Friday’s LA Times report that Paula Abdul may not be returning to Idol (Yeah right. Hello, negotiating ploy!) is already entering the second phase of the news cycle–reaction from those murky “unnamed sources”. From the Chicago Sun Times:
There seems to be a divided camp at ”American Idol” regarding the future of Paula Abdul.While virtually all of the key players ‘†Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson and Ryan Seacrest ‘†are tired of her ”ridiculous antics, ” as one staff source put it Monday, key Fox network executives and several ”Idol” production honchos want her renewed for another season.
While no firm contract has been offered (as Abdul’s attorney revealed over the weekend), ”there is some strong sentiment that Paula is a draw for the show ‘†despite all the problems she causes behind the scenes, ” added the source, who has worked on the show almost from the beginning. ”Of course, a lot of this is all about money, too.”
Right about now? Paula’s manager must be thrilled. The reaction is more than he could have hoped for–major news and blog coverage, plus additional coverage of a “grassroots” twitter campaign that sent #KeepPaula to the top of twitter trends Saturday night.
Despite her self-absorbed antics, Paula is money. I think Idol producers will eventually cough up a contract that’s more to Paula’s liking, although she may not get everything she wants. Paula isn’t holding all the cards–it’s hard to imagine she’ll find a gig as good as Idol if she leaves. There will be a compromise, and Paula will be back on Idol this year. I also can’t imagine Simon, Randy and Ryan have much to say about it.
Paula, sign a contract soon will ya? The public whining that’s been going on since last winter is getting old.
