Paula was looking pretty on the red carpet as she arrived wearing a long blue dress and bright pink pumps. You guys liking Paula’s outfit?    

Image: Zuma Press

Post from: Idol Stalker

image: Zuma Press

I hope she does as well!  I think she fits in more with a dance show than a singing competition anyway since she’s got so much experience as a dancer and choreographer.  I loved her on American Idol but, hopefully, this will lead to bigger and better things for her!

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Before anyone jumps to any conclusions about there being any animosity about Ellen taking over Paula’s old judge’s seat on American Idol, Paula clarified that she had nothing but love for the daytime talk show host. 

Watch the video:

Post from: Idol Stalker

She claims that she didn’t leave because of her reportedly lower salary.  “I stand on principle where many people stand on money,” Paula said.

Would she ever come back to the show?  “That’s a hard question to answer right now. I mean, I don’t think I can answer that right now.”

Is she going to boycott this next season of Idol.  Nope.  Paula said: “I’ll watch it as much as I can. I had some really unforgettable moments that hit plateaus for me and I’m very blessed to have been a part of what made television history.”

What about the talk show rumors?  What kind of host would she be?  “I’d be Paula,” she said.  “It would be a lot of fun variety with a ton of unexpected stuff and tributes to everyday people getting their big chance.”

So I’m wondering about a few things.  First of all, do you believe that this was not about money?  Secondly, would you watch a talk show hosted by Paula Abdul?  I’m going to say that it would be unlikely for me but I imagine that some people might tune in.

image: Bauer-Griffin

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Apparently, she confided all of this to Johns who seems more than happy to spill the beans.  If what he says is true, then I’d have to agree with him – I think $20 million over three years is fair for Paula.

He continued by saying:  "We talk all the time.  She was a bit upset. She just doesn’t understand why Fox made the decision they made—especially when a lot of people got upgrades in money. But she said, ‘Look I’m not going to budge on this. I really think that’s my worth.’ "

He also shared some insight on who could be a good replacement for his dear friend, Paula.  "I think Chelsea Handler would be pretty funny," he said. "Chelsea would be my first pick."

I don’t know if Chelsea would be a good fit for the show.  Yes, she’s smart and funny and very entertaining but I don’t know if she could say anything truly positive.  Besides, what does she really know about the music industry? 

Also, I know this has nothing to do with Paula’s contract negotiations but what do you think of the judges becoming friends with former contestants?  I guess there’s nothing in their contracts that prevents that but I do think it’s a little strange, especially if she’s going to confide information about her dealings with the show with these former Idol contenders.  How do you feel about it?

image © FOX BROADCASTING CR: Ray Mickshaw / FOX

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Murphy said: "She might be sitting next to me this season, you never know.  I’m not sure America’s ready for that.  There could be a catfight between me and Paula—or a dance fight!  I know one thing for sure, I could definitely beat her at the tango, quickstep and cha-cha.  She’d probably get me in hip-hop, I’d have to say.”

It doesn’t stop there, though.  Mary doesn’t seem to even want to sit next to Paula: "We’d actually have to put Nigel in the middle, and I’m not sure he’s ready for that."

When asked who the better judge would be, Murphy said:  "I would be. I have to be honest, a girl knows what she’s talking about."  OUCH!!!

It’s kind of an ironic twist, isn’t it?  Paula used to be the seasons judge while Kara DioGuardi was the new girl on the show so it’s like a role reversal.  Now, it’s Paula who would be trying to fit in.

Besides, can you imagine having to listen to Paula ramble aimlessly through her critique only to be followed up by Mary’s “Hot Tamale Train.”  Yikes!

So what do you think?  Was Mary being serious or was just just trying to poke some fun at Paula and the whole situation?

image ©2009 Fox Broadcasting Co. Cr: Michael Williams/FOX

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"It’s another kind of way to be creative, so I’m very on board for that."  I think that it could actually work, to be honest.  I think that David is an intense person and he’s had a lot of life experience which totally comes out in his music.  I’m sure he could translate into something great on the big screen or television.  I hope he gets some offers!

He also weighed in on the fact that Paula Abdul is not returning to Idol.  "Nobody can replace her," Cook said. "I don’t think anybody should try. What made Paula work and what makes all the judges work is that they are their own people… After being critiqued, I don’t know if I can do that to someone."

No kidding!  Well, for what it’s worth, I completely agree with him about Paula so it should be interesting to see how this upcoming season goes.

David also donated some pants to the Hard Rock (I love going to the different Hard Rock Cafe’s around the world and seeing all of the memorabilia so it’s cool that he did this!).  Watch this quick video about the donation.

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There’s talk that Paula could be a guest on Ugly Betty.  EW.com says that the details are being kept a secret but that she might play a new temp at Mode who becomes friendly with Amanda (Becki Newton).  I guess that could work but I have to admit that I’ve lost interest in the show.  Any Ugly Betty fans out there have an opinion on this?

Also, while there was speculation over the possibility of Paula being added as a judge on Dancing With The Stars that has pretty much been ruled out due to Abdul’s feud with resident DWTS judge, Carrie Ann Inaba.  It is possible, however, that Paula could be added as a contestant and I have to admit that I might actually like to see that.  Of course, Carrie might not judge her fairly but who cares?  America gets to vote, right?!

Of course, fellow celebrities have also weighed in on Paula’s departure from American Idol with the most recent comment coming from Jamie Foxx, who served as a mentor last season.  In an interview, Foxx said that he was “hurt” when he heard that she had quit the show and said that it was “a let down” and that he’ll miss the special sensibility she brought to the show.  I think a lot of people are feeling that way.

There have been all sorts of rumors about the real reasons Paula suddenly tweeted about her exit from Idol but now the New York Times is claiming to have some real insight.  They are claiming that all of the attention that she’s now getting is a little suspicious.  Just a couple days ago, she wrote: “I’ve got a busy week filled with network meetings. I’m looking forward to all the new projects up ahead.”

The most common assumptions are that she left for money and because Kara DioGuardi was offered a contract extension.  After Ryan was given a blockbuster deal and we all know that Simon makes a lot of money, I think that Paula wanted to feel like she was valued.  Clearly, the network had enough money to bring on a fourth judge and I’m sure she wondered why they didn’t just increase her salary.  Paula supposedly asked for more than $10 million a year since she was making something like $3.5 million ($2 million and another $1.5 million for wardrobe and other expenses).  I don’t know if I think she should have gotten a full $10 million (although, former Idol winner, Ruben Studdard seems to think that Paula is “probably worth” that much) but $3.5 is too low.  Fox allegedly was prepared to offer no more than $5 million a year and I think that was a slap in the face.  I think $7 million would have been a good compromise but I guess Fox wasn’t willing to budge.  One “source” told the New York Times: “A lot of people at Fox had mixed feelings about Paula.  Some of the people who were having to deal with her on a day-to-day basis didn’t want her back.”

Oh well.  Hopefully, Paula lands on her feet because I think a lot of people love her, in spite of all of the controversy.  Singer Nadine Cole (of the group, Girls Aloud) has just been given a song that Paula wrote which will be used on the artist’s debut album so that’s some good news for the former Idol judge.

What do you think will happen to Paula?  Some people are even suggesting that she could come back to American Idol but I’m not too sure about that.

image: Bauer-Griffin

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Before we get into the goodies, I thought I’d put up a quick poll to find out how you guys are feeling about this sudden change to the judges’ table.  If none of these answers works for you, please feel free to leave me a comment!

Here’s a fun moment from Season 7 when poor Paula was flustered because she got confused after a change was made to the judging process.  I thought it was an understandable mistake but you know how these things get blown out of proportion.

A hopeful gets a little too friendly with Paula Abdul during an audition and sings her a song about stalking and caulking her until security takes him away.  He’s super intense and I have to admit that even I was creeped out and I was in the safety of my own home!

Simon and Paula created this great video and indulged all of the viewers who thought that the pair were either dating, or should get together.  I couldn’t believe that they actually went through with it.  There was a little surprise from Randy at the end.

Paula debuted the music video for her single “Dance Like There’s No Tomorrow” on American Idol and the crowd seemed to really like it.  Randy is in the video with her and, at the end, a picture of Ryan, Paula and Randy was shown and I thought it was pretty cute!

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CBS News correspondent, Priya David, is quoted as saying the following:  "This all came down to money… [Abdul] was being offered a 30 percent pay raise that amounted to an eight-figure deal, but that, apparently, wasn’t enough."

The article speculates that this turn of events has occurred because Kara DioGuardi was offered a contract (maybe Paula thought Kara wouldn’t be sticking around?) and could all be part of negotiating hardball.

EW.com writer, Michael Slezak, was on the CBS Early Show this morning where he said that Paula could be coming back to the show after causing this big “summer soap opera” even though she “may have overplayed her hand just a bit.”  Watch the video:

Post from: Idol Stalker