Is Kara DioGuardi the Best Judge on American Idol?
American Idol's current season of contestants is spottier than a D.I.Y. dye-job., but the judging panel isn't exactly a cohesive powerhouse either. Between Randy Jackson, Ellen DeGeneres, and Simon Cowell, critiques have been vague, pandering, and suspiciously biased, respectively. Meanwhile, Kara DioGuardi has improved from her first season, now ably diagnosing issues with song choices and artistic intention. Could the withering backlash against her have had more to do with her sometimes-cloying way of addressing the contestants than with her views themselves? Here are three advantages Kara has over her fellow judges:
Finding Idiosyncrasies
More than the other judges, Kara attempts to address each artist as an individual. While she's savvy about the categorization inherent in the music industry, she also acknowledges what makes each contestant different than their genre boilerplate.
Said To: Didi Benami, after her performance of "Play With Fire"
"I think sometimes when you push on your vocals, you lose your way a bit. But what I liked tonight that I saw was an intensity that you attacked the song with. And that's what those lyrics were about. You got dark. There's something very compelling about the sweetness of your voice with the eeriness of the song. And you did it last week. So for me, it's two steps in the right direction towards who you're becoming as an artist."
Grading Week-to-Week Trends
While Randy and Ellen have exhibited sketchy recall when it comes to past weeks of performances, Kara has a better comprehension about each artist's progress. Best of all, she never becomes dismissive like Simon.
Said To: Aaron Kelly, after his performance of "I Don't Want to Miss a Thing"
"Ellen said it -- best song choice of the night. Maybe one week you were off, but week to week, you know how to pick a song that accentuates the strength in your voice and shows consistency, because you do have that country twang in your voice, and I hear it week to week. I'm not going to beat you up on the vocals, because it wasn't perfect, and we know why. I am going to say, [I want] more stage presence from you. But overall, good attempt."
Constructive Advice
Kara's greatest strength is how she actually gives the performers ideas by zeroing in on their talents and mistakes. While Simon's curt appraisals may be more titillating, Kara's the one who's best able to encourage -- and without Ellen's "Great job" pull-toy soundbites, to boot.
Said To: Crystal Bowersox, after her performance of "Long As I Can See the Light"
"You completely recovered from last week. 'You Oughta Know' [Erratum: She meant 'Hand in My Pocket'] was a more contemporary song, and it just didn't fit you. This is you who are. You are that Americana, rock. And when you come out here, it's effortless. You're just centered. You're focused in a way that the greats are. It's coming from your heart, and you can feel it. And i love it. I think tonight you hit a new level. You hit a new level, and I have to congratulate you for that, because that's very hard in these early days."
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Comments
This lady is an annoying attention "*&@#$%" very desparate to show her aging body. She should cover up and act her age. I will never forget the episode where she came out to show her wrinkled body. Who does that? A low class person with serious psycho issues. Have not watched the show since. Trashy, YUCK, and not the least bit sexy.
Her outward narcism reveals her deep down insecurity and it brings the show down . . . down. . .down.
I think Kara's beautiful and sexy.
I think the issue is about Kara's ability as a judge not her body, nor were we ask about her personality faults etc. I have always found that people who say the kind of things about people like B has done are the one's with the serious issues. They seem to think that they have it all together and everybody else is messed up. I have also found that the worse kind of deception to live under is self deception, to think your something when you are nothing. It really takes a self deceived person to lie to themselves and then believe that lie. How are they ever going to come out from under that deception. I feel real sorry for you B.
Kara is a very thoughtful judge and I think she gives great advice that has real meaning. What she lacks, is that she is not very entertaining, but does she have to be. She takes her role as a judge serious, nothing wrong with that. And I think she is very attractive.
I think Kara is both beautiful and sexy, and she gives actual advices. She gives useful advices, she just needs to deliver her comments in a more charismatic way, as American Idol is an entertainment show. Simon seems like he's slacking off (he's leaving the show anyways), Randy is just...Randy. Ellen gives humorous comments, but as a music critique she is not as good.
One of the main reasons I watch American Idol is because of Kara. She is sexy 😛
You can't blame Kara for acting weird sometimes, as she is a songwriter. She doesn't get public appearances a lot, while the rest of the judges all are used to the public. I dislike people who constantly criticize her, when they don't know how good she is, like B here.
There is a reason the ratings have went down the past two seasons. They start with Kara. She is the most annoying person on TV.
I originally liked Kara, but after watching her this season, I think she needs to go. I believes she plays favorites. Some people that she should really be hard on, she isn't; others, those whom she obviously doesn't like, e.g., Sioban (not sure of spelling), she really is overly critical, claims she doesn't know who she is, and
on and on. Even the other judges are more critical of her, except for Ellen. Last night I think the vocals were great, and they still were overly critical. Why weren't they critical about Aaron? That song was way beyond his ability. It was a karaoke rendition at best. I think they need to look for a replacement fo Kara.
Signed,
Disgruntled viewer in N.C.
I totally agree, the show really needs to get rid of her. she has a fixation about rubbing on simon, if I were her husband I would put a stop to that, it does not say much for her relationship with her husband. please show dump her!
I think that American Idol is on its way out based on what is happening this year. The overall talent is not up to the past years and this disappoints me because I have followed the show over the years. Of the thousands that try to get on the show, what we are seeing is poor selection by the judges in terms of finding exceptional talent to present to the public.
Simon is the most perceptive judge of the lot and the most helpful overall. Kara is attractive and tries to help the contestants with the core issues of attempting to find themselves in order to make it to the final four.
Idol is flawed. Last year's idol should have been Adam Lambert. The final becomes a popularity contest instead of who the best talent that could be the American Idol. Look at Taylor Hicks..not the right choice. Actually the only final choices that have been right are Kelly and Carrie. Something needs to change in the way the final selection is made. Maybe the judges need to have more power in this final selection between the final four.
I mthink that Kara needs to go before next season. Nobody even heard of the woman till American Idol put her on the spotlight. Some people didn't even know she had a ablum out. That's how bad it is here. She gives the singer's their critism knowing she hasn't done anything herself. You shouldn't do any critism till you yourself can put any cd's out so America can atleast know who the hell you are.
Say what you want about Paula, but the show has gone down hill since she left. And Kara is HORRIBLE!! The show will definately be in the toilet, once Simon is gone. This season has been one of the worst seasons ever. This is suppose to be a singing competition, but in the past couple of years, it has been a joke. Jennifer Hudson can sing her ass off, but didn't win. And she has done more things than any winner that has been on the show. Movies, Grammy, commercials, etc. I will NEVER watch American Idol after this joke of a season. And you have Ellen as a judge, who knows not a damn thing about music. PLEASE!!! GIVE ME A F***IN BREAK. Good for you Simon, get out while you can. I will follow you, and hopefully you and Paula will reunite!!.
The best thing you can say about Kara is that she is annoying. We fast forward through her useless comments.
I can't stand Kara. She is completely annoying. Her facial expressios are hideous. She thinks she is hot and she is NOT. What is up with her touchy feely thing going on with Simon? She's loves herself and we hate her. I can't believe she was invited back for another season. PLEASE GET HER OFF THE SHOW AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. She deserves no kindness as she is unkind.
She needs to go, she Doesn't "know" who anybody is, you can count on that comment weekly, they all play fav's. Simon most honest, to brutal sometimes. Ryan needs to be more respectful or be gone. One would think Crystal is the only good one of the bunch, she could get up and Raspberry and they would still know her as an artist. Magnus delivers every week but never is as far as the judges go, come on, they all want Crystal who is good but I would never vote for her because of the judges.
Kara is at least a musician and songwriter and as such, she at least understands the creative process and the mechanics of singing and how to point out strenghts and weaknesses. Randy should be able to do that as well but he doesn't. Ellen understands the stress of live performances and being "judged" (by an audience), loves music but isn't compentent to speak about the technical aspects of the performances... it's visceral for her. Simon is thinking about Dollars and who will sell multiple millions of units when the contestants' time on Idol is done. In that regard, Kara has the advantage. Having said that, even though she's been on the creative/performing end, she's now a corporate cog and is fixated on the "package" artists. Arguably, the point of the show is to have the best singers/performers/who also most commercial potential as winner and runner up, Alas, that seems to be endemic in the biz in the video era. She's a product of her times.
NOOO!!! I feel she is the WORST judge there!! She does seem to be looking for some kind of attention- between her hanging all over Simon which is totally WRONG and the fake emotional moments she's contrived during her judging, it's hard to sit through her turn every time. Next year, if Simon is gone and I'm betting Ellen won't do it again, I won't be watching and validating Kara, no way. She should go back to where she came from, writing songs and whatever else and get her narcisistic butt off TV.
It is my opinion of her and the others that they have destroyed Siobahn Magnus or whatever her name is. She was all but unbelievable when she started and they have hammered her into submission of doing what they say. I saw her as the best vocal with her note grabbing performances that would class her with the bet of the best.Simon and Kara classify it as screaming. This is so wrong and she has the potential of being a top performer. I watch her now and she is lost and whne she was doing her thing she was all smiles and untouchable. Do we really need judges at all? The wya they are acting no way. Let Simon go do his England crap with that other lady who is supposed to be all that and she ain't all that. Kara doesn't know her head from her you know what.
GET RID OF HER. ITS TIME FOR KARA TO GO. ELLEN BRIGHTENS THE SHOW SHE IS GREAT.
Kara is an excellent judge. One of the most intelligent, talented, sexiest, pin on and helpful judges on TV. Anyone who bashes her has no idea of what this beautiful lady has accomplished in her life. Dont be haters either, jealous people. Lets see you do what she has done..and do you have any idea of all the work this sexy lady has done?? And to call her wrinkled when the woman is almost 40 is insane. Most of you will never look as good as her at her age and remember, there IS KARMA. You dont respect mature accomplished good people, wait till you age. You will get what you gave 10 times over so respect the beautiful, mature woman before you become one of the ugly, old and hated as you hated in your youth. Respect her and all good people of all ages, color, and gender, and you will be respected.
KARA GET OUT. NEVER DID LIKE HER COMMENTS AND ATTITUDE. I LIKE THE ORGINIAL 3 WITH PAULA. TO MANY JUDGES NOW THEY DONT EVEN GET TO MAKE COMMENTS RUN OUT OF TIME.
ALSO I LOVE THE SHOW AND HAVE PICK THE TOP 2 EVERY YR WHEN THEY MAKE THE FINAL 12 AND PICK THE WINNER 5 OUT OF 7.
PROBLEM I HAVE WITH THE SHOW IS THE JUDGES TELL PEOPLE TO PICK THERE FAVORITES. THATS WRONG ITS ABOUT THE BEST AND I DONT WHAT STATE THEY ARE FROM. IF SOMEONE WAS FROM COLORADO SPGS AND WASNT THE BEST I WOULDNT VOTE FOR THEM. IT'S ABOUT THE BEST PERIOD. CLAY SHOULD OF WON. RUBEN I LOVED BUT CANT HOLD A CANDLE TO CLAY VOICE R U KINDING. DAULTERY SHOULD OF LASTED TO THE FINAL. ADAM CRUSHED CRUSED CHRIS THE MOST CHANGING OF SONGS THAT ANY CONTEST HAS EVER DONE. HIS VOICE BLEW SLEEPY CHRIS AWAY. WHAT A JOKE. YOU PEOPLE ARE TERRIBLE IN PICKING THE WINNER. IF YOU CANT JUDGE RIGHT NOT VOTE. IT IS NOT ABOUT YOUR FAV IT'S ABOUT THE BEST PERIOD. THE PERSON THAT CAN SING EVERY KIND OF SONG HI AND LOW CHANGING THERE VOICE AND ENTERTAIN YOU. ADAM WAS AWESOME. ADAM GAY OR NOT . CLAY GAY OR NOT. WHO WOULD GO TO CHRIS OR TAYLOR HICKS CONCERT NOT ME ADAM WOULD BE COOL. CLAY I DID GO C AWESOME.
It used to be that we NEVER missed Idol! Now? Forget it. When they got rid of Paula it ruined a good part of the show. But we kept watching, although Kara is a nut case who doesn't care about judging. Got to a point where we couldn't stand watching her. Then they got Ellen?? Since when is she a music professional with the smarts to judge? This show has turned into a joke. Sorry about that, Simon, but you know it too! We've lost interest completely.
i think that kara is the worst judge that there is and thats is why simon is leaving after this season and i dont blame him she is a stupid bit*h and i cant stand her they never should have put her on the show
SHE IS THE WORST, SECOND ONLY TO PAULA. THEY BOTH SEEM TO BE VERY NICE
PERSONALLY, BUT NEITHER ONE HAS A LICK OF ABILITY TO JUDGE ANYONES
PERFORMANCE!
Kara needs to go. She just makes up stuff to make it appear she knows wht she is talking about. I am truly bored with her. Ellen needs to go. Ellen only agrees with Randy. She plays off whatever he says. Randy is ok but he needs to drop the yo yo and yo dog. That gets boring when used all through the show. Frankly, I wouldn't like being called a dog. When Simon leaves, this show will go under. He is the only one who gives the contestants real constructive criticism. Simon seems to have mellowed a little since he got engaged. I think the love of his life told him not to be so critical. WRONG ADVICE!!!!!! Tell the truth Simon. Don't let her tell you how to judge. She's a message therapist, not a judge. You are the only real judge they have. Idol will go under after Simon leaves. By the way, Crystal Bowersox is the only one who sang and inspirational song last night. Perhaps they should have explained what inspirational means because it is obvious she is the only one that knew. She was awesome. This is the first night that I was really sold on her, up till now I thought she was a little cocky, but now I believe she is somewhat troubled and last night we saw her true self.
I really like Kara. She is a breath of fresh air because she is so accurate with all the contestants. She says it like it is!I think she needs to back away from Simon though..what is up with that? Scoot your chair over..Kara!They look like they are a couple!I think Simon's comments actually DEFLATE the contestant's confidence without really providing constructive critisizm. Kara's input has something to offer the contestants. I like Ellen too!
Oh, by the way, has anyone noticed how Randy is trying to be a little more critical in his judging? I think he is trying to impress the producers or whoever makes the decision, into giving him Simon's job. If he don't get it, he may quit too. I hope Big Mike leaves this week. His music is boring or the girl with the big glasses, then Big Mike, then the little guy with the big smile. From there, I predict either one of the other three could be America's idol, but I believe it will be Crystal.
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