Will Ellen Degeneres Have to Save American Idol from Boring Guest Judges when She Debuts?

Where, oh, where is Ellen Degeneres? Why isn't she filling that empty seat of Paula Abdul's on American Idol instead of these "guest" judges? What's going on? Did she really "go" when American Idol co-judge Simon Cowell went -- as she threatened to do when interviewed by Entertainment Weekly? After a couple auditions episodes with nothing special emanating from the fourth chair from Victoria Beckham (in Boston) and Mary J. Blige (in Atlanta), some American Idol viewers may be wanting Ellen Degeneres to hurry up and start judging already.

Victoria Beckham was lackluster as a judge in Boston, Massachusetts, in the premiere episode of American Idol Season 9. In a town known for boisterousness, Beckham's English reserve did her no favors. Even when she took on Simon Cowell for his eye-rolling, there was more of a quiet scolding to her voice than true anger or frustration. And when Victoria Beckham called the obnoxious Andrew Fenlon -- arguably the most unlikeable guy to ever stand before the judges -- arrogant without "the goods to back it up," she still sounded like a disappointed English princess admonishing a servant for bringing her a scone instead of a biscuit. The only time she raised her voice and showed any emotion at all was when Simon Cowell told Fenlon, after the other three judges had given him three firm nays, that he would have put him through. She yelled, "You've got to be kidding!"

Mary J. Blige picked up the lackluster in Atlanta, Georgia for the second round of auditions. The brilliant R&B artist had little to add to what the regular judges had to say and, if it was possible, possibly showed less emotion than Victoria Beckham -- except when she was laughing. When "death avoider" Jesse Hamilton, a welder who wanted to sing Garth Brooks' "The River," froze up and could not think of a single word of the song's lyrics, Blige started laughing. And laughing. And she kept on laughing, even after judge Randy Jackson prompted Hamilton with the Garth Brooks title, "If Tomorrow Never Comes," which he sang (sort of). To her credit, she did apologize several times.

And in her defense, Mary J. Blige became animated when the show's last contestant, 62-year-old General Larry Platt, stepped on stage and sand/clapped/danced his song, "Pants On The Ground." But, then, all the American Idol judges became animated, swaying, clapping, stomping, singing along with the infectious rhyme.

But, all in all, the two guest judges thus far have not brought anything to the judges table. Their lack of passion bodes ill for the rest of the guest judges, and permanent judge Ellen Degeneres does not take her seat until the auditions are over. Other guest judges, according to The Online Wire, include Shania Twain, who will guest judge in Chicago, Illinois; Kristin Chenoweth in Orlando, Florida; Joe Jonas and Neil Patrick Harris in Dallas, Texas; Katy Perry and Avril Lavigne in Pasadena, California: and Victoria Beckham again in Denver, Colorado.

Perhaps Victoria Beckham can redeem herself in Denver since the oxygen is a bit thinner.

Hopefully, American Idol's ratings won't tank in the next couple weeks, but with tween pop-rocker Joe Jonas and Prozac pop star Avril Lavigne in the mix, the show could take a hit. The audition episodes are usually strange, amusing, and intriguing enough to withstand a mannequin judge, but this year is different. With Simon Cowell leaving the show, it could hurt. If American Idol producers use guest judges in the future, it is highly suggested that they do not use John McCain's vetting team again...

Still, Ellen Degeneres is coming to American Idol, just not for a few more weeks. She signed a five-year deal with the show and she has not made good on her "If Simon goes, I go" declaration to Entertainment Weekly. She just isn't going to be sitting in the judges chair until February.

Ellen Degeneres, if you're reading this, your fans (full disclosure: THIS FAN) are anxiously awaiting your arrival...

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Sources:

"American Idol," Fox Television
AmericanIdol.com
TheOnlineWire.com