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.
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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.
I agree with Fletch. I am a big American Idol fan, but last season sucked big time, and I don’t see how this is supposed to rectify that at all. Adding a fourth judge doesn’t address any of the complaints that viewers had.
As long as she actually makes substantive comments, I welcome the new judge. She can’t be any worse than Paula, and someone needs to be around to actually offer constructive comments to the contestants. As for singing time, the contestants would have plenty if the show would just cut out all the filler and axe the product placements.
I think this could be a positive change. If anythign they should get of Randy who’s just boring to watch. As much as AI is a competition it has to be entertaining and Paula is just that entertaining. Randy is blah and needs to go.
Some things they should try is let the kids sing, since it’s a singing show, don’t let Ryan or the Judges overshadow the contestants, if you want to see more Ryan you can here or see him on like 3 other programs. I’, glad the results shows are going back to 1/2 hour, but don’t think that will last long. If they do go back to an hour let the second half hour be a short version of AI Extra that airs on Fox Reality. That way we get to hear more from the contestant that go eliminated. My biggest complaint about most shows like AI and BIg Brother is you don’t get to hear from the eliminated contestant after they get the boot.
They need to kick Simon off the show. He is awful!!!
i stopped watching the show a few years ago because I couldn’t stand Paula’s stupidity…but if they can find someone to replace her, I might consider watching again…then again, i kinda enjoy having my life back, actually…
i really dont think they need a 4th judge, american idol is just fine with only 3 and thats what makes it different, all the other shows have 4 judges and there really is no need. i absolutly love paula and if she takes her place or even tries to then american idol is ganna have a lot less views and she aint ganna be vry popular. i guess we will have 2 wait and c the wont we?
So basically, she’s there to help insure that AI keeps outputting the exact same stuff
I say get rid of the judges altogether.
Maybe if the contestants showed more skin it wouldn’t be as boring as last season.
we need more scandal!
there are to many judges, not enough singing time. there’s no need for a 4th judge
I think this could be a nice addition and hopefully an empowering one for the performers. The two women who do a good job is Sharon Osbourne and the DWTS mamita.
A little more nurturing and productive feedback would be nice. It would take the spotlight off of Simon who is a bore.
we don’t need another sappy judge on american idol that doesn’t tell the truth about performances,or tells just the ok things about it. Idol doesn’t need another judge. they don’t need one
I think Paula needs to show more cleavage to save her position. Either that or a full on boob slippage will keep things going. What this show needs is…More boobies.
They don’t need another judge. Abdul, as hopeless as she is is actually part of the entertainment. What we need is less Seacrest, less cheesy bio stuff and more real singing. The three we have are fine. If anything, as noted in the blog above, this new one will show Paula the door, which will hurt. Last season was bad, next one may be worse, and who knows if the show will go on after that? When they make major changes, it usually means they jumped the shark and are floundering to keep afloat. Lotsa luck.
I have watched nearly every show for all the seasons. I enjoy it. And, I’m a 70 year old male. Although Paula can be very questionable at times as to what is exactly in her Coke glass, I would far rather see them get rid of Randy who is basically incompetent and certainly president of his own fan club! Would also change the format to be more like So You Think You Can Dance… a far better program.
Keith, Simon tells the truth and makes the show funny. He’s the best judge. Why kick him off?