'American Idol' fans are anxiously awaiting the start of new judge Ellen DeGeneres during Hollywood Week, if only to see what kind of judges' panel persona the comedian will adopt. DeGeneres is replacing Paula Abdul, the universally designated "nice judge," and the question remains - will DeGeneres fill Abdul's shoes or will she be a scathing new Simon Cowell? The talk show host gave a few hints of her plans to the Wall Street Journal - and she opened up about her famously snarky British colleague.

"We both like each other and accept one another," she said of Cowell. "At the same time ... I think he says things in an insensitive way and I don't think that's the way to get a point across. I've called him on it to his face ... We'll respectfully disagree sometimes. A lot of times I agree with Simon. I think he's got a really good eye and he's a smart guy when it comes to the talent onstage. But he's mean."