Ellen DeGeneres joins 'Idol' as fourth judge

[bicker]

They are? Could have fooled me. What are they? I could have sworn I have seen that fat dude hawking something in ads, maybe he is the next Ed McMahon? The next Billy (whatever that dude's name was that screamed out the ads)? Pandering anything and everything?

Both Randy and Simon are record producers. Randy also is a professional musician himself. Simon is actually one of the more successful record company execs out there right now.

Paula was a washed-up, has-been cheerleader, dancer and choreographer. Her only production credits were for an exercise video, and for a reality show about her. She's never been in the position Ellen is in, for example, producing a highly-rated and highly-regarded television program that routinely showcases musical acts.

Hey, we are talking FOX, where shock value is favored over anything else.

The only significant "shock value" That this announcement carries with it is for folks who are homophobic. Ellen is actually a mollifying entity. Simon is far more "shocking". If Fox wanted "shock value", then they'd have chosen someone like Rosie O'Donnell (as you alluded to). Ellen is practically the anti-Rosie.

 

[TNGTony]

The problem is I find Ellen to be annoying to the point of pain! When she did a guest spot on "Dance", her comments were ridiculous! I know they were intended to be funny, but I found them distracting and out of context. (though they are easier to listen to than Mary Murphy's constant screaming!)

 

[long_time_DNC]

They are? Could have fooled me. What are they? I could have sworn I have seen that fat dude hawking something in ads, maybe he is the next Ed McMahon?

Randy and Simon (as has already been said) are recording producers. Randy also plays guitar and bass and played/toured for a time with Journey back in the late 80's and early 90's, playing bass. Kara is a singer/songwriter and owns/operates a songwriting company as well. She's released several albums, though none have done that well and now focuses on songwriting more than performing.

 

[Mike0616]

Randy and Simon (as has already been said) are recording producers. Randy also plays guitar and bass and played/toured for a time with Journey back in the late 80's and early 90's, playing bass. Kara is a singer/songwriter and owns/operates a songwriting company as well. She's released several albums, though none have done that well and now focuses on songwriting more than performing.

Being a "record producer" or "owning a songwriting company" is kind of a nebulous credit. If you had ever lived in the LA area, you know that EVERYONE (and yes, I mean everyone) in the area are: writers, actors, producers, own their own production companies, etc. Of course, they support themselves by waiting tables, cooking at McD's, etc.


As for Randy being a part of Journey, that is a bit of a stretch. According to web-sites I can find, he was a studio musician who filled in for them in the mid-late 80s (85-87) which was AFTER the band had broken up and the original members had gone their separate ways. By the time the band reunited, he was long gone from their cast. Still, that is much more of an accomplishment than what I thought of him, from the bits I have seen of the show. And I thought he was just another adman for one of the many bogus "we will send you medical supplies if you call the 800 number NOW" companies".....

 

[bicker]

Being a "record producer" or "owning a songwriting company" is kind of a nebulous credit.

Not in these cases. In these cases, Simon, Randy, and Kara, their credentials are legit and significant.

 

[ripnbigc]

Is it a smelly turd, or a really smelly turd?