Thursday 28 August 2008

Will Fourth 'Idol' Judge Fit in or Fan Flames?


If three's a crowd, testament four be a party for the judges on "American Idol" season eight-spot?
(Getty Images)


The familiar Randy-Paula-Simon triumvirate formally becomes a quartet Tuesday with the addition of a fourth judge, songwriter-to-the-stars Kara DioGuardi, who joins the juggernaut show at open auditions in New York.


"I'm a little aflutter," DioGuardi told ABC News. "But I'm up for it. I'm ready to take it on."


Grammy-nominated DioGuardi, 37, has penned hits for Celine Dion, Christina Aguilera and "Idol's" past and present -- including Kelly Clarkson and David Cook. She also boasts television talent-searching experience -- serving as a label on ABC's "The One."


So how did DioGuardi country a plum tree gig and a front-row seat on the biggest show on TV?


DioGuardi aforementioned simply: "I'm a lucky, lucky girl."





More specifically, "Idol" producers reached out to DioGuardi and without so much as an audition with Randy Jackson, Paula Abdul and Simon Cowell, tapped her to suit the new judge. "Idol" fanatics ar already salivating for DioGuardi details. Will she be the distaff Cowell or perhaps the articulate Abdul? Will she coin a phrase as overused as Jackson's "dawg"?


"I don't think I'm standardized to anybody," DioGuardi aforesaid. "I hold my have style. � I think that's wherefore they brought me on."


DioGuardi describes herself as "feisty" and admits she's a sucker for a solid performance of "Imagine," merely there is likely more substantial motivation for her hiring. She is diplomatic when asked if she thinks her addition to the prove is an effort to jump-start more or less sagging ratings.


"It's obviously a really successful show, so it's truly their option what they want to do," DioGuardi said. "I really can't comment on�what it means."


But DioGuardi's front is virtually certain to create new chemistry at the judges' table. Cowell has congratulated her, but don't await to see DioGuardi and Abdul giggling over their Coca-Cola cups. Abdul told a Phoenix radio place she's "concerned about the audience and acceptance."







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