Ellen DeGeneres News Roundup: Paula Abdul Tweets Her Approval
Paula Abdul finally speaks.
She took to twitter to share her thoughts on Ellen DeGeneres’s new gig as Idol judge, “I think Ellen will b a gr8 judge on Idol. She is wildly funny, talented and I wish her the best of luck!’ So, what else was she going to say?
RadarOnline claims “sources” close to Paula has her “stunned.” Says the source, ‘Privately, Paula is very upset. She’s never going to admit it publicly but this stung.” Paula, according to this version of events, privately believed a last minute deal could be worked out. Whatevs.
A few Season 8 kids react to the news HERE. Matt Giraud said, “I think she’s like the biggest idol fan in the world so it’s making her dreams come true.” But Scott MacIntyre wonders, “It’s going to be really interesting. I have no idea what to expect. I probably would not have guessed that in a million years.”
Randy Jackson says Ellen can be “the voice of the people among us,” and tells MTV, everyone will get along, “”We’re friends of hers already, so she’s good people.”
Kara DioGuardi tells XM Satellite Radio, “I think she’s going to bring so much to the show. She’s somebody who loves music. She’s positive. She loves kids. She’s somebody who has watched the show from the beginning, knows everything there is to know about American Idol. And I think ultimately it’s going to be a great new energy.’
On Simon Cowell, Ellen tells Extra “I’m not the kind of person he’s gonna be pinching, playing with; drawing mustaches on.” Hm.
What do the fans and the bloggers think? Several articles gather opinions from around the net: USA Today, MTV, New York Times and Reality Blurred. Why yes, I’m quoted in all of them! Thanks for asking!
The LA Times gets the opinion of an advertising expert, “I think it’s kind of surprising because she does have a talk show, but it just points to the fact that they’re looking more for an entertainment perspective as opposed to perhaps a singing criteria,” says Brad Adgate, senior vice president of research for Horizon Media Inc. He thinks the addition of Ellen to the show could be “a shot in the arm” for a show with steadily declining ratings. Also Team Idol is totally amazed they pulled off Operation Ellen with nary a leak to the press…
In an interview with the Hollywood Reporter, Fox reality show chief Mike Darnell shoots down the h8ters who criticize Ellen’s lack of experience, “”Blah blah blah. We think that’s silly. We already got three judges. We used to only have three who have enormously long musical backgrounds. She brings something different. She brings her wit and love of music. She has a vision of what she likes and doesn’t like. Really, does it matter? It’s about America voting. She’s going to add a different flavor, that’s the whole idea.”
Idol producers tell EW that hiring Ellen was a unanimous and easy decision, and when they contacted Ellen, she was incredibly enthusiastic about the gig.
The Chicago Sun-Times has sources that claim the idea to hire Ellen began with Simon Cowell, after he appeared on her talk show several months ago. Also, Paula had remained in negotiations with Fox, even after she twitter-quit. But, according to the source, she was unrealistic about the money, and that was that. Less than half a dozen people in the Fox camp who knew about Ellen’s negotiations–keeping the story from leaking to the press.
Not Idol related: Record companies are suing Ellen’s talk show for copyright infringement–mostly for the songs that are played as she dances over to her desk from the audience at the top of the show. According to the suit filed Wednesday in U.S. District Court in Nashville, when recording company reps asked the defendants why they hadn’t obtained licenses to use the songs, they answered that they didn’t “roll that way.” Representatives from Ellen say they have been working with the labels for months to resolve the issue. One of the plaintiffs is Sony Music, record label of the Idols’ signed to 19R…
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Tags: 35 Responses to “Ellen DeGeneres News Roundup: Paula Abdul Tweets Her Approval”
From the NYT article:
So they are moving Hollywood Week (isn’t it actually longer than a week?) to January, and that will be happening while they air the taped audition footage? Do I understand this right?
BTW, kudos for all your press mentions MJ. (Sorry, no edit function)
SO yeah this sucks
i want drunk paula back
what does ellen kinow about music anyways? she’s suppose to represent the people’s opinions at home? How? They all have different opinions and different tastes in music!
Hm :\
I think we can finally move Ms. Abdul to the “old product” category. There really should be no further reason for mention of her going forward.
The AP article I read about the lawsuit over music on Ellen’s show emphasized that it is Telepictures that is being sued…Ellen is not named in the suit. Just a relevant clarification.
Can I get an amen. Let’s put an end to the childishness and to the homophobic banter between Ryan and Simon too. Heck maybe they can finish the show on time without Paula alternately trying to slap Simon or climb into his lap.
I’m sure Paula is gutted since every time TMZ stuck a microphone in her face she was coy about the possibility of returning. Paula has probably called every Idol connection she knows to try to find out what they are paying Ellen and of course, it is most likely even more than what Paula was asking. Could Idol make it any clearer? Paula was radioactive.
From the Hollywood Reporter interview with Mike Darnell:
No Mike, in the end the judges’ comments don’t really matter, so why have four judges who take all that time away from the contestants with their meaningless comments? And that’s some kind of welcome he’s giving to Ellen before she’s even started, saying that what she says doesn’t really matter. Sheesh.
On a happier note, in addition to MJ’s impressive showing in these articles, it’s also very cool that Rickey got his Sanjaya video featured by the Chicago Sun-Times. (Even though they spelled his name wrong.)
This really jumps out at me, and it’s a great point Darnell makes. Music is meant to be felt, not analyzed (though it obviously can be). I wonder what exactly Ellen’s perspective is. I can’t watch her talk show so I really have no clue. Is it a compelling vision? If Ellen could be a quality arbiter of taste she would be valuable. Are her tastes perhaps a little more daring than Cowell’s? If they are then maybe I’ll love her. If she could do this with wit and wisdom then this will be a good hire.
I’ll be watching either way, so…
The only thing I can say that if Ellen had been judge during time when Adam sang Ring Of Fire – it might have been a very lively and interesting interaction between Ellen and Simon Cowell. That would have been reality TV at its liveliest.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uThdv2VuWKE
But that is just one episode, have no idea how she will handle 12 or 24 or so shows.
I still prefer more singing . If they really want to introduce a new recording star they really have to give us more singing rather than more talk from the judges. I really wish they would let the finalists sing the entire song rather than shortened versions.
This is a life lesson for Paula, she should NEVER of walked away from something so good for her. Yes she was getting under paid, but it was probably more then she’ll ever make duiing “Divas” or making gest apperances
I guess it’s the old saying – A bird in hand is worth two in the bush. Or currently- keep what you have and don’t try to be greedy for more….
What? Scott didn’t see it coming?
Sorry… it’s already going to be that kind of day…..
That sounds what is going to happen. That’s an interesting development. Usually, by the time the season starts, spoilers give us a very strong indication who the top 50 (whatever) are so we know who to watch. This year, we won’t. At first, the chairs episode used to happen before Christmas too, so for earlier seasons we could be spoiled with all the semi-finalists. Then they moved the chairs episode to January.
This will be interesting. I bet it’s mainly being done to cut down on spoilers and to tighten up the time between Hollywood and the chairs. It gives the kids more time to practice before the Hollywood week (I don’t think we’ll see a difference), but less time to prep for semi-finals. I wonder what it will do for the vetting process. Vetting 160 kids is tougher whereas before, they could spend 2 months doing extra vetting on 50 kids. Maybe we’ll get some good old scandals.
Although, does this give extra credence to the theory that they already know who they want when Hollywood week begins (would explain how some people who keep tanking keep getting chances)? Or will it instead mean that we will get to see more of the “good” auditions. If the edit the auditions as usual and Hollywood week is legit, we may not see any of the Top 50 (whatever) in the audition rounds. What if the people they show us during auditions all end up as duds during Hollywood? Hmmm…
Oooo! Good point. I was dreading the return of that non-funny, cringe-worthy homophobic banter between Ryan and Simon if the chosen one didn’t happen to be openly gay person for the second year in a row. With Ellen on the panel, they will likely send that horrible schtick to the dust heap forever. Yay!
I just got my six year old to stop doing that. Just sayin’.
edit: don’t tell posters what to do or what to post. Stay out of the threads if they make you cranky
Not gonna comment on this silly 4th judge thing. I just want to comment MJ for being the place to be for all idol insanity. You are notably quotable my dear! Kudos.
Oh, does Kara know that her job security might be in jeopardy? I mean Ellen signed a 5 year deal, did she?
PJ has made a good case for Ellen to be on the show and others have stated thier reasons to for or against. This week I wish I had a Tardis.. Ellen got the job just wait and see then I will judge.Puala , she and Bret f should take that “3 hour Tour’ that gilllian and company took…
If what Scott meant was he would have never thought of Ellen as a possible candidate for AI judge, then I agree with him. Her total lack of any music cred would have kept me from ever considering her to be even remotely qualified for the job.
Randy’s contract expires after season 9.
MJ is a celeb! Certified!
On the issue of Ellen as the 4th judge, I’m a little apprehensive. I like Ellen, and I think a one-time judging gig on AI would work, that is, as a guest judge. But as a judge for a 5-year lock-in, I’m confused at what she will bring to the panel. It’d be fun the first few times but I think it will get old in no time.
adamlambertRT @PaulaAbdul: I think Ellen will b a gr8 judge on Idol. She is wildly funny, talented and I wish her the best of luck! -Paula is classy!!!
I get ellen’s role, simons, and randy’s. It is Kara that doesn’t fit in a box for me yet. I think I’ll be uncomfortable with her at the table until she convincingly plays a consistent character. Sad I know but that is how I perceive these judges. Acting–playing a part. Kara’s istn’t very well developed yet for me.
This is the key issue at hand. Ellen tends to get chatty (like Paula) but with so much debate over her hiring, she may actually want to make some positive changes.
I would rather have seen someone with a musical background, but this is a done deal. If Ellen can handle this with an honest approach, it might work. Focus needs to be on the contestants!
This is exactly what I’ve been thinking for awhile. Didn’t she hire a new agent in the middle of negotiations and didn’t he take sort of a hard line with the show? (I didn’t read any of the other thread on this subject, so sorry if this has been discussed to death.) That’s my recollection and it may have backfired on her big time. Poor Paula.
I will always remember (and love) Pauler as the one who championed Adam during Season 8 and never wavered in her love for him. So part of me thinks she’s a bit of a genius. heh.
Ellen will bring an interesting dynamic to the show but 5 years!! Why not 1 or maybe 2? The show is becoming more about the judges and less about the singers and that’s not a good thing.
mj, regardless of how some of us feel about the Ellen decision, it seems the story itself propelled you into the stratosphere of entertainment pundits. It’s gratifying to see someone who works so hard to produce a quality product 24/7, 365 days a year, get a little recognition. I hope all the extra hits, as a result, make you enough money to allow you to continue to do this until you’re sick of us all. : )
1. “sources” say= lies cuz it will make good story.
2. Ellen “voice of the people”= voice of the really rich and famous people who loves hip hop a lot.
But, ok, American Idol needs a change cause it’s dying and Ellen as judge is smart idea. Plus, it came together rather easy, a sign of meant to be.
Good luck, but I really found my idol/icon superstar and I may watch when it gets down to top three, but I have no confidence in the vote process.
Want to add: I agree with abbysee-this mjsbigblog is simply the best.
Hmm.. this means one of two things.
1. The producers have decided (after last years’s bungled efforts) to take their fingers off the scales, so to speak, and edit the auditions with no idea who will go to semi-finals.
2. The producers have already decided who they want in the finals and will make a sham of Hollywood week as well as the semi-finals.
Here’s to hoping that they’ve learned their lesson.
At first, the addition of Ellen as the 4th judge seemed like an odd choice. The longer I sit with it, though, the more it makes sense. She’s a very warm and kind person who loves music. Having a judge who people really like who shows both compassion and the people’s perspective on music is actually genius. Who else on the panel do people know and really like? At this point, the judges are all celebrity personalities except maybe Kara since she is not fully known or integrated yet. So there won’t be a whole season of getting to know this new person. I think having a judge who isn’t coming from the music industry but who just loves music and who loves the show is perfect. It will help change the dynamics of the show and that’s a good thing. They need a boost of new energy that revitalizes the show and this could be just the ticket.
Also, Ellen tends to like more contemporary music and they really need to update the music on the show. And, she just might bring in a bunch more viewers who wouldn’t normally watch the show but are giving it a chance because she’s on. I say it has the potential for a big win-win.
Congrats to mj for all of the mentions and quotes in the articles yesterday! You truly are the go to place for all things idol!!! Yay! I agree with what Bootstar said regarding making enough money to do this as long as you want!
I first saw one of the articles on the msn.com page (well my husband did and pointed out that they quoted mj!), it was the quote about Ellen not being a singer or musician, but a comedian. Something must be wrong with my eyes because I thought the quote was that she wasn’t a singer or performer!! Details, details.
Anyway, with the performer thought in mind, I definitely think it’s a good fit! Idol and the judges demonstrated that performance is HUGE to them this past year.
Anyway, it will be fun and I do think Ellen will take anything she says to the contestants seriously.
edited
Sounds like she is talking about Paula.
I feel like I’ve been transported to another century reading these comments, well maybe just a few decades ago like 1960? Those comments could have been made by my 91 year old grandmother. She also says stuff like, make your husband a sandwich, he looks hungry. Yikes!!!!
P.S. You guys aren’t writers for Mad Men are you??? Just kidding. Not.
I can’t sit back and not write a comment but on this I must! WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH FOX AND AMERICAN IDOL?? To me hiring Ellen DeGeneres is like a slap on the face to Paula Abdul. I like Ellen but Ellen isn’t qualified to be on that show! When I heard the news I had just turned my TV on to Ellen’s show and I couldn’t watch it-I turned it of and I don’t believe I’ll ever watch it again. I watched Ellen on SYTYCD – wasn’t good.
I know it’s just about ratings and business but would Fox had hired Ellen if she wasn’t so popular and had a strong fanbase? Why not Oprah or the women on the View, Tyra Banks, etc. I guess Fox couldn’t find any qualified persons to take Paula’s place that they had to go to a comedian?
All, I can say is Fox should change the name to American Idol-The Comedy Show. What is Ellen going to do when she has to critique a contestant – disguise her ignorance by telling a joke and have Simon, Randy and maybe Kara catch her back??
I can tell you that the only reason people watch talk shows is because of the big gifts and money they give the audience and people who participate at home – if they didn’t give prizes no one would attend the shows!
We’ll have to see if ratings go up on A.I. – maybe, may not. I know I won’t be watching A.I. anymore. I really liked A.I. when it was just the 3 judges – why fix something that wasn’t broken….now A.I. is a mess with a comedian as a judge who is NOT QUALIFIED!
The only smart person in all these is PAULA ABDUL by walking away from a show that has become such a BIG JOKE!!