Showbiz Tonight spoke with "American Idol" judge Randy Jackson on Thursday in New York City’s Time Square and he said he's excited to have Ellen DeGeneres as part of the "Idol" family.
Watch Jackson discuss DeGeneres coming on board:
Jackson said DeGeneres will bring a new perspective to the judges' table.
“I think she is going to bring the voice of the people,” he said. “She is not like a music expert, but I think you know the people sitting at home the show is really about them. Simon [Cowell], and I and Kara [DioGuardi], are all the music experts that you need.”
There is one thing that Jackson and DeGeneres share: their southern roots.
“She is my home girl from Louisiana. We are both from Louisiana and the south is going to do it again. That’s right,” Jackson said.
"American Idol" returns to television in January 2010.