By Craig Berman, contributor
As \"American Idol\" gets set to start its eighth season running roughshod over the TV and music industries, a number of new wrinkles are on tap to keep things fresh.
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\"Idol\" is making a number of tweaks to the format for the upcoming season. There's less emphasis on the audition footage, the return of the wild-card round that gives candidates a second chance at making the final 12, and the elimination of the \"Idol Gives Back\" charity event. Oh, and there's also a fourth judge entering the mix, joining longtime favorites Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson and Paula Abdul.
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Meet Kara DioGuardi, a singer-songwriter who already has experience with the show, having worked with alums Carrie Underwood, Kelly Clarkson, and David Archuleta. She also has experience at this sort of thing, having been a judge on the late, not-great ABC attempt at catching the \"Idol\" wave -- \"The One: Making of a Music Star.\" It lasted two weeks before being canceled.";
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Despite all rumors to the contrary, the cranky Brit and his female lead are back for another year of sniping at each other. But it does mean that Paula may be on thinner ice than she's been in the past. Considering she attracts drama like the audition rounds attract costumed weirdos, having a backup plan seems like good business sense.";
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Yes and no. \"American Idol's\" numbers were down in season seven, but from a very high peak. Instead of destroying the competition on Tuesday and Wednesday nights, it's merely winning by a large margin. But in Wall Street terms, the show fell short of analyst expectations a year ago, and rival networks will be watching in the hopes that more cracks appear in TV's most successful reality show.";
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According to reports, \"Idol Gives Back\" is taking a break this season, and possibly will become an every-other-year event. Of course, if the show follows through on its plan to de-emphasize the awful singers this audition season, that would be charity enough for many viewers.";
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Taylor Hicks (the season five winner) says \"I wish!\" Whether \"Idol\" succeeds at creating music stars depends on whether the show gets credit for everyone who appears on the show or just the winners. Most seasons feature at least a performer or two who hits it big on the charts, but it isn't always the winner. An added effect of the \"Idol\" ratings blitz is that a number of the also-rans get careers on television, sometimes on the numerous entertainment shows that discuss \"Idol\" news.";
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Judging by record sales, not always. Chris Daughtry has been a lot more successful than season five winner Taylor Hicks, even though Daughtry didn't even make the finale. Season three's Jennifer Hudson can and often does argue that she was kicked off unfairly early, though it's not like winner Fantasia Barrino isn't doing very well herself. The bottom line is that it's a popularity contest, pure and simple.";
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Sadly, yes. Paula Goodspeed, who was rudely dismissed in season six and allegedly was staking Abdul, was found dead of an apparent suicide outside Abdul's home. That might be one of the factors behind the show's alleged plan to focus less on the negativity this season."; // END editorial data