Ginsberg Refuses to Leave Supreme Court for Idol Seat

American Idol has selected a new judge, but was she the first choice?

By Peter Gilstrap Aug 25, 2008 10:58 PMTags
Kara DioGuardi, Ruth Bader GinsbergMatthew Simmons/Getty Images, AP Photo

In a startling move that will no doubt resonate in judicial circles for years, American Idol has added a fourth judge to its esteemed panel of long-time arbitrators. Joining outspoken conservative Simon Cowell, human-rights advocate Randy Jackson and notorious wild card Paula Abdul will be virtually unknown songwriter Kara DioGuardi. “With Kara by her side, Paula has some backup, and now there is going to be a lot more ‘girl power’ on the show,” Fox alt programming president Mike Darnell told Variety.

The Soup Blog's sources insist DioGuardi was not the network's first choice, however.

“We tried our best to get Ruth Bader Ginsberg,” stated a high-placed Fox exec on conditions of anonymity, “but she wouldn’t leave the Supreme Court. What a disappointment. With her liberal agenda and ACLU background, we’d have seen serious fireworks between her and Simon. Hey did you read her opinion in Exxon Mobil Corp. v. Saudi Basic Industries Corp.? Talk about sassy!

"Plus," the exec added, "she has that cougar thing going."