the buzz log
Idol Talk: The Godmother
A Generous Degeneres Inspires "Idol" Searches
While Oprah is busy boosting book sales and pushing presidential candidates, Ellen Degeneres has become the "American Idol" godmother. This week, she welcomed waif Josiah Leming, whose cut during Hollywood Week inspired Daughtry-like outrage among show fans.
Searches for "ellen degeneres" popped up another 35% on the day of the program, and related lookups for "josiah leming on ellen" (+1,344%), "josiah leming" (+518%) and "josiah leming american idol" (+483%) surged for the woebegone underdog.
Ellen had ties to the Fox competition last season, serving as satellite host on the shoe-horned "Idol Gives Back" telethon. Besides showing Ryan Seacrest how proper hosting's done, she dug around in the spare change tray in her car and came up with a $100K donation. The fairy godmother instincts re-emerged Tuesday when she gifted Josiah with $8,000 worth of musical instruments.
Did the largesse inspire Top 24 contestant Colton Berry to invoke her name during boys' singing night? Colton, largely overlooked by "Idol" cameras, took his first opportunity to introduce himself to America by calling himself Degeneres' twin.
Nice try, but being Ellen's adopted pet inspires nine times more searches than being her teen-boy doppelganger. Not that Colton should give up getting in the godmother's good graces. After all, searchers don't call her "ellen degenerous" for nothing.
Filed under: TV, Reality TV, American Idol, Music, Television
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comments
Posted by twelveth06th67th | Thu, February 21, 2008, 11:37 am PST
I thought with proper coaching and workshop, Josiah would make a good tv personalit(provided ego set aside). I commend Ellen for giving hope to inspiring artist like herself.
Posted by mary1us | Thu, February 21, 2008, 11:38 am PST
ellen can't sing. lol...my gosh this is ridiculous.
Posted by damram07 | Thu, February 21, 2008, 1:29 pm PST
Im a 45 year old Republican WASP and I love Ellen. Why did I say all that? Because it matters to some people. I have always thought she was funny and genuine. I would love to have her as a friend or have any of my friends be more like her. Ellen rocks...hope I get the chance to go to Universal Studios with her!
Posted by kid_krazy_dad | Thu, February 21, 2008, 2:32 pm PST
I think Josiah is great and has potential to become a great artist. I commend Ellen for her ability to see that potential and nurture it. I also wish that I could have met Ellen in a different life as I think she is a sexy and beautiful woman who I would adore and support for the rest of my natural life.
Posted by connorlane94 | Thu, February 21, 2008, 7:19 pm PST
Colton really does look like Ellen! We have told him that for a couple of years! I'm glad she is generous, and supportive of young musicians, but I can assure you that Colton is not trying to get his hands on her money. I would love for her to have him as a guest so that America can enjoy his vocal talent one more time. I, like so many others, am sad to see him leave American Idol before the world really got a chance to know him.
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