American Idol Adds Fourth Judge

The true reality show is at the judges' table, after all

(NEWSER) - Paula Abdul “walked away from a multimillion-dollar salary, a gig that brought her out of obscurity”—but it’s American Idol that will smart the most from her departure, writes Jeanne McManus for the Washington Post. “She generally contributed absolutely nothing to the verdict of the talent that stood before her,” but she will be missed at “that dysfunctional, squabbling dinner table known as the panel of judges.” More»

(NEWSER) - Any interview with Paula Abdul has acres of fertile ground to cover, and this Thursday's sit-down with ABC's Nightline is no exception. In excerpts released early, Abdul calls Simon Cowell a "masterful bully," says there's no tension between her and new Idol judge Kara DioGuardi, denies ever being drunk or on drugs during the show, and sidesteps a question about whether she'll renew her contract after this season, the New York Post reports. More»

Cowell, new judge unimpressed by each other

(NEWSER) - A feminine addition to American Idol’s judging panel was supposed to ruffle Paula Abdul’s feathers, but she’s butting heads with the acerbic Simon Cowell instead. The initial flirtations between Cowell and Kara DioGuardi have fizzled to mutual contempt. “Kara thinks Simon’s a pain,” a source tells the Chicago Sun-Times, adding, “Paula thinks it’s funny how things have turned out.” More»

List of 36 contestants revealed, some never seen in auditions

(NEWSER) - Warning to American Idol fans: If you don’t like spoilers, be careful what you search for. A list of the contestants who will perform on the new season has been leaked by fan sites, the New York Post reports. The list includes some surprise contestants whose auditions weren’t shown on TV. Among the lucky 36:

• Joanna Pacitti, once on a major label.
• Scott MacIntyre, 23, blind since birth, who attended Arizona State at age 14.

Idol 's new fourth judge 'feisty, heartfelt, and outspoken'

(NEWSER) - Simon Cowell, beware: Your new sparring partner arrives this week on American Idol. “If he doesn’t let me speak, it’s going to be a problem,” Kara DioGuardi, a songwriter and Idol’s fourth judge, tells the New York Times. “I’m not going into this thinking everyone’s going to love me,” she said. “But they can’t take away what I’ve done.” More»