Paula Abdul's quitting American Idol/Being Replaced by Ellen DeGeneres

[TennesseeTink]

I have never understood why Paula Abdul was a judge for a singing contest anyway. She was a dancer who had enough connections in the music business to make some albums and then her very voice was heavily produced.

As much as I may not care for Kara's manner of speaking or facial expressions, she is one of the most in demand songwriters by the hottest pop stars of the moment(and that was before American Idol), plus she proved that she can actually sing too when she went up against bikini girl. When she speaks I feel like she actually knows what she's talking about and, between her and Simon, I think the show will focus more on talent that just a popularity contest. Atleast that's what I'm hoping.

[PirateLover]

I enjoyed Paula's antics and I do think she genuinely cared for the contestants. If I had to lose a judge I would rather it have been Kara or Randy. I think Kara was a total waste of space. I mean she got actual music facts wrong and contradicted herself all the time. However I think it could be interesting to have guest judges like Posh or Katy Perry to change things up a bit.

[pink]

All I can say is she is going to regret quitting this show when she has no money left and no one else will hire her. Give me over one million to sit on my butt and critique singers, I'll be there in a heart beat!

[DisneyPrincess21]

All I can say is she is going to regret quitting this show when she has no money left and no one else will hire her. Give me over one million to sit on my butt and critique singers, I'll be there in a heart beat!

I would go for alot less! I am literally broke.

[tinkerbelle75]

Saw that ABC has invited her to be a judge on So You Think You Can Dance ( Much better fit, I think!):

From the Live Feed website:
August 08, 2009
ABC: We want Paula Abdul on 'Dancing'
ABC entertainment president Steve McPherson says he wants Paula Abdul on the network's top-rated reality hit "Dancing with the Stars."

"Absolutely," he told TV critics at their summer press tour in Pasadena when asked if he was interested in having the former "American Idol" judge on the show.

"We would love to have her on 'Dancing' whether its as a contestant, or a participant, judge, etc.," McPherson said. "I was a little stunned by the decision. I think she's a huge talent. There’s a lot made about who she is. There's a sensitivity and emotion in her that balances out 'Idol' and we'd love to get a piece of that. It would be great.

Fox's "So You Think You Can Dance" executive producer and judge Nigel Lythgoe has also extended an offer to Abdul, but only as a guest judge since the show already has three permanent judges.

When a critic pointed out to McPherson after the panel that "Dancing" has a seemingly full judges table as well, McPherson reminded the critic that the network has not yet made any formal plans regarding Abdul, though noted "all possibilities are open."

McPherson said he called Abdul after he heard about her decision to leave "Idol" ("she sounded great," he said) and plans to speak with her further about potential opportunities at ABC.

Like with Lythgoe's offer, the question becomes whether ABC seriously wants Abdul full time on the program, or is merely seeking a temporary ratings-boosting stunt. Though Abdul worked as a choreographer, the ABC show is about ballroom dancing -- a distinction that likely would matter to hardcore "Dancing" fans, though probably not to most viewers. Also, it's tough to imagine ABC being able to meet or exceed the offer Abdul rejected from Fox (roughly $5 million per year).

Though one would be foolish to try and predict what the oft-unpredictable Abdul might do, the proclamation does raise the odds that Abdul will return to broadcast in some form next season -- either on "Dancing," or back on "Idol" should Fox decide not to risk letting the No. 2 reality show on TV hire its former judge.

The stakes could be significant. Last spring, the "Dancing" premiere featuring Melissa Rycroft actually rivaled an episode of "Idol" for the first time in total viewers, though "Idol" quickly widened the margin.

***

[2Epcot]

I also much prefer Paula's funny stuff to Kara, ick.

I feel the same way.

I enjoyed Paula's antics and I do think she genuinely cared for the contestants. If I had to lose a judge I would rather it have been Kara or Randy. I think Kara was a total waste of space. I mean she got actual music facts wrong and contradicted herself all the time. However I think it could be interesting to have guest judges like Posh or Katy Perry to change things up a bit.

Paula always made the show interesting. I still like all the original judges. I wouldn't want to see any of them go. The guest judges are interesting, but I don't think having 4 judges really works away. In the beginning of the show there are too many contestants to comment on, and not enough time. I can see maybe maybe adding guest judges when they get down to top 10 or less.

[MNNHFLTX]

You know, the more I think about this, the more it seems to me that adding Kara last season was a strategic move on the producers part. With one more year left on Paula's contract (at that time), they had to know that she would be maneuvering for more money. So all that talk back then that Kara had not been hired to replace Paula was all baloney, IMO.