Ellen DeGeneres Reveals Her Approach to American Idol – and Simon Cowell

Ellen DeGeneres isn’t denying speculation that she and Simon Cowell butted heads while taping American Idol in recent weeks. In fact, she says the judges’ contrasting styles is part of what makes the show so compelling.

“Everyone’s making such a big deal about the tension,” Idol’s newest judge told Ryan Seacrest on his KIIS-FM radio show Tuesday. “You know, there’s been a lot of fun on that panel. Kara [DioGuardi]’s been great, and Randy [Jackson]’s been great. And I think it was either Wednesday or Tuesday, Simon was great.”

All joking aside, DeGeneres said of Cowell: “I think he’s a funny guy and I think he’s a smart guy. I like Simon. He’s going to be a challenge. He’s Simon, and I’m me. We are completely different people. We’ll see how it goes.”

As for her own approach to judging, DeGeneres said she knows what it feels like to stand on stage and try to impress a room full of people. She added that she’s been judged harshly at times during her career, so she does tend to be compassionate.

“At the same time,” she added, “I want to be really, really honest. And sometimes the best way for me to be honest is to use humor, so I think I’m going to try to cushion it with humor, and at the same time not belittle the situation. Yes, it’s a show and I want it to be entertaining and I want to be funny, but at the same time it’s possibly somebody’s career.”

Hollywood week began last night (Tuesday) on FOX. And DeGeneres said she can’t wait for when the show goes live later in the season. “I’m such a huge fan, and I’ve just watched from home,” she said. “To be in that energy, I’m looking forward to it.”