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!!

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’ ¦.

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.

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.

Sounds like she is talking about Paula.

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

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.

THIS

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.

So they are moving Hollywood Week to January…

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.

This is a life lesson for Paula, she should NEVER of walked away from something so good for her.

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.

If she could do this with wit and wisdom then this will be a good hire.

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!