"You were like a leopard behind a cage," then quipped, "Sexy and scary -- it's a fine line."

When another singer disappointed, the worst word she could muster was…"dull."

For the final cut, performers are asked to step forward and either the back or front row gets the cut. Ellen played a game of "step forward, step back, step to the side" before telling a group that they all made the cut.

DeGeneres offers a refreshingly clear-eyed flair to the panel. It's also great to see Simon not get frustrated by opaque comments. Not once did he snap, "I don't know what you just said."

Ellen may not have the heart to tell someone they are so awful they made her want to vomit, but she brings reasonable criticism and all around laughs.

Once the final 12 guys and gals are chosen for the official 9th season, DeGeneres will have to step up her criticism and still balance out the jokes. I'm betting she delivers.

Nicki R. is a Southern girl living in the big city of Chicago. She loves quiet evenings a home watching horror films with her dogs Jezebelle and Zombie. Check out her blog, Hey, Look Behind You!