At this point, it’s hardly a shock, but singer-songwriter/showoff Kara Dioguardi has parted ways with American Idol after two seasons at the judges’ table, ensuring that the show’s upcoming tenth season will really break with the past. Though Kara’s exit has been sort of assumed since reports surfaced that she’d been shown the door, it didn’t become official til Friday evening, when Fox quietly released a statement confirming her departure. Where in the holy heck does Idol go from here? See if Fox’s statement below offers any clues.

The statement released Friday evening included quotes from both Dioguardi and Idol creator Simon Fuller, who praised her as “one of the world’s best songwriters”. (He did hear her Platinum Weird stuff, right?). For her part, Kara doesn’t take direct shots at anyone, but she does seem to subtly suggest she thinks the show is a sinking ship. She said:

“I felt like I won the lottery when I joined American Idol two years ago, but I feel like now is the best time to leave Idol… It has truly been an amazing experience. I am grateful to FOX, FremantleMedia and 19 Entertainment, as well as the cast, crew and contestants, for all they have given to me. I look forward to my next challenge, and want to thank everyone who has supported me. All the best to everyone on Season 10!”

Just who will compose “everyone”, of course, remains to be seen, given that rumored judge Jennifer Lopez may not make the cut and possible jurist Steven Tyler has, uh, issues. Who will join original Idol dawg Randy Jackson on the judges’ panel? Actually, we’re perfectly willing to see him go too. Let’s just start from scratch, hm? If we put our minds to it, surely we can think of someone great to judge Idol Season 10. Got any ideas?

As noted last week, Rihanna’s not-yet-titled fifth LP is due out by year’s end. Now Ryan Seacrest has announced that the first single, “Only Girl (In The World),” will premiere on September 7 on his official site. “An iTunes arrival date and album release date are yet to be confirmed,” says the American Idol host. “But word within the music community is that ‘Only Girl’ is an undeniable smash hit.” The track is produced by Stargate, so finger’s crossed it’s another “Rude Boy”-sized jam.

This week saw some activity from American Idol alums David Archuleta (new promo pics!) and Adam Lambert (new “If I Had You” remixes!), Miley Cyrus getting spanked, Enrique Iglesias airing his thoughts on the Internet and Kylie Minogue rocking a little black dress on America’s Got Talent. Head below to see how our readers reacted to all this pop hustle!

:: Adele felt the clothes make the man on Enrique Iglesias Avoids Blogs To Keep His Sanity: “Only one remark—Enrique please change your clothes. You look pretty of course,but go and buy more jackets and caps. I guess you like this red one too much…” [We wonder if Adele meant to slyly make reference to Enrique's "I Like It" producer RedOne there?]

:: Dani was feeling something ’bout love on David Archuleta Teases His Arch Angels With One Last Promo Pic: “*dead* (Jive needs to post warnings with these pics) The only good thing about AI is that it gave us David!!”

:: Ditto for China80: “HE LOOKS A LOT OLDER AND OH SO HANDSOME. HIS VOICE HAS MATURED SO MUCH AND SOUNDS……. AMAZING!!”

:: SAM wished we’d cooked up a something different on Lady Gaga’s Alternate Vanity Fair Covers: “Who cares about Lady Gag…no talent weirdo…I want to hear more about David Cook as he is working on his 2nd album…get the scoop on that…”

:: Dustin got vocal on Kylie Minogue Rocks America’s Got Talent: “‘Get Outta My Way’ is such a great track, why not re-edit it and slow the chorus down a tad so Kylie can sing the entire song?”

:: Meanwhile, LMG liked what they heard on Hurts And Kylie Minogue Team Up On Haunting Duet “Devotion”: “never heard them before so thank you very much for getting this up. i loved it”

:: And El smrtmnky had a bit of a flashback after Kylie Minogue Takes A Disco Nap In Her “Get Outta My Way” Video Preview: “reminds me more of her video for ’slow’, as filtered through xanadu’s mural scene.”

:: Maryann LOL’d at Dangerous Muse Have A Hidden Joke In Adam Lambert’s “If I Had You” Remix: “ROTFLMAO! XD I had no idea. Thanks for letting us in on the secret… assuming it’s true, ’cause you couldn’t prove it by me.”

:: OF THE WEEK — Finally, this week’s zinger comes from carouser, who cast some shade on Watch Miley Cyrus Get Spanked: “That the Cyruses are so keenly aware of the cameras in the video and how to work them, much less how to get their publicists to virally manipulate the blogosphere using a clip strategically edited to appear both ‘leaked’ and ‘naughty’ without showing any considerable skin is truly commendable. As is blue balling every pervert in America looking for some real Cyrus mother-on-daughter action (if only there was a punctuation mark for ‘sad puppy face’).”

After the disturbing and tragic news of Fantasia’s overdose and hospitalization this week, it feels bittersweet to be reminded once again of her enormous talent and remaining(?) potential. Whether for damage control or out of coincidence, Fantasia’s glorious “The Thrill Is Gone” just emerged. Her rafter-reaching pipes, Cee-Lo’s soulful rasp and a smooth old-school beat sort of help numb the pain, albeit for three-and-a-half minutes. Listen below:

Fantasia f/ Cee-Lo Green – The Thrill Is Gone

An unraveling Fantasia wails about a doomed relationship (irony-meets-marketing) with the same fervor and compassion that resonated with anyone with a heartbeat back during American Idol’s third season (Fantasia’s rousing “Summertime”, anyone?). But the track itself is even more nostalgic than “Bittersweet”; check the 60s soul vibe and the girl-group back-up  vocals.

With Fantasia’s signature vocal acrobatics and sassy, throaty pipes juxtaposed with Cee-Lo ’s short-but-sweet rap, we’d like to think that things could be looking up for our fallen Idol. Gossip and professional mishaps aside, this track proves that the thrill that is Fantasia’s raw, electrifying talent hasn’t gone anywhere.