When "American Idol" returns for its eighth season in January there will be a new face behind the judges table. Joining Randy Jackson, Paula Abdul and Simon Cowell will be award-winning and Grammy nominated singer/songwriter Kara DioGuardi.
DioGuardi is no stranger to the series, having written songs and hits for former American Idols Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood, as well as Pink, Christina Aguilera, Gwen Stefani and AI's own Paula Abdul. She should definitely add a new dimension to the precedings, as well as a tying vote in disagreements. We'll have to wait until January to see how that twist works out, to say nothing of her chemistry with the other judges.
It is worth noting that with the announcement today, Kara has yet to sit with the other judges, and the audition tour for season eight has already hit eight different cities. Perhaps the newest judge won't be weighing in until the finalists have been chosen.
This is of course not the first time the producers have tinkered with the winning formula of the show. Last season some contestants auditioned with musical instrument accompaniment. Having singer/songwriter Kara DioGuardi would be a logical next step in that evolution.
Notoriously a fourth judge was almost added in the second season, until the female disc jockey chosen admitted she'd never seen the show. That second season also eliminated original co-host Brian Dunkleman. Dunkleman, who left on his own, is now well known as a Trivial Pursuit answer.
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