Fans delighted by DeGeneres' Idol debut

Ellen DeGeneres hit the right notes with American Idol viewers. Fans took to the Internet to express their pleasant surprise over the talk show host's debut as the singing competition's judge.

Ellen DeGeneres hit the right notes with American Idol viewers.

Fans took to the Internet to express their pleasant surprise over the comedian and talk show host's debut as the singing competition's fourth judge. DeGeneres assumed her new post for Tuesday's episode chronicling the first round of Hollywood Week, the cutthroat post-audition phase in which 181 contestants will be narrowed down to 24 semifinalists.

Most people posting about DeGeneres on a social networking Web site praised the talk show host's performance. Some admitted they only tuned in because she was added as a judge to replace Paula Abdul.