Kara DioGuardi and American Idol Officially Break Up

After just two seasons, the songwriter judge is off the series

Songwriter judge Kara DioGuardi has officially been eliminated by American Idol, after just two seasons with the show.

The separation was announced by a press release distributed by Fox at 5 p.m. on the Friday before a long holiday weekend, effectively burying the news for days, if not forever.

So what platitudes did DioGuardi and Fox exchange in their official breakup announcement, and who pointedly did not comment on Kara's exit?

Kara's official testimony on this day is, "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. (Her statement does not elaborate, you will note, on why or how this separation came to pass.)

She continues, more enthusiastically than could be expected from most people in her position, "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!"

On the other side of the transaction, Idol and Fox execs Mike Darnell, Simon Fuller, Cecile Frot-Coutaz and Ken Warwick weighed in with kind words about Kara, but there were no such plaudits from the mouth of incoming boss-man Nigel Lythgoe. Hmmm...might that be a case of not having anything nice to say, so not saying anything at all?

Do you think Kara should have been given a third chance to seduce American Idol fans? Will you miss her, or will you say good riddance? Hit the comments.

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In case you missed the news earlier today, E! News sources confirm that Randy Jackson is definitely in for season 10 of Idol. Read all about it.