Ellen: 'I Don't Think Anyone Can Replace Simon'

The big question mark is: who will take over Simon Cowell's spot now that he's vacated the "Idol" seat? "I don't think anyone can replace Simon," DeGeneres admitted. "I think we just have to find a new judge. I don't know that somebody has to necessarily be mean, but we'll see."

"I think next year it will be a little easier for me to be more direct," she said. But Ellen still has a soft heart. "It's hard for me to crush someone's dreams. I can tell it means everything to them and it's hard for me to say, 'You're not cut out for that.'"

One person DeGeneres doesn't have to worry about saying no to is her new discovery, Greyson Chance, the 12-year-old YouTube singing sensation who will appear on the talk show host's new record label. "He's gonna go into the studio soon, and he's really good, really good," DeGeneres beamed.

Ellen is also readying herself for her new variety special, shooting live in Chicago, called the "Ellen's Somewhat Special Special." DeGeneres quipped, "Cause if you go 'Ellen's really great amazing, super, fantastic special,' then people are like, 'Oh yeah, right.'"