FOR YEARS now, we?ve been enjoying Ellen DeGeneres? nightly stints on her self-titled TV-variety program. We like her breezy, sassy style, her love for dancing up a storm, and her big, big heart, which has prompted her to boost all sorts of worthy causes on her show.

Ellen is also a trailblazer due to her being a leading ?gender-bender? on the tube. Not only is she a self-confessed lesbian, she?s also proud about her gender choice and has even married her partner, Portia de Rossi.

In addition, Ellen keeps pushing herself as a performer. Recently we caught her singing on her show ? not just a few simple notes, but a demanding song that required her to birit together with ?Dreamgirls? and ?American Idol? sensation Jennifer Hudson.

More recently, Ellen did a very difficult dance routine with some ?So You Think You Can Dance? finalists. The TV-film star really loves topping and pushing herself to the limit. Even more admirably, she works hard to do really well at each new challenge she sets for herself.

Most recently, DeGeneres hit the headlines when she announced on her show that she had accepted the invitation to become the fourth judge on ?American Idol,? replacing Paula Abdul.

Initially, some people questioned Ellen?s musical ?chops,? since she wasn?t really a singer or musician. For our part, however, we are confident that she will do a good job as juror, since we have seen her recent earnest attempts at singing and dancing.

In addition, we know that she is a certified ?American Idol? fan. We have also seen her give many young performers a break on her show (in fact, she gave Charice Pempengco a preview showcase before Oprah Winfrey ?discovered? her).

So, when it comes to helping gifted young performers make it, we know that Ellen?s heart is in the right place.

And, let?s face it, ?American Idol? needs the infusion of additional star value that Ellen?s entry is providing because the show?s ratings have been falling for some three years now. Make no mistake about it, Ellen is a big TV star, so her popularity will enhance the show?s appeal.

In particular, since Ellen is a comedian, she can make the talent search a more delightful viewing treat.

For these and other reasons, we?re looking forward to the 2010 ?American Idol? telecasts starting early next year. Ellen DeGeneres is on a roll, and it would be great if her good fortune rubs off on ?Idol? and helps arrest its dip in the ratings.

?Julie & Julia?

In Meryl Steep?s new film, ?Julie & Julia,? director Nora Ephron seamlessly melds the two remarkable true stories of Julia Child and a woman, Julie Powell, who cooked every recipe in Child?s cookbook, ?Mastering the Art of French Cuisine.? The result is a comedy that proves that, if you have the right combination of passion, obsession, and butter! ? you can change your life and achieve your dreams.

Streep?s fans are looking forward to savoring another ?delicious? characterization from the much-awarded star.

Charo Ronquillo

There?s no stopping Filipino supermodel Charo Ronquillo. The latest feather in her cap is her being cited by Vogue magazine as one of the Top 10 Ford Supermodel of the World finalists who are making it big around the world. In fact, Charo ranks No. 4 on the prestigious list.

Charo continues to make waves internationally. She currently appears in a huge billboard advertisement for Target in downtown Los Angeles, and will soon be gracing the cover of Vogue India.