The American Idol rumor mill this week has been buzzier than an angry bumblebee. People.com just confirmed the unfortunate news that Kara “The Terrible” DioGuardi has signed a deal and will be back to (presumably) share a new and impressive bag of gaffes, but there’s still no official word on whether Paula Abdul will be back on the show’s judging panel for season 9. (The Los Angeles Times reports sources close to the show who claim that Paula herself has cut her asking price from $20 million to $12 million annually.)
This got me thinking: As Paula considers her negotiation tactics, she might want to cross her fingers and hope that the Idol overlords don’t look too carefully at her recent track record outside of America’s favorite talent competition. Abdul’s 2007 Bravo reality series, Hey, Paula, averaged a paltry 453,000 viewers during its seven-episode run, while her recent single, “I’m Just Here for the Music,” racked up only 64,000 in digital sales, according to Nielsen SoundScan (compared to 387,000 for 2008′s Randy Jackson collaboration “Dance Like There’s No Tomorrow”). Sharon Dastur, program director for New York City’s Z100, says that “I’m Just Here for the Music” fizzled out before she’d even begun to consider adding it to her station’s playlist. If Abdul exits Idol, adds Dastur, she’s more likely to find success in the world of dance-oriented reality television rather than trying to revive her singing career. So whether or not Paula is worth eight-figures in the Idolverse, it’s no guarantee that any career options outside the show would necessarily result in big bucks or massive fan response.
What do you think, PopWatchers? Is Paula overplaying her hand? Do you think she will/should return for season 9? And is this public uncertainty over her future good for the show from a publicity standpoint? Sound off in the comments section below! (And follow me on Twitter @EWMichaelSlezak!)
Photo credit: Jen Lowery/Startraksphoto.com
Slezak, I am soooo tired of your Kara bashing. Just shut up already!
I think Paula is a staple of the show and I would definitely miss her if she weren’t there. I never warmed to Kara. I really would like to see Paula back there. She’s a good person.
As for her Bravo show, how many people even have access to it? I know I don’t but I have a very limited cable access.
I’m not a fan of her music, never really was, but I am a Paula fan. I think she adds a lot to Idol and it would not be the same without her.
Now, why should Michael Slezek shut up – he’s doing his job and has every right to his opinion as you do. Grow up little boy.
I’m one of the people who thinks Paula adds something to the show. Sure, it’s not always something good, but at least it’s something (unlike the utterly useless Randy Jackson) Like Slezak, I also thought, at times, that she was the best judge on the most recent season.
However, asking for $20 million isn’t going to dissauade any of the people who think she’s genuinely crazy. Even $12 million seems a bit much to stand and seal clap your way through mediocre performances.
Overall, I like Paula on the show. Unfortunately, it seems like the show is really holding all the cards. Eventually, I think she’ll realize that, so I expect her to be back.
you’re not alone. i believe she adds tons and tons and tons of fabulousness to the show. that quirky, sweet, funny thing she’s got going on is what makes the show fun to watch. it makes us think, ‘ok what’s paula gonna say, how is simon gonna react to her?’ i admire how she keeps being herself even tho the world screams at her, ‘change! change! change! judge the way WE want you to judge, and ask for the deal WE want u to ask for’ she’s like the show friends, the girls on that show. a cute mix of phoebe, rachel, and monica. i love paula and she should stay on the show. they should just give her whatever she’s asking. compared to everyone else, she’s not asking for anything much, really.
Michael Slezak pay them no mind! keep doing what your doing!!!
{sigh} Well, if we have to live with another year of Kara maybe Paula will be the more lucid judge she became last season. I don’t want to defend her (and be a hypocrite for all my previous musings on the center judge,) but, she has been known to be the champion of a few people who deserved it – Daughtry is the first one to come to mind – when otherwise smart judges were not so convinced. Let her at least outlive the seemingly useless Kara DioGuardi.
SAVE PAULA
she is sooo stale that it would be wonderful to NOT hear that patronizing pile of crapola that she spits out every week…
no, wait…
i am not going to watch it this year. when adam didn’t win i swore it off so i could care less if she is on it or not.
hope she isn’t tho.
COme on now! Don’t be like that. Coming in 2nd is the probably the best thing that could have happened to him. He’ll get to make a more creative album than he would have if he had won and also (the best part) he doesn’t have to sing “No Boundaries (which frankly didn’t suit either him or Kris).
This is all hype. Paula will be back.
i hope it is hype. but whenever you’ve got a female in a power position it threatens people in charge. the ‘powers’ in control of tv networks. if she takes a silly deal that doesn’t even compare w/ what other judges get it’s like they win on a much bigger level. i admire how she’s sticking to her guns and not letting herself get bullied. and i love her, i’m a huge fan. from straight up to ‘i’m just here for the music’ to american idol to the newest ‘drop dead diva’. keep doin’ your thing paula, and i hope it is hype and that you stay on idol.
I have three words for you: fire Kara and keep Paula
First of all, that would be FIVE words. Also, it’s Randy they should be firing, not Kara or Paula.
by saying it was 3 words, paqpaqa was making fun of kara, and her inability to count last season. I say clean the slate, and get 3 new judges.
i like Randy, but I LOVE Paula Abdul & Simon Cowell. this is so stupid, they are going to RUIN the show all because they feel like punishing paula and trying to humiliate her in front of the whole world by offering her a crummy deal compared to the other judges. it’s just stupid. get on with it already. leave paula alone. she helped put american idol together, now they wanna kick her to the curb? stupid. bad BAD idea and soooooooo tasteless. they’re going to RUIN american idol all because Fox TV people are having a God complex and they’re trying to ‘put paula in her place.’ it’s like they’re trying to do some kinda public punishment thing.
I think paqpaqa is making the point as Kara made the mistake several times this past season-it’s evident she can’t count!
Don’t look now but that’s 5 words. Paula does add comic relief at times when it’s really needed
thats four words
I am hoping you meant that as a jab at Kara…
i hate the idea of ANYONE getting fired. especially these days! but i just don’t understand why they brought in kara. four was a crowd. and i’m sure we have all thought they were doing it to push paula out. stupid. paula DISCOVERED kara which proves right there that she has a good eye for talent. which is why i lover her as a judge. not only does she know talent, but she is positive and encouraging to everyone even though she has to choose. they just need to keep paula abdul on american idol, that’s all i can say.
Too funny! Good one!
I like kara so I’m glad she’s back. I think this is all just a big publicity ploy on paula’s and AI’s part. Paula will sign right before AI starts again. I wouldn’t even be surprised if she sits out the audition rounds and signs in january right before they start. Either way Paula will be back.
I love Paula- she’s so pretty and sweet and has an amazing fashion sense! I hope she stays. Luv you Paula xxoxxoxoxx
Kara only purpose on AI is to give support to Paula against the boys club of Simon, Ryan, and Randy who sometimes gang up on Paula. Otherwise Kara is useless to the show.
wow, u think kara was put there to help paula? see, that’s where i think fox tv got slick. seems like they brought kara to LOOK like ‘we need more girls, here’s another girl 4 you to play w/, paula’ THEN they start trying to yank paula out of the picture by offering her gravel when everyone else is getting gold coins. i’m sorry but it just makes me really REALLY mad. such a great show w/ paula and her thing w/ simon CRACKS ME UP i love it. that brings such a funny and sexy energy to the show. KEEP PAULA ABDUL ON AMERICAN IDOL, AND STOP TALKIN’ CRAZY!
Don’t stop bashing Kara, she totally deserves all you dish out and more. She sucks.
i just think it should be paula abdul who stays. she is such a cool part of the chemistry on that show. it’ll be a big mistake if they don’t have her back.
First: $12 Mil. Wow. In this economy. Let’s just think about that for a sec …
Second: let’s think about what she adds to the show, and where in our consciousness she’ll be if she hadn’t been a part of it …
Third: IMHO, based on the above, she should PAY to be there.
I agree! I cannot believe that Kara is returning and they cannot offer Paula a suitable contract. I, for one, will not watch the show this coming season. I cannot stand Kara as I do not think she adds “anything” to the show. Just having Kara return is it for me……she does suck!
I completely agree. My family won’t be watching this year. Kara makes me gag.
As a long-time watcher of Idol who does commentaries on the show for a local radio station I bless the day we don’t have Paula Abdull (yes, I spelled it that way) to kick around anymore. I’ll take Kara’s mixed metaphors over Paula’s non-sequiturs anytime.