Over the weekend, we published a story about Simon Cowell demanding changes to American Idol.

We don't know if this is what he had in mind, but Kara Dioguardi will be sitting next to Cowell next season on the show.

The Grammy-nominated songwriter has penned songs for mega-stars such as Christina Aguilera and Britney Spears. She has also written for Idol finalists such as Carrie Underwood and Kelly Clarkson.

"She is a smart, sassy lady, and one of America's most successful songwriters. We know she will bring a new level of energy and excitement to the show," American Idol creator Simon Fuller said in a statement.

What do you think of the addition of Kara Dioguardi to the American Idol judging table?

I was a little bored.

Despite an American Idol finale that pitted two wildly popular contestants, David Arcuhleta and David Cook, Simon Cowell uttered the above quote to TV Guide in reference to last season.

"I'm not sure that they ever showed their real personalities," Simon said, complaining about the overwhelming media-savviness of the season's finalists. "They were like robots."

So, how would Cowell shake things up on American Idol?

"I think [last season] the talent was great, and the ratings were great, I just think it could be more interesting and controversial," he said, specifically criticizing the slow-moving middle and end portions of the season.

For a change, though, Cowell didn't fully speak his mind in the interview. He simply said he has "ideas... to introduce more jeopardy" to the proceedings. What do you think that means?

For now.

The real battle between these two American Idol finalists will go down in November, when each releases his debut CD.

But David Archuleta's first single, "Crush," has outperformed David Cook's initial song so far.

Archie's "Crush" debuted at number-two on the Hot 100 singles chart, a knockout blow to Cook's number-three bow in June with "The Time of My Life."

As a result, David A. is the first American Idol runner-up to out-rank the winner in head-to-head single competition since Clay Aiken outsold Ruben Studdard in 2003. And we all know how the future for those two artists turned out.

Stay tuned to see if Archuleta can have Aiken-like success in the future!

Kristy Lee Cook is set to release her first post-American Idol album.

The CD Why Wait will go on sale to the public on September 12.

Among the singles on the album will "God Bless the USA" and a song co-written by Carrie Underwood called "Not Tonight."

Will you buy the Kristy Lee Cook album?

Former American Idol finalist Chris Daughtry has been chosen by CNN to provide the theme song for the network's League of First Time Voters initiative.

The song of choice? Foreigner's hit "Feels Like the First Time," of course.

"Getting to rerecord a classic song like this was a real honor for us, and we hope it helps inspire people to vote,” said Daughtry. "We strongly believe that it doesn’t matter who you vote for, as long as you vote."

Foreigner's Mick Jones, who wrote the song back in the late '70s, gave the Grammy-nominated band his seal of approval, saying their version is "very cool" and "more than captured the essence of the original."

The single, set to premiere on Campbell Brown: Election Center today will also appear on Daughtry's upcoming expanded version of its album, Daughtry Deluxe, due out September 9.

On an unspecified date in November, both David Cook and David Archuleta are expected to release their debut albums.

Whose do you think will sell more copies?

American Idol seventh season finalist Michael Johns has been released from the show’s restrictive contract that prevents finalists from being signed by other record labels.

Johns “asked to be released from the 19 Entertainment contract” and “19 agreed, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported this week.

The singer has already “been on two major labels and an indie” and now “plans to go on his own like Elliott Yamin and hopes to find distribution any way he can,” and “says he’s recorded eight songs (two songs by Diane Warren), most done before the tour started. He hopes to get 25 done by Thanksgiving and pick 12 for an album set to be released in January or February,” the newspaper added.

It's a unique deal, but one that Johns is appreciate of.

“They said, ‘Look, we realize you’re 29 years old. Good luck.’ I was so thankful. I’ve been able to work and get things done instead of wait around,” Johns said, adding that he’s not going to a major label because “I want control back. It’s not like I need a label to get me noticed. This is one of my last shots to be in this situation.”

As to a producer, he said, “I can’t believe producers are returning my calls! Ultimately, we’ll write as much as we can then figure out what producer to stylize it. … It’s an album hopefully you can dance to, work out to, chill out to.”

David Cook and David Archuleta greeted fans in Washington, D.C. before a stop on the 2008 American Idols Live tour.

Here are shots of the finalists:

You can't blame Clay Aiken for singing a happy tune these days.

The American Idol finalist's son, Parker Foster Aiken, was born in North Carolina last week. Now, we're received word word that the singer will reprise his role as Sir Robin in the Broadway musical Monty Python's Spamalot.

Aiken performed the part earlier this year from January to May; he'll return to the show from September 19 to January 4.

According to Variety, Aiken’s initial run in Spamalot "had a noticeable effect on box office. Weekly sales ... surged the week Aiken joined the cast and took a steep tumble ... after he departed."

Makes sense to us. People love Clay Aiken.

It's a boy for Clay Aiken and Jaymes Foster, the American Idol finalist's best friend who was artificially inseminated earlier this year.

Aiken announced the birth of the baby he fathered on his web site, referring to the baby’s mother as “my dear friend, Jaymes." The child was born on August 8.

There are no photos yet of Clay's son, Parker Foster Aiken, but there is this description of him, courtesy of the popular, former finalist:

“No hyphens. One first name. One middle name. One last name... [he] is healthy, happy, and as loud as his daddy. Mama Jaymes is doing quite well also. … We’ll share more at some point in the future.”

Best wishes to Clay Aiken and his new family!