American Idol heads to Hollywood

It's the start of a new era for "American Idol" Tuesday night.
Ellen DeGeneres gets to sit in at the judges' table for the first time as Hollywood Week begins!

181 talented singers made it through auditions and now they're in Hollywood, giving it their all in hopes of making it into the top 24. New judge Ellen DeGeneres is having a blast.
 

"I like all of it except for the parts where we're eliminating people right now and you know, here's the thing they feel like we're crushing their dreams," said DeGeneres.
 

Fellow judge Kara DioGuardi said, "I think the chemistry is definitely developing in kind of real time for us because this is the first time we've all been together Hollywood week, and it's exciting."

"I'm excited about Ellen, I mean I think she's really fun, you know she's interesting, exciting," said American Idol judge Randy Jackson.

It's a long, hard week for idol hopefuls and, in the end, Randy gave the ladies an edge.
 

"I'm pulling for some girls man. I think the girls really - there are some stand out boys too but the last two years boys have won the competition so I'm really looking for a girl to come and take the crown, we got to balance it out you know what I mean."
 

There will be drama at the judge's table, but Simon Cowell says it's nothing compared to what the contestants get up to!

"I think the one thing which weve always tried to do on this show is we allow people to see just about everything, unfortunately and it's the same as hollywood week and not much is hidden from the cameras, particularly with the contestants cause they all fight. They are either in a hot tub together or they are fighting or sometimes both," said Cowell.
 

The "Ellen era" begins as American Idol heads into "Hollywood week" this Tuesday and Wednesday night.