American Idol, Ellen DeGeneres Accidental Judge

As American Idol cuts singers from 71 to 24 last night, Simon Cowell regrets one decision and Jessica Furney channels Tonya Harding

By Robin Rowe

HOLLYWOOD, CA (Gosh!TV) 2/17/2010 – Tonight’s episode of American Idol will pick 17 more finalists. For seven American Idol contestants, last night’s episode was a joyful relief as they made the cut for the final 24 who will be voted for by the American public.

Ellen DeGeneres says she became an American Idol judge by accident. “I called a friend of mine who works at Fox to get tickets to come see the show,” says DeGeneres. “She said sure, would you like to be backstage, in the front row, or a judge? I said, oh, those are my options? It’s better seating to be a judge. I’d like to be a judge.”

The seven finalists chosen on the show last night had made sacrifices to be part of American Idol. They’d left jobs or were separated from their families to be in Hollywood. “Big Mike” Lynche missed the birth of his first child while singing in American Idol. As an overjoyed Lynche approached the judges to hug them, Ellen DeGereres said, “Don’t pick me up again, my back!” But it’s too late, as Big Mike picks her up again when he hugs her and all the Idol judges. Randy Jackson tells Lynche not to forget Ryan Seacrest.

One singer who didn’t make the cut was Jessica Furney, whose outburst before judges was a Tonya Harding-style beg for mercy that blamed others for her problems. After being rejected last year in season 8 auditions, Furney had came back for season 9 and made the first cut. “I’ve got a lot of drive in me,” says Furney. “I have it in me. I can do this.”

Furney was in the group that butchered singing “Sweet Escape”, failing to remember the words. When Simon Cowell cut them off mid-song, Furney rightly objected, “I didn’t even get to sing my part!” Cowell apologized, and Randy Jackson cued the band to start up again on her verse. Although she knew the words, she hadn’t saved enough of her voice from the rehearsals the night before or perhaps it was the pressure of being in a group that was falling apart. “So close, and then it’s just gone,” says Furney.

Another who didn’t make it was Shelby Dressel. “That’s the wrong decision,” says American Idol judge Simon Cowell. Shelby Dressel, who’s partially paralyzed and can’t move the right side of her face, didn’t make the final cut. “We’re trying to figure out who’s got it to go all the way,” says American Idol judge Randy Jackson. “Unfortunately, you did not make it this year. I would encourage you to continue to grow and come back. Don’t let the dream end.”

Todrick Hall, before auditioning for American Idol, had performed on Broadway with Fantasia in The Color Purple. “One day backstage at the show I asked Fantasia how this whole process was,” says Hall. “I was so intrigued by the thought that if she didn’t go to the audition she may still be signing in a church somewhere in North Carolina. It’s overwhelming to think how fast your life can change from being on this show.” Hall, a dancer who’s never had a voice lesson, won his audition in Dallas singing a song he wrote.

Aaron Kelly is the 16-year-old shy guy who looks like Malcolm in the Middle. Of his group song Cowell said, “That was like something you would see in a small community theater.” Despite Cowell’s statement that he didn’t see how Kelly could possibly win after that, Kelly made it through. “It feels so good,” says Kelly. “I’m on American Idol!”

Didi Benami sang the song “Angel” in memory of her best friend who’d died. “You’re not the most consistent, but when good you were fantastic,” says Simon Cowell. “You made Kara’s song sound good.” Benami performed a song written by American Idol judge Kara DioGuardi.

Kate Epperly, traumatized by her parents’ divorce, was tormented further by judge Ellen DeGereres, who kept delaying announcing the decision about her. Ellen DeGeneres, with no music background, seems an odd choice as an American Idol judge. She offers an explanation. “I’m representing everyone at home,” says DeGeneres. “We don’t have backgrounds in music, but we are the public who buys the music…the people who pick the Idol. We text our vote.”

Casey James from Cool, Texas, who’s demonstrated he can both sing and looks good without his shirt, was passed through to the delight of Idol judge DioGuardi. Simon Cowell and the other judges teased her that she has a crush. Her comment of, “He’s not attractive at all,” couldn’t have been less convincing.

Lee Dewyze, who seemed lacking in confidence and who Cowell described as singing in a way indulgent, squeaked through. “We didn’t agree….until five minutes ago,” says DioGuardi. “When I started this I had a different attitude,” says Dewyze. “I didn’t care. I was like, American Idol…I’ll give it a shot. You learn to care and to appreciate music for everything that it is. This is real people who really want to make it. American Idol is the biggest show in like the history of the world.”

“Who will break through to sing for your votes?” says host Ryan Seacrest. “The drama continues…”

“We have to have people in the finals who believe they can win,” says judge Simon Cowell.

American Idol

• Fox
• Tuesdays, 8pm to 10pm PM/ET
• Wednesdays, 9pm to 10pm PM/ET

http://www.americanidol.com