Rumors that Paula Abdul has been busily plotting a return to American Idol have been widely exaggerated, her manager David Sonenberg told the Los Angeles Times yesterday. Abdul and her former bosses have had “no discussions whatsoever about Idol,” and the “Opposites Attract” singer has instead been fielding a range of offers from other networks, Sonenberg said, while adding he would “never count anything out” regarding Fox’s cash-cow singing competition.
Featured Video
Totally Lost: Ben's redemption?
Doc Jensen and Dan Snierson examine ''Dr. Linus,'' diagnose Richard Alpert, and share some teasers
More 
Today's Most Popular
-
Photo Gallery 13 child stars who made it -
News Briefs Lady Gaga responds to suit filed by ex-boyfriend -
-
News Briefs Captain America offered to Chris Evans
-
Photo Gallery 14 kisses that made you cringe
From Our Partners
Special Coverage
Totally 'Lost'!
Get up to speed for the final season:
New theories and news from Doc Jensen, exclusive video, photos, trivia, and more
More
Comments (1-15) of 50 Add your comment
I hope Paula returns. All the talk of “guest judges” is a real turn off, especially after the Jonas announcement. . .and the whole Kara returning thing. Yuck.
Oh so Paula wants to return – what – is she channeling the wacked out spirt of Brett Favre – go away – come back – go away – come back – go away – come back —- hmmm what shall I do – or more importantly – how does my GIANT EGO feel about the entire thing – Paula – do everyone a favor – make up your freakin mind already
Paula has not been back and forth on this issue. She wanted to stay for money she felt was in line with other’s on the show (ie Ryan Seacrest was given $10 mil a year on a three year deal)but left when her offer was for $4 mil. I am not a fan of Paula’s at all but I will say that I don’t think it’s “massive ego” to want to be in the same pay league as your male counterparts, especially considering that she was the only celebrity on the show when it started and may have helped establish the initial fan base for the show.
“especially considering that she was the only celebrity on the show when it started and may have helped establish the initial fan base for the show” She does deserve to be paid at least as much as Ryan. I hate to say it, but it really does look like underhanded sexism. I’m really getting tired of this show’s poor values that get worse ever year…
Have to agree. I’m rather ambivalent on Paula, but she really should be paid as much as Ryan. She’s at least as much an important figure as he is (I’d still argue that he is the most disposable figure on the show, and was actually really surprised at his pay raise, but at least Paula should match that at a minimum).
I think Ryan has a quite difficult job and the reason he gets a huge raise is because he makes it look so easy. I actually think he is quite talented and knows how to moduate his own performance to not ever take center stage, moderates and controls the panel, and is careful with emotional high-stressed contestants and deals with the issues of the visiting artists. Wow. I really didn’t know how much I cared!
Paula should have also been given a raise-you may love her or hate her but she filled a special place. Her kindness was sometimes needed to soften the sting of rejection and her dancing around etc. only made her more fun to watch. Yes, Simon and Ryan earn what they get but what does Cara add? Bring back PAULA and give her a raise!!
ryan is the host, paula was a judge. NOT the same, plus ryan’s deal includes other endeavors. do i think he deserves the money? of course not. we need to know how much RANDY makes to decide. he and paula are on the same level. if HE makes more than paula, THEN it’s not fair, but you can’t compare ryan’s salary to hers.
That was true. It was Paula who got my attention to the show. Didn’t know who Simon or Randy were, and did not care. There were two hosts on the first season. One did not return, and honestly that might as well be Ryan. Ryan should have been fired when he messed up with Michael John incident by showing his true colour.
Paula’s new manager has twisted her mind. She said she was optimistic about returning to the show, then he made her think that she wasn’t getting paid enough.
I think you have hit the nail on the head. This poor woman picks the worst representation. Her last “manager” made her think that doing a reality show of her life was a good idea and we all know how that turned out. This one is making her think she should hold out for more money, but looks like Idol has moved on and is not going to bite. I think she better take what they offered if she wants to return.
I am agreeing with your asessment of that. how much persentage is going to that manager of hers? the more money she will making with higher salary the more i bet he will too be making. she need to get new manager. that is what i thing.
She should star in a sit com with MC Skat Cat.
DUNCE
PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE KEEP PAULA OFF THE SHOW…I’M TIRED OFF HER ANTICS AND DRAMA ON AND OF THE SHOW!
Ditto. Enough already!!
I believe all this Paula chatter is nothing but a ploy to keep AI in the news. I’m a fan of the show, but honestly none of them are worth all that money. It’s hard to cry for someone who walks away from 7.5 million when people are losing jobs every day. Ns. Abdul may have overplayed her hand. Hopefully the Randy Dawg will be next. Bye bye.
I will possibly come back to Idol if she returns, but I have no intentions of watching the show again. It started going downkill with Kara.
I personally am not sad to see her go. I fast forwarded through her babbling anyway. I couldn’t take anymore of her fortune cookie advice spoken as if she’s trying to sound like a doped up Shattner.
Of course Paula deserves like pay for like work – this should never have been otherwise. She is the special kind and experienced artist who understands and cares about these hopefuls. FOX and SIMON(s), bring PAULA back and ON WITH THE SHOW!
modulate – typo
She’s an important part of the show. I hope she returns. That manager she has is the greedy one.
She picked her manager – so who takes the blame for this – get a life people – she is a “celebrity” she will get a job somewhere else – there is such a thing as “getting off the Titanic before it sinks” – well – Idol is much bigger than it should be – lifeboat anyone…
Paula was the only real reason to watch the show. The contestants are mediocre at best. Fantasia and Elliott are the only 2 I ever bought a cd from, and Allison if hers turns out well. Paula made the show. Simon’s schtic got boring 5 years ago. It was his interaction with Paula that made him interesting. Idol this year is going to be a big snoozefest. I’m glad I don’t have to watch.
Agree on Simon-he was getting especially difficult to watch for me this past season. If Paula is not there to provide comic relief there is no reason to watch. Randy is dumb and Kara is REALLY annoying. Good performances can be caught later if necessary.
Really? You found that funny? I found it annoying and time wasting.
The only greedy ones here is FOX. Paula deserves to be paid in the same ball park as the other judges and Ryan. If anything she is the most famous, does the most PR and is the most talked about. I think her manager has done a fine job. If she didn’t get equal pay she walks and thats what happened. I’m proud of her for standing up for herself. It certainly sounds like she is weighing a lot of different options. She has a lot of talent of her own, so she doesn’t have to sit and judge others. I would love if she decided to do the Vegas show she was thinking of doing.