The TV Zone

So you, me, the rest of the solar system, are all sitting around this morning wondering: What kind of judge will Kara be? An enabler? An equivocator? A push-over?

I think I can safely say, based on the following video: None of the above. If this is a true reflection of Kara the Impaler, she's gonna be one tough cookie; much harder than Randy (who's really pretty darned nice), and a universe away from Paula. In style, she comes closer to Simon - though with a little more passion, and perhaps even anger.

This wonderful clip - and there are mild expletives contained, so the feint of heart, move on - shows Kara in all her glory - a swirling, whirling, manic, passionate (that word again) type who's got little patience for floozies, flunkies, and frak-ups. It comes from "The One: Making of a Music Star," which was that long-forgotten knock-off of "AI." It was a very expensive show but when it bowed two summers ago scored - I believe - one of the lowest viewing levels of any show in ABC history (I still think "Paula Poundstone" still holds that distinction, however.) Kara was a judge and this show, apparently, was her try-out for the big time.

So take it away - your first look at Kara DioGuardi: