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Loading ...Ellen says she’s tough enough to be ‘Idol’ judge
09.10.2009 5:01pm EDT
(Los Angeles) Ellen DeGeneres is known for being nice. But the new “American Idol” judge says she’s tough enough to be honest with the show’s contestants. DeGeneres also said Thursday that she’s ready to take on fellow judge Simon Cowell, known for his sarcasm toward both singers and his “Idol” colleagues.
When Cowell is “rude and mean,” DeGeneres said, she’ll tell him. But she said she’ll find a compassionate way to critique the contestants.DeGeneres will join “American Idol” as the fourth judge when the show returns for its ninth season in January. The seat opened up when Paula Abdul resigned in the midst of a contract dispute.
DeGeneres, who signed a five-year deal with “Idol,” will continue with her daytime talk show.
Should I assume they’re keeping the other woman judge from last season? I liked her.
But I don’t understand why a non-music-professional like Degeneres is asked to be a judge on a singing contest? (People said that they were pushing it with Abdul, who was primarily a choreographer and dancer…I don’t *care* about her horrible-but-popular albums.) Other than bringing her in because she’s famous and very likable, I don’t get what makes her qualified to judge. Maybe they felt they needed a more coherent replacement for the “Oh, she’s encouraging to the contestants the way *I* would be” dynamic that Abdul brought to the table.
I would expect her to do well. She’s not inclined to being nasty, but she’s definitely able to deliver a home truth and do it without being spiteful.