The surrogate
It begins with a woman who yearns for a baby and another who is willing and able to give her one. You can imagine the motives of the prospective parents. But what about the woman willing to carry a baby, give birth and then walk away?
Friday Night Rewind It doesn't matter which team you cheer for. We've got video previews of every high school football program in Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco and Hernando County.
The growing backlash among viewers and critics this year made it plain: Fox needs to upgrade American Idol before the franchise gets seriously stale. So why have the first two changes announced for the network's top-rated reality TV singing competition focused on stuff that doesn't need alteration — namely, the departure of savvy producer Nigel Lythgoe and the addition of a fourth judge, Kara DioGuardi? The arrival at Idol's New York auditions Monday by DioGuardi — a singer-songwriter who has worked with the Jonas Brothers, Carrie Underwood, Paris Hilton and fellow judge Paula Abdul — is particularly puzzling. Given that the judges' remarks are often the show's most leaden part, that's the last thing that needs expansion. Whatever. Here are five ways we hope DioGaurdi actually improves American Idol.
1. Pick better contestants.
Due respect to David Cook and Jordin Sparks, but the past two Idol seasons have felt hobbled by a collection of mostly underwhelming contestants (yes, Sanjaya Malakar and Kristy Lee Cook, that's a swipe at you). Fifteen minutes trolling Greenwich Village clubs would net better singers than Idol offers all season; maybe DioGuardi can raise the bar a bit.
2. Get Paula off the crazy train or on it, entirely.
Stress over competing with DioGuardi (who, frankly, combines Randy Jackson's credits and Simon Cowell's attitude with Abdul's sex appeal) will either push Idol's only other female judge completely over the edge or force her to get it together at last. Ratings-wise, female viewers love a good soap opera and male viewers love a good catfight. Everybody wins!
3. Upgrade judges' comments.
The judges' banality became a serious problem last season: Jackson was incomprehensible, Abdul was hopelessly trite and Cowell was too egotistical to be entertaining. A fourth judge shortens everyone's comments, and surely someone smart enough to make Paris Hilton sound like a singer can make this group interesting again.
4. Upgrade the auditions.
We are so over the hours of audition shows ricocheting from intentionally bizarre freakazoids to poignant features on real contenders. DioGuardi built a business on digging up new talent, so maybe she can coach some kids with potential into even better audition performances.
5. Sexual tension.
If all else fails, she can flirt with Cowell and watch Ryan Seacrest, right, go all Fatal Attraction on national TV. Because any woman tangles with that bromance at her own peril.
Eric Deggans can be reached at deggans@sptimes.com or (727) 893-8521. See his blog at blogs.tampabay.com/media.
Kara Who?
New American Idol judge Kara DioGuardi's name might sound unfamiliar, but she's a big-time music biz success story. Here are some quickie facts to go with the face.
The numbers: Her songs have appeared on more than 100-million records. She has been awarded 10 BMI Pop Awards for having co-written the most-performed songs on the radio. Some songs you'll recognize that she had a hand in: Ain't No Other Man (Christina Aguilera), Pieces of Me (Ashlee Simpson), Lost (Faith Hill).
The themes: In addition to pop songs, she has co-written or composed theme songs for TV shows including Will and Grace, The Biggest Loser and Extreme Makeover.
Idol ties: DioGuardi's company Arthouse Entertainment is producing music by Idol runner-up David Archuleta. She has worked with other former contestants, including Kelly Clarkson, Clay Aiken and Taylor Hicks.
Getting personal: DioGuardi is a New York native. Originally recruited to Duke University for its opera program, she graduated with a degree in political science. Before she began a career in the music business, she worked in magazine publishing. At 37, she's the youngest Idol judge.
You be the judge
Go to this post at blogs. tampabay.com/media and tell us how you'd make improvements to American Idol.
[Last modified: Aug 28, 2008 11:17 AM]
Comments on this article
by Jim
Aug 28, 2008 11:17 AM
Nigel Lythgoe is a great judge on Stars. He actually helps the performers. I wonder if the judges take five minutes in planning. Seems there ego will get in the way of everything.The judges are not the show.The variety of the performers make it great
by Jim
Aug 28, 2008 11:16 AM
Just some of my comments on your five improvements. Pick better contestants . I for one will not be watching one minute of the Killer auditions showing these to the public is not entertaining all I want is to be entertained!
by michael
Aug 27, 2008 12:16 PM
The fact that people even watch this trash just shows the decline of the American people. This is a worthless trivial show for people who do NOTHING to make themselves or this country better.
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