sexiest woman of the world, 1/5 of the u.k biggest ever girlband, the 2nd highest paid (after simon cowell) x factor judge english version of american idol basically :D simon plans to bring her over soon when america is introduced to the x factor :D
I LOVE ELLEN! I can't wait to see her an idol; especially her reaction to those who aren't exactly 'hollywood material' ;) haha.
I like Ellen - I'm willing to give her a shot. Nothing can be as bad as bleeding heart Paula and her inability to say anything that made sense.
I can't wait to see American Idol with Ellen judging. I'm hoping for the best. :)
i am looking forward to seeing ellen on idol
UsMagazine, your headline is SO. WRONG. Reread your own article you morons: Simon says it's uncomfortable when judges are too POLITE to each other, which is exactly the OPPOSITE of what they both say they intend to do!!! Honestly this is just embarrassing for you.
She has no business being a judge. AI is supposed to be a talent show and she has no musical talent. That has to be the worst decision the show ever made. Yeah, people hate on Kara but at least she knows what she's talking about.
Ellen knows the entertainment industry which includes the music industry. She has music on her show. She knows what people like. I would like Paula back in place of Kara who never shuts up and thinks she's above the rest of the judges.
Ellen is great as a comic, but honestly she does not know about the music industry.
As much as I love Ellen, I already miss Paula...AI, please bring her back...
I love Ellen! I can't wait to see her on American Idol! :-)
Ellen said she is more nervous about the fans disliking her. She should be.