14 DAY TRIAL // The upcoming season of American Idol might be completely different from the previous ones, in the sense that some of the judges might not return. Then again, if fans are to believe Simon Cowell and Ryan Seacrest, nothing will change and everybody will return when the time comes, including Paula Abdul, Extra TV informs.
Yesterday, Abdul’s publicist dropped a hint as to how the singer would not be returning for the upcoming season because Fox and the show’s producers had failed to come up with a new contract and an offer. Consequently, the star was thinking about packing up and moving camp to a rival network, where she would start her own show, it emerged the other day. If true, that would have still left Seacrest as the American Idol host and Randy Jackson as judge, since Cowell and DioGuardi’s presence has yet to be confirmed with new deals.
However, the British music mogul says that, no matter what Paula or the producers might tell the media, there is little drama on set, since everybody knows Abdul will be back. Cowell himself has her back, as also does Seacrest, both of whom have already put in a good word for her, so fans have literally nothing to worry about the show’s format being changed anytime soon.
“She’ll be fine. She’ll be on the show. I don’t get a lot of say. I’ve just made it clear that I want Paula on the show. Full stop.” Cowell tells Extra in his specific way of saying things are settled. Ryan Seacrest, who has just recently signed a new deal with Fox to the tune of $45 million for three seasons of American Idol, believes Paula will be back too. “I think as far as I know, you’ll see everybody back. I hope so.” Seacrest says for the same media outlet.
However, just yesterday, Abdul’s publicist seemed very convinced that his client and American Idol were history. “Very sadly, it does not appear that she’s going to be back on Idol. I find it under these circumstances particularly unusual; I think unnecessarily hurtful. I find it kind of unconscionable and certainly rude and disrespectful that they haven’t stepped up and said what they want to do.” David Sonenberg was explaining about the producers’ failure to come up with an offer for the new season. Because of this, Paula was said to be considering getting her own show, although speculation has it she’s just pretending to want to leave to get the producers to up her salary as well.