Paula Abdul: "I've decided not to return to American Idol"

Paula Abdul has apparently made it official: She's NOT coming back to American Idol for the 9th season. She just posted a series of comments on her Twitter page (@PaulaAbdul) alerting her fans of this breaking news:

Paula writes: "With sadness in my heart, I’ve decided not to return to #IDOL. I’ll miss nurturing all the new talent, but most of all..being a part of a show that I helped from day1 become an international phenomenon. What I want to say most, is how much I appreciate the undying support and enormous love that you have showered upon me. It truly has been breathtaking, especially over the past month. I do without any doubt have the BEST fans in the entire world and I love you all."

No word yet from Fox.

 Kara DioGuardi, Simon Cowell (who has voiced his desire for Paula's return) and Randy Jackson are expected back when the show airs again in January. Host Ryan Seacrest signed a three-year $45 million deal recently. Paula's manager had been releasing statements for weeks that his client "likely would not return to American Idol." The quibble: A pay hike, of course. She wanted one, supposedly $20 million. Apparently, Fox balked. Last figure I heard was in the $12 million range. Still no bite.

The remaining judges start traveling to audition cities this month to evaluate the talent.

Idol without Paula? I've asked for this repeatedly based on her loopy behavior and lack of judging (and judgment) but now that it appears reality it will be an adjustment for viewers and me. But Idol will survive. Its main mission -- finding new talent -- won't change.

Change is good and I've long held that a series of rotating judges (with Simon as the sole remaining star judge) each season would have kept Idol fresh. That said, Kara is not a suitable "replacement." Still, here's hoping producers keep to three judges and avoid the mistake of having four judges as on season 8. This format slowed the show.

Though its ratings had declined, Idol was still far and away the most popular show on TV and, Paula or no, viewers will still return in droves in 2010 for the 9th round. Note: it wasn't the judges -- or even the addition of Kara -- that got the most attention in the spring. The hype and volume was loudest where it should be: centered on a contestant. Of course, I mean Adam Lambert who, more than any judge, made Idol exciting again and raised the bar for the kind of talent we should be demanding from this show.

Meantime, Phil Stacey, an American Idol sixth-season finalist who released one country album and a coming Inspirational recording post-Idol, writes a heartfelt message on his blog (posted on his Facebook page) about his feelings on Paula Abdul leaving the show that made her a household name again:
"Just found out that Paula Abdul has decided not to return to American Idol. As much as America will miss her, those I feel the most for are the future contestants of American Idol. Ms. Paula was a constant source of encouragement. She was the one voice on the judge panel that understood what it was like to pour your very soul into a performance, only to have it scrutinized before millions of people. She judged with a tender heart, and I for one really appreciated that!  She saw star potential in everyone. Future contestants will certainly miss out. As busy of a schedule as she had, Ms. Paula took time every week to visit with us, bringing gifts from her jewelry line with messages imprinted on them that were meant to encourage us on during that crazy time. If there were children visiting the American Idol studio, she wanted to meet them, take pictures with them, and give them each a gift of their own. She's a very special kind of person. Thanks for 8 great seasons, Ms. Paula. We will miss you."

Syesha Mercado (who went from FIU to last season's highest placing female contestant on Idol) also shared her feelings on her MySpace page with a long letter. Read her item by clicking here.

 

Don't worry, Phil and Syesha. Paula will be fine. My guess is the '80s pop star, a gifted choreographer by trade, winds up on another reality type show: wanna bet she does Dancing With the Stars? Or So You Think You Can Dance next season.

For more, follow Howard Cohen on Twitter @ http://twitter.com/HowardCohen

 

Comments

[Shakespeare]

I don't know where she'll end up and frankly, I don't give a damn! There is one thing for certain, though, and that is: "The Show will go on!" Oh, by the way, I enjoyed Ms. Abdul, especially the way she took on Simon from time to time. For a short while at least, she will be missed. But, like anything else you get used to what occurs. It's human nature, we have to go on; that is, if we are to make progress. So, losing Ms. Abdul will have to be taken in stride. Like when my wifes says no nukie because I forgot an item on the "Honey Do List" that was important to her. If I forget what is important to her, then she refuses to relinquish what is important to me. After religion, what could be more important than my sex time? I guess someone might say that money is most important. Well, I don't agree with that. What happens when you have all the money you need? What then? Or, as in my case, what happens when you have none and not much is in sight? Well, like I said the most imprtant thing after religion is my sex. So, I'll get used to not seeing sweet and sexy Paula. Finally, I sure hope that her replacement, if there is one, will not be a Simon suck-up!

Shakespeare

[mada]

This woman turned down an incredible amount of money to stay on the show. Most people can't even imagine having that kind of money. I think she turned out to be a greedy woman and she will now fade into oblivion….bye, bye Paula.

[carlos]

It was not greed that made her decline to come back, but pride. Let's face it, Brian Seacrest making 45 million, seriously? She had to be incensed. I would be to hear that a guy who could be replaced by anyone makes that kind of money.

I wont watch again, in part because politics played a major role this year. Adam was by far the most talented and get the screw based on the fact he ws gay. If you are not from the the Bible belt and are not mainstream, you cannot win the show.

They MUST change the voting to be successful and real. Make it so that only one vote from each phone counts, or better yet, do it like the electoral college so 20 million cannot come from the same state, like West virginia, to decide a contest.

Idol really is very unfair to real talent.

[lookitup]

the whole fake show can go.

[Manny G]

Factoid: American Idol will not be the same without Paula Abdul..

[Ware Cornell]

Idol's resident cougar will be missed. Perhaps her friend Bruno could replace her.