Ellen Degenes Joins American Idol, Paula Abdul Twitter Pics

ELLEN DeGeneres says she will be honest in her new role as American Idol popstar maker, as Paula Abdul reacts:

“I think it’s going to be hard, but as my career has grown… I’ve learned how to be tougher and learned how to say no – I think I can do it, and I think I can do it in a respectful way.”

Honesty is the best policy:

On the same day her hiring was announced, some of the world’s largest recording companies – including Sony, where Simon Cowell lives – Universal and EMI – are suing Ellen’s show, claiming its producers violated their copyrights by playing more than 1,000 songs without permission – many of the songs were allegedly played during a segment where DeGeneres dances through the audience.

As Buffalo News adds:

But what, you ask, does she know about pop music? Quite a bit: Her show is, in large part, about music, albeit dance (and over the summer she finally took lessons from professionals).

No, not lawyers, Other professionals, allegedly.

So Ellen learnt all she know about music from her daytime telly show, which is being sued for copyright infringements. But what of Paula Abdul, the head on hands former Idol judge now replaced by Degeneres? Well, news is that she is lucid:

“American Idol is a fantastic show that offers an invaluable platform to young talent. Ellen DeGeneres is wildly funny and talented in her own right. I wish her and the show only the best of luck.”

And then to re-enforce just how happy-happy-happy she is, Abdul wrote on Twitter:

Abdul says she wishes DeGeneres “the best of luck,” and that she (prepare for Twitter/IM lingo) “will b a gr8 judge on Idol.“

Abdul is taking the news well. I’t sGrrrrrrrrrr… It’s Grrrrrrrr… It’s Greeeeee..8!. But can she take second hit? News reaches us that Degeneres has scored a role as judge on the The Shine A Light program, which recognises everyday small businesses.

Up for the big one is The Cheese Lady, one of a mere 1,965 online nominees competing for a chance at a $50,000 grant and $50,000 in marketing support.

“The Cheese Lady began selling high-end, gourmet cheeses at the Muskegon Farmers Market over five years ago,” Berntson said in his nomination. “Kathleen has turned selling cheese into an art form.”

Along with Fashion icon Diane Von Furstenberg, MSNBC’s J.J. Ramberg, Degeneres will pick the final three. It’s an American Idol for capitalism.

Come on, Paula. Get your new business started. Ellen is here to help…