You won't have Paula Abdul to kick around anymore. It appears last year's addition of a new judge Kara may have been the precursor to Abdul's removal. Paula Abdul's manager David Sonenburg confirms, "Very sadly, it does not appear the she's going to be back on Idol."Didn't the producers of the show just last winter in 2008 insist Paul Abdul isn't going anywhere? Quoting executive producer Ken Warwick, "Paula Abdul isn't going anywhere." He continued, "America loves Paula. She's an integral part of this program, and as far as I'm concerned, I hope she's there until the day it comes off the air."
Speaking on behalf of Abdul, Sonenburg continued, "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."
This will certainly be media fodder in the days to come and in the run up to Idol's return in its next season. It's already been commented that while Cowell and Seacreast have cashed in with big salary increases (Cowell 100million per year, Seacrest $45 million over three years) Abdul is left in the cold with nothing for her years of hard work in building the show to become the powerhouse it is in making stars of unknowns.
All of this could be a negotiating ploy by Sonenburg whom has only recently as of June 2009 become Abdul's agent. He later indicates, Paula would love to be on the show, but in light of the the upcoming season being just around the corner and no contract offered, she is left to believe she is not returning.
Still, Paula has brought a lot on herself, from alleged improprieties with contestants, alleged drunkenness on on set and interviews and more. In any other job you'd be canned too. Perhaps the show just considered Paula too great a liability at this point and was not about to wait and experience her next level of implosions.
What is next for Paula? She could always take her shot at a comeback. While she can't participate on Idol, there are plenty of realty shows out there for celebrities looking to get back into the limelight.