Kara Dioguardi Exits — Is ‘American Idol’ Lost?

Idolator Staff | September 4, 2010 6:50 pm

At this point, it’s hardly a shock, but singer-songwriter/showoff Kara Dioguardi has parted ways with American Idol after two seasons at the judges’ table, ensuring that the show’s upcoming tenth season will really break with the past. Though Kara’s exit has been sort of assumed since reports surfaced that she’d been shown the door, it didn’t become official til Friday evening, when Fox quietly released a statement confirming her departure. Where in the holy heck does Idol go from here? See if Fox’s statement below offers any clues.

The statement released Friday evening included quotes from both Dioguardi and Idol creator Simon Fuller, who praised her as “one of the world’s best songwriters”. (He did hear her Platinum Weird stuff, right?). For her part, Kara doesn’t take direct shots at anyone, but she does seem to subtly suggest she thinks the show is a sinking ship. She said:

“I felt like I won the lottery when I joined American Idol two years ago, but I feel like now is the best time to leave Idol… It has truly been an amazing experience. I am grateful to FOX, FremantleMedia and 19 Entertainment, as well as the cast, crew and contestants, for all they have given to me. I look forward to my next challenge, and want to thank everyone who has supported me. All the best to everyone on Season 10!”

Just who will compose “everyone”, of course, remains to be seen, given that rumored judge Jennifer Lopez may not make the cut and possible jurist Steven Tyler has, uh, issues. Who will join original Idol dawg Randy Jackson on the judges’ panel? Actually, we’re perfectly willing to see him go too. Let’s just start from scratch, hm? If we put our minds to it, surely we can think of someone great to judge Idol Season 10. Got any ideas?