Poll: Fans Split About DeGeneres on American Idol; 13 Percent Still Want Abdul Back
Ellen DeGeneres
Ellen DeGeneres wants to provide the "people's point of view" on American Idol, but the people are split about her addition to the show, according to a TVGuide.com poll: Voters were almost evenly divided over whether she'll be a good judge.
Despite a permanent new judge in place, 13 percent of voters still want Paula Abdul to reclaim her Idol chair. The remaining votes were split at about 44 percent each between those who do and don't think DeGeneres will be a good addition.
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Abdul has moved on to other gigs, including guest-starring on Drop Dead Diva and hosting VH1 Divas. She is also mulling a Las Vegas revue show.
"Wow all went down fast," Idol host Ryan Seacrest tweeted. "yes ellen d will be coming to idol. she and paula are both very good friends of mine. E.D. On radio show 2morrow"
DeGeneres, who appeared as a guest judge on So You Think You Can Dance last season, admits she has no background in music, but she believes that could play to her advantage as she judges alongside industry veterans Randy Jackson, Kara DioGuardi and Simon Cowell.
"I sit at home and I watch it, and I don't have that technical ... I'm not looking at it in a critical way from the producer's mind," the comedienne said on her talk show. "I'm looking at it as a person who is going to buy the music and is going to relate to that person."
News: Abdul's manager: "No discussions whatsoever" regarding Idol
America's Got Talent judge Sharon Osbourne believes the funny woman will inject a breath of fresh air into the show. "It's new blood. And [American Idol] needed something new to happen," she told People.
Season 8 contestant Anoop Desai called DeGeneres' addition "cool," via Twitter.
