Last night during the American Idol results show, I detected more than a little tension at the judges’ table which makes me wonder if this season the real drama will occur off-stage.
While new fourth judge Kara DioGuardi was making comments to four contestants, Simon Cowell mumbled that she was rambling, leading to a tense moment or two while she defended her right to do her job and Simon muttered that she was wasting time.
Cowell has commented before that he wasn’t thrilled with the addition of a fourth judge this season, citing the “if it isn’t broke don’t fix it” mentatlity, but then again everyone expects Simon to complain about everything.
But this week, sweet as sugar Paula Abdul reportedly told OK! Magazine that she didn’t think the show needed another judge, sparking Kara DioGuardi to fire back on Access Hollywood, “Paula has a right to her opinions, but I was disappointed by her comments, and hurt that she did not address them to me in person.”
The girls seemed to have bonded during the auditions, joining forces more than once against the guys. Their love of Norman Gentle is what got him through to Hollywood, after all.
The thing is, tension among the judges is what makes the show so much fun. While Paula is usually showering love and positive-thinking, affirmative phrases on the contestants, Randy and Simon are disagreeing, either with her or each other.
I wasn’t a fan of DioGuardi at first, but she’s definitely grown on me. But I have to confess that I miss the familiarity of Simon, Randy and Paula. Now, it’s a little like sitting at Thanksgiving dinner while your Uncle Bob’s second, considerably younger, wife tries to fit into the discussions. You might like her, but it’s awkward when she keeps butting in because you know some of the people at the table have been trying to forget she’s there.
HCD Research rated the Idol judges after another survey during Wednesday night’s show, and the results mirrored last week’s. When asked to evaluate the judges based on scales of likeability, believability, sincerity and fairness, Randy Jackson came out on top. But this week, while Kara was at the bottom of the list, she trailed Simon and Paula by just two points.
In any event, there was clearly some tension last night. Time will tell if there will be more drama with the judges than the contestants this year.
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MORE AMERICAN IDOL POSTS
Norman Gentle This Season’s Sanjaya? No Way! Check out last night’s performance
American Idol’s Jamar Rogers and Frankie Jordan – BIG BIG NEWS!
American Idol Contestants With Ties to Christian Music – Round 2 & Updates
American Idol’s Felicia Barton a Worship Leader at Freedom Fellowship in VA
American Idol Contestant Kristen McNamara & L.A.U.G.H.
More on American Idol contestant Danny Gokey and wife Sophia
More American Idol Posts
And if you want more American Idol show recap, visit my Idol blog at NewChristianVoices.com.
posted February 27, 2009 at 3:29 pm
Remember that old-but-true familiar saying about adding company? But with a twist, three’s-company-four’s-a-crowd; I think the chemistry s just not there for Kara; nothing against her but it’s awkward with four; also keep in mind that in the Bible God always uses numbers like 3, 7, and so on…can’t recall reading anything about the number 4; even the Three Musketeers is a good reason to keep it at 3! There you have it.
posted February 27, 2009 at 4:55 pm
We are seeing the beginning of the end for the show. The smoke and mirrors (the Magic) is slowly fading. The “tension” we see is only encouraged by the production team, and any morning after stories are always a hot topic, thus keeping us watching…”what will they say next?” It’s an old formula, wrapped in new packaging every season. All that being said, you have to admit, they have some talented singers and performers every year. I guess music is still as untouchable as it has ever been. With all the spectacle and “drama” they try to pump into this kind of show, Music still seems to supersede it somehow. God knows where true beauty lies; “a star differs from each star in splendor.”
posted February 27, 2009 at 7:15 pm
I don’t like Idol having 4 judges– it’s too many and it seems like Paula is the most likely to leave after this season so maybe Kara is her replacement. Like all aging series, the older episodes are often better and the newer ones are just milking it for every last cent, even though we’ve seen it all before– if ever there was a show that’s repetitive and tedious, it’s American Idol, esp. this late in the game.
posted February 27, 2009 at 8:04 pm
What are the Producers of the show thinking ? By adding another judge do they think they can kick up the rating of the show ? I think four is too much and we don’t need another smart mouth for a judge . The Show has three smart and strong character of judges and I really think that should be enough .
posted February 28, 2009 at 9:26 am
I really don’t know what Kara brings to the judging panel. She has no distinct personality or dynamic that makes her valuable for being a judge. So what if she’s a song writer– she should just stick to what she does.
I actually agree with Simon that she does talk too much– the show should have just stuck to the 3 original judges.
posted February 28, 2009 at 9:59 am
Joanne, Here’s the deal. Paula is irrevocably pickled and doesn’t seem capable of surviving the season. Kara can’t fill her house shoes. Randy has gone on auto-pilot, and Simon wants out. I think we’re seeing the beginning of American Idol End Times. The contestants will not be the drama this year, if they ever were. John
PS congrats on a great blog
posted February 28, 2009 at 10:19 am
LOL, I’m trying to keep track of how many times Paula says her trademark phrases – You could sing the phone book; You were just being true to who you are; You have a quiet confidence. She can hardly get out her comments this year.
Maybe we should change it to the Norman Gentle show so we can have a good laugh.
Joanne
host of the GS blog
posted March 2, 2009 at 2:46 am
Kara makes the show very boring, she tries to fit in but she can’t! She has little class as she has shown in the first show by calling Bikni Girl a B– tch. Hey Kara children are watching !! next you’ll be using the N word. or better yet why don’t you try the shocker to kiss Paula, why not show your low class and no morals to everyone
posted April 29, 2009 at 12:03 pm
You are all so UNINFORMED! Anyone in the “know” of the music business knows the artistic genius Kara is. To find out more just click on her bio at http://www.karadioguardi.com/main.html