Ellen DeGeneres may not have years of experience in the music industry, but who cares? Her ability to sit still, be quiet, and (oh. em. gee.) actually pay attention to what’s happening on the stage in front of her could set an exciting new precedent for American Idol‘s generally frustrating judges’ panel: Yes indeed, the show is actually about discovering the next generation of music superstars, not watching four nimrods at a table drawing mustaches on each other, misstating pertinent facts about music history, and finding new and annoying ways to make the phrase “you gave it 100 percent” their own.
So yes, despite my early fears that Ellen would be too focused on punch lines to give legitimate critiques, I’m exiting her first hour of Idol feeling relieved, hopeful, and maybe just a little psyched. Not only did the comedian/talk-show host treat the Paula Abdul Memorial Chair with a level of dignity and purpose that it had never before experienced, but she wasn’t afraid to dole out tough criticism when necessary. Tonight, with just a few minutes of screen time, we heard Ellen telling Idol wannabes they were frightening, boring, and not yet ready for the big stage — something her “Straight Up”-singing predecessor was never quite able to pull off.
And unlike Paula, when Ellen offered her praise tonight, it seemed informed and passionate, not knee-jerk and suspect. [SPOILER ALERT, WEST-COASTERS!]. And the fact that Ellen (and Simon, Kara, and Randy) found reason to get stoked is good news indeed, seeing how the lackluster season 9 audition rounds had left me feeling kinda dubious about the talent level this year. Guitar-playing divas like Janell Wheeler and Crystal Bowersox, inventive arrangers like Andrew Garcia and Lilly Scott, and several other contestants proved that a newcomer might be able to find room in my heart (as well as on the charts) alongside last season’s powerhouse Kradison troika.
What did you think of tonight’s Day One at Hollywood Week episode? Did Ellen exceed/fall short of your expectations? Did Kara’s misrepresentation of season 8 history leave you scratching your head? More on that last-referenced ridiculousness in my full TV Watch recap, which is live now. Until then, head on down to the message boards to share your thoughts, and by all means, make like @thedavidcook and follow me on Twitter @EWMichaelSlezak. (Hot-ass interview with the season 7 champ embedded below, for your entertainment!)
Image Credit: Michael Becker/Fox
She was fantastically hilarious. I didn’t expect it.
Right on. I totally dug her honesty.
It was obvious the show was edited as opposed to when they go live. They probably took out a lot of lame attempts by Ellen to joke around and we’re drumming up a somewhat “leadership role” with her. What’s with her crazy eyes? Those have to be fake-colored contacts. She’ll be the downfall of the show after Simon leaves.
Now we’ll be stuck with 3 simpletons and whatever “big name” they’ll replace Simon with and the show will tank.
You obviously know sooo very little.
Her eyes are not “fake-colored contacts”, they are her naturally blue eyes.
It’s rather “obvious” that you don’t like Ellen, but yes, those are her real, beautiful blue eyes, and yes, her humor was much appreciated by the majority of viewers.
(Btw, of course it’s bloody edited, it is television after all.)
I love her so much! so funny.
KRIS ALLEN pulled off one of the biggest coups last season when he overtook Danny Gokey by FLIPPING Heartless, which put in the finals with Adam Lambert.
KRIS ALLEN took a rap song and with his ACOUSTIC guitar and cool vibe put himself in the finale…showing that he had artistry AND creativity, plus could play an instrument…and that skankk Kara thought of Adam???
That was one of the biggest coups last season and the Heartless version that Kris Allen did was the biggest seller of season 8…and Kara can’t remember that???
What a dumb bitcch.
lol, relax gurl.
Maybe because that ‘BRILLIANT” cover was exactly like the Fray’s version.
Actually it wasn’t…but nice try Glamberts.
you gotta chill woman! I hate to say this,I was never a fan of Adam last season (I was Matt’s fan) but IMHO that Lambert dude is by far the most talented, original contestant in the history of Idol. And I don’t think they can compare anyone to him. i still get amazed at his Tears for fears performance.But I am still Matt’s fan…Go Matt!
issues much?
Adam was far from the most talented.
Adam can’t write music.
Adam can’t arrange songs.
Adam can’t play one instrument.
Adam is basically a karaoke singer.
Well, Kris’s problem was that he was forgetable, his performances were kind of dull, he kind of lacked energy. He was more like a wedding Singer. I liked Danny’s voice better and Allison’s energy. It is sad though that still they failed to even mention Kris’s name once, afterall he won the show, too shame!.
Adam vs Kris?? That is so last season.
Adam has been a big joke after Idol…lol
Allison has more chops than that Drag Queen any day.
Seriously. I was like, “ARE YOU FREAKING KIDDING ME??” That was such a Kris Allen thing to do to a song, that I was SURE someone was going to mention it. And then she pulls the Adam card? On a beautifully subtle, masterfully arranged acoustic take on a song? Really, Kara?? And I thought my opinion of her could sink no lower. How very wrong of me.
HoneyBee, I love how to tell it like it is.
I could not agree with you more (well maybe not the dumb B comment but…) serioulsy – what he did with Straight Up was Straight Out of the Kris Allen Playbook – so for her to say it was like Adam was crazy.
I can’t believe people are still fighting over last season. I have not heard either Kris or Adam on the radio. That’s how I judge whether a singer is successful or not. I don’t think either will still be around a year from now.
My thoughts exactly! My husband and I were screaming at the TV when she did that! Why this show constantly feels the need to pimp Adam, I’ll never be able to figure out. Are they STILL pissed he didn’t win? And I actually used to like Adam. He was in my top 3 faves last year. I’m just getting sick of having him shoved down my throat (pun not intended).
Actually, that was more of a David Cook thing to do to a song since most of both Adam’s & Kris’s “rearrangements” were not exactly “original.” Andrew’s probably wasn’t either – I’m betting someone will find some obscure cover out there that sounds just like Andrew’s, and has been out there for 10 years or something. And it still amazes me that after all this time, Kris fans STILL try to refute that his cover was just like The Fray’s.
Anyone who thinks Kris’s cover of “Heartless” is “exactly” like The Fray’s either hasn’t listened to both versions, knows nothing about music, or is just a crazy Glambert who can’t admit Kris’s talent.
When are they going to stop shoving Adam down our throats!! Acoustic re-arrangement is not Adam. STFU about him already!
Yeah I agree, Kris is definitely the re-arranger. Adam did too, but not to Kris’s extent.
I thought the exact same thing, Snag!
Sorry Snagglepuss. Kris Allen took Mia’s version of Kanye’s Heartless practically verbatim. Mia from Taking the Stage on MTV. Mia who did her accoustic version at least a month before Kris did his live on TV. Mia who is fantastically talented and could blow Kris Allen out of the water. Ohhh! But I forget…Kris Aleen has already been blown out of the water…by Adam!
Uh….Kris Allen was doing The Fray’s version of Heartless…so let’s not give him too much credit. Nonetheless he deserved to win.
Actually when I think of go to names for epic AI arrangers, the first ones that come to mind are David Cook and Blake Lewis. Then maybe Kris and Chris. Adam not so much. But this is Kara we’re talking about. What do you expect?
I thought Ellen was pretty good.
Do you recall Adam’s version of Cher’s BELIEVE during Hollywood Week? That’s why Kara referred to Adam after Andrew Sheldon’s performance. Kris never performed during Hwood week because he never made an impression obviously and didn’t show this talent at an early stage. So Kara was right to refer to Adam because Adam changed up songs THROUGHOUT THE AI8 SEASON.
Michael Idk why you got your panties in a knot over this one :s
Is Ellen Racist? Did you notice that she didn’t like a single black singer’s performance. Not one. Simon and Paula have always been more open to R&B singers of all races than Randy and Kara. With Ellen on board, mark my words we will see a sharp decline in black finalists.
I was so worried about Ellen, whom I love otherwise, being a judge. In just those few snippets, I think my fear is alleviated. She actually did PAY ATTENTION to the performances and focused on HOW the performance came across and was, well, performed. I’m feeling better about Season 9. I would however like Paula back to replace either Randy or Kara.
I love her. That is all.
I so want a copy of Andrew Garcia’s “Straight Up.” And I loved Janell and Crystal and Lilly (although Lilly needs some styling help).
Yeah, she looks like Taylor Hicks’ baby sister with that hair color, but she’s good!
Her hair was not even that nice of a silver. It was some blue/grey Golden Girls weirdness, like she was auditioning for American Hipster Cat Lady.
Her hair was not even that nice of a silver. It was some blue/grey Golden Girls weirdness, like she was auditioning for American Hipster Cat Lady Idol.
Ditto on Garcia’s arrangement. That was Adam Lambert/Kris Allen level awesome!
Btw, I was pleasantly surprised with Ellen tonight.
Still, NO HOWARD STERN!!! PLEASE NO!!!
James, right on! And I too love Garcia’s arrangement – would happily buy it today!
Michael, great assessment. I twin you on delight and surprise at Ellen as idol judge. Ellen, you rock!
If Howard is on, i am gone forever.
absolutely Mel! My first thought: when can I get it on itunes??
I have to completely agree with you. My husband and I were talking about it this morning while laying in bed and I said that I was going to have to YouTube it! It would be awesome if it was on iTunes for a download; keep our fingers crossed, I guess?
I missed the first ten minutes and maybe missed Kara’s “misrepresentation of season 8 history.” Somebody fill me in?
I think Slezak is referring to Andrew Garcia’s audition. The guy is short, wears plaid, plays guitar and sang Paula Abdul’s Straight Up. He did his own version, made is slow and angsty. Then Kara said she liked it and said he reminded her of Adam the way he rearranged the song.
While Adam did make songs his own, Kris is known as the plaid wearing-guitar playing song rearranger.
even a year later AI can’t give Kris the credit he deserved!
Didn’t Cook rearrange songs too? Thanks for embedding the hotttt interview! I can’t wait for his second album.
KARA…YOU’RE A STUPID IDIOT BEE-OTCH.
David Cook was really the first to seriously rearrange songs. Kris was the one who not only rearranged songs last year, but helped others do it as well. Adam helped others, but was more about production. The songs that he “reinterpreted” actually were just his versions of someone else’s “reinterpretations.” Which is what Cook did with “Billie Jean” as it was essentially Chris Cornell’s version that he performed. Still, Garcia’s “Straight Up” was one of the Top 5 of the night, if not the top. Kara is just a dolt (as is Randy who in an earlier episode couldn’t remember Blake Lewis from Season 6.)
Yeah, I thought Kara was going to say he was like Kris with that kind of arrangement on guitar…then she goes to say it was like Adam, and I was like,WHAT? I mean, Adam is awesome, but Andrew reminded me more of Kris, for sure! I also would love to hear that version of “straight up” again! GO Andrew! Also loved that girl, Lilly was it? Who sang Kara’s song, and even Simon liked her a lot.. she is really pretty.
Adam was not the first Idol to rearrange songs – Clarkson, Bo, Daughtry, Cook, Archie, Allen & even Fantasia all did the same with great (and some scary) results. Love Adam but he wasn’t the first nor will he be the last. Loved Ellen and found tonight to be the first enjoyable epi so far this season. Go Garcia, Didi & Crystal!
LOL she was just having Hollywood Week memories of Adam taking a female pop song and turning into a plaintive ballad, ie. Cher’s Believe. It was no slight, it was the first thing that popped into my head too.
Andrew Garcia WAS PLAYING A GUITAR, WEARING PLAID AND SINGING THE SONG IN COOL VIBE.
Nothing like Adam did when he sang the Cher song.
So quit lying.
Oh, so plaid is the key? Everyone who wears plaid this season and plays a guitar should be compared to Kris Allen. So noted. Too bad I haven’t heard a thing about Kris since last season ended.
Maybe because Kara has a FINANCIAL interest in pushing Adam since she wrote songs for his CD.
Kris and Cook are not a fame whores like Glambert.
–Too bad I haven’t heard a thing about Kris since last season ended.–
So, um, you haven’t been on this site since the end of last season?
Maybe I’m wrong, but I thought Blake Lewis was pretty good and reworking a song and did it before David Cook or Kris Allen. Don’t get me wrong I love David Cook and adored Kris Allen when he was leading worship in a Little Rock church but Blake Lewis and what he did to Bon Jovi was AWESOME!
Poor Blake Lewis. His career must be over. I saw him last week in a gay night club in Ft. Lauderdale with no cover charge and he sounded so amateurish. I can’t believe he’s already down to performing in clubs with no cover. He did his best but its hard to believe he came in 2nd place in a huge contest like American Idol.
She compared Andrew Garcia’s re-arangement of “Straight Up” to the way that Adam would re-arrange songs… when I guess it was more Kris’s style (not to mention the guitar/plaid combo)
Yeah, agreed. My wife and I were like “wha? Kris was the one that did those awesome arrangements” Nice to see we weren’t the only ones.
What Kara was referring to was Adam taking a “girl” song and switching it up for “Hollywood” week. I don’t think she was comparing anyone to what Kris OR Adam did once they made it to the final group of contestants…just simply that first time when the gender line was crossed along with the tempo. Reference Adam’s take on Cher’s Do You Believe.
That is lie.
First Andrew Garcia WAS PLAYING A GUITAR, WEARING PLAID AND SINGING THE SONG IN COOL VIBE.
Nothing like Adam did when he sang the Cher song.
So quit lying.
to BingBing
yeh~~~yeh~~you go BING for Chris and BONG for Chris??! hahaha!!!
cillllleeeeex mate!!
OK thanks guys! I actually did catch that, but I’m ashamed to say I only thought of her forgetting David Cook who was the first to really change up song arrangements on the show. I love Kris, I can’t believe I didn’t think of him.
If she had said Cook it would be fine, because there’s a strong connection. But remember, her first season was the last one, so the first to her mind would be those in Season 8. If she was going to reference someone from that season it should have been Kris.
Also, would like to point out that while Adam did rearrange his music, I really doubt we’ll find another person this or any other season that will remind us of him. He’s awesome and glam and great, but her comparison of Andrew should have been to another singer/songwriter type. She had many to choose from and she failed miserably. And passed up a chance to name drop the champ, which would have just been good marketing. I don’t really understand Kara.
When did that Tranny Adam Lambert re-arrange music?
lol
She has never re-arrange any music.
HoneyBee you sad poor homophobic!!
shame on you!!
I was wondering how many people caught the Adam changing up the songs reference–we all know who that was, and Adam was not the first. Really enjoyed the Cook interview-great questions, instead of the same old ones that are asked over and over again.
I got kind of annoyed when Kara said that, because actually Kris re-arranged songs way more than Adam and in a more original way.
I mean as far as last season is concerned
Agree! Kara is not the sharpest tool in the shed.
Give me a break, when are you Kris fans going to get over the fact Adam has way more sales than the “winner”?
I know, I thought that too.
KARA IS STUPID IDIOT. Kris was the guy who flipped songs, played a guitar and chilled the plaid…not Adam Lamebert.
What a stupid cow.
Adam’s “Tracks of My Tears” was completely his own and one of my absolute favorites from last season. His interpretation of “If I Can’t Have You” was also gorgeous. Really, I thought he put his own unique spin on every song he sang. Why are people so angry? He came in second. Chill.
Adam said that both songs “If I can’t have You” and “Tracks of my tears” was re-arranged by Idol’s Michael Orland.
Adam said he had *the help* of Michael Orland. As in, they worked together. You guys REALLY need to get over this “Kris was better!” or “Adam was better!” shit. Kris won, Adam was second, they’re both doing OK on charts, Adam’s more marketable internationally, *they* obviously love each other. GET. OVER. IT. Different strokes for different folks.
You want to slam someone, fine, slam Kara for making a (surprise surprise) weird observation on AI. She’s not the first judge to do it, she won’t be the last.
Also, homophobic name-calling? Referencing Adam as “she”? How classy…
Lisa is sooo right!!!
chill!!! guys~~
Love your review of the show. Loved Ellen and yes Kara is ridic on some things! Enjoyed Andrew Garcia reboot of Straight Up!
Too many shots of unbridled laugher for Ellen’s “jokes”, but otherwise she did good!
Ellen did a fantastic job! I also absolutely LOVED Andrew Garcia…I think they should just give him a pass to the semi-finals after his version of Straight Up. So daring and different and amazing!
LOVE ELLEN.
Always have.
Always will.
I admit, I wasn’t too psyched about her on Idol at first. I thought it might ruin her awesome reputation if she was awful and didn’t fit well.
But to my delight, I found her refreshing tonight. I can’t wait to see what happens throughout this season. x
Ellen rocks! I think she’s really going to add something new to the show this year. Glad she’s aboard. Just might be a great season ahead!
She did a really nice job. It was a breath of fresh air. As Michael said, I liked that they were listening and actually responding to the artists and not coming up with some random stuff that makes it more about them then it was about the contestants. I hope this continues, I think she provides something different and she is so quick. I can’t wait til it’s live.
Didi was incredible. I want her rendition of that Kara song on iTunes NOW.
Me too! I had to rewind to catch her name. Totally rooting for Didi!
Agreed, I hope this girl goes at least top 12 in the competition, she was fantastic and that song was very nice. Liked her little rendition more than Kat McPhee’s!
Ellen impressed me. I was pleasantly surprised.
Kara on the other hand, Andrew was just like Kris Kara you dufus. Do you remember She Works Hard for her Money and Heartless?!!!
I still miss Paula, but Ellen was fun to watch. She always is. I’m not sure being “fun” is going to cut it for the whole season.
The guy who did ‘Straight Up’ was great but check out You Tube. People have done it before he did. I was really surprised by that Casey guy. Didn’t like his audition, but he wowed me in H-Wood. Ellen was ok, but I still don’t get why she got the job. Kara is still annoying.
David Cook said he consulted Youtube when making song choices, to find different arrangements.
Yes! I was waiting for someone to mention Casey James. He completely blew me away. He was so bluesy/soulful…Loved it! Didn’t remember his audition, but he i one of my favs now along with Andrew Garcia and Lily scott. Also glad to see that I am not the only one who caught the Kara Kris/Adam slight. After she said that all I could do was shake my head. I was willing to give her a chance this season but so far…I don’t care about adam vs kris so much (I was an allison.Matt fan) but I agree that I found nothing in what Garcia did anything like any arrange Adam did or would ever do.