I think X-factor could learn a lesson on how to properly introduce a new judge to a TV show from American Idol.

1) They clearly hired her because of her expertise, credibility, and ability to speak in a tough but tactful manner. Good looks were no doubt of some importance, but while Kara is pretty she is no beauty queen or pop star, and probably never has seen a botox needle, nor a plastic surgeons knife.

2) They seem to respect Paula Abdul's place on the show. Instead of sending her to Simon Siberia (aka Sitting next to Randy), they are keeping her where she is and not making EVERYTHING about Kara. Every shot is NOT a Kara reaction shot.

3) They aren't making up any B.S. catfights between Paula and Kara for the tabloids. Granted, I think their BFF-ness and "We were roommates"is a bit overblown, but they aren't trying to make them rivals for Simon's affections via the tabloids. No Randy or Ryan interviews that laugh at how Simon only cares about Kara, and that Paula is totally jealous. On top of all that, they actually TALK to each other. Imagine!

(While I think Dannii and Sharon truly hated each other, you know damn well that Dannii and Cheryl were probably instructed never to interact.)

4) They hired someone who could clearly care less about what Simon thinks. No little protegee THIS time Simon. And she just got engaged as well.

So taking all this into account.....how much do you think Simon had to do with the decision to hire Kara? I think it was his idea to hire a new female judge, but something tells me that Kara would not have been his first or even last choice. No doubt in my mind that he wanted some young sexy pop star to sit next to him and make Paula act a fool in jealousy.

That to me is the problem with American Idol . Paula should not be there, she is losing the show viewers .

I think Simon quite likes conflict anyway so I don't see how he would have a problem with Kara disagreeing with him

The problem with AI is Paula? No....the "problem" with A.I. is that it's in it's eight year. Adding a new judge is a good idea, but not at the expense of what has made the show #1 for eight years.

And it's true that Simon likes conflict, but he'd no doubt prefer someone to add conflict while padding his male ego at the same time.

You have some good points, but Simon has a 'handcuffed' deal.
so i'm not sure how much Simon could affect on how the XF's producers portrayed Dannii...

Seeing AI I think that's how it should have been.
It's really beyond ridiculous how they treated Dannii!
And getting involved with having the media slagging her off as well.
So mean and unhuman.

Even with BGT and the arrival of Kelly is different. She's allowed to pose with Amanda and they look like they're having fun.
For that reason alone I like Kelly much more than Cheryl Cole who seemed more interested in becoming a media favourite.

Interesting about Kelly and Amanda. I would have expected another bit of "cat fighting". Granted, it's still early yet..... If the British tabloids can act like Cheyrl might be jealous of Kara(did anyone see that article) than they can do anything.

Of course, Kelly still follows the "sexy starlet" style of hiring.

I disagree . Paula is a waste of time and space, she gets worse as time go's on.

I am glad to see that there is finally a judge on the panel who has a clue about singing as well as general music and/or the business side of things.

She could sing circles around most of the contestants, which is more than can be said for any of the other judges, though I do like Paula/Dannii/Cheryl.

They would never split up Simon and Paula on this show anyway. But tbh, I don't really think XF needs to be learning any lessons from AI just now.

Cheryl had the required level of success to judge the show. She's in the biggest UK girlgroup and she came through the shows herself. Kara is pretty well qualified and in the looks department she is more of a Danni than a Cheryl. A bit like Simon and his novelty phase, she'd probably rather not talk about working on Paris Hilton's album!

Even if it's early, Kelly has shown more matureness and better approach.
She also has done various things so she's more qualified than Cheryl who's only qualification is being in a band.

I'm sure the media will have a go @ Amanda and compare her in a patronising way, but she will never have the hell they put Dannii through.
I really don't think so.

However, seeing AI makes you realise how it could have been, which is really nice.
Dannii won the hearts of the viewers so hopefully she will be more respected by XF's producers next series, if she will still be there of course.

Yeah they really could. I don't care if X-factor's ratings are at an all time high. They have the benefit of being only in it's 5th series. Idol was also at it's ratings height in Season 5, and a much much better show with better talent and better chemistry all around. Glad to see that they are respecting that even now.

Say what you will about Sharon Osbourne, but she, Louis, and Simon had a great dynamic, they could have added Dannii without pushing Sharon off(and I do believe she would have behaved a bit better had she not been seen as the old washed up judge early on), and this past year they could have introduced Cheryl without treating Dannii like utter rubbish.

About the ratings, I really do hope XF looks at the result of the ratings.
The 5 min breakdowns were interesting because when they cut out Dannii and there were only Simon Louis and Cheryl the ratings went down to 8m. When Dannii entered the rating increased to over 10m.

I think Kara is a great signing. Im a bit on the fence if I like her or not atm, but she is clearly the most credible judge based on who shes worked with.

I got the impression that Dannii was cut out of the entire auditions process?

I'm sure that's what you wished for
Adn how sad it made Cheryl look tbh
That they had to cut Dannii out to make her special

I agree. Although I havent warmed to Kara, they have handled it better than the whole cheryl saga over here. She has had far too much limelight and not worthy of it imo.

good post

i think it helped a hell of a lot doing the things you mentioned

no need to make a huge fuss about her mostly because she actually seems to know what shes talking about and therefore just slotted right in without us having her rammed down our throats forcing us to like her

And so it begins...

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/american...ith-abdul.html

You can criticise X Factor all you like and think US shows are better but the truth is that America is currently flooded with British formats because our TV is innovative, unpredictable and moves on rapidly all the time. US TV executives ditch a show the minute it isn't a hit, instead of growing it, and if it is a hit, stick to the format for up to 50 years never ever changing it a tiny bit. AI is improved but you can see how bored the 3 original judges are with the whole thing, they are all only doing it for the money. Randy has obviously been given a great big boot up his a*** so he's started actually giving serious criticism and not being afraid to say the truth. Kara is a good introduction but Paula has no critical contribution to make the show, were it up to her no one would ever be eliminated. I think they need to shake it up a good deal more and replace Paula with a young, aggressive judge or a different sort of personality.

I doubt dumping Paula or any of the original cast members will make the ratings improve. It's season 8. Idol(no matter who you bring in)will never again be the "IT" new thing.

The only way to go is level or down now(perhaps a slight bit up). And I think dumping someone like Paula(or even Randy) would send the ratings down a lot more.

This isn't X-factor. These people have been together for 8 seasons, not 3 or 4. You can't just throw new people into that mix and expect the same magic, nor can you expect that you won't see viewership dropping off because "It isn't the same..."

You'd better damn well have someone that will make up for the potential loss, and Kara(though she's not BAD) is an indication that is not very easy to bring someone new on this show. She certainly isn't bringing new people in, and had they actually dumped Paula or anyone else, they would be in far worse shape.

You're 100% right.

American Idol is all about the singing but X Factor is just about gimmicks and arguments and sob stories.