Ellen Degeneres & Kara DioGuardi Leaving American Idol–Good Move Ellen

Just announced. Ellen Degeneres is leaving American Idol. This is the right move for her for countless reasons and there are lessons here for any entrepreneur.

It’s not because she’s not in the music biz. It’s not because she didn’t like saying hurtful things to contestants or because of her heavy work schedule although I’m sure those are true also. The real problem is that the show dwarfs her. As a comedienne, she had the stage to herself. As a talk show host, it’s her show done her way on her stage. She can mold it to suit her style, low key, sweet and quirky. Simon’s presence on American Idol was so big, it dwarfed Ellen. Paul Abdul managed on that show and had a cute little back and forth thing with Simon which Kara appeared to mimic. But Ellen’s presence was bland, completely watered down, diluted, something a performer or entrepreneur must never let happen. She rarely displayed the wonderful sense of humor that got her famous the first place.

It’s challenging to be a star on a panel. The only time it works is when each panel member, each co-star, has his or her own distinct personality and stays in character the whole time. And while Ellen does have a distinct personality when showcased to accentuate her talents, on Idol, she became just a regular Joe. Just another accountant…

It’s important as a star, as an entrepreneur to create the ideal platform to showcase your particular talents, your particular style. Simon Cowell has been the star of American Idol since day one and continued to be the star till the day he said goodbye. Simon did share with Oprah (and a few zillion other people), that even though Simon’s exit had bee planned a long time ago, no one bothered to share this with Ellen who found out only after it had been publicly announced that she was joining the panel. But that’s not the real issue.

Ellen, if you had given me a call before signing on in the first place, I woulda told you to pass on Idol. You were, you are, already a big star. You don’t need it. It couldn’t have made you bigger, only smaller. And that’s what it might have done if you have stayed on. Good call on bowing out while the bowing out is good.

A big part of standing out is knowing what to say “no” to. A sculpture is made by taking away everything that doesn’t create the image. So too for entrepreneurs who want be stars.

NEWS BULLETIN: This Just In: The Toronto Sun and US Magazine report (just an hour ago) that Kara DioGuardi has been fired from American Idol and that Steven Tyler and Jennifer Lopez just might round out the panel with Randy Jackson.