09/09/09: A Day That Will Live in Infamy

Well, it's not exactly the end of the world, but it was announced today that Ellen DeGeneres is replacing Paula Abdul as American Idol's 4th judge. Hmm...so TPTB couldn't afford Paula, but they can afford Ellen?? I'm not buying it. Obviously, the producers wanted P-Ab off the show and they used the old "she wanted too much money" excuse.

I'm pretty sure this is the final nail in Idol's coffin. Sure, Ellen is likable and funny and all, but that's just the problem. We don't need "funny ha-ha," we need "funny insane." I mean, the least they could've done is hired Anne Heche. Get Celestia up in that piece* to sprinkle her critiques with messages of interplanetary love and uncomfortable tangents about her "lazy ass" ex-husband, and you've got yourself a good show again.


*I'm bringing this phrase back. You're welcome.

Comments

Cora said…
I dunno, I kinda can't wait to see what Ellen brings to the table. At the very least Kara will have less time to yap on and on and on and on and on....
Leonesse said…
Well, to ease your pain I thought I would whisper sweet John Travolta nothings in your ear. I can see now that won't help.

My sympathies.

p.s. Hey Stranger!!!
WTF???

I'm not getting ANY of this.

Ellen?? I am a huge fan of the DeGeneres, but a judge on AI???
What are her creds?
No offense, but how do you figure Ellen knows thing one about mentoring musical talent?
Where is the justice here?

Why?

I heart Paula....
Doc said…
Let me get this straight: They won't let Bruce Willis be a guest judge for one night because he has little to no credibility in the music business despite making a record or two of old Blues standards but they will hire Ellen, who to my knowledge, has never released an album on which she sings or plays an instument?

That's feckin' weird man.

Doc
Travis Cody said…
I don't really want anything from judges other than instructive notes from industry experts.

I do like Ellen and I think she'll add a music fan's perspective.
elaine said…
I like Ellen and think that she will be a good addition. Maybe now they'll finally tone down the homophobic banter between Ryan and Simon.

I have to strongly disagree with you about wanting more insanity in the judges. I for one am SO sick of tv shows with over-the-top judges. It's so incredibly fake and staged and annoying. Mary Murphy, anyone? Gag. I can't take it. I just fast forward through the AI judges, except for Simon as long as he's not mock-bickering with people.

By the way, a friend of mine lived in New York years ago and was good friends with a guy who costarred with Anne Heche on Another World. He said that she was a total complete bitch who would make snide comments about his kissing skills during the make-out scenes. I feel like she just used Ellen for attention and then left her broken-hearted.
Falwless said…
I'm actually pretty excited about this. Shocked, but excited. I like Ellen a lot.
Penny said…
I like Ellen as well. I agree with the bit about them not needing Funny ha ha..My main problem is what in the wide world of sports does Ellen know about music and singing??????????????????????

I mean, seriously, okay, so she dances on her daytime show apparently, that doesn't qualify you to know about tone and pitch and art direction and musical arrangement.

I just don't get it. Thats like getting Cameron Manhiem to give out weight loss advice. No business doing it..you know??

Sorry for my long rant..I am a guitar player and singer so this one hit home. :)
SkylersDad said…
I like Ellen a lot, but this is just wrong.
Red said…
What the what?

I like Ellen a lot, too, but I'm glad I quit this show.
Soda and Candy said…
You know it's interesting that they made your lovah Adam keep his glitter under a bushel and then they go and hire an openly gay host... I guess Ellen's not gonna sell any records but still, it'll be interesting to see how middle America reacts to that one..
If they wanted someone nice, they could have just asked me.
rebecca said…
I was going to boycott this show after the Paula debacle, but now I don't know! I like Ellen! Well, I'll catch a few episodes and take it from there. I just can't stand Kara and if she were gone, it would be so much better!!!
h said…
I don't know who Celestia and Anne Heche are. Reserving judgement on Ellen. I friggin HATE LaGuardia (sp?). Is she coming back?
Anonymous said…
Ellen definitely won't bring the crazy. When she guest judged an episode of So You Think You Can Dance, she tried so hard to be funny that it was painful. I don't know if I can handle an entire season of her forced jokes. I like her, so let's hope this turns out better than expected. Maybe she will channel Paula's spastic dancing and seal claps during the performances.
Alice said…
...huh!? not just, like, for one guest judging episode? i've got to agree, i saw her on SYTYCD, and she was funny and nice and stuff, but not exactly an EXPERT who could offer any helpful critiques.

oh. wait. neither was paula. carry on!
With every day that passes, I am more and more pleased that I dumped this show.
Billy said…
Ellen:American Idol::Dennis Miller:Monday Night Football?
katrocket said…
Anne Heche is THE BEST CASTING CHOICE I've heard this week. I like Ellen, but she lacks the required nut cred to bring balance to the Force.
Dale said…
I do believe you should be in charge of casting and recasting every damned thing on teevee! Hilarious photoshoppery!
cube said…
Who doesn't like Ellen? It's not a question of liking her, but that she really doesn't know anything about the music industry so she's just going to make funny non sequitors that aren't going to help the contestants, but will take up time the judges have to speak.

And don't fall for the "Ellen's just a fan POV" BS. Earning millions & being famous herself, she isn't just like one of the fans calling from home.

IMO the fall of Paula really started last year with the addition of Kara.