LOS ANGELES – Great ratings and praise for American Idol this year thanks to popular talk show host Ellen DeGeneres, according to The Associated Press.

In comparison to judge Simon Cowell, DeGeneres said she doesn’t want to let the participants down, but at the same time wants to be upfront and honest with them. DeGeneres replaced Paula Abdul, who had judged since 2002, dedicating eight seasons back-to-back.

“Everyone is anxious to see how Simon and I are going to be together and you know, I am too,” DeGeneres said. “Cowell is funny, but he’s also funny in a way that disregards anyone’s feelings…That doesn’t feel good to me because I think there’s a better way to tell someone that that wasn’t good.”

Judge Kara DioGuardi said in a teleconference Wednesday that DeGeneres did “an incredible job for the first time here.”

With ratings up by 4 percent among the total viewership, according to The Associated Press, good things are in store for American Idol.

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