Ellen DeGeneres Replaces Paula Abdul as Judge on AMERICAN IDOL
September 9, 2009 by Kath Skerry
Raise your hand if you didn’t see this one coming. I sure didn’t. Earlier this evening it was announced that Ellen DeGeneres has been named as the newest judge on AMERICAN IDOL. Nope, it’s not one of these one-episode guest judges shindigs, Ellen will be sitting alongside Randy, Kara and Simon every week and will critique the contestants throughout the whole season. WOW!
“I’m thrilled to be the new judge on AMERICAN IDOL,” said DeGeneres. ”I’ve watched since the beginning, and I’ve always been a huge fan. So getting this job is a dream come true, and think of all the money I’ll save from not having to text in my vote.”
“I could not be more excited to have Ellen join the AMERICAN IDOL family,” said creator and executive producer Simon Fuller. “Ellen has been a fan of the show for many years, and her love of music and understanding of the American public will bring a unique human touch to our judging panel. I can’t wait for this next season to begin.”
Watch Ellen Make the Big Announcement to Her Studio Audience
I’m actually a big fan of Ellen DeGeneres but I’m not sure how I feel about her in this new role. Last season Ellen sat in as a guest judge on SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE, another one of her favorite reality shows, and she brought nothing to the table. She shared a few canned quips, but really didn’t offer up any kind of criticism. I was disappointed in her appearance at the time. But perhaps things will change now that she has a standing voice within IDOL. Clearly the producers needed to fill the gap left by Paula Abdul’s departure. It’s not that Paula offered up insightful commentary (far from it), but she did fill the need for a support system for the contestants. Someone who was there to encourage them and keep their confidence up despite the harsh words of the other judges. Some would argue that perhaps the contestants didn’t need to be coddled like that, but at the end of the day, it made for better, more palpable television.
Ellen alluded that she would be representing the voice of the audience at home. The average person that would be the records put out by the IDOL wannabes. We’ve all played judge from our coaches, and now after 9 seasons a true fan will be sitting at the big kids table. Here’s to hoping she’s more about adding something to the show and less about being the comic relief all the time.
I don’t know that AMERICAN IDOL needed a fourth judge, but at the end of the day I’m glad that seat will be taken up by someone I completely dig.
Best of luck, Ellen!
The 9th season of AMERICAN IDOL premieres in January 2010.
Are you IDOL fans excited about Ellen joining the show as the new judge? Worried? Could care less?
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Filed under #1 featured, American Idol, Ellen DeGeneres
Do we really need a judge who’s “a fan just like us” but without any real musical industry experience, though? Fans influence with their voting, but the judges are there to give practical advice (at least in theory) and save the show from completely being about popularity (again, in theory).
There’s enough criticism already about the judges they do have _with_ a good bit of experience not bringing thoughtful, constructive criticisms; it seems like this was the chance to get a new person with a better understanding of the reality of being a musical performer, and the producers just opted out.
Anyway, enough negativity, I’m looking forward to seeing how it goes.
I don’t use this abbreviation often but W T F ?
Don’t get this at all.
I don’t think they need 4 – who is that other female judge I cannot remember her nor do I like her. I’d say lose the latter and replace with one that would offer the support to the contestants but has musical training for a total of 3. I love Ellen but beyond a guest spot I don’t see it.
To quote Bill the Cat:
“Ack”
I honestly think this is one of the worst choices they could have made. Her appearance on SYTYCD was grating and annoying. Losing Paula was bad enough but the string of odd guest judges and now this seems to be sending the show dangerously close to shark infested waters….
Ask anyone who knows me, and they’ll tell you that I am one of the biggest Ellen DeGeneres fans. However … I’m not an Idol fan, and I don’t think I’m a fan of her being an Idol judge. Ellen is a comedian, and she’s good at that, but a judge? A long-term judge? Hmm. This just seems so … left field!
Hmmm. When I first heard the news, I was shocked. I guess I was still hoping that Paula would come back — I was always one of those that thought if any judge should go it should be Randy. I’m not at all a fan of the 4 judge panel, but I’m cautiously optimistic. I love Ellen, but like you, Kath, I was not at all pleased with her schtick on SYTYCD this season. I really hope that on Idol she actually offers constructive criticism instead of just acting as the supportive comic relief. I guess we’ll just have to wait and see!
Is it too late to ditch Kara? I just don’t think I can watch this show with Kara on it. I’ll withhold judgment on Ellen until I’ve seen her in action.
This is a joke. She will offer nothing useful, I’m sure.