Paula Abdul News Roundup – 08/07/09

Paula Abdul news roundup coming your way.   Nope, she’s not coming back to Idol…

Kara DioGuardi told Ryan Seacrest on his Kiis FM radio show this morning that she was not hired to take Paula Abdul’s place.   “I can’t get over it, ” says Kara about Paula’s departure, “I’m completely shocked.   Listen to the interview HERE. (Michael Slezak gets a major shoutout! heh). Ryan broadcasted live from Denver, where he and the judges–including guest judge, Victoria Beckham, are taping auditions.

Paula says she has many wonderful offers, including a second shot at the Lifetime series Drop Dead Diva (she just taped another episode), and perhaps a stint as a guest judge on Nigel Lythgoe’s So You Think You Can Dance. That is, if Nigel can afford her.

While Fox is adamant Paula won’t be returning and that the negotiations are over, Nigel Lythgoe isn’t so sure.   He told the Television Critics Association yesterday, “I still don’t know that she’s going to leave ‘Idol’…I know this is going on, and the tweeting and the official statements and everything. But until ‘Idol’ goes on the air, there’s always opportunities for re-negotiations. Who knows. Who knows what might happen.” Peeps, nothing would surprise me at this point…

Fox reality chief, Mike Darnell, calls Paula’s contribution to the show “immeasurable.”   Paula, he says, was “part of the fabric of the show” who provided “emotion, sympathy, and I think a mother-type of nurturing. She was good at making the kids feel loved at times when maybe others were a little harsher.”   When asked if they’ll replace her with a similar personality Darnell says, “The quality we are looking for is someone with a great persona.”

Victoria Beckham and Katy Perry will fill in as guest judges during the auditions, but rumor has it the producers are eying Queen Latifa for a spot as well.

My pick for 4th judge would be NOBODY.   Michael Slezak feels the same way, and has written a poem about it!

There’s hope yet.   Although TPTB are looking to fill the 4th spot, if they don’t find the right personality, they’ll stick to the 3 judge panel. ‘I would call it a possibility that we’ll have the fourth judge, ‘  says Fox reality chief, Mike Darnell, told the TV critics association yesterday, “I think it’s about casting and a little bit about semantics. If we find the right person, then four judges will probably be great. If we don’t, we’ll see. We’re not going to force the issue.”   *fingers crossed*

Maura from Idolator lists 5 popstars who should NOT fill the 4th judges’ spot, but she makes an interesting suggestion. The peeps at Popeater have a list.

A critic from the San Francisco Chronicle shows no mercy (I kinda agree).

And MTV explains what we already knew–Ryan Seacrest’s 45M Idol contract includes project development along with his Idol hosting duties.   No details yet on Simon Cowell’s rumored 100M plus deal, but the same will apply, I’m sure.

About mj santilli 34841 Articles
Founder and editor of mjsbigblog.com, home of the awesomest fan community on the net. I love cheesy singing shows of all kinds, whether reality or scripted. I adore American Idol, but also love The Voice, Glee, X Factor and more!