Ellen Show no swang song!
Sly dogs, alright!
Of course, I am referring to the producers at "American Idol".
On the (tottering) heels of Abdul's controversial departure (boo hoo) from the popular highly-rated nightime entertainment show, the suits at Fox gave the impression that they were content to play a game of "musical chairs" in respect to the fourth Judge on the "American Idol" panel.
The stardust barely settled, for example, when the execs at the scrappy network announced that Posh Spice (for starters) would sit in for a round of talent-scouting come the new season (with other high-profile celebs to follow suit).
In retrospect, it now appears that it was all alot of smoke-and-mirrors.
Especially - when you consider that the Fox brass not only courted Ellen DeGeneres in a clandestine fashion behind-the-scenes since July - but signed a pact with the gutsy gay activist for a five-year gig!
Although Ellen loves to dance (a lesiure-time activity shock-jock Howard Stern tends to poke fun at) she has no background in music.
The effervescent talk-show host doesn't find that a stumbling block at all, though.
"Hopefully, I'm the people's point of view," she gushed to her adoring fans during a taping of the show yesterday, when she first announced the stunning surprise news.
"I sit at home and watch it. I'm not going to look at it in a critical way. I'm looking at it as a person who is going to buy the music and is going to relate to the person."
Actually, a guest appearance on - "So, you think you can dance" - triggred the courtship.
In fact, when the powers-that-be realized in that Abdul was not going to be an easy "lock-in" for the upcoming season (without a hefty hike in pay from the old cash-cow) they began to eye Ellen for the hot seat.
Then, a whirlwind of negotiatons commenced with power-brokers at ICM.
When the news filtered backed to Warner Brothers (producer and distrubutor of the Ellen Show) they were also inclined to spring into action to protect their own best interests.
Lucky Ellen managed to nab a lucative three-year extention with the studio big-wigs.
Smart cookie!
As Shakespear once said:
"I've never seen such a young body with such an old head."
As to judging talent, well, obviously DeGeneres will be a contestant's dream.
Instead of critizing from a technical musical standpoint, she'll be pulling for the one tugging at her heart strings.
As to Simon? Inquiring mind want to know - will they snuggle up close - or scratch each other's eyes out.
Meow!
