Ellen DeGeneres follows in Cowell’s footsteps

“American Idol” judge Ellen DeGeneres unexpect­edly quit the top-rated television singing show on Thursday.


Express July 30, 2010

“American Idol” judge Ellen DeGeneres unexpectedly quit the top-rated television singing show on Thursday, saying it was not the right fit for her.

The popular US talk show host and comedian, whose addition to the panel had largely disappointed viewers, gave a statement saying, “A couple of months ago, I let (TV network) Fox and the “American Idol” producers know that this didn’t feel like the right fit for me.”

“It was a difficult decision to make, but my work schedule became more than I bargained for. I also realised that while I love discovering, supporting and nurturing young talent, it was hard for me to judge people and sometimes hurt their feelings,” she added.

“We love Ellen and understand and support her decision to bow out of ‘Idol’,” said Peter Rice, chairman of entertainment at the Fox Networks Group. “We were fortunate to receive the humour, energy and love for talent that she brought to the show.”

DeGeneres was hired last summer to replace the volatile but popular Paula Abdul, who quit in a contract renewal dispute. DeGeneres was expected to bring humour and new viewers to the show, but the choice was widely criticised because she lacked music industry credentials. TV critics and many fans also felt she lacked chemistry.

DeGeneres, who signed a five-year contract with “Idol” in 2009, is the second judge to quit the show this year. Sardonic British judge Simon Cowell left in May to launch his own talent show, which is scheduled to debut in late 2011.

Viewership for “American Idol” continued to slip this year, falling to an average 24.1 million viewers overall, from a high of 30.8 million in 2006.

Cowell’s replacement has not yet been announced and rumour has it that a wholesale revamp of the show and the judges may be underway for the show’s tenth season.

Reports have also come in that Chris Isaak, Sir Elton John, Justin Timberlake and Jessica Simpson were options as judges, but as of yet nothing has been confirmed.

The latest rumour is that Jennifer Lopez is close to signing a contract to be the show’s new judge and her manager put the deal into motion a month ago. Lopez was a guest mentor and performed on the show, but as of yet her representative, Fox and producer Fremantle Media are staying quiet about it.

The surprise departure of DeGeneres leaves producers with just two judges, Randy Jackson and Kara DioGuardi, one month before auditions in front of the panel begin in September. DioGuardi’s year-to-year contract had not been renewed till this week and Jackson has a year left on his contract.

Pakistani fans have their own opinion about judge DeGeneres.

“I am quite sad to see Ellen DeGeneres go. I thought she was funny and usually gave good, solid advice and constructive criticism. I think the show will be a complete flop now that Simon Cowell’s gone and even DeGeneres has left,” Tasmia Ahmad said.

However, Sania Khan believes that the show has lost its spark. “The excitement of the first few seasons of ‘American Idol’ was different and I don’t follow it closely anymore because it’s lost its essence and has become commercial. It’s now more gossip than talent. I did see a few episodes with Ellen DeGeneres as a judge and I thought she was trying too hard, she wasn’t a good fit because she had no background in music.”

WITH INFORMATION FROM REUTERS

Published in The Express Tribune, July 31st, 2010.

COMMENTS (2)

Ali Faruq | 13 years ago | Reply Yeah man Kara also got fired.. Wow the show will really stink this year! Without Simon it was already predicted to be a sure shot failure.
Fauzia | 13 years ago | Reply Lack of currency in this article my friend, trashy Kara got fired, Randy's still going to irritate everyone with the constant dawging this season as well, and joining him is Jennifer Lopez and Stephen Tyler. All this via votefortheworst.com i.e. VFTW btw, HI GUYS! We love you in Pakistan too!
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