American Idol judge Randy Jackson is reacting to the news that daytime talk show host Ellen DeGeneres will be joining him at the judges’ table when television’s most-watched program kicks off its ninth season on FOX next year.

“[Ellen] can be the voice of the people among us,” Jackson said Fox & Friends on Thursday morning. The record producer was responding to a question of whether it was “okay” for Ellen to judge a singing competition when the comedienne has virtual no background in music.

“I think between me, Simon [Cowell] and Kara [DioGuardi], there’s enough musical experts to go around right there,” he added. “Dude, listen, I love Ellen. … I think she’s going to bring a really interesting, different perspective to the people [and] to the panel.”

American Idol returns to FOX in January.