Paula Abdul Off American Idol

First, a confession: we have a button on our DVR remote, and in our house we call it the Paula Button. It's a feature that allows you to fast forward 30 seconds with one easy press of the button. We really only use this particular button between January and May, when American Idol is on and Paula is talking. In fact, for most of the last two or three seasons, listening to Paula has been merely accidental. When we're not paying attention, and we hear her start to go on about how pretty a contestant's hair is or how great a performance was THAT DID NOT ACTUALLY HAPPEN, one of us will shriek, "Where's the remote!? Hurry! Press the Paula Button!" So, when I read the news last night about how the ninth season of American Idol will not include Abdul, I turned to my husband and said, "I have some news that will make you very, very happy." And, my friends, it did.

What's more, the story was broken the way many, many news stories are broken these days: on Twitter. Paul tweeted, "With sadness in my heart, I’ve decided not to return to Idol ... I’ll miss nurturing all the new talent, but most of all being a part of a show that I helped from day one become an international phenomenon."

So. Many. Opinions. 

Did Paula's presence on the show really help make American Idol the international phenomenon it now is OR did her presence basically confuse millions of American for eight consecutive seasons? I'm thinking about my Paula Button and about how often Americans rolled their eyes at her criticisms and, yeah, I think it's the latter.

Now before you rush to defend her, I grew up listening to her catchy dance tunes and I personally loved her "Rush" video that featured both Keanu Reeves and a Rebel Without a Cause homage (RECIPE FOR AWESOME!), but when American Idol kicked off in 2002, it didn't take too long (for me, at least) to realize that Paula's contributions on the show were ... sort of eye-rolling, you know? Sort of ... irrelevant, even.

In fact, I'd go so far as to say what I'll miss most about Paula is how often Simon got annoyed with her. AND THAT'S ABOUT IT.

There is some speculation that Paula taking to Twitter with her departure news was some sort of negotiation ploy for more money, putting pressure on AI producers since she was set to begin taping the ninth season auditions in Denver this Friday. But ... so far FOX has only responded with the following, Paula was "an important part of the 'American Idol' family over the last eight seasons and we are saddened that she has decided not to return to the show."

Seems fairly final for now.

One can only hope.

Comments

[Suzy Q]

You watch the show almost the same way that I do, except I tape it and zoom through all of Seacrest's inanity, too. If you only watch the performances and listen to Randy, Kara and Simon, it's really only about 24 minutes long out of a 2-hour show.

I will not miss Paula, in case I didn't make that clear. Her overlong, idiotic ramblings were why I missed "Mad World" the first time Adam sang it, due to the show going overtime.

[Issa]

I may have to start letting my daughter watch AI upstairs now. Hm.

[Irma]

Oh c'mon, Paula was the best PART, I used to grab my husband by the arm before she spoke and say, "Sssh! Here it comes!!"... and wait for whatever eyeraising gem would spew forth, words that seemingly sprang from her lips without ever passing through her brain. Guess my husband and I are just evil, mean people, huh?

[ravenlynne]

She was sort of entertaining in a sort of "Lets stare at the trainwreck" sort of way, but not entertaining enough to miss.

[mommymae]

i just moved and, sadly, cox cable is archaic and does not have a paula button. i loved that button.

[joanne]

Well, Paula is an eay target she Obiviously has had some persona promblems,but she is caring person and it shows. I don't know how you can fast forward through Paula comments and lestin to Kara's long whinded I know it all remarks. I guess it's all in your preference.