In This Case, The Fourth is a Charm!

Move over Simon, Randy and Paula there's a new gal in town! Kara DioGuardi joins American Idol as the fourth judge! Kara's a native New Yorker and one of my old pals from the very early, extra dorky grammar school years! (Although she wasn't quite so dorky - she took me under her wing!) There were some good times in grammar school, you know, we were CURAZY doing things like hanging out drinking soda and having chips while playing Ouija Board; we performed in the school talent show - OK, she performed, I sang a couple of songs from Annie (even back then it was clear this girl was gonna go places); and then of course participation on the Catholic School makeshift soccer team, etc. Like I said, we were just plain nuts as pre-teens.

You may see her as an overnight sensation, but she's been in the music biz for a long time producing, writing, singing and this gig is well deserved!

So, if you haven't heard of or at least watched an AI episode in your lifetime, you're either living under a rock or just don't have a TV. And, if you haven't been watching, start now! I guarantee she'll shake things up and will hold her own going head to head with Simon!

Congrats Kara and best of luck!!!