From Kara's website:
DioGuardi's forthcoming releases and collaborations include cuts from artists David Cook, Esmee Denters, Pink, Martina McBride, Hannah Montana, Demi Lovato, Diego, Menudo, Tom Jones, Amie Miriello, The Pussycat Dolls, Nick Lachey, Daniel Powter, Crosby Loggins, Tyler Hilton, Halestorm, Jesse Lee, and Clique.

And from mj's:
BREAKING!

Ryan Seacrest just announced on his radio show today that songwriter Kara DioGuardi would be joining the American Idol judging panel! Stay tuned for more details!

Ryan is broadcasting live from New York City this morning as Randy Jackson, Paula Abdul and Simon Cowell begin the 3rd round auditions. He’ll be interviewing them today, as well as the NEW 4th judge, Kara DioGuardi.

Kara is a songwriter who has written songs for several Idols, including Taylor Hicks, Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood. Other artists who have recorded her songs include Christina Aguilera, Gwen Stefani, Pink, Avril Lavigne, Britney Spears, Hannah Montana, Jonas Brothers, Faith Hill, Santana, and Celine Dion. She’s collaborated with Justin Timberlake, Chad Kroeger, Danja, Jeffrey Steele, The Underdogs, and David Hodges amongst many others.

On Ryan’s broadcast this morning he said he wasn’t aware of any changes to the American Idol, other than the 4th judge. The original premise of American Idol was to have a 4th judge.

Go to MJ's for the lates updates !!
Arrgh I'm so excited!

ETA: see her americanidol.com interview HERE!

Listen to her interview with Ryan HERE!

Thanks for posting this article, Widya.

Kara had better make it work, as the 4th judge of American Idol. I am well aware that it isn't easy being one, especially when the idea of having the 4th judge didn't exactly work out well for the past few seasons. Also, it won't be easy blending into the strong chemistry and bonding that Simon, Paula and Randy had cultivated for the past seven seasons.

And, you know Seth..she's being interviewed by Ryan right now!
Haha..I hope mj is recording it..

I've looked at Kara's discography on her website and she has quite an impressive list !

There's a interview with her here: http://www.americanidol.com/videos/?vid=1296&pcs=172

I don't know if a fourth judge is a good idea, it's just gonna take more time away from the contestants and i was really hoping for longer performances. But there's always a chance that she'll be able to provide comments that at least make sense and i'm hoping she knows more words than Randy (and that can only be a good thing ).

I'll definitely be looking out for that one.

As I watched her clip on Idol, things are certainly looking up for the judges. She expressed surprise when she was told she was short-listed as the 4th judge, which was definitely out of the blue for her. Whatever it may be, I am already liking her.

Still, I hope the idea of having the 4th judge works out, with Miss DioGuardi in the panel. For one sure thing, she could definitely help Paula whenever the latter is at a loss of words.

If anybody here watches Canadian Idol, they have a fourth permanent judge...it doesn't seem to take too much time away from performances. If anything, they cut to the chase with their commentary. They're more to the point.

Anyway...this lady, judging by her interview, looks promising. That she's worked with DC is a nice added bonus.

I think having another female voice on the judging panel is a good idea, as long as her personality meshes with the existing trio.

i think having her on board is a great idea for the show's evolution. last season we saw (in david) what happens when you have a serious musician competing on idol. kara's knowledge as a songwriter, producer, etc will bring out the best in next year's contestants. i'm interested.

On MJ's someone posted a link to a interview with her where she says: "Oh and I actually have a song now on the David Archuleta CD that’s coming out, I think soon. I co-wrote with David Cook. So hopefully he’ll use that song too, so two songs on the new Idols. " I don't know he'll be using her song since he didn't mention her once in any interview (or did he?), but i think it could've been a interesting writing session for him, since she would have brought a female perspective to whatever they were working on and i think, since Axium, his co-writers have only been guys. Anyway, i liked her on Ryan, so hopefully she will only add to the show.

Yes, I too hope that with new blood in the show, it can only get better.
And she does seem pretty smart, sassy and yet diplomatic..

We'll have to wait and see. Btw, I can't wait to see how she interacts with the other judges..

thanks for this report, Kara
cant wait to see AI8!!! 2 ladies must be better than 1 LOL

ThankYou! Nice to hear there will be another woman!

http://mjsbigblog.com/kara-dioguardio-spea...s.htm#more-5493

It would be interesting to see how it all works out since Kara and the 3 present judges knew one another very well. Especially Paula, who expressed excitement and looking forward to welcoming Kara on board.


Add the term "articulate" to that list as well.

Article about Paula Abdul on Idol's new fourth judge:

http://tv.yahoo.com/show/34934/news/urn:ne...25957__ER:62339

Paula Actually Looks Forward to Newbie Judge
By Dahvi Shira
Tue Aug 26, 3:05 AM PDT

Yesterday, the Internet was buzzing that Paula Abdul didn't approve of American Idol's decision to hire a fourth judge, songwriter Kara DioGuardi

But judging from the A.I. queen's conversation with Ryan Seacrest on his KIIS-FM show today, it seems as though Paula couldn't be more thrilled to have her pal Kara—whose career she claims to have launched—join her, Simon and Randy at the judges' table.

Paula tells Ryan she met Kara outside a restaurant in New York when Kara was a Billboard magazine employee with songwriting dreams. After meeting her that day, Paula convinced Idol's newbie judge to drop everything and move to L.A. with her.

Says Paula: "[Kara] was my roommate! And I took her all around the world with me and introduced her to wonderful people...She stayed in Sweden and wrote with these people and got started living her dream."

Not only does Paula sound enthusiastic about Kara in general, but when Ryan asked her where Kara will sit at the judges' table, Paula said, "I dunno. Hopefully next to me." But in case that proves distracting, Paula continues, "we'll probably be separated by Simon or something."

When in doubt, always blame the British guy.

I was listening to WPLJ 95.5 in NYC this morning and they will giving all of Kara's credentials - she really is impressive with who she has written for and with.

Her credentials are, as you say impressive for hits.
I am not sure that this is the kind of musical influence that DC is looking for. Looking at her body of work, this is extremely POP with the exception of Santana. Since DC has never mentioned her and he has had ample oportunity, this could be interpreted as an influence that did not knock him out. David knows what he wants.
After listening to her top songs, she is NOT at all a Rocker. If these are samples of what she would bring to Cook I hope she does not make it onto his album. Unless, of course, David brought out a side to her that had not been explored yet. Could be, might be you never know.
She seems much more suited to Archie then Cook.

He has mentioned writing with her in at least one interview. I think it was the Toronto one.

After seeing Simon Cowell's recent statements about the the season 7 cast, I really don't want to watch the show again. I won't elaborate on them here but I have no desire to spend any more time with the guy anytime soon.

Both Cook and Archie's names was linked to her as far as collabs were concerned sometime back with their albums. Just because Cook is making a rock record doesn't mean this woman is incapable of writing a rock song. I'm going to give her the benefit of the doubt till I hear the material. It could end up when it's all said and done that her material may not make the cut. This is just my .02, but I don't think it's time to panic till we hear the material.

Well the thing to keep in mind is she co-wrote with him. Rock isn't necessarily in writing but sometimes rather the production, and Rob Cavallo is most certainly rock. Some of the best rock power ballads aren't exactly hardcore in the lyric department She also co-wrote Kelly Clarkson's "Walk Away"..with who else? Raine Maida. So this may not be so bad.

DC mentioned Kara in the same interview where he confirmed Rob was the producer.

I perceive David to be an artist with the least need for a "female perspective." He has all the sensitivity and tender nuance to appeal to any female sensibility. Isn't that why this board--populated predominantly by females--loves him so? Also, I think David looks past gender and solely at the material. He probably wouldn't care if the corroborator was a three-eyed alien if the creature wrote well.

Very well put. You are absolutely right.

My sentiments exactly. She had mentioned that she wrote some songs for David, but at the end of the day, David gets to decide which song goes to his new CD and which one doesn't.

Also, David did mention co-writing songs in a few interviews, there could be a chance Kara could be one of the songwriters in his collaboration list, only that she weren't mentioned.

That shouldn't even be an excuse to slip into panic mode.

I think it might happen, but David wouldn't do a pop song or put that on his cd.