Fan Fare

“American Idol” judges Paula Abdul and Kara DioGuardi appear to have a difference of opinion. Abdul, an original member of the reality talent show’s judging panel, was quoted by OK! magazine as saying that having four judges instead of three is not the best fit for the show.

“It takes up so much time for each of us to give our opinion that it slows down the pace of the show,” Abdul told the magazine.

That appears to have hit a wrong note with DioGuardi, who was added as the show’s fourth judge just this season.

So, with perfect timing, DioGuardi on Wednesday struck her own note of discord.

“Paula has a right to her opinions, but I was disappointed by her comments, and hurt that she did not address them to me in person,” DioGuardi told the celebrity news show “Access Hollywood.”

All this comes as “American Idol” enters its second round of elimination with 12 performers taking the stage on Wednesday night on Fox.

So far on camera, DioGuardi and Abdul have appeared to be getting along swimmingly, often coming off as allies, especially when a tryout contestant in a bikini (nicknamed Bikini Girl) got the panel’s two male judges humming along, but failed to impress the two ladies.

Abdul emerged as a pop star in the 1980s, and she and songwriter-producer DioGuardi even once collaborated to write a song called “Spinning Around.” Now, it appears that Abdul could be exiting ”American Idol.” Among other things, she told OK! that her contract with the show ends this season, and she has “so many other things” she wants to do.