Ellen DeGeneres was just announced as Paula Abdul's replacement on "American Idol" starting next season, and I'm excited yet nervous for the choice.
Adding an "Idol" superfan to the panel is a fun idea. I think many of us assumed producers would find a washed-up pop star from a past decade to replace Paula. But going with the diehard fanatic is an interesting twist that threw me for a loop. Congrats to "Idol" for still having tricks up its sleeve.
But three things concern me with their choice of Ellen.
First, Ellen posted a video on her daytime chat show's Web site in which she promises to take the role of the viewer. She said, "I'm the people's point of view 'cause I am just like you. I sit at home and I watch it. I'm not looking at that in a critical way from [a] music producer's mind. I'm looking at it as a person who's going to buy the music and relate to that person. So hopefully I'll be the voice of what we're all doing at home."
But let's be honest. Nine times out of 10, the home viewer is the harshest critic of them all. Admit it: You've sad things about these singers that would make Simon Cowell blush. We rag on contestants left and right. If anything, us "Idol" geeks have been upset that the judges haven't been hard enough on certain contestants. (I know I was harshest on Danny Gokey because I didn't think he received enough criticism from the panel.) This video statement from Ellen worries me because I find it disingenuous and not representative of who she actually is. She's a zillionaire celeb who is likely too afraid to piss anyone off. She'll be more like the "Idol" cheerleader than you or I would ever be. If you're gonna claim to be "the armchair critic," Ellen, you better be prepared to really go there. Join the party. Come to the dark side.
Secondly, Ellen guest-judged this past summer on "So You Think You Can Dance" and her appearance was frustrating to say the least. Read More...
Move over 
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And that's a wrap!
By Sabrina Rojas Weiss