The American Idol TV show will have an additional judge for season eight. Songwriter Kara DioGuardi will also be present at the open auditions in New York. However the 37 year old will join Idol's judges Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson and Paula Abdul in the coming season, which begins in January.

"We are turning the heat up on 'Idol' this year and are thrilled to welcome Kara to the judges' table," creator and executive producer Simon Fuller said in a statement.

This is the second attempt to bring a new judge member for the show. In the second season, New York radio DJ Angie Martinez was included in the gang but didn’t put up with the disappointments of singers who had a dream to get far with their singing careers.

DioGuradi seems to think differently on the subject: "I don't think it's criticism," she said. "For people that are on the show, it's a part of their journey. If they're going to become a huge artist or not, they're there to learn something, and no matter what, the experience is going to help them.” She also said that what’s she particularly interested in is for the singers to have their individual style.

Paula Abdul on the other hand told Johnjay & Rich radio show yesterday that she was indeed thrilled about DioGuardi coming on the show, explaining that: "I am concerned about the audience and acceptance. Time will tell. We'll see."

The Grammy nominated song writer has written tracks for Gwen Stefani, Kylie Minogue or Christina Aguilera