Ellen Degeneres as Guest Judge on So You Think You Can Dance – VIDEO

By On 09/11/2009 · 41 Comments · In AI Season 9, American Idol, So You Think You Can Dance, Video

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A kind soul edited together all of Ellen Degeneres’ remarks from her guest judging stint on So You Think You Can Dance this past   summer. Check it out after the jump.

Ellen’s best moments: Complimenting Evan after Nigel Lythgoe cruelly and unnecessarily criticized his looks, and her heartfelt reaction to Tyce Diorio’s contemporary routine highlighting breast cancer awareness.

The Evan bit illustrates nicely what Ellen will do very well–fulfilling Paula Abdul’s role as the judge who is “compassionate and kind.”

But as far as offering substantive critiques? The jury is still out. I hope there is less shtick, and more critiques that focus on the actual performance.   I found most of her one liners distracting and unfunny.

Video after the JUMP…

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  • http://myspace.com/girlgeek mj

    Honestly, I think you have a bias going in on Ellen,

    I hear this sort of statement all the time, that I’m biased against this one or that one, and I have no idea what that means. I like ellen, I just don’t think she’s right for Idol.

    I’d rather wait and see how she does on Idol than rehash SYTYCD.

    That’s the beauty of these posts–you can pick and choose what you’re interested in. And what you find boring, others may find fascinating. So, I can’t see that I’ll be letting up on the Ellen stuff, because she’s news right now.

  • SparklesATL

    I have loved Ellen for years. I’ve loved her wife Portia for years. I love their attitude toward their lifestyle rather than someone like Rosie.

    I also love my TiVo. It allows me to fast forward through all the judges comments except Kara and Simon not to mention the crappy singers.

  • http://twitter.com/cara_lee pj

    To me, she has potential to be an improvement over Paula because although I get the fact that Paula had recording industry experience, it really never showed up in her critiques. Even when she defended a contestant’s talent, she really gave no constructive feedback.

    I think Ellen will be able to be the empathetic judge, only funnier and coherent. I think she’ll take it more seriously than Paula, who has been phoning it in for years.

    Paula did improve a smidgen this past year, but she knew her contract was up for renewal. I just can’t mourn her loss when she didn’t take her easy ass job seriously.

    Plus, we all know Paula’s comments were scripted. I’m not sure why she’s now considered such a genuine, caring judge. Maybe its because she gives them her jewlry to pimp.

  • HotHotHot

    Pathetic. She should have been embarrassed about how bad she was! I can’t imagine why she would even consider doing this.

  • gingerly

    I didn’t watch this. I never watch judges on either SYTYCD or AI. I form my own opinions. In both cases, my opinions have more to do with what moves me than what is technically superior. Ultimately I only care about my opinion. I like it. It works for me. So, therefore, I am finding myself unconcerned about Paula leaving and Ellen replacing her. I just don’t give two shits. I’d rather see less (read no) judges. That would work perfectly for me. I just don’t understand why intelligent human beings need anybody to give them opinions.

  • oceana

    I like Ellen but have some misgivings about her doing Idol. Though she could surprise me and make it work. It sure is a surprising development and it will probably help ratings. She has a kind heart and that counts for a lot. Time will tell.

    She was a big fan of Simon’s but she started to notice that he was too mean and she didn’t like that. I give her that.

    I’m still worried about her being so pro-hiphop and r&b. Is there anyone on the panel who prefers rock, and folk-rock, and singer-songwriter? I just don’t need to see people like flo-rida on the show again.

  • http://twitter.com/cara_lee pj

    I’m still worried about her being so pro-hiphop and r&b. Is there anyone on the panel who prefers rock, and folk-rock, and singer-songwriter? I just don’t need to see people like flo-rida on the show again.

    She had Josiah on the show and he didn’t even make top 24. She also gave him a lot of expensive musical equipment. I think she can appreciate a variety of styles.

  • yinyang

    I’m a fan of Ellen’s, but couldn’t make it through the clip. I’m sure Ellen’s comments are a bit harder to get through on the clip, since it’s just her comments with nothing in between, (like dancing). I’ve never watched SYTYCD, so I didn’t see the comments in context. But…she wasn’t very funny, and said the same thing over and over. I could do that, for a lot less money.

    She may do better on Idol, but I’m beginning to miss Paula, based on the SYTYCD video.

    If the Idols got some valid comments, (you could improve your performance by doing this, or here is why that song was wrong for you, and how you can do better at choosing songs), then it would be better to have someone who knows the music industry.

    If the comments aren’t really helpful anyway, then I guess it doesn’t matter who the judge is, and the “judge” can say something useless like “You sing pretty”.

    But if the judges comments are useless, let’s have fewer judges, and MORE SINGING, and let the voters make the decision.

    I am new to AI as of last season, and didn’t pay attention to how things were done prior to Adam singing “Satisfaction”. Will Ellen be in a position of deciding who gets to be in the top 12?

  • SparklesATL

    Since when does “She’s a big fan of music” or “She’s really into music” qualify her to be a judge? Aren’t we all big fans of music?

    That just bugs.

  • http://twitter.com/cara_lee pj

    Since when does ‘She’s a big fan of music’  or ‘She’s really into music’  qualify her to be a judge? Aren’t we all big fans of music?

    That just bugs.

    If Randy, Kara, Paula or Simon actually gave constructive criticism, I would agree. As it stands, we have:

    “Yo, Dawg, for me, for you, that wasn’t good. Pitchy dude.”

    “Where is the artistry? We’re looking for a package artist”

    “You look beautiful tonight.”

    “I feel like I’m in night club somewhere in Transylvannia.”

    Soooo…. I’m looking for some new enthusiastic blood. If she’s too nice, whatevs. Pretty sure what I typed above is a representative sample of the so called “constructive critiques” from each judge.

  • fearbear

    If Randy, Kara, Paula or Simon actually gave constructive criticism, I would agree.

    I agree! Why is everybody now suddenly acting like the three judges actually give criticism with regards to singing. They don’t even give technical advice when it comes to singing, it’s always either “pitchy” or “incredible”… and even if Paula is a singer, it’s not like she’s Mariah Carey, she doesn’t know the technical aspect of singing as well. So it’s like, whatever. If Randy and Kara can be AI judges with the comments they make, anybody can!

  • Dr. Tracey

    I watched the video and it doesn’t change my mind, I think she’s a terrible idea.
    It’s more about time wasting for me than anything else, 4 judges is bad enough but a fourth judge that just tells jokes (lame ones) and doesn’t offer anything at all constructive is pointless imo.
    If you want to argue that Kara and Randy don’t offer anything constructive either then exactly! so why do we need another useless judge?
    I think Ellen should stick to her talk show but if Idol needs her to bring in viewers then either have her replace Ryan or make her a co-host. I can’t take her on the judges panel.

    Also, I personally find MJ’s site to be the most unbiased and fair site around, that’s the main reason I read it.

  • http://myspace.com/girlgeek mj

    If Ellen is going to be the comic relief on the panel, she’s going to have to brush up on her shtick. That SYTCD performance was painfully unfunny, imo.

    If she’s not going to be critiquing much, she’s at least got to be entertaining. She’s got a lot of work to do honing up the act between now and January.

  • Sassycatz

    I suppose if Oprah can pick the next President, then Ellen can pick the next American Idol.

  • http://twitter.com/cara_lee pj

    I’m not going discount the idea that Ellen will be critiquing. I’m not going to judge her before I see her in action on Idol. I also don’t know if she’ll be funny on Idol. I found her amusing on SYTYCD. Apparently, I’m the only one, but there you go. Mileage. I enjoy self-deprecating humor. She showed self-awareness that she wasn’t a dance expert. *shrugs*

    I also don’t see why she has to be funny and/or give a valid critique when Randy/Paula never delivered either.

    I suppose if Oprah can pick the next President, then Ellen can pick the next American Idol.

    Huh?

  • Circe

    Running out of time was a factor last season and sometimes four judges presented a problem. Succinct, constructive, and substantial are good qualities in a judge when there is a time constraint. I love Ellen, but wonder if she will be a good fit on AI.

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