Ellen DeGeneres' Live 'American Idol' Debut: Experts Weigh In
I was interviewed by MTV this morning about Ellen DeGeneres' first live show on American Idol:
"It was an OK debut," said Rickey Yaneza, webmaster of "Idol" blog Rickey.org. "It really reinforced, though, that Simon is the star judge of the show, and I even felt like they were propping him up a bit, romanticizing him by having her sit at the other end."Yaneza said after only one live show — and a handful of well-received pre-taped Hollywood rounds — it's obviously a bit early to form an opinion on DeGeneres' impact, but he wondered if she was going to be able to provide the kind of substantive, sometimes cutting commentary Cowell has made his signature. "Her comments were kind of rambling, and she didn't say much — mostly 'I like you,' which isn't of much substance," he said. "If she's the judge that will prop up contestants [in the absence of former judge Paula Abdul], there weren't too many high points."
Yaneza's biggest worry is that, based on her first night of live judging, DeGeneres won't be the person who can or will bridge the gap when Cowell leaves. "It was painfully clear last night that Simon Cowell is the judge you listen to," he said. "I think she held herself well ... and hopefully Ellen will bring more later on. She's smart. She'll get this right."