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Simon 'Meaner Than I Thought': Ellen

New judge DeGeneres doesn't hold back on American Idol

By Will McCahill,  Newser Staff

Posted Feb 9, 2010 10:12 PM CST

(Newser) – Ellen DeGeneres flashed the humor many expected of her in tonight’s screen debut as an American Idol judge—and beforehand got off a shot at departing fellow judge Simon Cowell, saying the acerbic Brit is “actually meaner than I thought.” That tidbit comes via a video on the Fox show’s site; the daytime talk-show host succeeded in “establishing what seems like a good-natured, jokey tension between the two new co-workers,” Gil Kaufman writes for MTV.

“I don’t know how you feel right now,” DeGeneres told the 181 contestants in the Los Angeles audience. “When people say, ‘What do you know about music?’ I’ll tell you what I do know: I do know what it’s like to stand on a stage and try to please an entire roomful of people. ... That is a hard thing to do.”

A screen grab from an interview with Ellen DeGeneres on AmericanIdol.com
A screen grab from an interview with Ellen DeGeneres on AmericanIdol.com   (AmericanIdol.com)
In this undated publicity image released by Fox, new American Idol, judge Ellen DeGeneres is shown.
In this undated publicity image released by Fox, new "American Idol," judge Ellen DeGeneres is shown.   (AP Photo)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 11 comments
RufusT.Firefly
Feb 10, 2010 10:28 AM CST
Lotta people said the same thing about George W. Be careful!
RufusT.Firefly
Feb 10, 2010 10:27 AM CST
For real. So many people SWEAR they're fantastic performers because their friends or family tells them so. That's the worst barometer you can use to get honest feedback. Americans are incredibly sensitive people. They should be seeing Simon as a savior who weeds out people instead of stringing them along. It's not his job to be a psychotherapist or a cheerleader to mediocrity. I find him refreshingly honest and will miss him.
Boulderdash
Feb 10, 2010 9:35 AM CST
I like Ellen. Something good about her.

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Ellen DeGeneres Quits American Idol

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