Randy Jackson Answers: Does Ellen DeGeneres Have Enough Experience to Judge on 'Idol?'

Randy Jackson Answers: Does Ellen DeGeneres Have Enough Experience to Judge on 'Idol?'
Copyright 2009 Ethan Miller Charley Gallay / Getty Images
"American Idol" judge Randy Jackson reacts to the news that talk show host Ellen DeGeneres will be joining him on the show, and reveals what he thinks she'll bring to the judge's table.

"[Ellen] can be the voice of the people among us," Jackson said on "Fox & Friends" Thursday morning, responding to a question of whether it was "okay" for Ellen to be judging, considering she doesn't have any music experience. "I think between me, Simon [Cowell] and Kara [DioGuardi], there's enough musical experts to go around right there."

Jackson said he's known the talk show host for a long time and calls her a good friend. "Dude, listen, I love Ellen. ... I think she's going to bring a really interesting, different perspective to the people [and] to the panel."

"American Idol" returns to television in January of next year.

Published 9/10/09 by the Insider

Comments (10)

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  • i mean dog, you know my contract is coming up and dog i got to support the show, you know dog, ellen is cool. NOT! sell out randy - too bad you guys couldn't stuck together like "Friends" did!
    Anonymous 9/13/09 Reply
  • The decline of Idol began with Kara. Now the show will completely end with Ellen. I can't stand to watch her on her talk show let alone Idol. She used to be funny, now she is just annoying.
    Anonymous 9/11/09 Reply
  • Coool........
    NeverLetGo 9/10/09 Reply
  • GOOD LUCK ELLEN.......
    Diane
    Anonymous 9/10/09 Reply
  • Big mistake. She did a horrible job on "So you think you can dance". We should expect "vocal talent" judges to be qualified.
    Anonymous 9/10/09 Reply
  • Ellen is the wrong choice for americal idol. Paula helped make the show. I t was a big mistake to let Paula go. Many of my friends feel thr same way. Bring Paula back and let ellen stick to her talk show
    Anonymous 9/10/09 Reply
  • I will never take Idol seriously again..... The show went way down hill with this anouncement.....It can only be a poor excuse for entertainment.....not a serious search for musical talent......
    Anonymous 9/10/09 Reply
  • I knew Randy would be ok with Ellen. I don't think he has a mean bone in his body. I agree with him. Ellen is going to bring a breath of fresh air to the show and I, personally, am happy to see someone with a different perspective. I wish Ellen all the luck in the world with her new venture.
    NancyK9 9/10/09 Reply
  • Yeah, I think it's a big mistake. I love Ellen too but I don't think she's right for American Idol.
    Anonymous 9/10/09 Reply
  • Yeah! Such a great idea to have Ellen on AI!
    LyndaS3 9/10/09 Reply