A long-running “inside joke” between American Idol stars Ryan Seacrest and Simon Cowell has come to an end, now that Ellen Degeneres has replaced Paula Abdul on the show. Fans of the show know that there has been a weird, often inappropriate sexual tension between host Seacrest and judge Cowell for years, with Simon constantly cracking gay jokes. But according to sources, that’s about to change, because producers don’t want to offend Ellen.
Don’t expect to hear Simon Cowell needle Ryan Seacrest about being gay on “American Idol” this season, sources say.
“Idol” execs have warned both stars to cut out their usual gay banter when talk-show host Ellen Degeneres, who came out of the closet years ago, joins the series, insiders say.
Simon and Ryan have had their fun poking at each other’s sexuality for eight seasons now, even though neither one of them is gay.
“With an openly gay woman coming on board, an effort is being made to make her feel welcome,” a source divulged.
“Simon’s been told, and to a lesser extent Ryan too, that the act is played out anyway, so no more ribbing each other about being gay. The ‘Idol’ bosses don’t want it.”
Simon has ribbed Ryan mercilessly about his sexuality for years, even advising him to “lose the beard” when he briefly dated actress Teri Hatcher. Meanwhile, Ryan has joked that Simon is a cross-dresser.
“Idol” boss Simon Fuller was never fond of the gay joshing, according to another source, but the show’s former producer Nigel Lythgoe thought it was hilarious.
“Nigel thought the gay talk was over the heads of most of the kids who watch the show,” the source told The Enquirer. “But Simon (Fuller) says with Ellen coming on board, he wants it stopped.”
[From The National Enquirer print version, Oct. 26, 2009]
I agree with this decision, and also think the act is played out. But not for the same reasons as “Idol” producers. I think Simon and Ryan should just get a room already and get it over with! Okay, I was kidding. But as for the belief that kids don’t understand the gay jokes, I have news for them: my 9-year-old definitely gets it. And I really don’t want her thinking that it’s okay to make fun of someone and call them gay just because you don’t agree with them. It seems like the gay jokes are Simon’s “go to” response whenever Ryan calls him out on an opinion. I mean, I definitely think Seacrest is a closet case, but that’s his business. Their little psychodrama is kinda tired and takes too much time away from the contestants. Now, if the “Idol” producers could just replace Randy, the show might be watchable again.
omg ellen would be in a very uncomfortably sitiuation if the judges said gay jokes infront of her..so I’m glad they are putting an end to it!
Done! Just like that, because it’s ELLEN. So, does that mean, in a twisted way, Lithgoe and Fuller decided that Paula was “way cuter” when she was medicated, and let THAT go on, rather than let her be her bitchy, demanding self? Just food for thought.
Msat, I agree with you 100%.
Now if only there was the same sensitivity about the public insults aimed at conservatives.
@Tess- That will never happen, but it is good to dream! : )
I don’t really understand why people find gay jokes so tolerable. We stopped making race jokes (in public anyway for some people) because they’re just not funny…they’re a show of ignorance. The same should be said for gay jokes.
I think its going to be an uncomfortable and awkward situation for Ellen no matter what. she is too prim and proper to share the judging panel with Simon.
I am with BitterBetty on this one. I really do not think Ellen has the ability to work on that panel with Simon without feeling awkward either. Do not get me wrong, she shows a level of humor, but I’ve never heard it at the same level as Simon. Going to be interesting to say the least!
this crapfest is still running??? huh!
You know, if it occurred to them that it might insult Ellen if they make a bunch of gay jokes, I wonder how they never managed to think that it might offend any of their viewers up to this point.
I don’t think even Ellen can save Idol, at this point. And I really don’t get how she fits… no music background at all, as a performer or a producer. And she’s so nice; these fools need judges who tell them how to improve. That was the whole problem with Paula, wasn’t it?
“HEH.”
“Simon and Ryan have had their fun poking at each other’s sexuality for eight seasons now, even though neither one of them is gay.”
o.k.
Seacrest dated Terri Hatcher?
eeeeeeeeeeeeeeewwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww
Hey Tess, Try asking Limbaugh, Coulter et al if they’ll play along with this “sensitivity” issue. Good luck. They’re at the top of the heap of foul insulters.
What I would find funny would be the banter continuing until Ellen shot it down with a really good line, something along the lines of outing Seacrest.
As for Seacrest-Hatcher dating…. unbelievable publicity stunt more like it. I think Ryan’s as straight as Anderson Cooper.
AH come on! This is a total under-estimation of Ellen’s sense of humor and liberty. Generally, people with low self-confidence are the most easily offended, no matter what the offense pertains to. Ellen does not at all strike me as someone who suffers from low self-esteem! On the contrary, her humor is the finest weapon against any sort of inane attempt or whiff of offense. I hope this story is crap, because she is so above this kind of pandering. She is going to rock the show, and give it the breath of fresh air it needs! And if AI isn’t “saved” it won’t be her fault, it’ll be because it wasn’t worth saving in the first place. Go Ellen! Love ya babe!
why would you want to replace paula for ellen she doen’t know nothing about music and her and you watch that show will go down hill if you bring ellen on.why did yall let paula go,yall wer’e stupid she and simon made that show.get rid of the other judge,the one seats beside randy jackson.simon isn’t going to want ellen sit beside him,cause i know simon,believe me,thats all i’m going to say about that,like forest gump said its like a box of chocolote?
Ellen is just as insecure as Tyra.
considering all the hateful anti-gay stuff that ellen went through when she first came out.. then her very sad and public breakup with anne heche.. i think she’ll survive.
that said, the gay jokes were still offensive and I’m just sad it took something like Ellen coming on the show to make the producers finally say “hey maybe the gay jokes are not appropriate”
i don’t think the show is worth saving. it’s not about finding good music, it’s about scripting a “gripping tale” using the contest as the backdrop.
I love it, neither Simon nor Ryan are gay? Please, they’re kidding right?
Who runs this blog? I thought it was supposed to be a commonly accepted semi-open Hollywood secret that Simon and Ryan are both gay.
i love paula abdul and wish she was still on the show, period. i love how she felt so much for the contestants and how they got that much needed encouragement in a competitive situation. that being said, i agree with Felicia ANY jokes that ostracize or demean another group of people shouldn’t even exist or be allowed. so funny what people think is okay and what isn’t. so now that Ellen’s there suddenly it’s not funny and not acceptable? isn’t it about the singers and the judges panel’s thoughts on the singers? i’m telling you ever since paula abdul left the show is just going on a scary flush down the toilet.
hollywood is a cold place of all kinds of sexist/racist/ANYTHING-ist double standards, huh? guess that’s how it’ll always be. i’m just missing paula abdul on the show! i prefer her to a comedian being a judge. ellen’s really funny but seems like they’re just using her for ratings, they had a hard time trying to replace paula
So the producers are saying ellen is a freak who would be upset with normal jokes? Newsflash: Jokes about sexuality are allowed – or should be in a grown up society. Its not what you say, its how you mean it.
THE PRODUCERS ARE DESPERATE NOT TO MAKE ELLEN UNCOMFORTABLE! what a joke! they did everything they could to make paula feel uncomfortable. they need her fans from her show that’s why they brought her on. and of course she’s funny so she entertains and keeps people’s attention. no offense, but it wasn’t because her major musical career and grammys and experience, etc! they are using her because me and a bunch of other ai fans were really mad about how they treated paula and they need their precious ratings to keep the show on
Msat, I agree with you 100%.
Now if only there was the same sensitivity about the public insults aimed at conservatives..
actually dolphins are bi-sexual haha. and dogs do stuff.