Now that Fox has made it clear that American Idol is moving ahead without its popular (but polarizing) judge, is Paula Abdul about to become the most eligible bachelorette in television today? Many signs point to that possibility, as producers like Nigel Lythgoe and NBC reality guru Paul Telegdy have already indicated a willingness to work with the genial singer/dancer. Both have competition shows with judging panels — Telegdy’s network airs America’s Got Talent and Lythgoe exec produces So You Think You can Dance for Fox — so adding Abdul to either show would make sense from a continuity standpoint (to say nothing about what it could do for ratings).
But would it make sense for Abdul? While there’s little doubt that the former pop star can — and will — find ample opportunities beyond Idol, she’ll never score the kind of cash she could have received on the ninth season of TV’s most popular show (a source close to the negotiation said Abdul was offered a 30% raise, which would have amounted to a an eight-figure salary north of $10 million). “In our little bathtub here in Hollywood, everyone thinks she’s off her rocker to pass up money like that,” says one reality show agent. “She’ll never get $5 to $10 million on a start-up show. It’s never going happen. She may have overplayed her hand.”
Even one Fox insider concedes that while it could be a boon to SYTYCD to have Abdul join Lythgoe and Mary Murphy on the judges’ panel, there’s “no way” she would earn close to what she netted on Idol. That’s why many Hollywood observers think she should swallow her pride and go back to the show that (re)made her a star. “I don’t think the move was really thought out,” says Scott Sternberg, Abdul’s former executive producer on Bravo’s short-lived Hey Paula. “Paula is always looking for attention but she was always on the same level [as Simon Cowell and Ryan Seacrest]. Her deal would have been rich. I don’t know who her handlers are, but someone needs to say, ‘Girl, go back one more season, at least.’”
But cold, hard cash may not be what Abdul is ultimately seeking. “For Paula, it’s not about money. It’s about respect,” opines Howard Bragman, Abdul’s former publicist. “Paula wants to feel respected. Paula has a definitive role and a definite place on Idol. What Fox has to be very cautious of is this: a hit show is [like] my chicken soup recipe. You don’t mess with it. Don’t underestimate the American public’s desire to want to tune into a train wreck. If I were Fox, I would do what I’d have to do to keep Paula.”
That doesn’t appear likely — at least for now. At the Fox press conference today for the nation’s TV critics, Chairman Peter Rice said the network is already on the lookout for guest judges to help fill the void (it already tapped Katy Perry and Victoria Beckham) and has until January to decide how (or whether) to permanently replace Abdul. But what if Abdul changes her mind in the next few days and comes crawling back to Fox? “I don’t deal with hypotheticals,” Fox’s head of reality Mike Darnell told EW. Darnell adds that the network is taking Abdul’s resignation at “face value” and is moving ahead without her.
So is at least one person on Madison Avenue. Media analyst Shari Anne Brill of Carat USA doesn’t think the show will suffer without the ever unpredictable Abdul. “While you do wonder what kind of loopy thing Paula will say next, that’s not why I tuned in,” Brill said. “It’s always for the performances and the snark fest coming out of Simon. Maybe Kara can step in and be Simon’s new sparring partner. And Simon always has Ryan to pick on.”
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SYTYCD would be silly to let paula do anything more than guest judge. it is a fine show and Paula is not taken seriously by anyone I know.
Paula wants to be respected? For exactly what?.
Being out of control and embarrassing the network. Paula is now added greedy and foolish to her resume.
Taking drugs and acting out on TV?
It has made so many people famous and been done by so many people that you would be astounded by the list. Everyone used to do it, like John Lennon, Whitney Houston, Chris Farley…we always let them and we always watched, and sometimes it had a real sad ending. But really, drugs and being on TV is like McKenzie Phillips being sober on most of the episodes on that show she was on.
American Idol without Paula is nothing ,but garbage. Me and my 26 friends have decided not to watch American Idol anymore. How could that be that that guy Seacrest can make more money than Abdul, he just started to work in the show…good for Paula..leave that arrogant show…
Seacrest is the Host of the show. He actually does more work than the three judges. I think he does a great job of it also. Seacrest did not get his start on American Idol as you indicated. Just because it is your first exposure to him, does not make him new. I had never heard of Randy Jackson before AI, but that didn’t stop him from being a legend in the business prior to Idol. I’m not sure Seacrest deserves the amount of money he is getting, but I don’t think any of them should earn that many millions for how little work they do.
I don’t think Fox should let Paula go. The show works perfect with Randy, Paula and Simon. The addition of Kara was a mistake, and it will be even more evident with Paula gone. The show will start to decline with the loss of any of the original three judges. Simon leaving, would obviously make the most impact.
FOX needs to remember the very simple rule. “If it ain’t broken, don’t fix it!” Keeping Kara and letting Paula go is doing just that. But, FOX is notorious for making those kinds of decisions all the time.
Have you been watching American Idol for the last nine seasons? “That guy” Ryan Seacrest has been there since day one.
IF SHE GOES , SO DOES THE SHOW, MARK MY WORDS…THE SHOWIS IVER….JERRY WEAYNE
WELL I KNOW I WON’T BE WATCHING THE SHOW ANYMORE IF SHE IS GONE LOVE YOU PAULA
Paula was so funny as the one on drugs. she would do and say some crazy stuff. It made the show humorous for the adults. She did always have something crazy and positive to say sometimes and it brought out the crazies who followed her around and sang to her. She was getting made fun of a lot. I wonder if she was just sick of being teased for being caught drinking and taking pain killers and smoking pot or something. she was always toasted. I am proud of her for never falling out of her seat. I guess only Courtney Love would do that. How about her for a replacement. There would be a lot of beepling her out that you wouldn’t hear anything. hahaha
Loved the chemistry between Simon and Paula. Don’t think I’ll watch without her.
i think that is crazy. Were you only watching because of her rambles and compliments? I mean, there was the seriousness of the show and there is the helarity of the beginning. But not watching cuz she’s leaving? I wanna watch MORE to see if it will crash and burn or just “life goes on without Paula”
Paula Abdul is going to be a great Judge on so you Think you can Dance.I hopefully shes going to get paid a lot of money.For her new Gig.
Why is the g in gig capitalized?
How many Points are you Deducting from her post For a word that Shouldn’t be capitalized?
I am shocked that people seem to forget exactly who Paula Abdul is. In the 80’s it was Madonna, Janet and Paula. She is one of the most sucessful female soloist of her generation. She adds a definite component to AI and I think she deserves the respect of being paid as much as at least Ryan! I do tune in to see what Paula will say. I think she is an extremely talented woman and she says some crazy sh*t. That’s entertainment people. Kara, talented in her own right has nothing that is likeable about her. I guess it’s Simon and the Dawg now. Shame on you AI for being greedy! Bring back Paula. I just hope all this is for attention.
I listen to an interview with her this AM on Johnjay and Rich and she said that the money doesn’t matter if the people you work for treat you with respect. Not everyone is just about the money. She’s been working since she was 17 years old, I’m sure she has enough $$ to live well for the rest of her life and only work if she wants to.
I think losing Paula will cost the show. It does not matter who they get to replace her the chemistry will not be the same. I think the one to go should have been Kara she serves no purpose. Take a survey. Stupid move FOX.
Why do people keep bringing up the Kara versus Paula argument. No move was made to make somebody go. They tried to negotiate to keep both of them but one of them rejected their offer. It wasn’t a Kara versus Paula situation as they are proving by saying they will be hiring a 4th judge.
Paula is a superAI judge.Ihope she returnsto the show.The powers to be, should be begging her too stay.Bless you Paula!
Paula was offered as salary that is just about right on the money as compaired to the other cast of players……Paula lost some ground over the “pain medication situation” and we would like to see her back but she is not germane to the success of the show…..As the saying goes..the show must go on. American Idol Rocks……Secrest Out
NOT IN MY BOOK THE SHOW WILL NOT LAST MARK MY WORDS
Put her on AGT. It would raise the IQ level and no one with any brains watches anyway.
She should have been fired along time ago, shes another sharon osborne
YOU DON’T KNOW WHAT YOUR TALKING ABOUT ALL I CAN SAY IS YOU DIDN’T WATCH THE SHOW MUCH OR YOU WOULDN’T HAVE SAID THAT
You seem like a real smart one, lol. Lay off the CAPS.
Also, I watch the show and I have watched every season. Paula is absolutely ridiculous and I’m THRILLED she’s gone from the show.
Even though Paula was considered as the nice judge. She was actually very biased. She did everything possible to put Danny and Adam into the final last year. She is a nice person and I wish her best of luck. Nonetheless, I won’t miss her on AI at all.
she should still be on the show for she’s the only one who has an eye for talents
At least Paula was more original in her comments. I always admired her for ability to critique the contestants without the usual–you’re the dawg, just doesn’t do it for me, sounds like a karoke singer in a local bar, a cruise ship singer, a Broadway singer, out of pitch—-the same old, same old from Simon and Randy. Simon could be depended on to be mean and Paula always tried to be kind. I guess a lot of people like for hateful, demeaning remarks made to these young people who are trying so hard to succeed at something they love to do.
Paula should make as much as Ryan and Simon.
I decided after the bull$*@# ending last season that I would never watch Idol again. Without Paula on the show I feel that many many viewers will follow. I could never tolerate just Kara as the only female. I felt bringing in Kara was a mistake. Without Paula, Idol is going to twindle in it ratings.
Why is she being greedy for wanting more money after what Ryan and Simon got!
The show will not be the same without her.