Ellen Degeneres Debuts as New Permanent Judge on American Idol

Ellen Degeneres will make her debut as permanent judge on American Idol Tuesday night amid rumors of contestants being let go for disclosure, contestants faking their backstories to get to Hollywood, and that she and Simon Cowell were not speaking at the end of the first day's taping. The popular talk show host appeared on Ryan Seacrest's radio program, "On Air with Ryan Seacrest," Tuesday morning to talk about her new job as American Idol judge. And like she does with her 'day job', Ellen Degeneres says she will attempt to bring humor to American Idol, if only to soften the harshness of reality for some of the contestants.

"You can't teach experience," Ellen told Ryan Seacrest. She said that the group that made it through Hollywood Week, that week where the 181 contestants who received gold tickets jump through hoops for the judges to get into the Top 24, will "hopefully... learn very quickly to gain that kind of confidence that usually only comes from experience."

As it is, she says that this year's contenders for the American Idol title include a couple rockers but are a "great eclectic group."

But for the most part, Ellen says that the process is toughest on those that have never even auditioned before American Idol. They do not take criticism well, finding it a "harsh taste of reality."

And that is where Ellen Degeneres believes she can have the greatest impact. "That's one thing I bring to the show. I know what it feels like to stand on stage and try to impress a room full of people. I want them to hear the truth ... to get good advice but at the same time I'm careful to not hurt their feelings."

She told Seacrest that "sometimes the best way for me to be honest is to use humor. I'm going to try to cushion it with humor without belittling the situation."

She certainly will have her hands full, especially with Simon Cowell on the panel of judges. Part of the English judge's popularity stems from his brutal honesty, but as music has a personal, subjective quality, his honesty sometimes isn't in agreement with others. As long as Ellen Degeneres positions herself to follow Simon Cowell's critiques, she might have a chance to cushion some of the harshness. But since Simon is often the American Idol judge with the final vote or say on a performance, she might be working a preventive game.

Given the bit of drama reportedly coming from the American Idol set on the first day of Hollywood Week, that Ellen was somewhat steamed at Simon for showing up late on her first day of filming (and after she had moved up the filming of her talk show to accommodate American Idol as well), Simon's last season on the show could see a contest of wills. Simon, who has made his reputation on being the judge everyone loves to hate, has nothing to lose being himself as he leaves the show to bring an American version of X Factor to the U.S., a show where he seems to be reuniting two-thirds of the original American Idol judges panel (which will no doubt draw viewers). Ellen has everything to gain in providing American Idol viewers, those that have made the show the #1 watched show in the U.S. for five straight years, a reason to keep watching the show for the rest of her contract (four more years) and keeping the show at the top of the ratings.

It will be interesting watching Simon Cowell and Ellen Degeneres work with each other, especially if they truly aren't getting along. But barely or not speaking to each other, which was the rumor at the end of day one, will not work -- unless it results in the two taking passive aggressive verbal shots at each other via their critiques.

But how well will British dry wit and American downplayed humor play to the average American Idol viewer? Bet on it going over well. Americans love confrontation and melodrama. It is the typical good vs. evil story. Add humor and you have the American entertainment trifecta.

Unfortunately for other shows airing during American Idol's time slot, it looks as if American Idol could have another hit season on its hands.

Ellen Degeneres debuts during Hollywood Week as judge on American Idol Tuesday, February 9, at 8 p.m. EST.

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Source:

"On Air with Ryan Seacrest," KIISFM.com