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Ellen DeGeneres Defends Idol Judging Skills

Tuesday – September 22, 2009 – 9:05am

On her talk show Tuesday, Ellen DeGeneres addressed critics who say she isn't qualified to be an American Idol judge.

"Apparently, there's a lot of debate going on right now whether I'm qualified or not to be the new judge on American Idol," she said. "... I know there is a lot chatter. I'll tell you right now, how I know I'm going to be a great judge ... I've spent my whole life being judged. So I know what it's like."

The openly gay talk show host, 51, continued, "So I will be kind. I will be compassionate. I will be empathetic, and I will be truthful. I will be an honest judge without being mean.

"But the things that people are saying..." she went on. "I thought America had moved past this. First, we have the first African American President.  We've sworn in our first Hispanic Supreme Court Justice. I think American Idol is ready for their first blonde judge ... I do."

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As the crowd applauded, she added, "Not a big deal. I'm very excited to be on the show. I will tell you that right now. I just continue to be excited every single day.

She said she knew "people would have opinions" when she announced she was joining the show.

"I did not want to know what they were because, why should I take that stuff in?" she went on. "I try not to read anything ... nothing. I don't even read the back of a cereal box.

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She then talked about former judge Paula Abdul spoofing her during VH1's Divas Live opener last week.

"I have nothing but love for you, too, Paula, but I want my wig back," she teased. "I really do. Give it back."

See Paula Abdul mocking Ellen DeGeneres

DeGeneres' only gripe about Abdul's impersonation?

She never taps her butt.

"I don't know what this dance move was..." DeGeneres said. "She did like a little pat of my butt. I've never patted my butt like that. Today I might try it ... it's a new move ... she's choreographer and I'm going to take that in."

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Comments

(49)

1 - 20 of 49 | Next »

  • September 27, 2009 - 12:35am la chica Says:

    GIRLFRIENDS JUST STOP. BEFORE I GO ANY FURTHER I WANT TO BE INCLUSIVE AND ASK ARE THERE ANY BOYFRIENDS IN THE HOUSE. U ARE NOT DOING WHAT THE PRESIDENT HAS ASKED US TO DO "BE INCLUSIVE" U KNOW THE BIG UMBRELLA. EVERYONE IS SPECIAL, WE ARE ALL THE SAME. STOP BOUNCING ON ELLEN U MIGHT HURT HER EARS, AFTER ALL SHE SAID IT IS A SKILL TO JUDGE. I THOUGHT ALL U HAD TO DO WAS LISTEN, I GUESS THAT TAKES SKILL. NOW LETS HUG AND GO SAVE THE CALIFORNIA SMELT
  • September 24, 2009 - 12:01am Anonymous Says:

    I just read about all the copyright infringement lawsuits filed against Ellen's show -- it makes all this American Idol stuff even more of an issue for her. How can someone who basically thumbed her nose at respecting artist's rights by just getting clearance to play their songs be seen as a legitimate judge for budding musicians? Is she going to give them advice on getting ripped-off by commercial interests like her show? This shows such a lack of respect for musicians... I hope some major media outlet brings this up.
  • September 23, 2009 - 11:20pm Anonymous Says:

    Ellen, when you disrespect someone like you've done to Paula, you cease being 'nice'. And you don't have the music industry background either. I guess a couple million a season and appealing to your need to be worshiped is worth it all to you. Whatever... I've lost respect for you.
  • September 23, 2009 - 3:00pm Anonymous Says:

    I understand they want Ellen to fill the role of "Nice Judge" who doesn't say anything mean. But Ellen's total lack of credibility is what makes this a stupid idea.
  • September 23, 2009 - 11:46am Anonymous Says:

    September 22, 2009 - 11:25am Anonymous -------Who is "we"? You speak for "we" and I have yet to see anyone else on this post who needs the judges to give them insight! lol. Refer to September 22, 2009 - 12:27pm Anonymous. That's right on the money. If someone can't tell who is great and who is not and needs insight then you take this too seriously! The only one I think that offers good insight and honest critique is Randy! Simon's job is to keep people pissed, Paula's job was to tell everyone they did a good job, Kara's job is to be the female version of Simon and compare her talent to the contestants. Ellen to replace Paula would be grand!
  • September 23, 2009 - 11:28am Bett Says:

    That is so freakin funny.
  • September 23, 2009 - 9:27am KP Says:

    I think Ellen is gunna liven up the show!!! Make it more interesting....Anyone can judge someones singing cause they let the whole united states judge who they like best...So why cant Ellen do it??......
  • September 23, 2009 - 7:29am Anonymous Says:

    so you know what is feels like to be judge? so does must of Americans or people in general. this is a contest where you are to be JUDGE! lol. You yourself don't respect how musicians make their living or you wouldn't have been ripping music off on your show and not paying the musicians! so why should you be a judge - that judges - music? especially since you have show your lack of respect for the industry by stealing. or do you think you are above?
  • September 23, 2009 - 5:44am Anonymous Says:

    I think it will be different at first with her on the panel. But, in the end, I think she'll make a good addition.
  • September 23, 2009 - 2:19am Anonymous Says:

    Since this new website format, I almost never come in here anymore.
  • September 23, 2009 - 2:08am Anonymous Says:

    im overflowing with joy, as ellen said i should be. we have an african american president in the oval office, makes chills run up my leg. a latina in the supreme court, my life is complete. lets just all listen and follow ellen. we have to take her word for it, she can judge. whatever ellen says must be the truth becuase she says so. now lets all hug.
  • September 22, 2009 - 10:26pm Anonymous Says:

    I hate this new website too. It's terrible. I don't view it as often anymore.
  • September 22, 2009 - 9:50pm Anonymous Says:

    I dislike this new website US magazine has, just awful, I come in far less now.
  • September 22, 2009 - 9:46pm Anonymous Says:

    I like Ellen, but she is not qualified.
  • September 22, 2009 - 9:42pm YOUR HELP IS NEEDED DESPERATELY! Says:

    I urge every celebrity who read this to please use that power of celebrity to stop the mandatory swine flu vaccinations that are happening right this second. If you need a quick tutorial on the Swine flu vaccine scam look up the 1976 Swine flu. Please! I urge you to use your celebrity for this as this is deadly serious stuff. With your ability to get attention to seemingly any and all matters you hold the key to stopping this. Thank you for your help. Signed, Extremely Concerned.
  • September 22, 2009 - 9:05pm Anonymous Says:

    The AI judges should have a music background and be interesting to listen to. Paula had that. The best combination is Simon, Paula, and Randy. The chemistry was perfect, even or should I say, especially when they didn't agree.
  • September 22, 2009 - 8:09pm Anonymous Says:

    shut you doofy weirdo biatch. Sick of hearing about you and from you. Won't be watching Idol again until you are off the show. Hey, as a caveat, I too am a lesbian and have never been able to tolerate your goofy azz ways. You are not qualified nor quantified to be a judge on this show. Stay home and vote..........
  • September 22, 2009 - 7:53pm Ellen Fan Says:

    I don't watch American Idol now, but after hearing what Paula's issues were -- not being compensated nearly as much as her male counterparts -- I empathized with her. Ellen just swooped in and took advantage of the situation. It's ironic that she described herself as such a loyal sensitive person after how this all went down. Making that 'speech' today on her show was a BIG mistake. She shouldn't underestimate how the public views what happened to Paula, and let her do her impression of Ellen w/out being called out. Ellen should be booking Paula to be on her show and give her the respect Paula deserves. I'm really disappointed in Ellen.
  • September 22, 2009 - 5:33pm Anonymous Says:

    No one is judging Ellen on whether she's the right judge for Idol because of her sexual orientation, it has to do more with qualifications, and Ellen lacks that. Sure, she's an ear for music as the rest of us are, but I just don't see her as the right fit for Idol. I'm not mad that Paula is gone, because I didn't think she brought anything to the show either, but this was Idol's chance to actually put someone good in Paula's seat. Another idea would have been to put an actual Idol contestant as the 4th judge. They know first hand the process of Idol and knows how it feels to be on the show, and many are knowledgable in music if they chose a really good one like Kimberly Locke to be the 4th judge. I don't know, that's just my opinion. Not only for Ellen's sake, but I hope Kara does a lot better on the show this time, because I thought she was awful in her first year, she brought nada to the table.
  • September 22, 2009 - 5:25pm Anonymous Says:

    Ellen, no one is judging you for being gay. They are criticizing your lack of music background. Liking music and being a good dancer doesn't qualify you to judge a singing show.

1 - 20 of 49 | Next »