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
Tom -
You REALLY nailed it. Thanks for your comments about Siobhan Magnus (hope that's the correct spelling). They are supposed to be helping and advising these kids, but instead, they are destroying a very talented singer. What a disgrace. Such blatant bias. When big Mike danced his way around the stage some weeks ago,looking like an elephant in a tutu, he looked ridiculous, and the only one to tell him was Simon. What is this crap about Kara not knowing who Siobhan is? We hear it every week from her. If she has a problem with this girl (on a personal level) she's in the wrong job. I think the people behind the scenes want her to stroke and lay all over Simon. I can't believe she's that much of an idiot to do it on her own. They probably think it makes for interesting viewing. Wow, are they wrong - it makes for puking. The show should be renamed TITANIC since it's sinking fast. Joan
KARA AND ELLEN NEED TO GO! ELLEN LIKES MUSIC...THIS IS NO REASON TO GIVE HER A JUDGING JOB ON IDOL. KARA IS A FRUSTRATED SINGER. SHE'S SCARED TO GET OUT THERE AND SING, SO SHE TELL YOUNG PEOPLE HOW TO SING. I USED TO BE A FAITHFUL FAN OF IDOL, BUT SINCE PAULA'S GONE, THE SHOW SUCKS BIG TIME. SAY WHAT YOU WANT ABOUT PAULA, BUT SHE KEPT THAT SHOW ALIVE, AND SHE KNEW HOW TO PICK THE RIGHT KIND OF TALENT. THE PRODUCERS SHOULD HAVE GIVEN PAULA A RAISE LIKE THEY GAVE THE MEN ON IDOL. DID I SAY THE SHOW SUCKS! YEAH, I WATCH DANCING WITH THE HAS/BEENS NOW.
Kara is a unbearably annoying!! Her head popping pseudo cool jive is merely self serving and transparently competitive. She defines herself as a "musician" and a "song writer" but lets face it, she's NOT Carol King! PLEASE dump the bimbo!!
Ellen is a breath of fresh air, but when the "voice of intelligence and truth leaves" (Simon) the show will tank!
This will be my last year of watching Idol. Simon, who is the best judge, will be leaving. At least he always tells it like it is, isn't trying to win a personality contest, and he's always been right on the mark. This year, however, he's been a little too mellow and hasn't had as much to say. Maybe he hasn't had the time because Kara seems to want to say it all. She repeats herself, telling people she doesn't know who they are, or they don't know who they are. What's that all about? It was a mistake bringing her on as the fourth judge and the biggest mistake was letting Paula go. Those two happenings changed the dynamics of the show completely. Why did the powers that be think they could improve something that was already perfect? Although I adore Ellen, she really doesn't belong on Idol especially since Kara totally dismisses her. As for Randy...I am so sick of hearing, "Yo Man. What's happenin' Man? What's goin' down?" Speak English PLEASE!!! I also feel, however, that the judges should have more of a say in the finals, as the person who wins should be the best SINGER, not the most beautiful, or the most handsome.
IS KARA THE BEST JUDGE ON IDOL.no.simon the best.thats real.at this time i would have 2 say #2 judge ellen.kara wants to be paula.that is why she is all over simonif she was my wife it would be over.randy no's 2 words i dont think i have to say more.ellen dose what randy dose,sorry ellen i still love you.but you love music but dont no any thing about it other then you like it.kara gives advices.yes she give advices simon give her.when simon leaves .i well be looking for a new job.it will be over simon dont care anymore .he is gone.i am one of manny camera man at fox.dose sex go on at idol.you well have to read my book.behide the camera.i will tell all.i do no crystal will win vote for her.
I can't STAND Kara!!! I have tried over and over to listen to her comments and I always have to mute her. She really likes to hear herself talk. She takes up so much time that the other judges have to keep their comments down to a minimum. She has ruined the show for me. I can't wait for Simon to start his new show and bring back Paula. Paula was a ditz but I liked her. The show has really gone downhill since Kara was added. Dump the hand talker and bring back Paula otherwise this is my last year watching. I have been a faithful watcher from the very first show and it is depressing what they have done to a show that already worked perfect. Ellen is sweet and honest so I think she was a good addition. I just can't stand Kara.
You hit the nail on the head - I also find her very annoying - she has reasons for not liking some of the performances that just don't make sense - I think she just likes to hear herself talk - Love Ellen, Love Simon, as for Kara, she's just filling an empty chair - get rid of her!
shes the worst
Kara's an amazing judge. I thought she wasn't good at all last year, but she's really improved and I agree with most, if not all, of what she says. And the panel needs her. How credible would the panel be without someone on it who is actively participating in the music industry? Simon's leaving, Ellen's a comedian, & Randy isn't involved daily in music. Kara spends her life working with a wide range of artists and signs them on top of it. Her experience is invaluable.
kara is awful ands she is a sucky judge. YES, she is beautiful BUT she expects them 2 change up the song and they do and when it's her turn 2 judge the performance, she always says:' ya know im not feeling the vibe. it was not good...just not good...'
I don't think Paula was a good judge,but Kara is the worst. She's so full of herself. I hated to watch while she's judging the contestants. It's so annoying. GET RID OF HER!!
I totally agree. It upsets me that they allow Kara on the show--she is not in the least constructive in her criticism. She almost seems jealous at times when she is judging the one young female singer. She really upsets me she is so irritating. I hope they get rid of her soon.
Personally, I find this woman's constant rubbing on Simon to be a "oopy" performance of what she perceived was Paula & Simon's relationship.
I though Siobon would have laid the "I don't know who you are" comments to rest when she told the judges that she is a versatile singer --- but no---Kara is still confused... she is repetitive, boring, and simply doesn't provide "entertainment". She is a professional, but a backstage artist, which is where she ought to have stayed.
I think the other 3 judges are diverse and entertaining to keep the show alive.
I wish she had been voted off with Tim
kara thinks she's on simons level ellen is so much better bring paula back
Kara is as annoying as they come ! what the hell is her claim to fame ?she's about done with her 15 minutes of fame & i for one will be happy to see her go ! she's a dimwit - get rid of her!
I think Kara can be the best Judge, but she is full of herself and power. She will ragg idol one week about one thing and reverse it next week. She didn't need to tell casey to take his shirt off when he was trying out either..Gee, lets encourage the perverts watching..Cool her Jets or FLY.
I don't think Kara is a good judge. Shes mushy. Sometimes I feel she judges the contestants unfair. She wants them to improve when I feel that they did. I didn't like Paula. She was the opposite everyone was wonderful and great. The show needs someone like Queen Lafita who would be a great judge. Knowledgeable about the business, knows music, pitch etc. The judging needs a spark.I like and respect Simon,But you need a judge involve in the music industry. NOT KARA!!!!!!!!
Kara is so critical with Siobhan. Siobhan is a very good singer!!!! I think Kara is jealous of her!!!! Kara go home and don't come back to American Idol next year... (if there is going to be an American Idol next year).
I love Ellen she's honest and fair.
Kara needs to go! I tried to like her the first year and just couldn't do it then and still can't. Simon makes the show what it is, without Randy and his ways, it would suck. Losing Paula hurt them big time. Ellen started out weak but has really been steping up to the plate. I like the way she has those voted off on her show too.
Kara says one thing then totally confuses those poor kids performing. Each year she acts like she is having an affair with one of the performers. This year its Casey. You know he can't win because the world will say she fixed it because of the way she acts when he comes on stage. I hate her know it all attitude. I had never heard of her before she came on idol but she acts like she was and is the best singer ever. Her bathing suit stunt last year was cheap and slutty too.
Kara loves to hear herself talk or something. People were saying Paula rambled on and on like she didn't know where she was......uhm has anyone ever really listened to Kara. One week she will tell someone, "it wasn't good, I didn't feel your personality coming out of the song, you didn't throw yourself into it." The next week, same person," It wasn't good, you just threw yourself into that song and forgot about who made it famous.......we want you to make it your own but that was your own too much." And you see them on stage looking at her like she is the crazy one........she is people! She needs to go! Leave Ellen there with Randy and BEG Simon to stay.
Kara will alway be an "WANT TO BE" in my opinion, she will always live in Paula's shadow. Instead of judging people on the way they sing, they are alway saying what they should have sung, or who are they?. Why not just judge who they are now, they are just kids, Give them a break.
Kara needs to go, Paula needs to come back everyone liked her, simon leaving thats sad he is great judge tough you need someone like that. Ellen is good she is listening and watching the performances as they change each week and gives fair critisim, kara is jealous of some of the woman def shows who she likes and dislikes and is not a good judge, randy has to stop being dawg person. get more into choosing whos best he also likes to pick who and what kind of music he likes if he likes it he will say something good if he doesnt like the kind of music like siobahn he will give her a hard time. she is a great singer with diversity and character i think she should win. and crystal is great too but doesnt change style as much. simon is the best judge paula was great ellen and queen latifa would be great. but if you go stern and that other publisied drunk hasslehoff the show will be over half the year they are poor role models for this show with young adults. if I were ellen I would think twice about coming back as she would be embarrassed to be on that show...if they dont get the right judges.
KARA IS A TALENTED SONG WRITER AND A FANTASTIC SINGER. LAST YEAR ON ONE OF THE SHOWS SHE DISPLAYED HER BEAUTIFUL AND VERY SEXYY BODY. SHE IS A VALUED JUDGE BECAUSE OF HER MUSICAL TALENTS. I WOULD LOVE TO SEE HER IN A SKIMPY OUT FIT , SUCH AS THE ONE SHE WORE LAST YEAR WHEN SHE PERFORMED ON STAGE.
Kara is annoying, and I don't care for Ellen as a judge either. I think the show will go down hill next year even more, especially after Simon leaves. I have watched it every year.
Kara makes me cringe when she is critiquing the contestants because I am embarrassed for her and what shes going to say. She always makes herself look so foolish, and the constant playing up to Simon is sickening. Alot of the comments said here are dead on. What Idol needs is real artists/musicians who have made it in the business to be judges. Being a judge on Idol has its perks, but it is so unattractive to be so critical of people constantly. I think any artist who could be a judge on Idol would not want to because of this. Unless they were just doing it for the money like the judges Idol has now!
I think that Kara DioGuardi is stupid. She's an airhead. She hangs on to Simon like a rag doll. You are married idiot. You act like you're a trick. Most of the time she doesn't wear her ring. If I was your husband I would you a choice, be an airhead or be my wife. Why is she an judge anyway? Idol needs to find people with more experience in the music industry to judge someone who sings. A song writer isn't a singer. She repeats everything Randy says, she is a total airhead. I would vote to remove her from the show.
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