Same show, different year? Not quite.  While it’s too early to tell how some of the other changes (new wild-card round, longer Hollywood Week) will affect “American Idol,” it’s clear that the expert opinion of new judge Kara DioGuardi is a welcome addition (though, Paula may not agree).  It is refreshing to see another female on the panel and even more refreshing to see one with some actual pop culture relevance.  It has been fascinating to see girl after girl, including last night’s Anne Marie Boskovich, declare their admiration for her.

Last night’s “American Idol” found us surrounded by so many politely bland, “golly gee willikers” youngsters that it initially wasn’t clear where we were trapped (uh, I mean “visiting”): in a rerun of “The Donna Reed Show” or in the city that spawned David Archuleta.  Because the episode aired in color, though (mainly blonde, blue-eyed color), it became obvious that we could only be in Salt Lake City, home to everyone’s favorite Monchichi.