Paula Abdul update

Here's yesterday's story. Here's Bruce DeMara's story from today's Star. Here's what's happened since:

Way to go with the platitudes, Randy From Us: "Judge Randy Jackson can't believe Paula Abdul is leaving American Idol. "I am shocked," Jackson tells Us in a statement. "Paula is a dear friend and will be missed."

Way to go with the info, Ryan He tweets, "paula and i had a very good personal conversation today! been a long day i am crashing now. hit u tmorrow"

This from Paula herself: "You all never seize to amaze me. You've been nothing shy of brilliant in your loving way of taking great care of me. God Bless you all..xo P"

There's always So You Think You Can Dance "We've certainly invited her here, and we've invited her to do some choreography this season as well," Lythgoe told Yahoo! Music. "We just haven't been able to get it together at the moment, obviously because negotiations with Fox have been at the top of her mind." More. Speaking of SYTYCD - this season has been the blah-est ever. I have not been able to care for two minutes about any of the contestants. Not that they aren't great dancers ... they're just boring. I watched the whole drawn-out show last night and I still can't care who wins.

Mrs. Beckham will be a guest judge What is she going to judge exactly? Which contestant is best at looking like they just chewed a lemon? People says that, "As the dust settles on the shocking departure of Paula Abdul, 47, from next season’s American Idol, now comes confirmation from Victoria Beckham’s publicist that the former Posh Spice, 35, will make a “one-off appearance” as a guest judge on the top-rated FOX show, according to Britain’s Sky News. Just don’t expect Beckham to take up a permanent perch next to judges Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson and Kara DioGuardi — as she reportedly doesn’t wish to take time away from overseeing her fashion line."

UPDATE: From TMZ: "The door isn't completely slammed on Paula Abdul ... Multiple "American Idol" insiders are telling TMZ there is a chance Paula will come back to the show. Reality -- better than a good chance. We're told the conflict is ultimately all about money ... and buzz leading up to season 9. But for now, "A.I." is full speed ahead -- auditions for the show are set for tomorrow ... without Abdul."

UPDATE: Ausiello reports from the TV critics tour that Katy Perry is another celeb being brought in to fill in for Paula. Fox chairman Peter Rice says, “Paula will not be returning to Idol,” he says. “It’s very saddening for us.” He goes on to break down what exactly happened: They offered her a “substantial raise” to return and she turned it down. As a result guest judges — including Katy Perry and Victoria Beckham — will fill the void during the early audition rounds. “Between now and January we will come up with a more permanent solution… [and find] a replacement for Paula. We’re very sad she’s not coming back.” He concedes that the new season will now have  ”a different dynamic and energy…. But there’s also something exciting about that.” 

Comments

[Myles Buck]

English is obviously not Paula's strong point. I assume she meant to use the word "cease" instead of "seize."

[Leon Arp]

Dear Paula: I'll never cease to amaze you, and I promise to never seize you... (And she wants a raise?)