Because Three Is Not Enough

American Idol 2 adds another judge:

New York-based radio personality and recording artist Angie Martinez is close to signing on as the fourth judge on Fox’s upcoming “American Idol” sequel.

Martinez, who hosts afternoon drive on New York’s WQHT-FM, “Hot 97,” joins returning judges Simon Cowell, who re-inked earlier this summer, and Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson, both of whom re-enlisted last week.

Martinez appeared on the Grammy-nominated single “Ladies Night,” which featured Missy Elliot, Lil’ Kim, Left Eye and Da Brat, and released her first album, “Up Close and Personal,” in 2001. Her latest Elektra release, “Animal House,” came out in August. Martinez has been heard on Hot 97 since 1994.

“American Idol” launched its next talent search Monday in Detroit.

By the way, I have nothing but best wishes for Kelly Clarkson and I am happy for her success, but I stumbled across the video for her single last night and it was just the most tepid, banal, cynical grab for the center of nothing I have ever seen. The songs suck, too.