In what already looks like the biggest format shakeup in American Idol history, Fox announced this morning that the show’s eighth season will feature a fourth judge. It’s Kara DioGuardi, a songwriter/producer who’s worked with past Idol champs Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, and Taylor Hicks (as well as working with Davids Cook and Archuleta, Clay Aiken, Bo Bice, and Katharine McPhee), not to mention Avril Lavigne, Pink, Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, Miley Cyrus, the Jonas Brothers, Natasha Bedingfield, Jewel, Marc Anthony, and a host of others. Plus, she has some contest-judging experience, from MTV’s short-lived Idol-esque show The One. Her own attempt at singing stardom, in the duo Platinum Weird with Eurythmic Dave Stewart, didn’t really take off, but her credentials as a hitmaker for others are solid, at least.
We’re already hearing from Idol producers that a fourth judge creates a dynamic on Idol shows in other countries that’s missing here, and that the gender imbalance at the judging table will now be rectified. I wonder whether that means DioGuardi will be just another sympathetic shoulder for the contestants when Simon and Randy are mean to them. I also wonder whether DioGuardi is being groomed as an eventual replacement for Paula, with her introduction this year as a face-saving way to ease Paula out gracefully.
I’m not sure the show really needs a fourth judge, someone whose comments will only cut into the already too-short performance segments. I don’t think Idol singers or voters at home need more guidance; the contestants need more singing time than 90 seconds per tune, so that we can better evaluate their performances ourselves. Rather than more advice, they need better advice, but at least DioGuardi has some practical experience in that department.
Tell us, PopWatchers, what do you think of the addition of DioGuardia? Will she be a welcome presence at the table? Will she crowd Paula out? Will she be a superfluous time-waster? Is she what the show needs to rise out of its recent doldrums? Sing out, below.
I don’t know who this girl is and–no disrespect–but I love Paula. Maybe they can complement each other and they can high five girlie style. But if she pushes Paula out, she will have hell to pay. From me. On my couch at home screaming.
Looking at her credentials (which, seriously? the Idol list scares me because some are good and some not so much on success post-Idol), I’d say Paula has less to worry about than Randy. Simon’s the acerbic wit and reality check. Randy’s the industry insider. Paula’s the former star. This woman sounds more like an industry insider being asked to judge based on the industry today. And that means Randy’s in trouble for one too many “dawg”s.
Well, at least Paula now has an excuse to drink.
This is a dumb idea that simply underscores how poorly the AI producers understand what people like about their show. Here’s an easy rule for them: If your idea would result in more time/attention being taken away from the contestants and their performances, forget it.
If she has more vocabulary than Paula or Randy, she will be a welcome addition on the show !
This is supposed to make the show legitimate and not suck how exactly?
Bye, bye Paula
I am actually excited about this. Kara is a current and relevant pop songwriter, so I think she can really give some legitimate critiques/guidance.
Actually, only a few contestants need more than 90 seconds of singing time, and some could do with a lot less than 90. I’m all for some kind of change; hopefully this is the beginning of even more. As long as Simon stays, I don’t care about the rest.
This show is becoming that houseguest that has just outstayed their welcome. Time to back up and leave.
Time to PACK up and leave.
Looking at her resume of artists she has worked with, the only one that has any credibility (to me) is Jewel. So I don’t know how relevant she is – except maybe with the under 14, itunes Top 100 crowd.
To be honest, I’m not sure how a songwriter is qualified to judge a -singing- competition where there isn’t an original songwriting episode (oh, but wouldn’t that be an interesting twist?!) I agree with Heather’s assessment, and I wouldn’t be that sad if Randy was replaced. I don’t see the Idol producers replacing Simon and Randy though.
I’d rather if she replaced Randy, not Paula.
Personally I hope she’s good enough to replace Paundy altogether.