You know the news about Ellen DeGeneres's new gig -- replacing Paul Abdul as the fourth judge on the American Idol panel.
Coincidentally, the American Idol tour stopped in Connecticut Thursday and NBC had inside access to the idol contestants before the Bridgeport show.
We asked the Idols for their take of the show's new judge.
"I definitely think she's going to bring some laughter," said Idol finalist Lil Rounds.
Contestant Matt Giraud has been a guest on Ellen's talk show and considers her a friend. He said, "I think she's like the biggest idol fan in the world so it's making her dreams come true."
Ellen now joins Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson, and Kara DioGuardi on the judges panel. She is the only one of them not a music industry insider. The contestants that we spoke to said they wouldn't have a problem being criticized by someone who wasn't a musician themselves.
Danny Gokey finished season eight of Idol as the second runner up. He said, "She understands the heart of music." Adding that her presence and her warmth will fill the void left by Paula Abdul.
Abdul leaves American Idol after eight seasons which were, at times, erratic. The cast members speak fondly of Abdul, but say Ellen will bring something new to the show.
Scott MacIntyre, the show's first visually-impaired contestant said about the change, "It's going to be really interesting. I have no idea what to expect. I probably would not have guessed that in a million years."
