Ellen replaces Paula on "Idol"... ummm... what?

I might have been less surprised had the producers of that all-too-popular juggernaut "American Idol" announced that Whitney Houston would replace Paula Abdul as the fourth judge on its panel. After all, they'd be replacing one drugged-out ex-musician with another. No big deal.

But, Ellen DeGeneres? That's a move that even stops me in my tracks -- and as readers of Channel Surfing know -- this blog is not a fan of "Idol."

It's true. The comedian-talk show host will join Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson and Kara DioGuardi after the auditions. Granted, you could have replaced Paula with a chimpanzee and gotten more intelligent assessments, but are "Idol" producers trying to make fun of themselves by inviting Ellen to join them? As a fan of Ellen's work, I'm truly puzzled. An "Idol" fan, she may be, but nothing else in her resume qualifies her -- except perhaps her work as spazzy Dory on "Finding Nemo" -- to judge this show. I guess, "Idol" has finally succumbed to its fate as a pathetic excuse for a talent competition with this move.

And, oddly enough, that's making me more curious to watch it. Now, "Idol" fans -- I'm sure many of you read this here blog -- weigh in. Do you feel insulted or excited by this move?

--Malavika Jagannathan, mjaganna@greenbaypressgazette.com