Ellen DeGeneres to Be Nice, Confront Simon Cowell on American Idol

As loyal American Idol viewers, we're concerned.

The more we hear from Ellen DeGeneres, the more we think she's the wrong woman for the job of American Idol judge. Speaking to Ryan Seacrest on his radio show today, the comedian said:

“I’m not going to be mean. I hate it when Simon’s that mean," she said, adding that she'll tell Cowell that to his face when it happens.

That's a problem, though: we love it when Simon is mean, or at least when he's honest about a singer's ability or performance. No one wants to hear false, flowing praise from any of the judges.

DeGeneres did have kind words for Paula Abdul, whose fan base she hopes not to offend by taking a seat next to Simon, Randy Jackson and Kara DioGuardi.

“I hope Paula’s OK with it,” she said. “I don’t want anyone to think I took Paula’s job away. Paula was a huge part of the show, and that’s a role that needs to be filled by someone in a totally different way."

What will her way entail? According to Ellen, she's a "fan like everybody else."

“Ultimately, it doesn’t come down to some expert in the music industry, it comes down to the person at home that says, ‘That’s the person I relate to and whose records I’m going to buy.’ I hope to be that voice.”

But that voice is Simon's! Viewers at home don't sit around, gushing over every contestant. They bash various singers to their friends and yearn to actually utter the critiques that Cowell delivers on a weekly basis.