Pieces of Fox’s “American Idol” puzzle continue to fall into place.

With Kara DioGuardi out of the way, the stage is now set for Fox and the “Idol” producers to finally, at long last, unveil the show’s new judging panel.

Unless there’s an 11th hour change of heart by one of the parties — or Elton John suddenly decides he needs a bit more pocket change — Jennifer Lopez and Aerosmith frontman Steven Tyler are expected to be officially added to the show in the next few days.

Such an imminent announcement comes out of necessity: The judges need to be in place by mid-September as the next round of auditions begin. And Randy Jackson alone can’t send contestants to Hollywood, dawg.

Jackson’s continued involvement with “Idol” has never really been in doubt; returning exec producer Nigel Lythgoe referred to him as the show’s “barnacle” in an interview with Daily Variety last month — and he meant it in a positive way.DioGuardi, on the other hand, had appeared to be on the outs for some time.

DioGuardi’s father, who’s running for the U.S. Senate in New York, even recently told a TV show there that his daughter hadn’t been informed of her fate on the show. (Insiders disputed that fact, however.)

She knows now. Fox kicked off the Labor Day weekend late Friday by announcing DioGuardi’s exit.

News, of course, wasn’t a surprise, as most observers had expected DioGuardi’s exit as part of ongoing changes on “Idol.”

“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,’ ” DioGuardi said in a statement. “I am very proud to have been associated with ‘Idol’ — it has truly been an amazing experience.”

DioGuardi’s two-season “Idol” stint received mixed reviews.

In her first year, DioGuardi was the fourth wheel, added to a panel that had been operating well as a threesome for years.

In her second season, DioGuardi’s presence was overshadowed by the arrival of Ellen DeGeneres.

But DioGuardi brought bona fide music industry credentials to the table. She worked in A&R at Warner Bros. Records, and as a successful songwriter who wrote music for Pink, Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood.

“Kara was a great addition to our ‘Idol’ family,” said Mike Darnell, prexy of alternative entertainment, Fox Broadcasting Co. “I’ve been fortunate to get to know her well, and have always been amazed by her eye for talent and her commitment to developing and mentoring artists. She will be missed, and we wish her continued success.”

Move makes Jackson the only remaining judge on the show from last season. Original judge Simon Cowell departed at the end of this past season, while DeGeneres announced last month that she wouldn’t be back for a second year as judge.

DioGuardi’s exit bolsters expectation that “Idol” may return to a three-judge format this January. The show’s decision to expand to four judges has garnered criticism, as its running time has frequently spilled out of its timeslot to accommodate everyone’s opinions.

Besides Lopez and Tyler, industry vet Jimmy Iovine has been reportedly in talks to provide a role on the show, but nothing further has been announced.

In discussing Lopez’s addition to the show, Lythgoe told Daily Variety that audiences “know she’s a good actress. And as J-Lo she had some great pop records. If she joins, I’m happy.”

And in the case of Tyler, Lythgoe said he liked the rock star’s unpredictable persona.

“He has come through that whole rock ‘n’ roll circus,” Lythgoe said. “Why wouldn’t you want a legend there? You never know what he’s going to say. That, as a TV producer, you’re interested in.”

But once the judges are in place, the real work begins — breathing new life into a TV franchise that, while still hot, has taken plenty of critical knocks over the past year.

Source: Variety

• Taylor Hicks book, Heart Full of Soul: Yosef Itzinger and Tabitha Fultz
• Travel Backgammon game: Jessica Marciniak and Jacqualine Fraser
• LED Clock: Jason Sender and Ian Alexander Virnig
• David Archuleta’s debut CD: Ian Alexander Virnig
• David Cook’s debut CD: Joyce Turner
• Taylor Hicks’ The Distance: Kelly Boucher
• Nintendo Wii Sports Package: Amy Buehler

Congratulations to all the winners. And thanks to everyone who listened to The Idol Radio Show last season. See you all in January for Season 5 of the show.

Note : Pic Is John Stamos On Glee

Multi-millionaire Simon said: “At the moment you are going to see me doing one show next year – and not one in England.

“I have a contract for this year and that is it.”

And in another blow for telly fans, he also threw the future of Britain’s Got Talent into doubt.

The music mogul, 50, dropped his bombshell as he confessed the launch of US X Factor could leave him no time to do the UK programmes.

Simon said he still had not decided if the UK’s X Factor could go ahead without him as a judge – but said it would have to switch dates.

He is due to start US X Factor in September next year – just as the UK show would be getting into full swing.

Simon said: “It will have to move. Do people want it back?

“I am going to sit it out for a few more weeks before I make a final decision. And it has to be fun. The minute it stops being fun, bye bye.”

Cowell also said he may not appear on Britain’s Got Talent either. It means ITV – where Simon is believed to have a £6million-a-year deal – would be left with NO Mr Nasty next year.

Simon said BGT would probably get a totally new panel with him, Piers Morgan and Amanda Holden all set to go.

Piers aims to replace US chatshow legend Larry King on CNN but does not yet have a visa.

Simon joked he will be so busy that he will even struggle to find time to marry fiancée Mezhgan Hussainy, 36, who he has been dating for a year.

Asked if he will walk down the aisle next year, he quipped: “We shot that a month ago, but the vicar was auto-tuned so we couldn’t show it.” He added: “You will have to wait and see.”

An ITV source said last night: “We expect he’ll be back on the X Factor. It’s such a huge show and Simon is integral to it.

“We envision moving the show to October or November and screening the auditions while he does the live show in the States. Then he can return for the live shows in January.”

Source: The Sun

Kara DioGuardi is stepping down from her role as a judge on AMERICAN IDOL. DioGuardi joined AMERICAN IDOL as a judge in the series’ eighth season.

“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,” said DioGuardi. “I am very proud to have been associated with AMERICAN 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!”

“Kara was a great addition to our IDOL family,” said Mike Darnell, President of Alternative Entertainment, Fox Broadcasting Company. “I’ve been fortunate to get to know her well, and have always been amazed by her eye for talent and her commitment to developing and mentoring artists. She will be missed, and we wish her continued success.”

Source : TMZ