“American Idol” launches its eighth season tonight with the addition of a fourth judge, fewer weeks of gimmicky auditions by tone-deaf singers and an extra week in the Hollywood round.

Susan Pierce: I am really looking forward to seeing what new judge Kara DioGuardi brings to the judges’ table. She isn’t just another pretty face. This girl has brains and a diverse background of experience in the music business.

She has a political science degree from Duke University, has worked in publishing and marketing at Billboard magazine, co-owns Arthouse Entertainment publishing company and was named BMI’s Pop Songwriter of the Year in 2006.

Once you know the hits she’s been involved with, you see what a plus she’ll be: Jim Jones’ “We Fly High,” Nick Lachey’s “What’s Left of Me,” David Archuleta’s “Crush” and Faith Hill’s “Lost,” which DioGuardi helped write.

I’m counting on her to bring intelligent, multisyllabic critiques of the singers to the show — more than “Yo, dawg. I’m not feelin’ it,” or “You look cute.”

Anne Braly: I think Fox Network did the right thing in adding a new judge to the “American Idol” judge panel. This is the eighth season for the popular reality series, and I think it was time for a change. I like Randy Jackson, Simon Cowell and Paula Abdul, but adding songwriter Kara DioGuardi is a positive move.

I hope she will set herself apart from Abdul, who seems to always agree with Jackson. That gets a little old, making one wonder if she can think on her own. I’ve read that Cowell is unsure about the new addition, feeling that the chemistry between himself, Jackson and Abdul works. But change is good. I hope.

Clint Cooper: Whether it’s a new judge, fewer audition weeks or a revamped route to the late May finale, “American Idol” needed change. The show actually was lucky it wound down to the finale it had last year between David Cook and David Archuleta. Both singers are relatively young and likable, and the inevitable showdown drew viewers until the end. The previous two winners before David Cook, Jordin Sparks and Taylor Hicks, have failed to live up to their Idol crowns, so the show needed a boost.

Network executives didn’t ask me, but I personally enjoy the audition weeks better than the bloated shows in which the final 12 display their wares. And I would shorten the season, eliminating several people at a time and winding up about mid-April. But, since each show rakes in big bucks, that’ll never happen. Also, it will be interesting to see how they handle auditions when the four judges split on whether to send someone to Hollywood.

Karen Nazor Hill: I’m with Simon Cowell on this one — why fix it if it’s not broken? I’ve never enjoyed the guest judges on past shows. Their input was lame and boring. Ms. DioGuardi is going to have to prove herself worthy. She does have an impressive background that would seemingly make her an ideal addition to the judges panel, but personality is equally as important. I saw her on a live televised interview promoting her new role, and she didn’t impress me one way or another. It’s going to be her interaction with the Randy, Paula and Simon that will either make or break her. As a seasoned “American Idol’’ fan, I don’t think a new judge was needed. Time will tell.