American Idol

Kara DioGuardi, that prolific song writer, the sneakily attractive new American Idol judge, remains a mystery.  America may have been introduced to Kara, but only in a brief manner.  We will only truly know who this Kara is when we see her in action, crushing dreams of stardom next to the English Guy, the Black Guy and the Ramble Machine 3000.  The more I ponder this move by Simon Fuller and the American Idol brain trust, the more it comes across as a stroke of genius.  Adding a fourth judge gives Idol an incredible amount of flexibility, both in the short-term and long-term.  America can start to get to know Kara early, and if they like her, she could be the New Simon once all the originals hang up their judging shoes.  If they don't like Kara, she can easily be terminated after the season (or mid-season for that matter).  If you want a sneak peak at the mysterious 37-year old, Kara DioGuardi will make a guest appearance on the season premiere of Talk Show with Spike Ferensten Saturday, September 13 at 12am ET/PT on FOX. 

Talk Show with Spike Ferensten is entering its third season, making it the longest-running talk show in the history of the FOX network.  Well, to be fair, when Talk Show premiered its second season, it was already the network's longest-running talk show, which is simply a sad reflection on FOX's ability to compete with the other networks in the late night talk show circuit (The Magic Hour, anyone?). 

Kara DioGuardi, a massive success in her own right as a song writer for some of the biggest names in the recording industry, is about to be thrust into the national spotlight and stardom in about as abrupt a manner as possible.  In that regard, she's kind of like an American Idol contestant.  One week she's not famous, the next everyone knows her name.  It will be very interesting to see how she responds to the fame and the undue pressure that surely comes with it.


-Oscar Dahl, BuddyTV Senior Writer
(Image Courtesy of FOX)