DVDizzy Forum

This thread is about half a year early, but there will be a fourth judge when American Idol returns in the winter:

http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/159351 ... hers.jhtml

New 'American Idol' Judge Kara DioGuardi Promises She'll 'Say It Like I See It' In Season Eight

Songwriter joins Simon, Paula and Randy for New York auditions Tuesday.
By Chris Harris

As a Grammy-nominated songwriter, Kara DioGuardi has worked with the likes of Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, the Jonas Brothers, David Cook, Britney Spears and even Celine Dion. But as a judge on the forthcoming season of "American Idol," how will she fare with the likes of Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson and Paula Abdul? Well, she'll find out Tuesday (August 26), when she meets up with her new co-workers for the first time during the New York round of "Idol" auditions.

In a conference call with reporters on Monday, just hours after she was announced as the reality show's fourth judge, DioGuardi admitted that she's "a little nervous" about her new gig — but that doesn't mean she's going to be a pushover.

"I'm going to be a straight-shooter and say it like I see it and maintain that philosophy," she said, according to People.com. "I'm somebody who's really honest and gives an opinion. If I feel I need to be hard, I will be. And if I feel I need to be more nurturing, I will be."

DioGuardi said she "almost fell off the chair" when the show's producers contacted her about the job, and expressed excitement about working next to Abdul, with whom she collaborated on Kylie Minogue's 2000 track "Spinning Around." Asked if she thought Abdul felt threatened by her addition, DioGuardi said that, though she hadn't spoken to her colleague, "I would think she'd be excited."

The songwriter added that she hopes to inject "a new chemistry" into the panel, but she's not entirely sure how the judges will break ties during the auditions. While most viewers won't recognize her when the next season of "Idol" gets under way this coming January, DioGuardi said she hopes fans will accept her.

"I'm not a household name," she said. "I'm putting some money into buying some makeup."

I'm kind of iffy about this. I'll still watch, but this could possibly hurt the show. I heard about this on a radio station this morning, and the woman said she thought they were trying to slowly replace Paula. I hope that doesn't come to pass. Though Paula is a bit zany at times, she's synonomous with American Idol at this point (as is Simon).

And even if this possibly creates a dip in ratings, I don't think they could've topped season 7 for me anyway. That's the most interested I've ever been in the show.

I think it is pointless and that they are just doing it for ratings since they have been down the last two seasons, they should have stuck with guest judges. But with Paula being incoherent half the time maybe they needed a new female judge to actually pay attention to the performances.

Could be good or bad. I too think they are setting up to slowly replace Paula. The problem is how are they going to let all 4 judges give their opinions. They already run short of time with 3.