Why We Fully Endorse Ellen on 'Idol'

By PopEater Staff Posted Sep 10th 2009 01:11PM

As PopEater readers and 'American Idol' fans across the country remain split on whether or not Ellen DeGeneres will make a good judge, we're going to go ahead and give Ellen a full-on endorsement. 'Why?,' you may ask? The better question would probably be 'Why not?' Simply put, Ellen's done nothing of late that would make us question that she's going to absolutely kill on the 'Idol' panel. Allow us to explain the endorsement after the jump ...

Her talk show is head-and-shoulders above everything else on daytime TV (sorry, Bonnie Hunt), she's a die-hard fan of the show and she completely fills the nice person quota at the judging table. 'Idol' needs a complementary buffer to Simon Cowell's constant sneering, and Ellen's how-can-you-not-love-her temperament seems perfect to fill that seat.

'Idol' has banked too much on insulting auditioners and contestants in the past. You know you're guilty of tuning into the audition shows simply to watch the train wrecks. We truly hope Ellen's attitude puts the brakes on the name-calling, eye-rolling and other shenanigans that tend to dumb down 'Idol' and make it less of a singing competition and more of a finger-pointing contest. You're better than that, 'Idol.'

The only downside we can foresee is that DeGeneres, unlike all of the other judges, doesn't come from a music background. Contestants taking criticism from someone who isn't in the biz may not go over that well. However, we think it could also be refreshing, as she could lend a hand by being more focused on things other than singers being "pitchy" (Mental note: start a "pitchy" count for the season), like stage presence, style and general likability. Because think about it: Is it really the singing that makes 'Idol' contestants popular? Taylor Hicks, anyone? Jennifer Hudson being booted off? Hopefully those make our case.

So, Ellen, we welcome you with open arms to the 'Idol' community. Your track record makes us think you'll be nothing short of stellar on the show, and we think others should give you the same leeway and wait and see what happens when 'Idol' premieres in January.

Read a Different Take: Why AOL TV Is Anti-Ellen on 'Idol'

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Ellen DeGeneres

FILE - In this Aug. 30, 2009 file photo, Ellen DeGeneres arrives at the Daytime Emmy Awards on in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Matt Sayles, File)

Ellen DeGeneres Snapshots

FILE - In this Aug. 30, 2009 file photo, Ellen DeGeneres arrives at the Daytime Emmy Awards on in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Matt Sayles, File)

TV personality Ellen DeGeneres (R) and actress Portia de Rossi arrive at the 36th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards at The Orpheum Theatre on August 30, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. 36th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards - Arrivals The Orpheum Theatre Los Angeles, CA United States August 30, 2009 Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/WireImage.com To license this image (58209858), contact WireImage.com

Alberto E. Rodriguez/WireImage.com

Ellen DeGeneres (R) and Portia de Rossi arrive to the 36th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards held at The Orpheum Theatre on August 30, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. 36th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards - Arrivals The Orpheum Theatre Los Angeles, CA United States August 30, 2009 Photo by Michael Tran/FilmMagic.com To license this image (58212943), contact FilmMagic.com

Michael Tran/FilmMagic.com

LOS ANGELES, CA - AUGUST 30: Actress Portia de Rossi and Comedian Ellen DeGeneres attends the 36th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards at The Orpheum Theatre on August 30, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Portia de Rossi;Ellen DeGeneres

Getty Images

LOS ANGELES, CA - AUGUST 30: Actress Portia de Rossi and Comedian Ellen DeGeneres attends the 36th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards at The Orpheum Theatre on August 30, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images *** Local Caption *** Portia de Rossi;Ellen DeGeneres

Getty Images

Ellen DeGeneres arrives at the Daytime Emmy Awards on Sunday Aug. 30, 2009, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Matt Sayles)

LOS ANGELES, CA - AUGUST 30: Actress Portia de Rossi (L) and TV personality Ellen DeGeneres pose in the audience during the 36th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards at The Orpheum Theatre on August 30, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/DE/Getty Images for ATI)

Getty Images for ATI

Tags: american idol, AmericanIdol, ellen degeneres, EllenDegeneres, paula abdul, PaulaAbdul, simon cowell, SimonCowell

Comments

(199)

Thursday 10 September

By valerie

Vote down Vote up Report this

I really like Ellen. She is a terrific human being and a great talk show host. I think she would make an good judge. She'd be the only one without a huge ego, but I really don't think they need 4 judges.
Won't miss Paula. She babbles too much. I like the 3 they have now. Who needs opinions. It take too much time!!!

By Diana

I have been a big fan of Idol almost from the start(I started watching in season 3 )I always favored Paula because she had care and concern for the contestants,but I really enjoyed the banter between her and Simon and love Simon's frankness and "rolling eyes". I was all set not to watch anymore until I heard that Ellen would be replacing Paula. She will be a welcome change to the panel and will keep us rolling with laughter.Now they need to get rid of "the other woman" and make it Ellen, Simon and Randy!!!!Kara doesn't add anything to the show and I feel she is the real reason Paula left.

By Kathy

High Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

She's not Paula and I still won't watch now cause you ruined the show by taking away the original panel. Dummies

By Bob

Still say " no" to Ellen Degenerate.

By gobluespartyon

Ellen isn't a degenerate as you have claim Bob which your dead wrong.

By bruce

Should have just kept the three that are already there. This is a huge mistake. It will be about the judges instead of the contestants. You have probably lost our household with this move.

By lrhell

Joaquin - You are in fact endorsing this site by posting on it and reading it. Your example with the Holocaust was silly--of course you would not be endorsing the Holocaust, but you would be "endorsing" the history book in your hands. By participating in this site (by reading and commenting), you are giving it validity. If you don't like this site, then don't post on it and don't read it. It's very simple.

I agree 100%. Always been saying if you don't like popeater or entertainment news then ignore it and don't click the headlines that easy. There giving Popeater what they want by clicking the headline and posting a comment as well.

By Mike

Ellen as an Idol judge? I don't know dawg. Where as I do like her as a comidian or talk show host, I have my doubts as to wheather she'd be a good Idol judge. I suppose as long as she played it strait and seriously I think she might bring a little to the table, but otherwise.....I don't know. Time will tell I guess.

By Ben

Its just like all the othr shows you get used to.They do something to them too.Some dumb butt up there makes a sugestion, an they say why not?Was the person that made the sugestion gayyy?I believe youll hear scandals of her hitting on the women and you talk about law suits oh man.Go ahead and put her on Im just a crazy ol hillbilly what do I know.all I know for sure is I dont have to watch it.What will you to letterman now replace him with pallon or cheny or why not bush,jr.you are crazier than a hillbilly.Hears your sign!

By Robert

Nothing against Ellen, but I have no more interest in idol. Simon Cowell is a Greedy SOB, walking away
with $100 million last season and snubbing the only panelist who actually made it in the biz with her talent. they've sunk too low with their insult of Paula Abdul, None of the others measure up to her, and the show itself has become too overdone, too promoted, too exposed. I'm done

By RL

Been reading comments about how Ellen will make people laugh etc. I didn't watch idol to laugh. I pity the contestants that will be part of this comedy show now. A circus not a music show.

By JennLynn

American Idol has messed up BIG-TIME by putting Ellen DeGeneres in as one of the judges! She has no musical background, etc, etc. She is very annoying! She talks way to much, I just hope they will tell her not to be so flamboyant on the show. Oh and by the way....shes openly gay!!! That is not good for the younger viewers!!!

By mike

Done with Idol. If her attempt at humor is we get from her then show is screwed. I know as much about music as she does.

By Tim

Thank goodness!

I mean American Idol wasn't nearly gay enough.

S/0

By sadymaty

AI just went to pot

What exactly does she now about music? Or is this just another way for the queen of dykes to try to impose the will of the fag nation upon us how firmly believe that God made Adam & Eve...not Amanda & Eve. I didn't care for American Idol before and now because is is on I will never watch it again. I think she or it whatever is the most untalanted person in the world. Her along with Fat Rosie are the biggest waste of airtime.

That's my opinion afforded me by the the Bill of Rights of the United States of Obama...ooopppsss I mean America

By Sue

What a bunch of music snobs -- the worst kind. Unless she can't hear then she should be fine to judge.

By Joe

First of all--4 judges is to many. Takes to much tome as proved when they went to having only two judges talk per idol. It stinks. Secondly, I have no use for Ellen. Nothing to do with her sexual life, I just don't think she is good for the show. So be it. I'll try, if I don't like it they have lost me. The way I look at it, I was gone anyway if Paula stayed. Totally worthless and Idol finally agreed. See ya!!!

By Emily

I don't think Ellen is funny at all. I think she just acts foolish. That's the end of Idol for me.

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