LOS ANGELES () - "American Idol" on Monday added a fourth fount to its panel of talent judges, a ballad maker and producer who calls herself a "feisty" "square shooter" looking to crown a winner world Health Organization is, above all, singular.
The Grammy-nominated pop composer, Kara DioGuardi, will join veteran soldier "Idol" book of Judges Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson for the coming eighth season of U.S. television's most watched establish when it returns in January 2009.
The addition of DioGuardi, 37, marks the biggest format change for the series, subtitled "The Search for a Superstar," since it burst into prime metre on the Fox electronic network in 2002.
Self-assured with a matter-of-fact, no-nonsense style, DioGuardi is expected to allow a counterbalance to the sometimes gushy, even vacuous on-air theatrical role of Abdul, 46, world Health Organization first gained fame in the eighties as a pop isaac Bashevis Singer.
Though hardly a household identify, DioGuardi has written and produced songs for legion recording artists, including crop up stars Gwen Stefani and Christina Aguilera as well as past "Idol" winners Carrie Underwood and Kelly Clarkson, and has received several awards in recent years.
In a conference name with reporters, she noted a previous collaboration with Abdul, saying they co-wrote a sung dynasty early in her career, "Spinning Around," that went on to become a hit for Kylie Minogue.
"For the past seven-spot seasons, Paula has had to wear the go through of existence the only woman at the book of Judges table," said Mike Darnell, head of alternative programming at Fox. "With Kara by her side, Paula finally has some backup, and at present there is going to be a lot more 'girl power' on the show."
Producers testament put that chemistry to its number one test on Tuesday, when DioGuardi joins Abdul, Cowell and Jackson for the kickoff of auditions in New York.�
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