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Access Atlanta > American Idol Buzz > Archives > 2008 > August > 25 > Entry
8/25: Kara DioGuardi talks to the media
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
I listened to reporters barrage Kara DioGuardi with questions for 45 minutes and here are my impressions:
-She seems fairly level headed but not terribly colorful in terms of quotes. It’s certain she won’t be flighty like Paula or harsh like Simon or catchphrase-happy like Randy. What she’ll be we won’t quite know until she sits down tomorrow and begins her job. “I will be a straight shooter,” she said. “It’s flattering to think they even thought of me. When I got the call, I thought they were calling the wrong person. I’m the new kid on the block. I hope everyone goes easy on me… I am a lucky lucky gal.” She dubbed herself “a little feisty.”
-She was a judge on the very short-lived reality show on ABC “The One,” an “Idol” ripoff that was cancelled after just four episodes and alarming low ratings in 2006. I just noticed Syesha Mercado was on the show. Nobody asked DioGuardi about that.
-She has no clue where she’ll be sitting. I’m sure leaks will come out tomorrow from contestants in the know. I bet she’ll go before Paula but after Randy.
-I asked about how she got into music. She was a would-be singer who ended up becoming an in-demand songwriter/producer in the pop field. She has an impressive resume and has worked with many Idols.
-Her favorite Idol to work with was Kelly Clarkson. (Cool beans!) She produced Kelly’s hit “Walk Away.” Of the contestants last season, she liked Brooke White the most. “She looked like an artist, felt like an artist, had an interesting tone.”
-“Idol” called her literally just days ago and flew her to New York, where the first later-round auditions start tomorrow. “I almost fell off my chair.”
-She’s closest friends with Paula Abdul. They co-wrote a Kylie Minogue song together. It’s called “Spinning Around.” It was a worldwide hit, never released in the U.S.:
-She has done A&R work to find artists though nobody asked if she discovered anybody notable.
-On being on TV and thrust into the limelight: “I’m putting some money into buying more makeup. I’ll be ready for the camera.”
In other “Idol” news:
-Access Hollywood reports that Jennifer Hudson will be performing the National Anthem at the Democratic National Convention on Thursday before Barack Obama speaks.
Comments
By JTesla
August 25, 2008 5:00 PM | Link to this
Good info. It will be interesting to know where she will sit, but if I remember correctly back in the old days there wasn’t a set order. I’ve grown to enjoy Simon going last, but everyone else can be switched up.
By Deirdre
August 25, 2008 5:03 PM | Link to this
Thanks Rodney. It’s going to be “interesting”…whatever happens.
And congrats to JHud on her anthem gig!(Did that sound too wannabe hip?)
By Nana
August 25, 2008 5:13 PM | Link to this
Thanks for the update Rodney. I can’t see anyone but Simon being in the last seat. They should mix up the others.
D: You were fine, not to worry.
Driving home in this nasty weather was horrible. Home safe and sound, now I can relax before I cook dinner.
By Kamille
August 25, 2008 5:26 PM | Link to this
yay I liked Brooke White the most too :)
By Justin
August 25, 2008 9:18 PM | Link to this
Interesting…a new judge. That’s gonna be soo weird to get used to esp. if it’s full time. And actually they had guest judges in season 3 also. Um…yeah it’s just gonna be weird, meaning the whole new season is gonna be weird with new changes
By GAgirl
August 25, 2008 9:48 PM | Link to this
Frankly, I think adding a fourth judge is a big mistake but guess we will just have to wait and see.
By Harmony
August 25, 2008 11:19 PM | Link to this
I wanted a little of Fay’s rain, not 57 inches all at once!We could possibly get to do this all over again with Gustav. What drought?
The latest cousin news is that after being on life support and the parents being told he was brain dead, my cousin may just survive his electrocution yet! He has had several surgeries,including partial removal of his brain,lost one lung,paralized on the right side, still having to use a breathing tube(don’t know if he will be able to breathe on his own).He is no longer in a coma, will have to relearn how to walk,talk,and every thing else, he will be sent to the Sheperd Spinal Clinic soon. His parents are overjoyed. My aunt says that is the worst feeling in the world, thinking your child is going to die and there is nothing you can do to help them. Thank all of you for the prayers, in this case they seem to be working!
I don’t know how I feel about Idol adding a new judge, I’ll wait and see how it goes. Looking forward to DWTS and all the other shows starting up in September. I wonder who the wildcard will be on AGT?
By magna rx male enhancement
August 25, 2008 11:59 PM | Link to this
She should know her way around then if she has directed that many idols.
magna rx male enhancement
By Nana
August 26, 2008 5:02 AM | Link to this
Good Morning.
Harm: Great news about your cousin. Hope and pray that he will continue to improve. How much longer till the birth of your granchild? That will be a happy event and take away some of the sadness your family is going through. Nothing brings joy and laughter like a baby’s birth.
Time to head out the door, so I will chat later.
Everyone please please drive careful and be safe.
By DawnH
August 26, 2008 7:06 AM | Link to this
Good morning everyone. I must say… despite the traffic woes, I am lovin’ this rain!
Harmony, that is wonderful news about your cousin. Hopefully he will continue to improve dramatically and prove, once again, that miracles do happen!
Took a look at the Fantasia blog this morning - the “haters” and “lovers” are still at it (LOL). Maybe Deirdre could put a request into Rodney to avoid any reporting on Fantasia or Archie. We should stick to subjects that are less likely to incite a blog riot - like religion or politics!
By Deirdre
August 26, 2008 7:59 AM | Link to this
Morning!
Harm…good news about your cousin. He will need a lot of family support in the coming months.
This blog has never been one for tiptoeing through the tulips. Some weeks you’re a “hater” and some weeks you’re not!
By kellyfan
August 26, 2008 8:25 AM | Link to this
Hi y’all…
Harmony, glad to hear your cousin’s doing better. Just keep prayin’. :)
Hope today is not as exciting as yesterday…so, I’m a convert of this new judge. One guess why. Ha. ;) Actually, we’ll see. I think new perspective could be nice.
DWTS: Whoo! Misty May-Treanor and Maks! That’s gonna be an intersting pairing. (Not gonna lie…I love Maks.) Also looking forward to Lance Bass and Lacey Schwimmer. If those two can make it work, I see them all the way to the end. I am a little bummed that Tom Selleck didn’t make it…maybe next time.
By Nana
August 26, 2008 8:48 AM | Link to this
kellyfan I’m with you on Tom Selleck. Why couldn’t it have been him instead of Cloris Leachman, who I think will be the oldest star ever on DWTS. And no, I am not discriminating against age. If she is able to dance, then more power to her. It just gives us more mature persons something to look forward to.
By Deirdre
August 26, 2008 9:08 AM | Link to this
Cloris Leachman’s a pistol! She was a pistol in her 30’s and she’s been a pistol ever since. I’m looking forward to her and Misty May. Everybody else? Not so much.
By Nana
August 26, 2008 9:18 AM | Link to this
I also like Cloris. I think she is very funny. I once saw a show that had her and Phyllis Diller on it and it was a riot. I laughed so hard at the both of them. I was in no way putting her down and am anxious to see just how far she will go. As far as Susan Lucci goes, my take on her is still out, although I like her as Erica Kane. As a dancer, will just have to wait and see what she can do.
By Lara
August 26, 2008 9:19 AM | Link to this
Good morning blogsters!!! What lovely weather. I don’t like driving in the rain, but I love to hear it pounding on the pavement!! We need it so bad! I am not sure what to think about the 4th judge, so I am refraining from judgement (pun intended) until I see her in action! Way to go Jennifer Hudson!!!
(I avoided yesterday’s blog like the plague!!!!)
By Deirdre
August 26, 2008 9:29 AM | Link to this
I’ve heard that Susan Lucci is a very nice person…and I have no doubt of that…..she’s just so tiny and perfect and poised that she annoys the heck out of me. :-)
By flats
August 26, 2008 9:29 AM | Link to this
GOOD MORNING COLLEGE BALLSIANS!!!!ONLY 4 DAYS 3 HOURS AND SOME CHANGE TIL GEORGIA’S COLLEGE BALLS KICKS OFF!!!!CAN YOU FEEL IT??????BALLS!!!
By Nana
August 26, 2008 9:42 AM | Link to this
Susan is very petite and professional. You know who her mother is, don’t you?
By Deirdre
August 26, 2008 9:50 AM | Link to this
No, I don’t know who her mother is but I do know that she has repeatedly denied the internet spawned rumor that Phyllis Diller is her mother.
I just read that our new Judge, Kara, was a judge on the reality show that failed called The One…in a side note, Syesha Mercado also appeared as a contestant on that show.
By Nana
August 26, 2008 10:11 AM | Link to this
Years ago when the actress who played her mother on All My Children passed, there was an article in one of the NYC newspapers of Susan and Phyllis in a pix together. The headlines read something to the effect, “Real Mom Comforts Soap Star in Death of TV Mom.” I may not remember the exact words, but it was close to this. It seems ever since that article appeared, the rumors (or truth) have been out there and Susan has vehemently denied it.
By Longtime AI watcher
August 26, 2008 10:24 AM | Link to this
Hey all.
I know Susan has done some Broadway in the past. I think it was “Annie Get Your Gun” was her latest show there. I think Cameron convinced her to go for and she should be very good at it.
I had the chance to meet her several years ago at the Soap Days in Disney World. She is very sweet in person.
By Nana
August 26, 2008 11:04 AM | Link to this
Isn’t linny leaving for Daytona Beach tomorrow? I noticed that she hasn’t posted yet today and was just wondering about her.
The rain is coming down in buckts here in Norcross. I suspect that all is getting rain.
By JTesla
August 26, 2008 11:11 AM | Link to this
Is it tomorrow that she heads to Daytona Beach? Linny, pack your water wings!
By woodpappy
August 26, 2008 1:03 PM | Link to this
Hey Flats, Is Ga. playing football this weekend?
By linny ,,,=^..^=,,,
August 26, 2008 1:09 PM | Link to this
yea guys, tomorrow night — i’m afraid to look at a weather map, LOL
By Deirdre
August 26, 2008 1:31 PM | Link to this
linny…we won’t even mention Gustaf. Maybe he’ll head for Texas.
I’ve been off doing moving things and am now taking a break. I hate moving(I guess that makes me a hater…:-) )
By Harmony
August 26, 2008 1:56 PM | Link to this
Funny that Nana mentioned my first grand-child today, due January 9th. Drumroll… … … It’s a BOY! I found out this morning. If anyone gets to talk to War Eagle, please tell him that I’m getting a grandson too! This baby has all the genes to be over 6ft.6in. when he groes up, his dad is 6’6,one grand-father is 6’6, the other 6’5. I choose basketball, but it’s really not up to me to choose, he will make his own choices about what his interests will be.
Have a safe and restful vacation Linny, we will try and keep Gustav away from you.
AGT comes back on tonight,I suppose I’ll be watching. I have no interest in weatching those boring conventions.
The sun is out here, that means the storms will start popping soon,more rain.
By harrietth
August 26, 2008 2:23 PM | Link to this
Good afternoon all. I certainly hope the wet weather stays away for your trip, linny. It rained last night, but cleared up here in Columbia, SC this morning. I even got to get my lunchtime walk around campus in today. I feel so much better when I walk. Anyway, they are still calling for lots of rain for the next few days here.
AGT has been gone so long I have forgotten most of the contestants. I will record it, as I am watching the other thing that is on tonight.
BTW, I read awhile ago that Paula and the new judge have written a song together, but Paula is still concerned that the public won’t accept the new format. She is probably not wanting to share the spotlight with another woman. She also claims that it will give Simon too much power, although I can’t figure that one out.
By linny ,,,=^..^=,,,
August 26, 2008 2:47 PM | Link to this
perhaps she’s referring to Nigel Lythgoe’s departure from active management, and Simon taking on “more responsibility” … not just the 4th judge thing — which, btw, i am not at ALL sure i like — we already have “too much” of the judges and not enough IMHO of the contestants…
thanks guys for your well-wishes — i just spoke to my sister and she says its beautiful in Daytona, lol. fingers crossed!!
By Nana
August 26, 2008 3:06 PM | Link to this
Congrats Harm on the coming main attraction. These last few months will go by in a hurry, I hope.
linny, may you have a nice vacation with lots of R & R. ENJOY!!!!!!
I think that PA likes to be the only female on the panel of judges. She may not like the sharing, but she will accept it and deal with it in a very professional manner. I’m sure she will be her natural self and at times loopy. At least she and Kara have worked together before so that in itself won’t seem strange to either one of them. In order to have more contestant time, maybe AI will have less commerical breaks. On this, do I hear an Amen?
By flats
August 26, 2008 3:16 PM | Link to this
BALLS!!!LITTLE UNDER 4 DAYS TIL COLLEGE BALLS STARTS!!!!GO DAWGS!!!!
By Nana
August 26, 2008 3:19 PM | Link to this
Just took a peek at yesterday’s blog and bloggers are still posting about the topic. As the saying goes, “Let sleeping dogs lay.”
By flats
August 26, 2008 3:32 PM | Link to this
NANA,They should focus on the balls season coming up in a few days.
By Nana
August 26, 2008 3:43 PM | Link to this
Agree flats. They need a new subject.
Almost time for me to wrap up my day so I can drive home in the rain and fight the horrific traffic.
Y’ll drive careful and be safe in driving home.
Later………………..LOL :)
By harrietth
August 26, 2008 4:33 PM | Link to this
linny, have a great time in Daytona! Bye to everyone else, too. Time to head for home. In my book there are only two days left, flats.
By flats
August 28, 2008 2:37 PM | Link to this
JACKWHATS?