Originally published Monday, September 1, 2008 at 12:00 AM
Comments (0)
E-mail article
Print view
Will a new judge help fix "Idol"?
The growing backlash among viewers and critics this year made it plain: Fox needs to upgrade "American Idol" before the franchise gets seriously...
St. Petersburg (Fla.) Times
JASON DECROW / AP
Judges, from left, Simon Cowell, Kara DioGuardi, Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson of "American Idol" arrive at a promotional event for the show Tuesday, Aug. 26, 2008 in New York. DioGuardi, the show's newest judge, will join the panel as the series begins its eight season in January 2009. (AP Photo/Jason DeCrow) NYJD201
Kara who?
New "American Idol" judge Kara DioGuardi's name might sound unfamiliar, but she's a big-time music-biz success story.The numbers: Her songs have appeared on more than 100 million records. She has been awarded 10 BMI Pop Awards for having co-written the most-performed songs on the radio. Some songs you'll recognize that she had a hand in: "Ain't No Other Man" (Christina Aguilera), "Pieces of Me" (Ashlee Simpson), "Lost" (Faith Hill).
The themes: In addition to pop songs, she has co-written or composed theme songs for TV shows including "Will & Grace," "The Biggest Loser" and "Extreme Makeover."
"Idol" ties: DioGuardi's company Arthouse Entertainment is producing music by Idol runner-up David Archuleta. She has worked with other former contestants, including Kelly Clarkson, Clay Aiken and Taylor Hicks.
Getting personal: DioGuardi, 37, is a New York native. Originally recruited to Duke University for its opera program, she graduated with a degree in political science. Before she began a career in the music business, she worked in magazine publishing.
Eric Deggans, St. Petersburg (Fla.) Times
The growing backlash among viewers and critics this year made it plain: Fox needs to upgrade "American Idol" before the franchise gets seriously stale.
So why have the first two changes announced for the network's top-rated reality TV singing competition focused on stuff that doesn't need alteration, namely, the departure of savvy producer Nigel Lythgoe and the addition of a fourth judge, Kara DioGuardi?
The arrival at "Idol's" New York auditions last week by DioGuardi, a singer-songwriter who has worked with the Jonas Brothers, Carrie Underwood, Paris Hilton and fellow judge Paula Abdul, is particularly puzzling. Given that the judges' remarks are often the show's most leaden part, that's the last thing that needs expansion. Here are five ways we hope DioGuardi actually improves "American Idol."
1. Pick better contestants. Due respect to David Cook and Jordin Sparks, but the past two "Idol" seasons have felt hobbled by a collection of mostly underwhelming contestants (yes, Sanjaya Malakar and Kristy Lee Cook, that's a swipe at you). Fifteen minutes trolling Greenwich Village clubs would net better singers than "Idol" offers all season; maybe DioGuardi can raise the bar a bit.
2. Get Paula off the crazy train or on it, entirely. Stress over competing with DioGuardi (who, frankly, combines Randy Jackson's credits and Simon Cowell's attitude with Abdul's sex appeal) will either push "Idol's" only other female judge completely over the edge or force her to get it together at last.
3. Upgrade judges' comments. The judges' banality became a serious problem last season: Jackson was incomprehensible, Abdul was hopelessly trite and Cowell was too egotistical to be entertaining. A fourth judge shortens everyone's comments, and surely someone smart enough to make Paris Hilton sound like a singer can make this group interesting again.
4. Upgrade the auditions. We are so over the hours of audition shows ricocheting from intentionally bizarre freakazoids to poignant features on real contenders. DioGuardi built a business on digging up new talent, so maybe she can coach some kids with potential into even better audition performances.
5. Sexual tension. If all else fails, she can flirt with Cowell and watch Ryan Seacrest go all "Fatal Attraction" on national TV. Because any woman tangles with that bromance at her own peril.
Copyright © 2008 The Seattle Times Company
E-mail article
Print view Share:
Digg
Newsvine
![]()
TCM's Meryl Streep marathon is a Monday TV pick
Little people call for FCC to ban 'midget'
Plasma and LCD beware; OLED screens ready to go mainstream
Homebodies fuel boob-tube boomlet
The joy of remote input for TV and computer

2009 fireworks time lapse
With strict parking rules enforced at this year's July 4th celebration on Wallingford Ave North, less cars and more spectators filled the streets.
Entertainment | Top Video | World | Offbeat Video | Sci-Tech
- Seattle may allow homeowners to build backyard cottages
- Landmark Smith Tower mostly vacant
- Police: McNair's girlfriend bought gun Thursday
- Mariners Blog | What the Seattle Mariners learned on their road trip
- Property taxes: Appeals shoot up in King, Snohomish Counties
- Climber who died in fall was Duvall woman
- New laws help tenants evicted due to foreclosure
- Palin links resignation to 'higher calling' and blasts media in Facebook posting
- Former NFL MVP McNair killed
- Hard times for tourist towns means good deals for travelers
- Palin links resignation to 'higher calling' and blasts media in Facebook posting
221 - What Mariners learned on this road trip
160 - Tent City on campus: UW stalls decision
118 - Seattle may allow homeowners to build backyard cottages
98 - FBI denounces rumors: Palin not investigated
91 - New laws help tenants evicted due to foreclosure
75 - Bellevue ordinance would fine retailers for not collecting runaway shopping carts
65 - Bicyclist fatally hit by SUV outside Bremerton
64 - 2 wounded in Central District drive-by shooting
63 - Man fatally shot by King County deputy during domestic-violence call
47
- Seattle may allow homeowners to build backyard cottages
- Property taxes: Appeals shoot up in King, Snohomish Counties
- Researchers stunned by inmates' success raising endangered frogs
- Hard times for tourist towns means good deals for travelers
- Landmark Smith Tower mostly vacant
- 250 gather in field near Twisp for fairy congress
- New laws help tenants evicted due to foreclosure
- Microsoft warns of serious computer security hole
- Plasma and LCD beware; OLED screens ready to go mainstream
- Home sales climb in June in King County; median price drops from year ago to $395,000




