According to People.com, American Idol judge, Paula Abdul, has been offered a guest starring role on Drop Dead Diva.  The show, which premieres on July 12, 2009 on the Lifetime channel, is about a vain woman named Deb who, after being killed in a car accident, is denied access to heaven because the gatekeeper, Fred, thinks she’s too self-centered (kind of an odd coincidence since the title of this show reminds me of the movie Drop Dead Fred –weird). 

Deb successfully pleads to return to earth but comes back to life in a totally different form – a recently-deceased, smart, plus-size lawyer named Jane Bingum. As you might have guessed, the whole thing is to help Deb find her inner-beauty and be less shallow. 

As if that wasn’t creepy enough, Deb (as Jane) tries to reconnect with her boyfriend and learns how it feels to go through life as an overweight individual.

Paula will play the part of a Judge Nina Hodge while she’s on the show (she presides over a case about a store that refuses to sell plus-size clothing).  She had this to say about the upcoming experience: “I am very excited to guest star on Drop Dead Diva.  All of the people are extremely talented and it’s a charming, wonderfully written new show.”

A lot of guest stars have been announced for the new series and I’m not at all surprised to see plus-sized actresses like Liza Minnelli, Nia Vardalos, Rosie O’Donnell and Kathy Najimy on the list (among others).  Of course, Paula has also battled with her weight over the years.

Have you heard of this show before?  I hadn’t but it does sound somewhat interesting.  I don’t think I will go out of my way to watch it but I’ll certainly give it a chance if I see it on.

image: Bauer-Griffin

The rest of the world has been mourning the loss of Michael Jackson and the American Idol judges are no exception.  I haven’t seen anything about Simon Cowell but I know that Randy Jackson (no relation) and Paula Abdul have voiced their sadness.

Randy told Spinner: "I am so saddened by the loss of a great idol and icon, Michael Jackson," the ‘American Idol‘ judge tells Spinner. "He was, to me, the greatest entertainer of all time. He was a huge inspiration for performers across all music genres. He taught us all how to light up the stage. Wow."

While speaking with Entertainment Tonight, Paula said: "Words cannot begin to express my heartfelt sorrow upon hearing the new of Michael Jackson’s passing. I was blessed to be able to work with, and witness first hand, his tremendous talent and growth through the years as he truly became an icon. Today we have all lost a legend who has touched each of our lives through his music and showmanship over the past five decades."

It’s been floating around that Paula, who has worked with Janet Jackson in the past, could help choreograph an episode of So You Think You Can Dance that will pay tribute to the late King of Pop.  I hope it works out – that would be amazing!

I know a lot of media outlets are reporting that the American Idol judges are set to come back for the ninth season of the show but when I looked at their sources for that information, I couldn’t go along with it.

I’m glad I didn’t fall for that (even though it might be true) since E! Online is saying that Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson, Paula Abdul and newest judge, Kara DioGuardi, are still negotiating.  Apparently, Paula’s agent said: "The RadarOnline info is incorrect. Negotiations are continuing. You probably won’t hear anything until closer to September, when judges are needed back to go on the road."

So, what would you like to see happen?  I’d actually like to see another season with all four judges.  I don’t think one year is enough to judge the addition of a fourth judge.

image © 2009 FOX BROADCASTING CR: FOX

With the American Idol season 9 auditions only days away, the producers are really cutting it close with extending contracts to the show’s judges.

During an appearance on the Late Show with David Letterman, Paula Abdul revealed that she’s “not sure” she will be returning to Idol but confirmed that her contract is under negotiation and added: “I love my job.  I do. I feel that I’ve had a really wonderful journey with the show. It’s called ‘negotiating.’ ”

Simon Cowell has one year left on his contract and Kara DioGuardi only signed on for a single season.  No one seems to care or report about the status of Randy Jackson (ouch!) but I think it’s fair to say that he will be returning.

Paula also did some damage control about the rumors of a feud with Kara: “Kara, she’s great.  And I don’t understand why they do this to women. They love to pit women against each other. Maybe because it’s sexier? I don’t know. Maybe mud-wrestling? The whole thing. What they never expect in a million years was that 10 years ago Kara was my roommate.  I was one of the first believers in her and we wrote a song together and it became one of the biggest songs. It’s called ‘Spinning Around.’  The story of my life!”

She also talked a bit about American Idol winner, Kris Allen, and runner-up, Adam Lambert.

She also talked about being tricked by Sacha Baron Cohen for his upcoming movie, Brüno.  I can’t wait to see that scene in the movie because it sounds incredibly insane.  Too funny!

There were so many stars on the red carpet last night for the American Idol season 8 finale that I wouldn’t even dream of trying to list them here. 

Of course, there were the finalists, Kris Allen and Adam Lambert, along with the rest of the Top 13 and judges but the celebrities (and former contestants) came out in droves to see who would win the singing competition. 

It looks like season four winner, Carrie Underwood, hurt her knee somehow since she’s got her “owie” all covered up with four Hello Kitty bandaids. She still managed to look absolutely fabulous!

SEE MORE GREAT RED CARPET PICS AFTER THE JUMP!

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Can you believe the eighth season of American Idol will be over tonight?  It started with a great recap of the best judges moments from this year which, of course, included some clips of Kara DioGuardi.  I never realized how much she said “sweetie!”  Too funny!

After they checked in with the hometowns of finalists, Kris Allen and Adam Lambert, the Top 13 performed Pink’s hit song “So What?”  I am not sure why they picked this since I don’t think it works well as a group number.  It sounds kind of cheesy to be honest.  Kudos to Scott MacIntyre (Idol’s first visually impaired contestant) for navigating his way through the performance!

American Idol season 7 winner, David Cook, performed a song called “Permanent” and I really liked it.  He really is an impressive artist and I’m so happy with how great his career has progressed since the show ended.

More “Golden Idol Awards” (these are a little mean, aren’t they?).  They showed clips of the worst auditions of this season.  I am ashamed to admit that I could not stop laughing!  It great to see a whole highlight reel of Nick Mitchell/Norman Gentle material.  He won, of course

Queen Latifah took the stage along with former contestant, Lil Rounds.  They performed “Cue the Rain” and it was a pretty good performance.  Did you like it?

Jason Mraz, along with former finalists, Anoop Desai and Alexis Grace, sang his huge hit “I’m Yours” (the rest of the Top 13) and I really thought it was a bit choppy and off.  I really love Jason Mraz and he was great but it felt a little strained and weird. 

We next got to see “The Journey of Kris Allen” and those montages always give me the chills.  I love to see how far they’ve come since we first saw the finalists in the audition round.

Kris thrilled his fans by coming out on stage with Keith Urban where they sang “Kiss a Girl” and I thought it was fabulous!

The great pairing just made the girls’ group performance stand out as mediocre.  Okay, really it was mostly Jasmine Murray who was seriously struggling (as she did in the Top 13 group number earlier) as she and Megan Joy started by singing “Glamorous.”  Allison Iraheta introduced Fergie who sang “Big Girls Don’t Cry” but the action didn’t stop there. 

The rest of the Black Eyed Peas came out and they performed their new single “Boom Boom Pow.”  It was an awesome performance and, is it just me, or is Fergie looking better these days?

Yuck, we get to see Katrina “Bikini Girl” Darrell again as a nominee(and winner) for the “Golden Idol Awards” in the “Best Attitude” category.  Why does she get to sing?  Ugh.  She butchered “Vision of Love” and I’m wondering if Nick Cannon is going to come out and defend his wife, Mariah Carey’s honor this time.  Uh oh.  Kara DioGuardi, Bikini Girl’s nemesis, came out on the stage and stole the spotlight by not only outsinging her but by also flashing her own bikini on stage.  That was awesome!

Allison Iraheta and Cyndi Lauper performed “Time After Time” and I thought it was a pretty great pairing.  It was a nice, mellow performance.  There were a couple weird moments but they are both, um, unique artists so what can you expect?

After Ryan talked to Kris Allen’s parents, Danny Gokey sang “Hello” (yikes, not sure I would have been brave enough to since that song after David Cook slayed it last season) and was joined by Lionel Richie and they sang some of Richie’s other music.

We got to see “The Journey of Adam Lambert” and then he took the stage with KISS.  Does it get much better than that?  I loved his outfit too!  I absolutely LOVE KISS and the fireworks and makeup are the only thing this year that has been more over-the-top than Adam Lambert on Idol.  What a show!

Carlos Santana had the bad luck to follow KISS and Adam Lambert but he was amazing, of course.  I love Santana.  He was joined by Matt Giraud and then the rest of the Top 13 when he started playing “Smooth.”  So good. 

After a Ford commercial with Adam, Kris and David Cook, Steve Martin took the stage with Michael Sarver and Megan Joy.  It was a cute banjo/bluegrassy kind of number. 

The Top 13 guys sang a group number where they performed “If You Want My Body” and introduced Rod Stewart.  I love him too!  He sounded a little rough but who cares!?

The last “Golden Idol Award” was awarded to Tatiana Del Toro for Outstanding Female.  She ran up on stage (even though Ryan pretended he needed to go to a break), accepted her award and started signing “Saving All My Love For You.”  Gotta love Tatiana.

For one last time, the Top 2 are singing together.  Kris and Adam sang “We Are The Champions” and it was really good.  I’m freaking out.  I don’t even know who I want to win tonight. 

Over 100 million votes were cast (recording breaking!).

FIND OUT WHO WON AMERICAN IDOL AFTER THE JUMP!

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I was sent a video from Mark Kaye of WAPE 95.1 who interviewed American Idol judge, Paula Abdul, a few days ago.  Mark asks some great questions and I thought I would share it with you guys.

The highlights include that she admits that she’s not sure if she, or fellow judge, Kara DioGuardi, will be back next season but Simon Cowell will return for at least one year.  She wants to be a contestant on Dancing With the Stars (wouldn’t she be great!?  I would love to see her on there!).  Her reality show, Hey Paula, will NEVER come back (thank goodness).

She also had another bizarre revelation.  She said that she went to dinner with Simon and Kate Hudson (why and how in the world did that happen?) and he patted his lap and called her over like a little lost puppy.  Umm… wow. 

Listen to it and tell me what you think:

image: Newscom

This great news! Paula Abdul’s newest single “I’m Just Here for the Music” has made it to #87 on the Billboard Hot 100!! That’s fantastic! Especially for someone who hasn’t released a solo album in almost 14 years!

Last year, after 13 years of not being on the charts, Paula’s song, “Dance Like There’s No Tomorrow” made it to #80 on the charts. Paula premiered “I’m Just Here for the Music” on American Idol on May 6th and wowed the crowd as she…well…danced like there was no tomorrow.

Good for her! That’s great to hear!

Image: Bauer-Griffin

American Idol judge, Paula Abdul, surprised eliminated finalist, Scott MacIntyre with a guide dog at an event honoring May as National Guide Dog Month.  Watch the exchange and then let’s talk.

What did you think of it?  I found their behavior really odd and I’m not sure what to make of Scott’s reaction.  Maybe I’m reading into it too much but something felt “off” about this…

When CNN host, Anderson Cooper, was on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno last night, the pair couldn’t resist talking about American Idol. 

The host of AC360 is an Idol fan and he believes that Adam Lambert will win the eighth season of our favorite singing competition. 

He also revealed that Simon Cowell is his favorite judge but he isn’t nearly as fond of Paula Abdul – he says that he actually fast-forwards through her commentary on a regular basis.  Ouch!  Good thing the silver fox is so cute or I’d think he was mean!  Watch it here:

NBC Photo: Paul Drinkwater