AMERICAN IDOL: Ellen Degeneres. CR: Michael Becker / FOX

Tonight is Ellen Degeneres‘ first appearance on American Idol and she’s getting a whole new perspective on the reality show.

 For openers, she apparently thought Simon Cowell was really a warm and fuzzy guy underneath all that gruff exterior and has had to adjust to that misconception.

Then Degeneres has also had to toughen up her own act while judging the contestants – and deliver her critiques without flinching.

Click onto two media bars for Ellen Degeneres’ first day on the job and her adjustments to judging properly on American Idol.

American Idol airs 8:00 p.m. ET/PT on Fox.