Can Ellen DeGeneres Save American Idol From Itself?

Ellen DeGeneres’ will be trying out on Tuesday’s “American Idol, just as much as the contestants. What can she possibly bring to the judge’s table? And, should she be required to sing?

Fox is counting on the comic and daytime talk show host to help boost the ratings. But with no discernible music talent or background, she could end up making the talent show more of a farce than it already is.

As the show’s acidic anchor Simon Cowell readies his departure, the show’s producers are reportedly in talks with radio shock jock Howard Stern as his replacement.

Stern, however, has never enjoyed much success on television. His own show flopped.

In contrast, “American Idol” has been a powerhouse for nine seasons, and has produced some top pop artists like Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood, both Grammy winners.

But most Idol winners have been commercial flops, while the more successful artists like Jennifer Hudson and Chris Daughtry didn’t win.

The show seems to be increasingly relying on the spectacle of untalented contestants, sharp putdowns and lots of humiliation to keep ratings pumped.

DeGeneres, 52, will be trying to fill Paula Abdul’s seat and promises to be a kindler, gentler Simon. But her biggest draw is her fan base and the hope it will follow her to the show.

“Ellen brings a huge fan base and people will be curious to see how she does. But if she performs poorly, that is bad for the show’s long-term health,” according to Entertainment Weekly’s Michael Slezak.

DeGeneres’ biggest drawback is her lack of music industry credentials. In contrast, Randy Jackson is a record producer and Kara DioGuardi is a successful songwriter. Cowell has his own record label and two other TV talent shows in the UK.

But DeGeneres says she hopes to represent the fan’s point of view.

“I’m someone who knows what it’s like to be on stage and entertain. So I know what it takes. It’s not like I don’t listen to music constantly,” she told CBS anchor Katie Couric in a TV interview last week.

So far this season the show is struggling, compared with past years. Ratings have slipped three percent compared with last year to an average of 28 million viewers. That compares with 30.8 million at its peak in 2006.

But it’s early in the season, and the contest really hasn’t begun to heat up yet.

The show faces a major turning point with Cowell set to leave in May to launch a very similar show on Fox in 2011. After that it’s anybody’s guess what will happen to Idol.

The show moves to its next phase tonight when winners from the initial round arrive in Hollywood  start to be winnowed down to the final group of contestants.