Forget last year’s David-David finale battle. Brush off the news of no Idol Gives Back this year. And who cares about musical instruments on the stage? The big news surrounding American Idol 8 has been and still is the judging panel. Four is a nice, even number…but is it really the perfect formula for America’s favorite reality show?

Before the audition episodes of Idol aired, Kara DioGuardi was still little more than a name to most. Her picture was splattered everywhere, she gave interviews and sure she’s got the recording cred, but is she really right for the show? Now that many hours of Idol have aired, DioGuardi’s personality is beginning to emerge. She’s every bit as attractive as the pictures presented, as spunky as promised and she certainly brings a certain flavor to the table.

But some Idol watchers still think four judges is a formula for disaster. During some auditions the judges have broken out in merriment, paying little attention or respect to the hopeful singers standing before them. Simon Cowell takes special pleasure in rubbing DioGuardi the wrong way, and Paula Abdul sometimes seems to fade a bit into the background. When the judging table is split by a 2-2 Idol has had plenty of problems sticking to its time slot in the past, often spilling over into the next hour of programming. If three judges can’t make their opinions heard in a timely fashion during live nights, how could four ever manage? The viewers will lose out on singing or judging for the sake of time - but believe me, not one whit of the advertising will decision, Cowell gets the final vote.

be spared for the sake of the show.

Some are saying four permanent judges is one too many for the show that proved three voices can be too much to deal with at once. But if a judge cut is to be made on Idol, should it be newcomer Kara DioGuardi? Although a fresh face, DioGuardi has already established a certain chemistry with the others at the table - and she won’t give Simon Cowell one inch. This promises thrilling exchanges between the two - it could practically be the whole show if you get them both going at it. Where Paula gives up in exasperation, Kara stubbornly persists in besting him. But if we don’t want to lose Kara and the show can’t live without Simon (it can’t), does that mean Randy Jackson or Paula Abdul should call it quits with American Idol?

Simon Cowell is the straight-talking professional, who cares only for finding the most marketable talent out there. Kara DioGuardi is the feisty singer/songwriter who knows “the biz” inside and out. Paula Abdul is the sympathetic and the sweet, offering encouragement and smiles - and sometimes, amazing gaffes that create fantastic media blitzes to help promote the show. And then there’s Randy Jackson, who has managed to take slang to whole new levels.

Which one seems like the most expendable…and does one of them need to go to avoid overpowering the real aspect of the show? If we have to listen to four judges hash it out, are we ever going to hear the singing?

(You can find all the American Idol 8 posts here.)