Ellen on American Idol

[CF'er]

I am on the fence here. I wasn't happy with her performance as a judge on SYTYCD this season. Maybe she'll do better on Idol?

In my mind she will be good if she will be honest. Don't get up there and tell everyone how great they were if the weren't. That was one thing I didn't like when they had guest judges a couple seasons ago. They all said how great the performances were even if they sounded like a cat in heat.

Don't be rude but as Randy says.... keepin' it real.

 

[sunnyday123]

I liked Ellen as a guest judge on SYTYCD during season 5 this summer but I like Ellen. I like her jokes, her personality and her ride in Epcot. <--I'm probably one of the few, lol.

Me too. I think she's funny-but I don't think she'll be a good addition to AI. Does anyone know the reasoning to her being a judge?

 

[bicker]

You don't have to be a music industry inisder to know when a performance was outstanding or a failure (or somewhere in between). I know jack squat about the music biz and for the past 8 seasons of idol (of which I have watched it all), Simon's critiques have always, without fail, mirrored my own....almost down to the exact verbage! So you can be an effective judge without knowing the industry.

Yes, and this raises an issue in my mind -- one of the things I see mentioned quite often on competition shows: Top Chef, for example, is about culinary arts, yes, but it is a competition. Survivor is about living outdoors with limited connections and interference, but it is a competition. And American Idol is about singing, but folks cannot forget that it is a competition. The best singer has lost, sometimes, because the singer indulged their "art" with too much disregard for their audience (which in the case of American Idol, are the judges/is the jury). Ellen is the type of person who has their finger on the pulse of America, and can definitely comment from that perspective as well. To be fair: Simon, Randy and Kara, as producers, must be able to do this as well. But this is perhaps the most important skill that Paula lacked, and perhaps the most important type of insight contestants need in terms of doing their best in the competition.

 

[Robinrs]

You are absolutely not thinking of Ellen Degeneres here. Crude humor or rudeness isn't even a part of her act. If anything, hers is a self-depricating type of humor. I've read a book of hers, followed her standup and watch her show. I can't recall anything rude ever coming from her, ever.

Here's a pic. Is this the rude person you're thinking of?

Wow, Ellen is the complete opposite of rude! Sometimes she's TOO nice!

 

[damo]

Wow, Ellen is the complete opposite of rude! Sometimes she's TOO nice!

I totally agree. If anything, that may be her downfall on Idol.

She has a great rapport with Simon. I remember her telling him on her show that he was too mean once. Can't remember who the contestant was but I believe it was last season. It will be interesting!!!

AI is not just about singing but it is about entertaining. Selling out concerts is more important than selling albums. I think Ellen will be great on advising on this!

 

[sorcerormickey]

Blah from me. I like Ellen. A lot. I like her show. I think she is funny.

I don't like her as a judge on AI. I really didn't like her as a judge on SYTYCD. She brought nothing of value to the critiques. Her comments consisted of (bad) jokes and enjoying the routines.

Add my name to this statement! I like Ellen, but did NOT like her on SYTYCD. I thought this announcement was a joke when I heard it last night.

BUT, I am going to give it a chance. We'll see what happens once the show gets going.

 

[damo]

Add my name to this statement! I like Ellen, but did NOT like her on SYTYCD. I thought this announcement was a joke when I heard it last night.

BUT, I am going to give it a chance. We'll see what happens once the show gets going.

I didn't like her on SYTYCN either however that was just a single guest appearance where she was expected to be funny. I don't think that is her goal on AI.

 

[CaliforniaDreamin]

Are you sure you know who Ellen DeGeneres is? Ellen is the exact opposite of what you just described. And she is also very good friends with Simon, so I don't see any of that happening.

I was thinking the same thing!? Not to be rude, but are you sure you don't have her mixed up with someone else? I think she is one of the sweetest, kindest people in comedy. My kids and I love her show. She is so family friendly, I don't get the lewd, crude remark at all. Not in any way, shape or form.

 

[DisneyFix321]

Ellen just made the official announcement about AI on her show. She said she is judging for the people (us) not judging on the technacalities of singing like Simon, Randy and Kara. She will be the voice like us at home. That makes more since because she doesn't have the music background like the other judges. I wondered about that...

 

[Micca]

I think this is a brilliant move. Ellen is smart, funny, and has empathy. As for her musical credentials, she probably knows as much or more as 99% of the people who vote, so I think that's a valid perspective.

Frankly the show could use a lift and I think she could freshen it up.

 

[ChrizJen]

First of all I think it's just pathetic. Even though Paula could be a bit ditzy at times, at least she offered a positive comment or perspective for the contestants. Ellen is about as polar opposite of Paula as you could get. She is rude, lewd, and crude. Hardly what the show needs.

Secondly, I don't think it's going to last to long. Ellen has no clue how to keep her mouth in check. All it's going to take is one ignorant / offensive comment about Simon and she's gone.

In a way I guess it is good news though. As long as she's on the show, there is one less thing I need to try and watch now.

I don't remember Ellen ever being any of those things.

I don't remember Ellen ever being any of those either.
Maybe you've got her mistaken for someone else, TheGoofster???
Perhaps you have examples of times when she was any of those things? I'd be interested in seeing that.

 

[damo]

Ellen just made the official announcement about AI on her show. She said she is judging for the people (us) not judging on the technacalities of singing like Simon, Randy and Kara. She will be the voice like us at home. That makes more since because she doesn't have the music background like the other judges. I wondered about that...

Simon has no musical training. He was a music exec. Most music execs have no music background. They have a business background.

 

[Mickey Fliers]

Whether or not Ellen has any musical background is completely irrelevant for this competition. The "judges" don't make any real decisions....the at home audience does. How many people sitting on their couch with phone in hand have a professional musical background? None of the "judges" do any of the vocal coaching or training. The sole purpose of the judges is too critique and provide entertainment to the TV audience. That is exactly why Ellen has been brought on.

 

[DutchsMommy]

I dont find Ellen funny at all, but will end up still watching so who knows, maybe my mind will be changed? From what I have seen, her 'dithering' style...can't think of another way to say it, like she says something and then a few other things under her breath like she is thinking out loud (ok bad discription) just bugs me. Her comments on SYTYCD was just a waste of time IMO so we'll see how it goes on Idol. It will definately be good for Idol ratings though I think!

 

[chisnpeke]

I love Ellen. I think it will be interesting to have a perspective from someone who is viewing as a fan and not about the what will work in the music industry.

 

[chisnpeke]

Simon has no musical training. He was a music exec. Most music execs have no music background. They have a business background.

Simon has said many times he just predicts what will be popular. He is a very smart business man but does not have a musical background other than working in a mailroom at a major label.

 

[shortbun]

I think Ellen will change the entire show. Maybe that's good. I've been pretty bored with it lately. It's just a TV show after all and they were getting pretty full of themselves-the judges being 'they.'

 

[damo]

Whether or not Ellen has any musical background is completely irrelevant for this competition. The "judges" don't make any real decisions....the at home audience does. How many people sitting on their couch with phone in hand have a professional musical background? None of the "judges" do any of the vocal coaching or training. The sole purpose of the judges is too critique and provide entertainment to the TV audience. That is exactly why Ellen has been brought on.

You've got it exactly!

Simon and Ellen have a great rapport and should add to the entertainment value. The continual crap that went on between Simon and Paula was hurting the show, IMO.

It is interesting that Ellen has signed a 5 year contract and will be making more than what they offered Paula! lol

 

[TanyaLovesPooh]

I was surprised because it seems like a very odd choice. I enjoy Ellen's sense of humor but I don't know about being an Idol judge. We shall see.