American pop singer Paula Abdul has insisted that adding a fourth judge on U. S. reality TV show American Idol has slowed down the show.

Abdul hit out at producers of the show after Kara DioGuardi joined her, Simon Cowell and Randy Jackson on the judging panel last month for the eighth season of the hit series.

It was recently suggested that there was a feud going on after DioGuardi joined, but Abdul has denied it and revealed that they are actually old pals.

"Kara and I have known each other for years and we get along great. But we tried four judges before and it doesn't work," Contactmusic quoted her as telling OK! magazine.

"It takes up so much time for each of us to give our opinion that it slows down the pace of the show," she said.

But DioGuardi may not be the one to leave at the end of season eight, as Abdul has hinted this could be her last stint on the show.

"It is the last season of my contract, and I have so many other things I want to do," she added. (ANI)