Ellen DeGeneres' 'Idol' Year in Review

By Amber James Posted Jul 30th 2010 12:00PM

Ellen DeGeneres is bowing out as a judge on 'American Idol' after just one year. While the announcement should be a bombshell, her departure was inevitable.

She was hired to replace Paula Abdul, but DeGeneres couldn't deliver the bubbly, spaced-out comments that endeared Paula to viewers. She also didn't have the gall to tell aspiring singers they shouldn't quit their day jobs -- can you blame her? -- and struggled to gel with the other judges.

"A couple of months ago, I let Fox and the 'American Idol' producers know that this didn't feel like the right fit for me," she said Thursday night in the FOX statement. "I realized this season that while I love discovering, supporting and nurturing young talent, it was hard for me to judge people and sometimes hurt their feelings." As the light dims on her 'Idol' days, let's recap her journey.

When news first hit that Ellen would be replacing Abdul, the 'Straight Up' singer poked fun at the controversy. While hosting VH1's 'Divas Live' concert, the former 'Idol' judge wore a short blonde wig and did a dance like Ellen. "Why are you all staring at me? Can't a girl try out for a new job?" she joked. After sitting down, she said, "All kidding aside, [I have] nothing but love for Ellen, and I wish you the best of luck and congratulations on your new gig. And call me! You gotta call me if you have any Simon [Cowell] problems, 'cause you know, I know him best."

During Ellen's first 'Idol' episode, she put all the criticism and rumors to rest -- acknowledging that even though she wasn't a singer, she understood the pressure of performing for large audiences.

The sincere remark made some forget about Paula completely. "She got to work being honest, but not brutally honest, lightening the mood when tension threatened to take over the room," Rolling Stone wrote.

After the first episode aired, rave reviews poured in from all angles. "Even if 'American Idol' ends this week, there will officially be an Ellen Era: in just one episode, new judge Ellen DeGeneres displayed why it's no stretch at all for her to step into Paula Abdul's chair. She was witty both in her embraces and her take-downs," The NY Times said at the time.

But when Ellen tried to critique a contestant, she seemed nervous and uncertain. Then came boos from the audience, which she couldn't quite shake. She even brought it up on her own talk show, but her wise-cracking jokes couldn't cover up how hurt she was. "I have a new job now, where they boo me," she lamented to her 'Ellen DeGeneres Show' audience.

As the season continued, Ellen was quietly pushed to the background, unable to break through the tight-knit 'Idol' clique of Randy Jackson, Simon Cowell and Kara DioGuiardi.

She may be giving up her 'Idol' seat, but DeGeneres hasn't left the music biz for good. She started her own record label in May and signed her first artist: Greyson Chance, the 12-year-old from Oklahoma who catapulted to fame with his rendition of a Lady Gaga's 'Paparazzi.' Plus, her show's distributor, a unit of Warner Bros. TV, has renewed 'The Ellen DeGeneres Show' until at least 2014 on all stations owned by NBC, according to the Hollywood Reporter, so life is looking good for Ellen. And we're glad we had a chance to see Ellen step outside her comfort zone -- even if fitting into the 'Idol' clique proved to be too much for her.

Has 'American Idol' run its course? PopEater asked New Yorkers -- see the video:

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Ellen DeGeneres

Ellen DeGeneres is dancing off 'American Idol' after one season.

Fox

Ellen DeGeneres Snapshots

FILE - In this undated publicity image released by Fox, new "American Idol," judge Ellen DeGeneres is shown. DeGeneres is dancing off "American Idol" after one season, leaving Fox's hit show with two vacancies on its judging panel. (AP Photo/Fox, Michael Becker, FILE)

Ellen DeGeneres Snapshots

LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 25: (FILE PHOTO) Television personality Ellen DeGeneres poses in the press room during the "American Idols Gives Back" held at the Walt Disney Concert Hall on April 25, 2007 in Los Angeles, California. DeGeneres has announced that she will not be returning for American Idol season 10. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Ellen DeGeneres

Ellen DeGeneres Snapshots

Actress Portia de Rossi and TV personality Ellen DeGeneres arrive at celebrated jewelry designer Neil Lane's debut of his new bridal collection with Kay Jewelers held at Drai's Hollywood on July 22, 2010 in Hollywood, California. Celebrated Jewelry Designer Neil Lane Debuts New Bridal Collection with Kay Jewelers - Red Carpet Drai's Hollywood Hollywood, CA United States July 22, 2010 Photo by Jason Merritt/WireImage.com To license this image (61120762), contact WireImage.com

Ellen DeGeneres Snapshots

LAS VEGAS - JUNE 27: Cast and crew of "Ellen: The Ellen DeGeneres Show" pose with the Outstanding Entertainment Talk Show Award in the press room at the 37th Annual Daytime Entertainment Emmy Awards held at the Las Vegas Hilton on June 27, 2010 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)

Ellen DeGeneres Snapshots

LAS VEGAS - JUNE 27: Executive producer Mary Connelly accepts the Outstanding Talk Show Award for "The Ellen Degeneres Show" onstage at the 37th Annual Daytime Entertainment Emmy Awards held at the Las Vegas Hilton on June 27, 2010 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Mary Connelly

Ellen DeGeneres Snapshots

LAS VEGAS - JUNE 27: The crew of the 'Ellen Degeneres Show' pose with the Outstanding Entertainment Talk Show award in the trophy room at the 37th Annual Daytime Entertainment Emmy Awards held at the Las Vegas Hilton on June 27, 2010 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for ATI)

Ellen DeGeneres Snapshots

Tags: American Idol, ellen degeneres

Comments

(18)

Friday 30 July

By ERIN

Vote down Vote up Report this

@FRANK
IM SORRY YOU ARE SO IGNORANT AND INSECURE LACKING WISDOM AND MATURITY. THAT MUST BE A HARD ROAD TO TRUDGE.
PRAYING THAT YOU WILL BE GRACED WITH EYES THAT MIGHT OPEN TO YOUR OWN PERSONAL WOUNDEDNES.

By leftwingsuck

Low Ranked Vote down Vote up Report this

Lezbo of the year is soo Bourgeois who cares...

Saturday 31 July

By Denise

High Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

leftwingsuck so does your rightwingsuck maybe you just suck. At least Ellen makes people smile and laugh. What are you doing to make this a better place?

By mesaman

She should be judging the "transsexuals have talent" show.

By Charlene Windsor

Ellen,

You are the great's of hearts and I love you. I lost my job in Oct.09 and I hate missing your show. It gives me a laugh and lifts my spirts.I'm going through depression, so you don't know how it helps. Ignore the negative remarks, because that is not who you are.

By sandy

Ellen already makes toO much money..sshe doesn't need to be on idol. I'm not watching idol cause Simon will not be on the show. The show's rating are going to fall next year for sure!!

By PAT NAPIER

I CAN WATCH AI AGAIN. I DID NOT WATCH THIS YEAR BECAUSE OF THE XXXXX FEMALE. TGIF FOR BIG FAVORS!

By Nico Toscani

I get the feeling she left the show to avoid being fired.

By bsti

I was going to say the exact same thing! The handwriting was on the wall.

By kwmcguig

I think Ellen is very likable and I believe she is the type of person who does not like to hurt the feelings of others. The world needs more people like Ellen.

By johnny

Lowest Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

finally america woke up and realize that having a lesbian on a family show is not right - lets get back to family values and what this country is all about - i wish ellen the best but she needs to go to the logo channel where her people are watching -

Thursday 09 September

By Liz

This is America and all people are equal. I think you should find a Nazi group and live in their evil world. You are INSECURE and are AFRAID of people that are different from you. Ellen is a good person that doesn't hurt anyone, if you watch her show you can see how many people she helps,and the enjoyment she gives to so many people. Go crawl back into the hole that you came from.

By Dee

Johnny Family values or do you mean everyone get back to your family values? Not everyone shares your values or lack of values. Please I grew up in a straight family you can keep your family values. The fighting, cheating, gambling hitting each other yelling at each other please where do you get just because people are straight they are better role models.

By TOML

THE NAZIS KNEW WHAT TO DO WITH GAYS ..THROW THEM IN THE OVEN ALIVE!!

Highest Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

You are a disgusting pig! There is a special place for people like you! Enough said...

By Stevietuff

Elllen is intelligent, witty and quick thinking, not to mention being a warm and delightful person. Not a good fit to the morons who judge, perform on, or watch this pathetic show

Lia- You raise the Gaydar flag - Homosexuality and family values do not mix. I suspect you'll disagree. The truth is without an X and a Y chromosome you would not be here!

Monday 02 August

By Jackie

Ellen D., Rosie and Conan just to name a few.....all mediocre talents, well Rosie and Conan none at all, who are multi-millionaires and who the media ravage because America has made them soooooooo important...what a country...no wonder America is hated by most of the world.

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