Ellen DeGeneres: Preparing for ‘American Idol’ stint

Ellen DeGeneres is doing some rehearsals by watching old shows of ‘American Idol’ and making some critiques in the former contestants of the US TV talent show.  These are part of her preparations for her ‘American Idol’ stint since DeGeneres became the newly appointed American Idol judge.

She will be the replacement for Paula Abdul, the long-time judge of the talent search show who quit last August over an alleged pay dispute.  And she will now join other American Idol judges Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson and Kara DioGuardi.

The talk show host confirmed this to the National Enquirer magazine that Ellen with wife Portia have been collecting and watching old seasons on DVD to see how the judges interact with contestants and audience.

Although some critics have commented she doesn’t have the music credentials for the role, Ellen DeGeneres has insisted she is qualified for her new position on American Idol because she’s so used to being judged herself.

She even defended herself on her show, saying:

“Apparently, there’s a lot of debate going on right now whether I’m qualified or not to be the new judge on American Idol – I’ll tell you right now, how I know I’m going to be a great judge because I’ve spent my whole life being judged, so I know what it’s like.”

“I’m very excited to be on the show… I knew people would have opinions and I did not want to know what they were because why should I take that stuff in? I try not to watch anything that I think is going to be talking about me. I try not to read anything… nothing. I don’t even read the back of a cereal box.”

To improve her knowledge of music, she has even enrolled on an online course.  This has shown his enthusiasm to take the part of the show.

DeGeneres said:

“Hopefully, I’m the people’s point of view because I’m just like you, I sit at home and I watch it. I’m not looking at it in a critical way from the producer’s mind. I’m looking at it as a person who is going to buy the music and is going to relate to that person.”

According to World Entertainment News Network, DeGeneres jokingly mentioned:

“The things people are saying – I thought we’ve moved past this. We have the first African-American president. We’ve sworn in our first Hispanic Supreme Court justice. I think American Idol is ready for their first blonde judge.”

Ellen said she will be “compassionate” when it comes to the contestants of the show which will start its new season in January 2010.

Related posts:

1. Paula Abdul might not return to American Idol
2. Adam Lambert the next American Idol?
3. American Idol Season 8 Finale: Idols sing “No Boundaries”
4. American Idol Season 8 Winner: Kris Allen
5. American Idol Season 8 – Top 3 Revealed