As one of the most successful shows in television history narrows down to its final weeks, I must admit that I have some mixed emotions about the season thus far.

I fully understand the need to retool a show that has been around for close to a decade, throw a few curve balls our way, shake things up a little, and even add a new face to the panel. However, I must ask the producers why they felt the need make so many abrupt changes to a format that has already proven more then successful, both on an entertainment level as well as financial. The multi billion dollar show may have showed a slight slip in ratings last season, down from an average of about 28 million viewers to approximately 26 million, still easily blowing any competition from other networks right out of the water.

So does this slight drop in ratings justify the changes, or were the powers that be simply trying to keep the show fresh, and perhaps try to generate new viewers. After so many seasons, I think the show basically has its foundation of loyal die hard fans followed by a group that catches it when they can. Then their would be those that are just opposed to everything the show stands for, this demographic is never going to come around no matter what changes are made. That being said, are the producers desperate to ensure their loyal fans do not stray from them and cheat by tuning into Dancing With The Stars on a religious basis instead of American Idol. Or are they trying to assimilate the group of in betweens to full all out American Idol Fans?

The most notable change would have to be the new addition of a fourth judge, producer and song writer Kara DioGuardi. I personally am not a fan of hers. I find her snobbish, stand offish, and in desperate need of acceptance from her peers. With her being added to the show rumors spread like wild fire that she was being groomed to replace Paula, I hope these are just that, rumors. Other changes were in the shows format. As Idol hopefuls tried to make the cut into the top 26 the judges actually pinned some of them up against each other in a “sing off,” where they would basically be singing for their lives. I found this to be cruel. Another big surprise was making the show into a top 13 contest instead of the usual top 12. A move obviously put fourth by the shows producers, not judges, to inspire shock value and conversation amongst its viewers…I suppose it worked as I’m writing about it now.

Finally, theirs the save. The only change that I agree with. The judges have the right to save one contestant form elimination if they feel America got it wrong while voting. As I’ve seen many talented singers leave the show prematurely I have to agree with this new rule. It is suppose to be a singing competition, not just a popularity contest based on voting for the one you find the sexiest.

Despite its changes, the show is still as strong as ever and shows no signs of slowing down. I’m certain it will continue to entertain and change lives for many more seasons, unless of course Simon Cowell decides to disburse from the show. I think he helped build it into what it is, if he leaves the show it will be like putting it on life support, it will cling to survival until eventually someone pulls the plug and puts it out of its misery.

As the eighth season of the mega hit show American Idols Live quickly approaches, the fans of American Idols Live all have the same question on their mind, how will a new judge blend in with the show? Adding another judge to the already overwhelmingly successful formula mixture of Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson, and Paula Abdul is a very bold move on behalf of the producers of American Idols Live. Will this new judge become a key ingredient in the mix, or will this cause an explosion on the American Idols Live stage with a negative impact on the show. I ask this mainly because the new judge happens to be a very successful, beautiful, and talented woman, a few years younger than Paula.

I suspect there may very well be some tension on the judging block between Paula and the new talent in question, Kara DioGuardi. Perhaps this is what the producers of American Idols Live had in mind when they made this decision, to add a little more drama to the already soap operaish prime time talent show. This new addition has also raised questions of Paula’s future on American Idols Live, is she perhaps being weeded out. It is possible that Paula’s odd behavior in recent seasons, combined with the constant drama that follows her, and her diva attitude have become too much for them to handle. Another interesting point is the fact that Simon is newly single, will there be a cat fight on stage in a war for his attention. All of these questions are up in the air at the moment, however one thing is for certain, Kara DioGuardi is certainly qualified.

Her full name is Kara Elizabeth DioGuardi, born December 9, 1970. She is an American songwriter, record producer, and singer who have played a very influential role in dozens of famed songs. She has already worked with several alumni of American Idols Live which include season one winner Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, and the newly famed David Archuleta. Add to that already impressive list Celine Dion and you can see she knows talent.

Kara won a BMI Cable Award for co-writing and performing Somethin’ To Say in 2003. It was the theme to the Lifetime Television series For the People, which starred Lea Thompson. She was named BMI’s Pop Songwriter of the Year in 2007. Between 2003 and 2007 she had received 10 BMI awards. At that time she had written the most performed songs on the radio. As of today, Kara DioGuardi has had over 46 albums in the Top 10 on Billboard magazine’s 200 album chart. Combined, her songs have sold over 100 million copies.

As for previous judging experience, she was a judge on the 2006 Idol type show called The One: Making a Music Star. Unfortunately, the show debuted with the second lowest ratings ever for the premiere of a prime time network show.

I suppose the producers thought that it was time for some big changes on the set of American Idols Live, but I just don’t know if adding a new female judge was the way to go. She isn’t well known enough to attract a new audience to the show, but if the diehard fans turn against her, or feel she’s taking away from Paula whom they’ve grown to love, her presence may very well hurt the show. I suppose only time will tell.