Idol Chatter & Voice Views

American Idol judge Kara DioGuardi says she senses a possible Adam Lambert effect on season nine of the show.

“I think people were interpreting songs from the get-go in Hollywood Week. They weren’t just signing them the way people originally recorded them. They were kind of taking some risks.

“And I like that. And maybe that is because of Adam. That’s definitely the sign of good artists, when they do something unique and different with material.”

As for producers and Randy Jackson saying they’d like to see a girl win this year?

“I would love to see a girl win,” Kara said. “This year, with what’s going on in music currently, it’s a women’s movement. You’ve got Taylor Swift. You’ve got Beyonce. You’ve Ke$ha. You’ve got Lady Gaga. You’ve got Katy Perry. You have these very unique women at the forefront of the music industry that all have their own voices, that all have their own styles.

“Just looking at the pool of talent we have this year, it’s similar to that. They’re unique. They’re different. They’ve have a voice.

“But I also do think that the men are very good, the ones that we do have. They might not all be as different as the women, but they’re solid singers.

“I do think it’s a lot easier to break women rather than men, actually — their records once the show is done.”

Other questions Kara addressed during Wednesday’s conference call with the media:

Question: Kara’s reaction to Didi Benami’s version of a Kara DioGuardi song, “Terrified,” and to Andrew Garcia’s performance of Paula Abdul’s “Straight Up.”

Kara: “In terms of that girl singing “Terrified,” I was shocked. I couldn’t even believe it. It’s not a song that was released as a single (it’s on Katherine McPhee’s new album, “Unbroken”). It’s something I co-wrote with an artist I signed to Warner Brother’s, Jason Reeves … There was no way she could find the sheet music. She went and learned it on her own, which I thought was pretty impressive. I think she did a really good job and a nice interpretation of it. I think she showed she had great range and sensitivity when she sings. I was pretty impressed by her. And the “Straight Up” was genius. Just genuis.”

Question: What she thinks about the rumor that Howard Stern might replace Simon.

Kara: “Right now, that’s a rumor. I don’t know that I can even speak to it. I don’t think he has musical background, or any kind of music … anything. If you’re going to replace Simon, I think you need that background. You need somebody who knows about signing great artists and being a part of their career from the very beginning to the very end. I think that’s probably a precursor for whoever takes that position if they’re not a big artist who’s been through it themselves.”

Question: About rumored tension between Ellen and Simon?

Kara: “I think you have to take any rumor you hear about American Idol with a grain of salt. They’re normally not true.”

Question: Who does she think would make good mentors this year on Idol?

Kara: She said Harry Connick Jr. and Meatloaf (for rock week) would make interesting mentors.

Question: How would you evaluate Carrie Underwood’s performance of national anthem at the Super Bowl, which she did live rather than lip synching?

Kara: “Kudos to anyone who sings that song live,” Kara said. “It’s just the scariest thing to do. That is a rangy song. Can you imagine, standing in that stadium, knowing every eye is one you. Wow. It’s pretty crazy, to think she’s a girl from a small town a few years ago. This was her dream. It shows you the power of the show (American Idol), what can really happen. Kudos to her for singing live.”