Ellen To Add Heft, Humor To ‘American Idol’
Ellen Degeneres has been tapped to be the new fourth judge on American Idol. The choice of the talk show host and comedienne is a brilliant move by the producers.
Ellen brings humor, a warm humanity and a fan’s perspective to the already popular show which, at times, can feel overly contrived and too full of itself.
Sure, we’ll all miss Paula Abdul’s nonsensical ramblings, but in return we’ll get a stronger foil to stand up to Simon Cowell and a celebrity who will come closest out of the four judges on the panel to representing the perspective of the average viewer.
As an unabashed Ellen fan since her stand-up comedy days and as an even bigger admirer of her standing up for her beliefs in individual rights, I have to admit I’d tune in to see Ellen even if she did a guest spot on Brooke Knows Best.
And that show is so awful I’d choose it third in a contest between waterboarding and getting eaten alive by hyenas.
The most consistent challenge facing American Idol is to keep the basic format interesting while still remaining “relevant” (Ed.- the first and last gratuitous Paula Abdul homage you’ll see here).
Ellen’s addition to the panel is a sound, thoughtful and engaging choice which should yield dividends for a number of seasons as the American Idol ratings and promotional juggernaut rolls on.
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What’s not to like?
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Image: Zuma Press
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