Critic's Notebook: Rearranging 'American Idol' -- and losing Kara DioGuardi's songwriting know-how

In recent days, “American Idol” came to resemble one of those 1970s disaster movies in which half the horror — and, let’s face it, most of the fun — came from betting on which star would be picked off next. The newest singing talent from television’s No. 1 Towering Inferno had already been pushed onto a flaming balcony last month, when Live Nation announced the cancellation of seven American Idols Live tour stops.

Then the furnace exploded under the judges’ table. Ellen DeGeneres confirmed her departure, claiming her incurable niceness made the job too tough. Kara DioGuardi reportedly found herself to be a typical American worker, shocked at her own expendability when her contract was not renewed. Rumors that even the durable dawg Randy Jackson, a music biz survivor if there ever was one, had almost felt the burn caused some to wonder if cancellation might be the best way out of this wreck.

But this is television, a medium that tends to support unlikely survival; to belabor a metaphor, successful programs jump sharks instead of quickly expiring within their bloody maws. A new “Idol” is emerging from this weekend’s debris, with seasoned performers Steven Tyler and Jennifer Lopez poised to claim the spots vacated by DeGeneres and DioGuardi.

This shift in focus strikes me as more shrewd than desperate; a tacit acknowledgment that the pretense upon which “Idol” was founded has faded to nothingness now that Simon Cowell is gone. Under the savvy Brit’s leadership, the program reconstructed the classic showbiz myth of the unwashed hopeful, discovered and molded into star material by supportive talent scouts. The judges were not stars themselves — Paula Abdul, let’s remember, was a has-been when she found her “Idol” niche — but insiders able to help raw kids like Kelly Clarkson and Fantasia navigate the tricky music industry. Viewers, identifying with the judges, enjoyed the frisson of helping shape the future of pop.

During "Idol’s" reign, however, something huge happened: The music industry fell apart. Kingpins like Cowell may still make stars, but just as often now they seem to emerge of their own volition. Think of Justin Bieber, the prince of YouTube, or Lady Gaga in her homemade Bowie outfits, or Taylor Swift, holding her own in a songwriters’ circle before she could go to prom. These real-life idols all reached their current superstardom with major help from managers and record label heads, but their official stories make them seem fairly self-made.

Within this changing world, the “Idol” microcosm also shifted. Sometime around Season 7, when Carly Smithson emerged as a contender who’d previously been signed (and apparently mishandled) by a major label, it became clear that “Idol’s” kids were not unscrubbed at all — most had some form of serious show business experience, whether it came via “Star Search,” Christian contemporary music, or Bieber-style viral videos. At first, the corruption of the show’s amateur ideal bothered viewers. But by now, few care — partly because technological advances have made us into a nation of pop semi-pros, all busy recording ditties in our bedrooms or restructuring our lives as potential reality shows.

Call it celebritocracy; fame, not free speech or the lost art of privacy, now seems like our inalienable right. That the post-Cowell “Idol” would shift toward performers advising other performers makes sense within this context. Steven Tyler and Jennifer Lopez couldn’t be more suitable. Tyler’s a classic-rock road dog who adapted to pop by singing crossover ballads; he appeals to both conservative viewers craving authenticity and those who care more about humor and flash. And Lopez was one of this era’s first multi-platform stars, a singer-actress-dancer-fashionista pretty good at many things while not specializing in any of them, adept at the crucial 21st century art of personal branding, which every “Idol” hopeful must learn.

These likely new judges could save “Idol,” if they really focus on helping the contestants improve what remains the center of the show, despite everything: the musical performances. “Idol’s” talent pool may have pop experience, but it’s often not the kind that makes for compelling television. These strivers often don’t know how to fire up a big audience, or court the camera, or create a confident, appealing persona in a live setting. If Lopez, Tyler and Jackson offered meaningful tips on actual stagecraft — and selected contestants with the potential to follow them — “Idol” might find another Kelly Clarkson, or Carrie Underwood, and live on.

What’s lost in this equation? Nothing DeGeneres offered; even she now says her “Idol” time was a mistake. DioGuardi, however, brought real skills to the judges’ table. As a top songwriter, she represented an exciting force in contemporary music: Women songwriters like Keri Hilson, Katy Perry and the one born Stefani Germanotta are first succeeding behind the scenes and then emerging as the decade’s most compelling voices. DioGuardi’s comments on “Idol” read well on paper; they were full of insight and useful historical context. Her biggest problem was that she came off as awkward, either too forceful or too flip. As a judge, she just couldn’t sell herself. And selling yourself is what matters on “Idol” these days, whether you’re also selling advice from the floor or up there sweating, selling a song.

-- Ann Powers

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Will Jennifer Lopez breathe life into a sinking 'American Idol'?

Top photo: Kara DioGuardi at the Do Something Awards in July. Credit: Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times. At left:Jennifer Lopez at an AIDS benefit at the Cannes Film Festival in May. Credit: Joel Ryan / Associated Press

Comments

[Rebel09]

Kara Dioguardi killed the original Idol coronation song tradition by writing that atrocious song No Boundaries. No credible songwriter would have written that disaster of a song.. They should have fired her then.. I for one will not miss her if she gets fired. She just did not bring anything new to the table and one has to wonder why she was brought in in the first place.

[lulu]

Certainly NOT! And good riddance!

[fattddaddy]

Good article..Kara knew her stuff, but there was an "air" of arrogance surrounding her that the public couldn't shake. However, I truly believe that J-Lo NEEDS Idol more than Idol needs her.

[douglas]

A huge part of why these shows are interesting is the drama and interplay with the judges. The new lineup seems forced and odd. It remains to be seen if they have any chemistry, but it seems dubious. When the judges get along too well or all say the same thing, the show gets boring. See Project Runway. Idol was at it's best when the judging panel seemed set and while they bickered, you never thought that they'd ever actually break up.

All the haters who bag on kara--I ask, what does randy bring? "I dunno, dog. It's just not happening for me." For that, his most common response, he makes millions? I agree, she often seemed a little awkward, but I appreciate her point of view since she actually writes for and produces for these kids.

Another big mistake last season was the visiting judges. It just seemed wrong that the official panel did not work from day one. The final talent pool should be culled by one panel of judges, not a rotating random group. It's not only about creating camaraderie between the judges but also about creating a sense of fairness. If you have a spice girl one week and some tv dude the next, that could change who gets in. It just didn't seem fair.

It is surprising how difficult it seems to have been to find a new panel. If this is really it, tyler, lopez, jackson, I suspect the show won't be that entertaining. We know jlo has movies to do, tyler has tours so they, like ellen, won't seem as committed as the original trio. They'll feel like they're doing a part time job and it will be tough to invest in them as ai characters.

All this analysis aside, look at the overnight ratings for current tv programming. It's dismal! Even if ai brings in half of it's typical audience, it will still be the number one show. So it ain't going anywhere soon. The shame is, it certainly won't be as good.

[ken holderbaum]

No I do not believe it will hurt idol. At least they need to get someone who has been there(as a singer) at least one judge. they need someone like Queen La Tiefa who the music industry respects.

J Lo is a great addition if she has strong opinions. Ellen hurt Idol... to tell you the truth I did not watch Idol last year in good part because Ellen was worthless.

[Richard9]

Kara was both likable and an "internal" hire by the show's producers (she had previously coached contestants), but the songs she co-wrote for finalists - who had no choice but to sing them - were middle-of-the-road schlock that tilted the scales heavily in favor of convention. Even Simon complained. And with the unfortunate decision to add a fourth judge, both Kara and Ellen came off as "third wheels."

It's time to move on. Tyler is an exciting choice - an unpredictable and accomplished artist with nine-lives worth of record industry experience. He should make things interesting again.

[asher hawke]

I think AI should become the Murder She Wrote of the decade, bringing in rotating guest hosts each and every week....realy old, washed up guest hosts. I would watch it every week.

[ANNIE]

I THINK THE NEW ADDITION OF JUDGES WILL BE GREAT. SO GLAD TO SEE KARA GO......AGREE, SHE WAS OBNOXIOUS AND ANNOYING. TRUTHFULLY, THE CONTESTANTS MAKE THE SHOW. THIS PAST YEAR THE TALENT WAS MEDIOCRE AT BEST. NO ADAM LAMBERTS FOR SURE.
I WILL DEFINITELY WATCH AGAIN WITH HOPES THAT THERE IS BETTER TALENT. SAD TO SEE SIMON OFF THE SHOW BUT I THINK THE "SHOW WILL GO ON".

[Criminy]

Kara is nice, but she is NO Paula Abdul. And that is why IDOL went under.

[Cal]

Katy Perry is a 'compelling voice'? Really? Aside from the fact that she is an annoying personality (as opposed to artist) who cannot sing, all she seems to record are novelty songs. Ann, I expect more of you.

[JimBob]

I thought that Kara was the most informative judge on the show. Randy, Ellen and even Paula just gave their impressions as a viewer. Kara gave that aspect of "this is what you have, now let's do this to refine it" attitude. I thought that was welcome and probably the best advice for the contestants. Simon was more blunt about things. But, sometimes his commentary lingered on how the contestant's shoes looked. I understand his point because image is important, but those kids don't dress themselves past top 12. Now, I do think veterans JLo and Tyler will lend some of that music expertise that Kara once gave. What we're missing now is somebody from a management point-of-view that Simon gave. Record execs and talent scouts are brutally honest, like Simon was when he wasn't giving fashion advice. If the show were to succeed, it will need to add someone of that caliber.