Ellen DeGeneres already has her first fan as an American Idol judge – Kara DioGuardi.

"I think it's a genius decision," DioGuardi, the judge who joined the top-rated FOX show last season, said at the Entertainment Tonight/PEOPLE Emmy after-party. "I wish I had thought of it."

Mostly, DioGuardi said she's looking forward to the new dynamic on the show now that DeGeneres is replacing the recently departed Paula Abdul as the show's "nice" judge.


"I know a little bit about Ellen from watching her show and I would say she would probably be somebody who would be fair in her criticism and will try to be as supportive as she possibly could," said DioGuardi, 38. "I think it's going to be a lot of fun."

And don't expect the occasional angry clashes Abdul had with, say, Simon Cowell – DioGuardi doesn't.

"[Ellen will get along with everyone] 100 percent," she said. "I was on her show once and she's lovely, generous, very kind. I think it's going to be great."

DioGuardi's even saving DeGeneres a seat – when asked where the new judge would be placed, she answered: "Hopefully, next to me."