The Ellen DeGenius Show, my American Idol

I was guilty of thinking what the hell does Ellen DeGeneres know about judging a singing competition. Within 30 seconds of the show starting I had my answer from the horses mouth. She said "I may not know much about the singing, but I know exactly what it's like to have to stand on a stage and entertain a room full of people". I'm sure that answered many people who had asked the same question, it was as if she was expecting it, she knows how to prepare also. Talking of judges having good, well, judgement, was it not Simon Cowell that had the casting vote on whether Jedward were kept in Britain's got talent? How I would love to be a qualified judge of judges, I would terminate his right to practice on that decision alone.

I was very impressed with Ellen, she bought a bit of comedy to the show in addition to her accurate criticism. It didn't take long for her to prove her worth as a judge as she gave Scary Skiibo back to the wilderness. "You are like a leopard stalking us, don't scare your audience, there is a fine line between scary and sexy". Skiibo, a word of advice from me also, if you gonna be scary you need to be able to sing like Subo, she can get away with it.

I was a little disappointed about how many different performances we got to see and there was also a bit too many flashbacks to the earlier auditions. I think the 2 shows this week were overall confusing and a little mixed up for my liking. The quality was definitely lower from a lot of the singers than they had shown in their first auditions. I was particularly disappointed by Megan Wright, remember her with the little brother, she chose to play the piano and sing at the same time and did neither very well at all. I think firstly instruments should not be allowed, this is a singing competition, and on the surface would seem like an unfair advantage, but the majority of those that played and sung went out of the competition, justice maybe.

Yes, I cried again tonight! Why am I crying at the slightest things in these reality talent shows recently? Last night Vanessa Wolfe turned my water works on, it must be my age, why is it only my water works getting turned on. She was so cute, that Southern accent, it sounds so, unfair. "I'm gonna get to ride on an aeroplane", I love hearing her say that. Her singing didn't do anything for me, or the judges and she got to ride on another aeroplane back again rather quickly. Listen to her mighty fine accent and the part that brought me to tears. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Y_zubEJt8I

I am not a fan of the way they do the yes/no's at this stage. It takes a little of the excitement away when they put 2 obvious qualifiers in the same row, I like the tension created by seeing them told yes or no individually. Ellen did bring a bit of variety to it though by confusing everyone on the planet with her 'Front row step to the left, back row move forward, front row step back routine, I am still not certain who went through. Ellen, I think I am falling for you. Typical, I'm not her type.

Performance of the night went to Andrew Garcia without a doubt, he bravely did a Paula Abdul song which could of gone either way, but Kara was full of praise for the guy who I think will go all the way. The only thing he doesn't have are pop star looks, does he? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0dZyx-v-C3k

Another one in with a good chance has to be Casey James, remember him, the guy with the pony tail who Victoria Beckham got to strip? He had a guitar to cover any similar requests this time and was probably the best with an instrument and flew through to group day without a hitch, or losing a stitch.

Waitress Didi Benami had me reaching for the Kleenex for the second time, I must be a sucker for a Southern belle, she got a yes which means I get to See her again, and so can you if you click the link, you'll also see Crystal Bowersox also getting a yes, however, if she goes all the way I get the feeling she might need to think about a different stage name. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s7oUgpiC31I&feature=related

Lily Scott is another name to look out for in weeks to come, she nailed an Ella Fitzgerald song to join the other 96 in the groups round next. Those of the 85 who heard the dreaded no included 'Whip girl', 16 year old Maddy Curtis who just "Isn't ready yet", cancer survivor Justin Williams surprisingly for me got a bad negative response, as did beatboxer Jay Stone. I did enjoy his reverberating "peace out".

So to 'Group day'. You know I am not a fan of instruments being allowed, I am even less enthusiastic about the fact you have to put your faith in a bunch of people you have never met. The 'Dreamers' were unlucky enough to get Mary Powers, Powers by name and powerful by nature, bossy, dominating and excruciatingly annoying, even if Frank Sinatra had of been in her band he wouldn't of been able to do a thing his way. What she doesn't know about making it in show business ain't worth knowing, how old is she? Where is she? P-P-Pleeeaaasssseeee. The annoying thing is she made it through and her unfortunate band 'mates' didn't.

I think the makers of the show spent all their budget on the judges, there was nothing left for rehearsal rooms. Maraya managed to find some space when she came up with the idea of using the same closet she used in last seasons idol, it seemed a good idea for the 5 piece band Phoenix, for 4 of them anyway, as one suffered closet fever and 5 became 4 and in the end Maraya and one other left with tears in their eyes. One may have left the competition but Michael Lynche is still in there with a shout and has one extra fan, a new baby daughter that was born while he listened in and gave encouragement to his wife over the phone after her waters broke just before he was due on stage, now that's what you call a big break on TV.

Something 'Destinys wild' would have liked is a bit more privacy as they had to prepare alongside competitors 'Neapolitan' who apparently stole their routine. Both singing Lady GaGa's Bad romance and both groups going through. See the group performances here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D_B9ScHXuFk

Another guy with a not so 'Sweet escape' was Matt Lawrence, he did avoide going back to jail but was sent home for murdering Gwen Stefani and Amanda Shectman was sent right back to acting school, maybe learn to memorize your lines better. Here they are in case you are reading this Amanda;

Cause I've been acting like sour milk all on the floor
It's your fault you didn't shut the refrigerator
Maybe that's the reason I've been acting so cold

And this is how it should sound http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O0lf_fE3HwA

As a spectacle I thought this week's Idol was very confusing, unfair, entertaining at times, although mainly when Ellen was speaking, she was once voted Americas funniest person, a title taken from her by George W Bush unless I'm mistaken.

I am hoping next week to get back to some kind of normality from the remaining 46 and lots more laughs from Ellen De Genius.

Follow Ellen GeGeneres on Twitter @TheEllenShow

Watch both shows in full by visiting http://american.idol-2010.com/category/season-9-shows/