Ellen DeGeneres has a big week! She's the new judge on American Idol and sued by the record industry

Comedian and talk show host Ellen DeGeneres has had a busy week. First, she was named as the new judge on American Idol, replacing Paula Abdul. I don't want to make any predictions, but I'm not sure this is such a good idea. Sure, Ellen is funny, but I believe her expertise in music comes from being a huge music fan and from her daily dancing exhibition on The Ellen DeGeneres Show.

Speaking of which, that music is what got her show (not her personally) in trouble with the law. Okay, not the law like cops coming to anybody's house, but if there is a lawsuit there is law involved.

Since the beginning of Ellen's television program, she has danced her way  through the audience and to the stage, backed up by her in-studio, personal DJ. It's a very popular and integral part of every Ellen DeGeneres Show. And that's what has all of the recording companies upset. In order to play the music that Ellen's DJ plays, there are licensing issues. Apparently, Telepicture Productions, Ellen's production company, hasn't addressed that.

The monetary damages claimed has not been disclosed, but the plaintiffs in this case include Arista Music, Atlantic Recording Corp., Capitol Records, Motown Record Company, Sony Music Entertainment, Virgin Records America and Warner Bros. Records. Telepictures hopes to settle this amicably and out of court.

But let's get back to the American Idol judge thing. One positive is that I'm sure the Idol people are paying the fees to get the permission needed to play copyrighted music on the show. The negative thing, as I see it, is that Ellen isn't very good at being negative. Even her comedy material, although usually hilariously funny, is not edgy. Will she be able to tactfully tell some of these awful acts that they suck? What will she do when she gets booed for the first time after critical comments about a favorite Idol contestant? What will she wear?

I guess we'll just have to tune in. Hey, wait. I'll bet that's their plan.