MANILA, Philippines?The eighth edition of ?American Idol? has launched its 2009 search for new singing stars?and its bid for renewed popularity with viewers (after its 8-percent dip last year). The reality of declining ratings has prompted the tilt?s producers to make some significant changes to help make up for the slack.

The most obvious innovation is the entry of a fourth juror in the person of singer-songwriter Kara Dioguardi. Viewing the 2009 edition?s early telecast, we immediately note that Kara?s arrival has altered the tilt?s ?power balance? in a major way.

In the past, the standard scenario went something like: Simon Cowell was the show?s resident curmudgeon and quotable scrooge and wicked witch of the west; Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson often teamed up against him; Paula and Simon got into the most fights with each other; Randy stood up for the talents ?abused? by Cowell and was regarded as the most objective juror on the panel, and Paula was all heart and ?sisterly? subjectivity and ?entertaining? neurotic behavior.

Well, that tends to get too pat and predictable after some years, so a fourth judge in the person of Kara Dioguardi has been added to shake up the status quo?and that, she definitely has.

It?s significant that, aside from being an experienced musician, Kara is also a looker, speaks candidly and well, and is her own person.

Older jurors? equal

Thus, without calling undue attention to herself, she?s become the older jurors? equal?an impressive achievement because Simon, Randy and Paula are definitely no pushovers.

It?s also interesting to note that Kara has affected Paula?s status in the group. Heretofore, Paula was the sole female judge, and this gave her a unique cachet?which she must now share with the younger Kara.

How is Paula taking it? No obvious signs of resentment have been forthcoming to date (it helps that Paula and Kara have been friends for years), but things could change as Kara asserts herself with greater confidence and verve.

Unexpectedly, however, Kara has of late been trading barbs with?Simon! In the past, the squabbling and nitpicking was between Simon and Paula, but it looks like the caustic Cowell has found another skirt to ruffle.

So, is all of this ?scripted? to make the show fresh and surprise-laden? Much of it probably is, but that?s understandable because ?American Idol? has been a viewer-pleaser partly because its hosts sometimes come across like characters in a TV soap or sitcom, alternately fighting and making up, to either the delight or consternation of the televiewers.

Other significant changes on ?American Idol,? 2009 edition: Less freaky focus on kulang sa pansin nontalents and increased emphasis on standout aspirants.

This key shift is most welcome, because we?ve had it up to here with the way the show has cynically encouraged the freaky types to do their worst for the dubious enjoyment of the viewing public?and for their 15 seconds of infamy.

So, will all of these innovations make up for the show?s ratings slack in 2008? The program?s biggest losses were with young viewers, so we can expect further changes to excite this heretofore less than enthusiastic viewing sector. Meanwhile, the show?s search process proceeds space, and we?ll be checking in on it again when it gets down to its semifinal 24.

Jolie in ?Changeling?

It?s been almost a decade since Angelina won an Oscar for her edgy supporting performance in ?Girl Interrupted.? Since then, the orchidaceous, lovely and seductive actress has had her share of cinematic clinkers, but it looks like she?s back on the awards trail again with her latest dramatic outing, ?Changeling,? directed by the acclaimed Clint Eastwood.

She plays a single mother in the 1920s who must cope with the disappearance of her son and a corrupt police force indifferent to her anguish. At first, Jolie decided to turn the role down, because she found it ?too upsetting.? But, she couldn?t get the anguished mother out of her mind, and realized ?it would be an extra piece of justice for me to help her tell her story.?