It was the tweet heard 'round the world.Last night, Paula Abdul announced she was leaving 'American Idol' via Twitter: "With sadness in my heart, I've decided not to return to #IDOL."
Fox confirmed her departure, stating the network was "saddened" but wishing her the best. While fellow judges Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson and Kara DioGuardi have yet to comment, host Ryan Seacrest tweeted that he couldn't "imagine the panel without" her.
Wait ... hold the phone, er, Twitter. Is this really happening? Because if Paula truly does not return to 'American Idol,' the show will be ruined. It's done.
Paula is an integral part of the show -- and Fox is stupid to let her go. Here are five reasons why 'Idol' will never be the same after Paula's departure:
1. She's the warm, gooey heart of 'American Idol'
Nobody would care about the show if they didn't care about the contestants. And Paula is the their first and biggest fan, representing the viewers at home. She also remembers the contestants long after their time on the show, citing their performances in later seasons. Without her, 'Idol' would just be a big, cold, machine of a talent competition. As much as we like to make fun of the show or some of singers, we also end up really rooting for Kelly Clarkson and David Cook and Kris Allen ... and keep watching to see them do well. Admit it, when Paula tears up over a performance (Elliott Yamin's 'A Song for You'), you know you mist up, too.
2. She's the sugar to Simon's spice
Everyone agrees Simon Cowell's presence is necessary for 'American Idol's' continued success. But Paula provides the yin to Simon's yang. Would his zingers have quite as much zing if Paula didn't gush over the performances first? Their sometimes playful, sometimes antagonistic banter just won't work with Randy and Kara. Plus, what if Paula's exit starts a domino effect and Simon doesn't re-up on his contract? Then 'American Idol' really has no reason to exist.
3. She can give insightful feedback
Paula isn't always, um, coherent, and certainly never truly critical; but she does sometimes wake up and provide thoughtful commentary. For instance, this past season she told Matt Giraud, "You pick songs like I bowl. This was a strike." And she compared Adam Lambert to another kind of champion, saying, "It is like watching the Olympics and you are Michael Phelps." Sure, sometimes she doesn't make sense, but is "It was just 'aight for me for you ... for me" much better?
4. She's not Kara
Returning to the three-judge panel is a great idea, but 'Idol' ought to have dropped Kara DioGuardi. The songwriter with "industry cred" brought nothing to the critiques and tended to reuse the same catchphrases (e.g., "I want to know who you are as an artist"). We already have Randy for that. Kara's worst offense, though, is writing that atrocious finale song, 'No Boundaries,' which even Adam "I Can Sing Anything" Lambert struggled with. Kris Allen has since dropped it from his 'Idol' tour set list. And even if Kara has songwriting chops beyond 'No Boundaries,' Paula is still the only judge who's actually "been there" as a pop star.
5. She makes things interesting
What would 'Idol' be without the jokes about what's in Paula's cup? Or the jokes about her alleged relationship with Corey Clark? Or the jokes about the time she critiqued a song before it was sung? Or the jokes about her weird outfits and overtanning? But seriously, the woman makes for good television. 'American Idol' is so popular because it draws people to the watercooler. Without Paula, will everyone still ask their friends and co-workers, "Can you believe what happened last night?" Afraid not.
Paula Abduls Craziest Moments
Straight up, now tell us: What's your favorite wacky Paula Abdul moment? Would it be her bickering with Simon on 'Idol' or breaking into tears over her favorite 'AI' contestants? How about her many meltdowns on 'Hey Paula,' or her infamously incoherent TV interview? It's an embarrassment of riches with the pop diva-turned-reality TV star, as our trip down Abdul memory lane proves.
-- By Kimberly Potts
Bauer-Griffin
Paula at the Super Bowl
Abdul reportedly planned to sing her new single, 'Dance Like There's No Tomorrow,' live for pre-Super Bowl festivities. But insiders suggested her voice wasn't live-performance-ready ("massive disaster" was bandied about); the pregame show will go on, with a pretaped Paula singing and 'Idol' judge Randy Jackson dancing?!
Bauer-Griffin
Dancing With Her 'Brother'
The only thing funnier than rejected 'Idol' contestant Renaldo Lapuz and his 'We're Brothers Forever' performance was Abdul's accompanying dance moves. In what is certainly just the first of many goofy jigs this season, Paula boogied her way through a tune that was definitely not made for dancin'.
Fox
Paula's Gift
On her now-defunct reality series 'Hey Paula,' Abdul melted down when the entire stock of her jewelry line sold out on QVC, forcing her to pay for baubles to pass out to friends. "I'm tired of people not treating me like the gift that I am," she said, after being told that even "the gift" has to pay for her own, um, gifts.
Everett Collection
Being a 'Bratz'
When Paula got an e-mail informing her that she'd been fired after "months of hard work" choreographing the live-action 'Bratz' movie, she railed, "I get screwed over so much, and I work so hard. Where's God when you need him? Because this does not make any sense." Are you there God? It's her, Paula.
Lionsgate
Too Many Assistants Spoilers the Diva
On another 'Hey Paula' ep, Abdul broke down after discovering her current assistant hadn't loaded her cell phone with contacts. She then proceeded into a full-on trip to crazy town that resulted in her wondering about yet ANOTHER assistant, "Who's gonna train her to take care of me? Me?" Certainly not!
Paul Sakuma, AP
Team Paula's MIA
Traveling with four assistants, Abdul burst into sobs in another 'Hey Paula' ep when she learned her hair/makeup guy and her "interview consultant" might not make it to New York because of a snowstorm. "I love you guys, but I need help!" she cried. "Do you guys understand that, or do I need to explain more?!" Oh, we got it.
Bravo
The Interview
She blamed it on technical glitches -- and denied there were any chemical factors -- but Abdul's preseason 'Idol' interview on a Seattle TV station in January '07 was classic Paula, complete with slurred speech, weird gestures and herky-jerky rocking. Ironically, she told interviewers, "Any publicity is good publicity." She would know.
Bravo
On the Other Hand
Maybe not all publicity is good publicity, especially when it's about your publicity. Abdul's rant against a former publicist became public in May '07, after a tape of a phone call leaked onto the Web. "I don't understand how this man can call me a whining b****. I've never in my life been called a whining b**** and a loser." (Not to her face.)
Bauer-Griffin
Eau de Abdul
Abdul's 'Hey Paula' trip to a perfume company provided yet another loopy scene, as the "exhausted" star seemed to almost nod off while sampling the test scents. Later, she donned a lab coat and said she felt like a "mad scientist" while testing the oils and flirting with company employees. What does crazy smell like?
Getty Images
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 35)
I am so Sad that Paula is not comming back. Idol you have lost alot of people who will not watch American Idol any more and I am one of them. Bye Bye Nancy/ Chicago
first of all i thought the show was American Idol- not mean, babbeling , obnoxious judges. or the paula abdul show. who cares who the judges are, it's not about them. it's about the wanna be idols. jeez people, lighten up.
I wish they would lose both of the lady judges. I can't stand the false sugar sweet stuff and that other gal they kept is really just irratating. Why not add one of the older Idol winners to the team. They have experienced Idol and know the pitfalls.
American Idol is making a HUGE mistake!!! Paula may be on the sappy side, but she has the "it factor" and her and Simon's little side show is an essential ingredient to the show's success. Please Idol, make her a decent offer. And give Kara the boot while you're at it!
Melissa
I don't really care who they add to the show. It seems that shows always seem to do much better with the original cast. Paula leaving with definitely hurt the ratings of this show. I wish FOX would wake up and make Paula the offer she can't refuse. They would be doing the show and t.v. watchers a great honor by keeping her. As much as I like the show...I doubt I will watch it any longer...without Paula the show will just be cold.
That does it for me, I won't be watching anymore.
Paula was the only one on the show who had a lot of heart and actually enjoyed herself.(like getting up and dancing while the contestants performed) Why can't they take away some money from that dipshit Ryan Seacreast and give it to Paula?
He adds up to zero, nada, zilch to that show. Heck a chimpanzee could do his job and probably do it better.
When their ratings drop watch em hit damage control and realize Paula was well worth the money. As Forrest Gump would say, Stupid is as Stupid does.
American Idol you paid big money to the wrong people. Without Paula the show isn't IDOL. Idol strugled with us viewers being unimpressed with changes to the show last season. without paula you have lost this family and many more. We love Paula
I agree completely. I am done watching. That is one of only 2 shows I watch on tv and now it is gone. Without Paula the show is boring. She has heart and she is a joy to watch. Sorry Fox but you messed up this time.
American Idol already had issues without letting Paula go. In addition, Kara was a big disappointment last season. There is no way you can replace Paula with Kara. I will not be watching next season. I will just wait for So You Think You Can Dance.
Without Paula, is like no Simon or Randy. Bad move for American Idol. Maybe they want to end the show and this will be their excuse.