Jul 19 2009 04:55 PM ET

Paula Abdul: 'It does not appear that she's going to be back on Idol'

Categories: News, Television

Paula Abdul’s manager David Sonenberg told the Los Angeles Times that “it does not appear that [Paula's] going to be back on Idol” next season because the singer and judge hadn’t yet received a new contract from FremantleMedia and 19 Entertainment, the production companies behind the show. Auditions for season 9 of the show begin Aug. 6 and, if Abdul were to be involved this season, her deal would need to be locked by then. “I find it under these circumstances particularly unusual; I think unnecessarily hurtful,” Sonenberg continued in the interview. “I find it kind of unconscionable and certainly rude and disrespectful that they haven’t stepped up and said what they want to do.” Sonenberg began managing Abdul at the end of June and said he has reached out to 19 Entertainment and told Fox that “Paula would love to be on the show” but, supposedly, he has not received any proposal.

American Idol host Ryan Seacrest just signed a three-year deal to stay with the show that was reportedly worth $45 million. Abdul’s decision to go public with contract grievances, especially in light of Seacrest’s big payday bump, could be interpreted as just part of the negotiation game. Representatives for Fremantle, 19, and Fox all separately declined to comment to the Los Angeles Times.

Comments (1-30) of 116 Add your comment

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  • Ryan

    Who cares is Paula is there or not? Only Simon matters. The others are superfluous.

  • L

    There no reason that Paula shouldn’t find out what AI is on about and then make her own pitch. She cares about the Idols the most, was the only judge who cared enough to go on CNN with them after the Season 8 debacle, and who managed to steer a clear path through all of the politics and unfairness without impuning anyone. A miracle in itself! Also, I think AI needs her. Viewers and contestants really like her because she has a lot of heart and makes excellent observations. I can’t help but wonder if AI hasn’t gotten itself into a bit of “trouble” and is casting around for someone to blame.

  • dp

    Paula is as important to the show as Simon. They need a good female judge and the public did not care for Kara. She just repeated whatever Randy said. They need Paula!!

  • Michele

    After last season’s blatant favoritism, I’m sick of every single one of the judges

  • Randi

    I don’t want to watch without Paula! She was the best (and funniest as always) one last year, especially compared with Kara’s ridiculous stupidity

  • Spider
  • mary

    I hope not, she add nothing to AI.
    ‘Everyone is great. the end.’ Make a recording and that will be it!
    That is the only comment she ever gives! They better look for more interesting judges, other than Simon, they are so boring that they are killing AI!

  • Adam

    I really hope she leaves. Seriously, she adds nothing. Well that’s not true. It is entertaining to see her antics.
    http://tvdonewright.com/

  • Mike L from Montreal

    Simon is the most important judge. I say get rid of Paula “I Ramble” Abdul and Randy “I have no vocabulary” Jackson (dawg…to me to you to me…get a freakin’ vocabulary!) Give Kara another chance since it was her first year. Add David Foster who is not afraid to speak his mind. Or have the 3rd judge’s seat change every week like on So You Think You Can Dance. Just get someone who has something of value to say (i.e. who is qualified and is articulate). Maybe WILL.I.AM?

  • Honestly, who cares?

    She’s irrelevant, incoherent, embarassing and believe it or not, the show WILL go on without her (without skipping a beat I am certain) Why don’t they get rid of Randy too while they’re at it?

  • She’s playing games

    Are we, the public, supposed to show our outrage at the very thought of her not coming back? Girl, please…

  • RR3

    The show circuntly can go on without Paula Abdul and everyone else…except Simon Cowell, by the way keep in mind that Paula is his sidekick
    We are not watching the show anymore, in Simon’s words…”nobody can top that now”…
    There won’t be another Adam Lambert for many years to come
    Is down hill after season 8

  • Patti

    I think Ryan Seacrest getting 45 million is the bigget joke ever! He is not that great and talk about lacking talent. How in the world is he worth 45 million. Paula has been in the business for years and she has a right to make just as much if not more that Ryan “stiff a..” Seacrest. FremantleMedia and 19 Entertainment better make her a deal and a good one soon!!

  • Patti

    I don’t understand. There is no way Ryan (stiff ass) Seacrest should be earning 45 million! This is simply ridiculous. They better offer Paula a deal and a good one soon. She has been in the business for years and certainly should make as much as Ryan or more. Ryan Seacrest is easy to replace, Paula is not.

  • Marie

    I might actually watch it again if she’s gone. She’s beyond annoying.

  • AZ

    Get rid of Kara. Keep Paula. Why break up a winning team – Simon, Paula, and Randy.

  • GeorgeTS

    Simon is the show with paula and Ryan. Randy is a disgrace to the human race and Kara sucks( which I wish she were doing somewhere else ) Bottom line lose Kara and Randy and replace with the GEICO LIZARD, now that would be the BOMB!

  • sam

    I am surprised that show is still on. How many years can you really ride a one-trick pony? The show needs a new gimmick to keep it fresh and interesting. I recommend more poor singers. Half way through the show, boom, pull some random bad singer to sing a duet. Call it the dud. We can vote who gets the dud.

  • TVDave in Austin

    Paula is an integral part of the show – in fact, last season was a little boring with the fourth judge. we NEED Paula’s over-enthusastic, sometimes-nonsensical, but always entertaining presence!

  • Big t

    Paula Paula Paula she is so out there and ridiculous she has to stay on lets just say it’s the 3 Stooges you can’t bust them up!!! Ryan Seacrest no no no say it ain’t so 45 Mil this makes me ill he brings nothin to the game at all Pat Sajak could do it better come on no star power at all in the boy and he’s 100% geek lose him not Paula!!!!

  • julie

    She was better this year than previous seasons, but she is not really in a position to make a power play if this is what her new manager is trying to do. Simon and Ryan make the show regulars-wise. Ryan is worth the money, he is great during the auditions, $45 million is a relative term when you realize how much money that show generates.

  • Preston

    It’s very unfortunate that FremantleMedia and 19 don’t want to renew Paula Abdul’s contract. I thought she was a little better this year than last year judging the contestants.

  • Scot

    Who cares? She contributes nothing of substance to the show. Get rid of Randy and Kara too.

  • Freely

    I think Paula is a crucial element of the chemistry that has allowed AI to flourish. Without her counterpoint to the male judge’s comments the show would would not work.

  • b0b

    what does ryan seacrest do for 45mimmion.drop him.no one on tv is worth 45 million.

  • kt

    I’d rather see Paula than Kara.

  • B

    Paula is awesome, and I love watching her and Simon interact. I doubt I’ll watch without her. And my God, if we’re stuck with Kara? No way in hell.

  • J. Pro

    GOOD! They needed to get that DRUNK off the Air.

  • Karen in AK

    Please please please get rid of Paula. We’ve endured her only because we’ve had no choice. Send Randy with her, he’s so far off with his critiques. Keep Simon and Kara and rotate a 3rd judge every week depending on the theme. We were about to call the whole thing quits after Adam lost, but jettisoning Paula would make it worth trying a little longer.

  • lisa

    When you show up high to work you get fired….That’s just the way it is…..

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