How is it having Ellen now in Paula's absence?
Kara Dioguardi: I really don't want to speak about Paula's absence because you can't really compare Paula and Ellen. They're completely different, and I think they both bring something valuable to the table.

Is there an Adam Lambert effect this year? Are there more really unique performers that you've seen?
KD: I would like to say, and I've only been on the show two years, but I think that people were interpreting songs from the get-go in audition week. They weren't just singing them the way they were sung by the people who originally recorded them. They were kind of taking some risks, and I like that, and maybe that is because of Adam, but that's definitely a sign of good artists when they do something unique and different with material.

How did you feel about someone singing your song "Terrified" in Hollywood?
KD: I was absolutely shocked. I couldn't believe it. It's not a song that was released as a single. It's something I co-wrote with an artist I signed to Warner Brothers, Jason Reeves, and it was a very special song for both of us. I put it up on my site I think last year. There was no music, there's no way she could find the sheet music, so she went and she learned it on her own, which I thought was pretty impressive to want to sit and watch that YouTube video over and over to learn it, and I think she did a really good job and a nice interpretation of it. [Editor's Note: I don't know why she's not admitting this, but that song is readily available on Katharine McPhee's album Unbroken. Now, never you mind about why I own a Katharine McPhee album. -- Mindy] I think she showed that she has a great range and sensitivity when she sings. I was pretty impressed by her.

Who do you think would be a good mentor this year?
KD: There are so many good mentors. I really like Harry Connick Jr. I think he would be great, especially for standards or kind of maybe even jazz. I love Meat Loaf. I think he'd be fun for rock because I've actually worked with him in the studio. We actually recorded a song recently, and I was very impressed with the way he sort of brought out a different side of me vocally. He kind of has a method acting background, and he kind of applied it to singing and performance. At first I was sort of like, 'Whoa, guy, back up,' and then I kind of went with him, and it had a definite interesting result which I was kind of pleased about. I think those two would be pretty good.

What are your thoughts were on the rumor that Howard Stern is possibly joining Idol next year? Do you think he'd make a good judge?
KD: Right now that's a rumor, and I don't really know if I can even speak on it. I don't think he has musical background or any kind of music anything, and I think that if you're going to replace Simon, you have to have that background. You have to be somebody who knows about signing great artists and being a part of their career from the very beginning to the very end like he's done with people like Leona Lewis who he spotted early on and nurtured, 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.

Do you feel more comfortable this year than you did last year?
KD: Yes, definitely. That was very scary to go from behind-the-scenes to in front of 30 million people. I think that people thought I was very serious last year, like I didn't have a sense of humor. I feel like I do, that actually I'm more of a goofball than probably anybody on that panel.

What's up with the Vitamin Water cups replacing the Coca-Cola cups? Everyone's talking about it.
KD: I know. I think they own VitaWater. I'm assuming that. I don't think we slipped another brand in their place, so I think they own it.