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Ellen DeGeneres' Idol rehearsals

Oct 11, 2009, 9:00 GMT

08/30/2009 - Ellen DeGeneres - "DeGeneres will sit alongside Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson and Kara DioGuardi and offer her own unique perspective to the contestants throughout the competition," FOX said in a press statement. © Albert L. Ortega / PR Photos

Ellen DeGeneres is preparing for her 'American Idol' stint by critiquing ex-contestants.

The US talk show host - who replaced Paula Abdul as a judge on the talent series - has a collection of DVDs of past auditions which she watches with wife Portia de Rossi.

A source told the National Enquirer magazine: "Ellen and Portia have been watching old seasons on DVD to see how the judges interact with contestants and audience."

Ellen, 51, has also enrolled on an online course to improve her knowledge of music.

The source added: "Ellen wants to live up to the high expectations."

Ellen is thrilled to be taking part in the show, and has already assured fans she will be championing their opinions.

She said: "Hopefully, I'm the people's point of view because I'm just like you, I sit at home and I watch it.

"I'm not looking at it in a critical way from the producer's mind. I'm looking at it as a person who is going to buy the music and is going to relate to that person."