Say what you will about goofy Paula--and I've said a lot--but you can't take away her 11 charted records (six #1's). She knows the business. I can't imagine Ellen, funny as she can be, adding much to the judging.

Exceedingly odd choice, in my mind.

I am very disappointed in the selection of Ellen DeGenerate for judge of idol. I will never watch it again.

Oh no! I am not to sure about Ellen Degeneres as a judge. It might be time to move on.

Don't they want young people to watch this show anymore? Is the daytime talk show demographic the same as American Idol's?

I can't imagine Ellen adding anything to this show. I didnt know she was a musical expert. Its a joke, and I won't watch it, if this is true.

Almost sounds like someone lost a bet somewhere in all this mess...

This is horrible news! Paula was a sweet and wonderful person who complimented Simon and Randy. That was sad news when she left but now to replace her with Degeneres? That is devastating. I decided not to watch it again.

Concur with most of you. I could care less about Ellen's sexual proclivities. But I just don't get her "humor", think she tends to be obnoxious on a regular basis and am really repulsed by her overhaul position on entertainment issues. I think this is a BAD choice, and while I didn't watch A. I much before I for SURE won't watch it now. I have always liked Paula Abdul and think they should have given her at least CLOSE to what they gave the others. I think she deserved it.

I think she is a good pick. Witty and humorous. I don't think she will need the music background to make this work. My daughters disagree though, they said they will miss the fights between Simon and Paula and they did not like the Ellen idea at all.

ELLEN IS FUNNY THATS FOR SURE! BUT THIS SHOW ISN'T FOR FINDING THE NEXT AMERICAN COMEDY IDOL. HMMMMMM BRING BACK PAULA!

I would rather watch the Gardner get the bushwhacker out and trim the hedges than listen to any Ellen thinks she knows about the music industry and talent.

I, as a musician, don’t feel she, Ellen, is a good replacement for Paula.

bad, bad, bad, bad choice. if they put her on this show, I will never watch it again, and everyone I have talked to has voiced the same opinion. She adds nothing to the show that is positive.Why didn't they get someone like Marie Osmond?
Scraping the bottom of the bucket- and the bucket has a hole in it.

This is the best thing to happen to this show which neede some kind of boost. I vowed never to watch it again...but now with Ellen in one of the seats...I just might.

umm you all are idiots... paula is the reason 50% of people dont watch that stupid show... at least with ellen we could get a couple laughs... paula adds nothing

SKK: Thanks for adding to the discussion by calling everyone idiots. I think Paula added more than we realize ... the addition of Kara last season showed me that Paula was adding something to the judges' table that we hadn't noticed before. But I guess I'm just an idiot!

Paula is not an idiot. She maybe a goof ball at times, but aren't most talented people to an extent. She was in the music industry and she enjoyed what she did. She is also a brilliant choreographer. Considering the high ratings that Idol brought in. Paula didn't keep too many people away. Watch the ratings this year, and if they take a hit with Ellen at the judge's tables, which I suspect they will. I hope RollaCoasta comes back on here and admits that they were wrong. If they don't I will admit I was wrong.

Ellen's schtick is going to be really bad for this show. Hate how she always pretends she doesn't know what's going on...or wait! Maybe that's why the judges brought her on since Paula did that! Really though, this is a terrible decision. Aren't the judges supposed to have some credibility in the subjects they are judging? Ellen said she will bring the "regular" person's view to the show, but I have my own "regular" opinions and am looking for an expert's opinon. I'm sure the contestents who put their heart and sole into performing will love it when she critiques their performance with a joke, making it all about her.

I read the same "regular person" quote Strawberry references.

The fan voting is how they get the "regular person's" input. You don't need a judge for that.

I have never been able to watch more than 5 minutes of this show, but I might make an exception for Ellen. I enjoyed what she contributed to SYTYCD last season when she was a guest judge. Now to get all those people to stop singing ...

I know Ellen is personable and funny but AI will not be the same without Paula.

Does anyone really know Ellen.. I think she is a fake. She may be funny at times but it does not add up. (example) Ok it is like this.... Michael Jordan is playing basketball and he gets hurt during a play.....coach goes we need a sub.. hey wait there is a guy in the stands with a MJ shirt on... Lets put him in. It is about the same thing.... No one in there right mind would do that... So why did they do that. Well I am done watching

Ellen is a fine choice, I hated Paula... If you think her saying "you look stunning tonight" is constructive then you are crazy. The judges don't make difference, I watch if there's good talent... If not I skip that year. I love how everyone is saying they aren't going to watch it now, it's too bad they are all blatently lying.

I will miss Paula...it won't be the same without her!!

Well personally i think that if you think that Paula was on drugs your on drugs if you thought she was stupid and made no sense your stupid and made no sense!
LOVE YOU PAULA! WILL MISS YOU AND CAN GARENTEE I WON'T BE WATCHING IDOL THIS YEAR! so here's to you all you Paula haterz! y'allz have bad TASTE in charecter