Why Ellen DeGeneres Is American Idol’s Best Judicial Pick
Finally! After weeks of anticipation, the nation can now sleep well at night knowing that American Idol has found a new judge to replace Paula Abdul. Her name’s Ellen DeGeneres, and she’s the best candidate for the position.
DeGeneres, who has to be the hardest working woman in show business, is absolutely ecstatic over the news.
I’m thrilled to be the new judge on American Idol. 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.
We too are thrilled, because it’s just plain wonderful DeGeneres got this gig. First, she fulfils something we feared would be lost in Abdul’s absence: genuine niceness. Sure, that Kara DioGuardi chick likes to pretend she’s nice, but her condescending tone reveals her true colours. Abdul, though a bit off-kilter, brought some tenderness to an otherwise cut throat competition. As cynical and hard-hearted as we can be, it’s nice to get a little unadulterated excitement every once in a while.
Another reason DeGeneres gives us a thrill: she’s a lesbian. Shocking, yes, but it’s true. After homosexual Adam Lambert made it so far last season, Idol producers are now publicly acknowledging—or, at least, accepting—the show’s innate gayness. (Although, lesbians are far less controversial than those sissy boys, but still.) This isn’t only a step for out celebrities, but for the show itself.
Third, DeGeneres is funny, and not sad, pathetic funny like the oft-ridiculed Adbul. She’s a comedienne and can actually make us laugh, something that doesn’t intentionally happen that often when Simon, Randy or that other girl judge contestants. So, that’s good.
Finally, we feared that Idol producers would try to reinvigorate a long-lost pop star’s celebrity status, as they did with Abdul herself. Or, just as worrisome, they could have tried to bring on a sensational, but ultimately pathetic, celebrity, like audition judge Posh Spice. Such a move would have looked either like a blatant, desperate ratings ploy or simply an attempt to make lighting strike twice. DeGeneres is well-respected, highly popular and, most importantly, still famous, all of which are good. Also, she doesn’t need the money, which, we’re sure, made contact negotiations a breeze.
Comments (AU Comments | US Comments)
Sorry, it's a poor choice, hiring a comedian to join a panel that almost (almost!) had credibility in its experience in and knowledge of the music business. I've got nothing against Ellen, but her irrelevance will be a waste of time.
NigelAstydameia
@mattchew03: i see where you're coming from; she's a sweetheart on her show (during the few interviews i've youtubed) but otherwise her commentary generally falls a bit flat. and plus, she's not even a singer/musician. even if paula doesn't "really sing" her songs, she's involved in the industry and actually knows about making hits, so yeah, it's sort of an awkward choice...
@ihatetwitter: Does someone need a puppy?
PhyrePhox
The problem is she won't be joining until AFTER auditions. Ellen would be most fun during that audition period. Personally that's all I usually watch, for the trainwreck factor altho I did watch longer this year for Adam.
Also, I can't wait to read what Mr. Rushfield thinks about this news. I assume he'll be making a post about it tomorrow, no?
After I picked my jaw up off the floor upon hearing the news that Ellen was to replace Paula, I actually thought about it for a couple of minutes and I have to say that I'm not really sure it's a good move.
Sure, the shock value of the news is high and that will likely provide the show with lots of anticipatory buzz, and people will surely tune in at the beginning of the season if for no other reason than to see what the hell the show will be like with ELLEN FUCKING DEGENERES as a judge, but I have a feeling that's where everything will start to unravel.
If Ellen's performance as an "Idol" judge is anything like her guest judge stint on SYTYCD, it's going to get really old, really fast. I couldn't even sit through that entire episode -- it was lame joke after lame joke, an abundance of fumbling (and not the entertaining kind that we all loved Paula for), more puns than a Carrie Bradshaw column, and so on. It was almost painful to watch.
If anything, I would prefer Ellen as a co-host (I say co-host because we all know Seacrest isn't leaving unless it's feet first). And, yeah, she's definitely a better choice than Posh -- but in the end, that's not saying much.
Sorry for the novel.
@Jay-C: I call it the "Jimmy Fallon / The Roots" vibe, but yes, same thing and I hear you.
rubyruby
A retarded russian kid, dying of cancer in a hospital bed and judging remotely via skype would have made more sense to me and had more entertainment value.
ihatetwitter
this has a Dennis Miller/Monday Night Football vibe to it...
Jay-C
This is a terrible choice.
First she has no musical background.
Second, she's just not that funny. And her talk show is dull at best.
Long ago she was nicknamed "Seinfeld Light" & it still holds.
Greasy Thumb Guzik
Yeah, but! You're forgetting that the reason Adbul made for a "qualified" judge is that she was at least in the music industry. Despite the fact that Forever Your Girl and Opposites Attract were campy giggle-pop hits, and despite the fact she said a lot of stupid shit, she did score some #1 songs and she does know, to a point, what successful talent is. This is true for Randy as well.
Even Simon, as entertaining as he is, admittedly has no formal music training and is simply giving his opinion.. Yes, he's produced some stars, but it's because of who he is, not because of what he knows..
Compare that to Sharon fucking Osborne on America's Got Talent, she's the wife of an aging British rocker, what eye for talent does she possibly have??
The point is, Ellen is entertaining, and I think she'll make the show funny, but honestly her opinion about how good or bad someone is performing is just as on par as any schmuck or lesbian watching at home.
@ampersandparade: My first reaction was totally 'Yaaaaaaaayy,' but you bring up a good point. Who is she to be handing over her professional opinion, exactly?
@NigelAstydameia: Exactly. I actively like her, but the idea of someone who knows zero about music replacing someone who, for all her inanity, was actually a really successful recording artist and choreographer once upon a time is just ridiculous. I feel like they should be embarrassed to admit that the judging is so ludicrous that it doesn't even matter if you're qualified.
DahlELama
This is so weird, because at first my reaction was the same as those of my friends when they heard the news: oh wow, someone who is actually nice and deserves that giant paycheck is going to be on the television two nights a week being funny! And all of that is absolutely true, but I agree with others posters down-thread that upon second thought this is a really weird match-up. If this were America's Got Talent, or even So You Think You Can Dance, there might be some tenuous connection between the dancing comedienne and the competition presented, but what, exactly does Ellen know about the music industry? She has really diverse musical guests on her show all over the pop and hip-hop and even country spectrum, but so do a lot of talk show hosts. I mean, Victoria Beckham might be sardonic and a bit dry content-wise (and offensively British), but she at least had a (floundering) pop music career that gives her some authority on being a pop star (albeit a failed one).
sad thing is, this news will trump Obama's speech. Murdoch is behind this timing, I know it!!
jbwan
I would probably be more excited about this if Ellen wasn't such a bitch.
I think American Idol just jumped the shark.
FeyBoohoozer
Wait, people still think American Idol is about music? How novel.
@pushupbraaah: ah.. but I said "eye for talent".. :[]
@Cheruth: ah, fair enough, I did not know this :) .. i guess seeing their dumb kids on all these shows a few years ago, it just made me lump her in with them. But, having said that, what say you about David Hasslehoff?! :p
@lobstr: No great defense of Sharon Osborne but her father was a music manager. And she managed Ossie's career from the beginning. Recruiting all of his back up talent. And managed some other bands. I am not saying she is some great talent. And she is fucking annoying. But she has been in the business longer than most on these shows. And she was actually in the business not just a wife. She is at least as qualified as Simon.
Cheruth
@ihatetwitter: Apparently the kid's agent was asking for 2 mill a year, and exec. producer credit. So, nyet.
MosseyCade
@lobstr: i'm sure someone has pointed this out already, but Sharon Osborne was Ozzy's manager before she was his wife. So she was somewhat involved in the music biz.
pushupbraaah
@MosseyCade: Hearted.
@Charlotte Rae's Web: You have spoken for me as well.
Poor Taylor Dayne. Passed over again!
@Greasy Thumb Guzik: oh thank god. can't stand her either. she's so... bland
MncinglyWhordL'mer
@JaneMoth: WTF?
MncinglyWhordL'mer
@Cicada: American Idol by any other name would still karaoke be.
Dlisted.com made a joke about Paula swallowing a whole medicine cabinet. Lol True, this is got to majorly bum her out. However, I'm excited to actually watch Idol for the first time in 4 years.
heywhat
@Ihatetwitter Your comment is insane and cruel.Although you probably would find entertainment in it, rot in hell.
JaneMoth
@Cheruth: "OSSIE"???? Its OZZIE!!
paintedangel
Ellen has NO experience in the music biz and should never have been hired to judge a music oriented show...ridiculous! And I Like Ellen....just NOT as an Idol judge!
paintedangel
Well, Idol's been getting free PR and advertising on Ellen's daytime show for years now. She loves music, loves all types of music -- and brings on all of the Idol finalists. Kinda a smart move, making sure that those who watch Ellen also continue to watch Idol. Idol, in turn, will make sure Ellen's guest list is always filled with talent. Will I watch? No. But this makes sense.
Cynner
@paintedangel: Don't be harsh. Some of us who have listened to Ozzie from the beginning of his career are now having brain lapses in our older age. SOME, but not all. Besides, Gawker just posted "Tardy for da Party" -- and anyone would be out of their right mind trying to type.
Cynner
@Cicada: I made that mistake a couple of seasons ago. Watched 2 or 3 episodes, until it finally sunk in that it's a popularity contest, not a talent contest.
Dagda
@DahlELama: Haha, maybe not. But I think it's good to have someone from outside the music world that can be like "Yeah, I'd buy that."
@Thorax707: Yes, but I personally think it's important for a judge to articulately, if not eloquently, express to all the Bon Jovi-and-Mariah wannabes out there exactly why they blow so hard, and that, she won't be able to do.
DahlELama
I don't understand the complaint that Ellen has no musical experience. I don't either and I can tell if someone sucks in 3 notes.
Thorax707
I think it doesn't really matter that she has no music experience, because no one listens to anyone but Simon. I highly doubt the contestants have ever been helped by one of Randy Jacksons' comments. Though perhaps the following phrases are more enlightening to others than they are to me.
"I dunno, it was pitchy dogg"
"It was just a'ight"
"That was hot"
"It was a little rough"
and "When I worked with Mariah..." (or Journey depending on the story)
Frankly, I would really appreciate it if the producers could just slip him a few extra lines that he can use, because it is obvious he is not the inventive type.
keyamarie
@DahlELama: because we all know Abdul was so good at being articulate and eloquent with her critiques!
blamenotmylute
I love Ellen but she was horrible on SYTYCD. All the other judges have backgrounds in dancing and gave actual constructive criticism that was worth listening to and then in the middle Ellen would waste time making a pun and being too nice to the contestants. I'm convinced her defense of Evan's look is what kept him on the show so long even though he wasn't nearly as good as some of the other dancers.
I can't imagine she'll add anything constructive to Idol either. She'll be comic relief where you are not looking for it.