"Idol" Without Paula: Would You Watch?
Paula Abdul is forever our girl, but it looks like her run on American Idol could be over. "Very sadly, it does not appear that she's going to be back on Idol," her manager David Sonenberg tells The Los Angeles Times.
Idol, which begins its ninth season in January, will begin auditioning singers in a couple of weeks, but the producers of the show have yet to reach out to Paula to discuss extending her contract, according to Sonenberg.
Meanwhile, Ryan Seacrest has already inked a deal that'll pay him $45 million to emcee Idol for three more years, and rumor has it that Simon Cowell, whose current contract expires next season, could soon extend his run with the show for nearly $150 million. Randy Jackson is a done deal, by the way—he has a contract that keeps him on Idol through 2011.
As for Kara DioGuardi, who joined the judges' table last year, she has also yet to sign a deal.
I like Kara, but I love Paula, and I can't imagine Idol without her. Sure, she's kooky, but isn't that why we love her?
Will you continue to watch Idol if Paula is no longer with the show? And if you think the producers should hold onto her, how much do you think Paula is worth?
(Images courtesy of Getty)
I can care less about Paula but Ryan I'd fucked his brains out if they kicked him off I wouldn't watch and I rarely watch it now I just like Ryan
Posted by: Grrrrr | July 20, 2009 at 07:23 PM
Come on, she helped make the show what it is. As much as I love Simon and his total honesty, I love Paula's gentleness and always looking for the positive in each performance.
The show needs her!
Posted by: Steve | July 20, 2009 at 07:24 PM
At this point, Paula's carrying on is one of the things that makes the show entertaining. Without her, the show would definitely not be the same--especially if she was just replaced by boring old Kara.
Posted by: Kurt | July 20, 2009 at 08:03 PM
you forgot to put the 4th answer on your questionaire .. I Would Watch No Matter Who Sits In Her Place
Posted by: Reg | July 20, 2009 at 08:16 PM
Finally, a reason to perhaps tune in for another season. Why America has a love affair with stupidity is beyond me.
Posted by: Fine | July 20, 2009 at 08:50 PM
I love Paula. I'm not really crazy about her constant tendancy to see the positive, even in a totally messed up performance, but I think she knows her stuff. I appreiciate her input. I just wish all the judges would get on the same page. It is, after all, a contest, not a showcase for mediocre talent.
Posted by: Rev Charles Curtiss | July 20, 2009 at 09:14 PM
Why do queers love an old hag with a drug problem? Because they're narcissistic and love to look in the mirror.
Posted by: An American | July 20, 2009 at 09:44 PM
I don't watch that television show.
Posted by: americanidolisboring | July 20, 2009 at 10:11 PM
No Paula? No American Idol! I have to say...she keeps it interesting. While Simon is my favorite judge, Paula comes in a close second. I think that when it comes to the kids who are performing, she is kind, caring and compassionate...even when she is flying higher than a kite. ME LOVES PAULA!!! Let's talk about Randy Dawg. If anyone needs to go, it is him. I am not saying they should get rid of Randy, but I think he offers the least of all the judges to the contestants or viewers.
Posted by: KeliionMaui | July 21, 2009 at 12:57 AM
Ive never watched AI and Im not sure why why anyone would.Pathetic
Posted by: Butchcat | July 21, 2009 at 12:57 AM
They are all overpaid.
I'd be happier if they got rid of the stupid show altogether or gut it down to one day a week.
It has all been said & done.
Posted by: splerk | July 21, 2009 at 01:47 AM
This woman is an absolute train wreck and in need of hospitalization. American Idol is an abomination. I refuse to watch it.
Posted by: TJ | July 21, 2009 at 03:39 AM
Paula needs to stay. It's bad enough with Simon's attitude and Randy's "dawg'n" it all the time (I am SOOOO over Randy", but to be left with Kara!??? OH HELLLL NO!
As it is, we only watch the first bunch of shows that get rid of the really funny people.... then maybe watch a show here and there with the last 10.
Posted by: DJ | July 21, 2009 at 05:16 AM
I would think Gay men whould be smarter than to watch this crap.
Posted by: Arthur Graves | July 21, 2009 at 05:41 AM
i hate american idol, because the show seems to be up to a dick with an accent. now they are trying to get rid of the only one judge who has what it's required to be a judge on the show. i dont know what to say about the show anymore.
i think siman is an ass and im sure many people agree with that. if u watch another show that he is a judge for, which is in another county, u wud know that he is not being kind to american at all. u really need to check it out... youtube has the prove.
getting ride, Paula doenst mean because she is a bad judge or not meet up with what they want to see on the next season. i believe there are more than that. have you seen she done anything in order to destroy or even hurt the show? i have not. please advice if you have seen any. she is pretty good with her life, she is good with what she is there to do and i think she is the only one decent judge there.
why? she is fair, not weak and she is def not an ass kisser.
she speaks up when she knows simon is being an arrsss. and she is the only one who is willing to make those girls and boys feel okay for not being picked, and, always remind them to never give up.
isnt that what american idol is all about??
isnt that american idol supposed to be for?
an opportunity for ameican to step and show off their talent.
then let' american choose..... and im sure siman wud be the first to go. i know he is fun to watch, but dont forget he has his feet steping on all of us american everytime he says "no"....i dont know much... but if she is gone, im def going to do anything to make sure all my asian american asians stop watching this show and stop supoorting all their sponsors for their poor judgement.
Posted by: natta ono | July 21, 2009 at 08:11 AM
Oh my God, if she doesn't work in the next American Idol, the show will be boring and a total disaster...
Posted by: Jcboy | July 21, 2009 at 09:51 AM
Sorry but no more Idol for me. They could get rid of 75% of the talent in the first show if you ask me. I don't watch for that, I watch to see what happens with Paula, Simon and Ryan.
Posted by: Tim | July 21, 2009 at 09:54 AM
I wish they would replace them all. It's the part of AI I hate. I'm tired of hearing the same old yammering from all of them.
Posted by: Brian M | July 21, 2009 at 12:11 PM
Wow.. what a catty bunch..shame on those among us who have nothing better to say than nasty crass comments about Paula, or even Randy for that matter. Now with that said, Paula is a kind soul, whatever her personal issues may be, she's a positive influence in general, and if a major no talent pops in, at least she's still a lady about it, kindness would seem to be in short supply so she's very good to be there... and the obvious true talent needs very little encouragement, I have noted that she will attempt to make constructive remarks when she sees a problem, and more often than not her opinions mirror my own... have enjoyed her for many years now.. Simon can be brutally honest at times and there's no doubt he's rarely at a loss for words even when the remarks are ultra critical. I think he and Paula are very well qualified to spot real talent and both know how to make sure everyone knows how they feel .. Kara is an obviously very talented young lady and I like her as well as her brand of humor and she too is eminently qualified to comment critically on the kids that pass thru the show, we'll see as time goes along but she's ok in my book. Now Randy, sad to say, seems a nice enough person and has a hard time delivering less than good news to some of those kids but in all honesty I find him to be a bit of a 'me too' fella when he's not asked for his opinion first, fortunately Simon is there to make certain that no 'dawgs' skate thru unscathed... Overall I like that occasionally Paula and Kara will gang up on Simon for being a wise guy from time to time and more to the point, dropping either Simon or Paula would seriously determine the show's ratings in a poor way. Ryan is often the recipient of Simon's quips and jokes in bad taste that any other person might break bad on him but that they're purported to be very good friends off the set... In short the group is magical regardless of the peaks and lows everyone can see .. suffice it to say I believe most of us have come to know what to expect from each of the five stars and quite frankly I would not have it any other way, and shame shame shame on you catty bitches that can't open their mouths but to say something nasty ...
Posted by: Alexei | July 21, 2009 at 12:45 PM
And just where's the 'WhoTF cares? I've never watched more than 5 min of 'American Idle' during its lifetime.' choice?
Posted by: tj | July 21, 2009 at 01:09 PM
Keep Paula and get rid of that nit wit from last season.
Posted by: Sean | July 21, 2009 at 02:32 PM
My burp has more talent than those "judges".
Sorry to be harsh, but they've said far worse things.
Criticism is one thing, but they really go low brow.
Want low brow? Watch British comedies. Half of these brutal shows come from stinging British wit... fictional characters aren't real...
Posted by: hypnotoad72 | July 21, 2009 at 02:39 PM
I agree with hypnotoad72 - the judges are the worst thing about AI. The level of talent is getting better every season, but the judges - and especially Simon the Spoiled (and over paid) Baby is the worst of all. Ryan is a complete non-entity. DUMP THE JUDGES AND GET A REAL HOST!
Posted by: Onlywayne | July 21, 2009 at 08:18 PM
What a great ploy to generate free PR for both Paula and Idol, and we all fell for it. Of course Paula will be back - that show is a cash juggernaut with plenty to go around. Although Simon is the only critical component of the show, the producers would sooner fire Kara and add her salary to Paula's than let wacky, compassionate Paula go.
Posted by: coolcoolboy | July 24, 2009 at 05:21 AM
they are all overpaid idiots who are doing nothing more than making these people feel like they are worthless, sick of the DAWG simons incessant bitchy attitude kara's ineptitude and paula's mealy mouth attitude.
Posted by: tony | August 05, 2009 at 01:09 PM
Ryan Seacrest is not worth 45 million i don't think he is even real, he hopefully get some teeth that aren't so blinding
Posted by: tony | August 11, 2009 at 05:50 AM