Ellen DeGeneres is finally seen for the first time at the judges’ table on Season 9 of the popular talent show, “American Idol.”

But just one day into the job, DeGeneres already says she’d rather sit the farthest from snippy acid-tongued Brit judge, Simon Cowell.

So, are the two already at odds even as the show is still on its Hollywood week, where hopefuls from the national auditions compete to make it to the final cut?

During an interview on “Idol” host Ryan Seacrest’s KISS FM Los Angeles radio show, DeGeneres noted that Cowell was “going to be a challenge.”

However, she also pointed out to Seacrest that, “He is Simon and I am me,” and because they were such different people, their head-butting would make for very entertaining television.

While she has reportedly said that in future shows she "would like to be on the end," sitting beside record producer Randy Jackson and furthest away from Cowell, she made no real explanation why. Nor did she really hint on any brewing trouble… just yet.

For now, DeGeneres still likes Cowell, whom she thinks is a smart and funny guy.

DeGeneres’ addition to the top-rated Fox show already elicited mixes reactions. Fans of her dry wit comic trademark are looking forward to her humor translating to the show. At the same time, some critics feel that she lacks music industry experience to make a credible judge.

Industry watchers, meanwhile, felt that her toughness was actually a welcome surprise that helped her fit right in to balance out last year’s newcomer judge, Kara DioGuardi’s easy-on-the-contestants approach, and completely brought in a new dynamic now that “perpetual softy” Paula Abdul is out of the picture.

Her jokes also scored fairly well on the viewers’ funny-meter (when asking contestants to step forward or back for the cut, she tells one, “You, step a little to the left;” this prompted Cowell to quip, “You sadist.”).

Undeterred by the critics, DeGeneres says her game plan is to use honesty and humor in her critiques of the performances. She also says she would show compassion, being no stranger to what rejection feels like, as illustrated in the ups and downs of her 25-year-long career.

"I know what it feels like to stand on stage and try to impress a group of people," she said during her interview with Seacrest. "I was judged very harshly for a long time... I went through a process of auditions and rejection, so I do tend to be compassionate.”

This, at least, may be good news to the new “Idol” hopefuls.