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
Ellen and Kara needs to go neither are good judges Kara is so confused at times she acts like she doesn't know where she is except to rub on Simon. She should act more lady like in this position. Ellen can't say anything until someone else gives there opinion first so she can pick up on what they say really bad. Crystal is the best singer on the show she should come out first.
The only judges we should have on American Idol is Simon, Paula & Randy. All the rest don't give anything to the show. Simon PLEASE
don't go. Don't ever put Howard Stearn on the show, you will lose a loyal fan.
A
Actually I think all, except Ellen, are good. And Ellen is improving. I like Simon and Kara the most. Their experience is in music. Kara, by the way, is gorgeous!!
I think Kara is so full of herself. I think she is an awful judge. When ever she speaks it is always long an distasteful. She thinks she knows it all. She tells these kids oh why don't u try this and then when they do she shuts them down. It is like this show is all about her. CAN NOT STAND HER!!!
KARA IS AS GOOD AS ELLEN, BUT SIMON IS THE BEST. HE TALKES HIS WALK.
YOU CAN NOT MISUNDERSTAND HIM.
I actually have NEVER written to a show and wanted to this year. At the beginning of the season I wanted to ask if someone had been given Kara some of Paula's painkillers??? No offense to Paula -- she is great and is who she is Paula - talented with a sweet heart and possible some medical problems. But, Kara who trying to pretend to be Paula and hang all over Simon and even starting wearing her hair and clothes to look like Paula. Come on -- give us a break. Poor sweet Simon who is a gentleman has taken it all in stride. I don't know if she took this attitude on her own or if the producers thought it might be good for publicity, if so they are ignorant!! Even Ryan had made a couple of comments and Simon just smiles and takes it stride and you can tell by his body language he would prefer for her to be quiet and leave him alone. Kara also dismisses Ellen which is so rude. Ellen knows her music and actually is a much better judge!!! I hope next year when Simon does leave they keep Ellen and get rid of Kara and she does definitely play favorites. As in all the years, Simon is the best judge and is direct, fair, and is always right on target if everyone would let him actually get her full comments out. He uses contructive criticism and does not change and confuse the contestant like Kara -- she either changes back and forth and or just keeps saying the same thing over and over. It will be interesting next year what happens and PLEASE do not even consider David Hasselholf. LOL It needs to be someone firm and knows what he is doing!! My opinion would be another British guy. Maybe that singer/actor who helped Andres Lloyd Webber on the BBC show on finding the next Joseph.
Worst Judge on any show. SHE NEEDS TO GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I think Kara is honest and understnds music much more than some on the show. I find she stands out because I do not see the bias in her as I do with Randy (Mike) Simon( for his obvious dislike for Soubon)If you listen to Mike it is the same old thing ewvery week no range in voice and repiticous but yet they have the gaul to praise him over others that are far supior in talent. I think this is the worst display of bis since Ruben Studdard won because of the constant week after week promotion of the judges. I think his lack of success is a fair way of seeing this. At least Clay Aiken had some hits and is still doing well.
Ken Warner
You are joking right? Can't stand her long winded responses. I record the show just so I can fast forward through her.
Kara is as awkward as a horse with blinders on! Ryan Seacrest is the only one left on this show with any personality! Kick em' all to the curb and let the people really vote! I thought this was a singing contest not a popularity show. I won't be watching if they don't select real talent next year!
Kara sucks! She needs to leave the show along with Simon or the show will die. If people thought that Paula was weird, this aging broad is just confused and adds no value. Get rid of her!
No, she is my least favorite. I have been VERY impressed with Ellen. She has been so very positive all season and I think they did the right thing by having her as a judge and I hope she will continue to be a judge on Idol. I wish Paula would come back in Kara place.
Keeping to the question and the issue:
Although Kara has musical knowledge, experience and know how, it does not translate to judging the merits of the contestants' performances. It's like a teacher who is obviously knowledgeable in his subject, but who, nonetheless, is impossible to understand and learn from.
Unlike Paula, who had a lot of emotional ticks, Kara is preening, inconsistent, often mean-spirited and more concerned with her own "performance" each week than a consistent, relevant judging of any individual performance. The viewer -- and certainly the performer -- is often confused by her rambling, disjointed comments.
Whether she's "beautiful," "sexy" or talented is beyond the qualifications. Personally, I think she is none of the above, and I find her an unecessary and annoying part of the process. In no way, is she the "best" judge.
Most of you are fools. Remember, it is a singing competition, not a popularity contest as its made out to be. Kara, has FOUND a few celebrities that we know today. She obviously knows what she is talking about. Ellen, well she doesn't know what to say. She is nice and has a few funny jokes here and there but thats about it. She might know what a good performance is but she doesn't know anything about singing. All she says is "I really like you". Keep Kara, kick Ellen.
Simon is the best. I don't like, but I don't hate Kara. Ellen brings a refreshing "everyman" point of view--she loves music and is a great supporter. Randy, well...dawg...what can you say? As far as a replacement for Simon, all seem to be missing the point--it needs to be someone from the business end of the recording industry!! That is why Simon is credible AND why he helped create the original British version.
I agree that Kara needs to go. When it come time for her "expert opion" I change to another channel. I have quit watching Idol as faithfull as I did. It's lost its pazaz!!!!
I don't feel Kari has been that beneficial for the contestants, but more confusing for them than anything else. She goes into so much advise, it becomes a tad bit annoying and we all forget what point she is trying to make, let alone what she said.?? Complimenting them .. yes, advising them... uh no. Ellen seem to be more comfortable with and enjoying her spot on idol. She is most encouraging to the contestants. She is a definite plus for the show and the contestants, giving good advise when she sees fit and in her humor that helps to lighten it up and relax the stressfulness for the contestants. Simon makes everyone nervous, lol, but he cares for each contestant and gives good advise that makes sense. Simon will be missed, and though at times he can be overly harsh, even so, it appears the majority of the contestants rely on his advise. Randy? Randy is the dog that babbles on..lol. Can't help liking Randy. I enjoy American Idol and the talent they find, and look forward to every season because of that. I doubt the show will ever not fail to thrive, regardless of what happens to the judges. Every contestant, individual, personality, talent and role they take on is what makes American Idol so wonderful to watch and what we all look forward to each week.
I think all of the judges are excellent. They are all very different and they balance out and compliment each other.
I know that this is ment to be about Kara. However I feel Idol as a whole has been diminished by several things over the last few years.
First, was the addition of the forth judge! Very big mistake!
Second, and even worse, is the loss of Paula! I have to admit that she was not my favorate judge, but compaired to Kara and Ellen she was Golden! Both of them need to go!
Third, why did they ever let these people start using instruments? Very few of the contistants have played well enough for it to make any diference in their performances and most of the time it just takes away from there singing.
Fourth, is this PC thing where they have to have 12 female and 12 male contistants in the final 24. I could care less one way or the other. More female or more male contistants I don't care, just pick the BEST 24 SINGER THEY CAN FIND! In my opinion they have definately left out some of the better singers in favor of this 12 and 12 PC BS.
Last but not least it seems to me that both Randy and Simon are just going through the motions. Maybe it's just this season, and that there just have not been all that many really good performances. I just have not seen the same kind of emotion from Randy as in the past. Randy always seemed to be the one with the best critique of the contistants, as well as the most enthusiastic when someone gave an outstanding performance. As for Simon, it seems that even when he is critical of someone there is just no emotion, it is like he just doesn't wont to be there.
No way! Kara needs to look for another job, maybe strip club but not judge. Her music sucks! She is arrogant, bad personality, poor speaker, does not know or understand music tone, melodic sounds, I doubt if she can even read music, nor play instrument. She sings okay, that is all.
When she speaks, we just mute the TV so we do not have to hear her ignorant comments.
i thik kara is o k
NO, The best judge is not on the American Side of the Show, Amanda Holden.
All we’ve heard from the judges this year is insults, put-downs and criticism about individually and creativity. I suspect that the reason behind this criticism points in the direction of Simon and Kara. Kara has a downright nasty, competitive side that is strictly aimed at bringing certain girls down. I’ve seen it many times before and it’s despicable and ridiculous. I want to say, “Grow up Kara and back off!” Simon is another culprit but for a different reason, I suspect. Simon intuitively senses that American Idol is headed toward the dumpster and he is obviously totally burnt out and can’t wait to jump before the ship sinks... read more at:
http://nahupsi.wordpress.com/2010/04/21/american-idol-recap-siobhan-magnus-and-crystal-bowersox-%e2%80%93-the-inspirational-performers-of-the-night/
Wow. After reading some of the above comments I'm more worried about America than I am about Idol. Stupidity, grammatical errors and personal attacks abound. Hey, folks, it's a talent show!!!!
Kara is outstanding, not only very clear in expressing her opinion but very intelligent and beautiful too. Criticism serves a purpose, I would ouline her expressions as "very constructive criticism". One great grand LADY!I look forward to hear her comments at all times!
Her name: Kara Dioguardi means in Italian "Dear One, may God bless you" and so she is blessed.
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