Paula Abdul Impersonates Ellen Degeneres

Paula Abdul finally decided to address (sort of) her departure from American Idol and her new replacement, Ellen Degeneres. By which we mean she put on a blonde wig, a pantsuit, and a pair of sneakers and danced her way down the aisle on VH1 Divas, impersonating the talk show host's typical on-air antics. Abdul, however, made it clear that the joke was all in good fun and even told Degeneres to call her if she ever needs advice. Wonder if that will ever happen. Check out the video below:

VH1 Divas | Divas Video

Kelly Clarkson is set to return to American Idol

The 'My Life Would Suck Without You' singer, who won the first series of the US TV talent show in 2002, will appear as a guest judge at an audition next week.

A source said: “Kelly is beyond excited to get back to the show that started it all.”
It is also rumored that Kelly and the other current judges, Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson and Kara DioGuardi, will be joined by one of the Jonas Brothers.

Now that Paula Abdul is apparently forever off the show there are a number famous celebs who are up to taking her spot such as former Spice Girl Victoria Beckham, hip-hop artist Mary J. Blige and 'I Kissed a Girl' singer Katy Perry.

The source added: "At this stage it doesn't look like Paula will be replaced by one person. The celebrity judges are working really well for now."

Other stars linked to the guest judge role include Jennifer Lopez and Shania Twain.

Paula Abdul Is A Hot Commodity

PCM Reported this week that in Paula Abdul's departure from American Idol that both NBC and CBS were interested in Paula. In stand up interviews with Paula by Entertainment TV Paula said she was overwhelmed by the attention of who wanted her and she apparently was not kidding. Paula has added ABC to the list of networks wanting her onboard.

In the case of ABC, they want her for Dancing With The Stars, and if course that is a good fit for Paula as she was a choreographer for music videos before her own singing career took off in the 1980's.

ABC's Entertainment President Steve McPherson has put out there that ABC wants Paula for Dancing with the Stars saying, "We would love to have her on 'Dancing' (with the Stars) whether its as an contestant, or particpant , judge etc...," Continuing her praise, "There's a lot made about who she is."

Even Paula's own Fox rounds out the Network interest as they too want her for So You Think You Can Dance with producer Nigel Lythgoe even if was just as a guest judge. Paula has a lot to think about as she needs to strike while the iron is hot and cash in on her celebrity appeal.

Paula Abdul To Get Her Own Show?

Inside one day - inside hours of Paula Abdul's announcement that she's through on American Idol, giving up what seemed a big pay day and in spite of not earning as much as Simon or Ryan ...her knight in shining armor has arrived in the form of NBC. And if NBC doesn't work out, she has CBS in the wings.

According to Paul Telegdy NBC is interested in Paula and Telegdy is "absolutely" interested showcasing Paula in the NBC lineup. In a quote to the post, "Is it something I have given thought to? Yeah. I think she is a huge talent. America has huge affection for her. I don't have specifics about shows or show ideas."

Telegdy also revealed that he had talked to Paula Abdul prior to her quitting Idol stating she pitched shows "in her wheelhouse," i.e. dancing competitions.

So did Paula have this all planned out in advance? She did walk away from a salary that could drown a horse but in the face of Ryan Seacrest's and Simon Cowells greater income levels, she felt slighted and more deserving of a lesser pay. If she does score a show on NBC, will she reveal her new salary for Seacrest and Cowell to take notice of?

Whatever it is, it better work. Outside of American Idol Paula has come up empty. Her attempt to restart her music career flopped, her 2007 reality show on Bravo was an embarrassment, even her jewelry on Home Shopping Network failed to break out.
Meanwhile the National Enquirer has reported that Abdul has been in secret negotiations for her own talk show with CBS. Quoting an Enquirer source, "Paula's been dreaming about having her own talk show for three years, and she's ready to make it a reality."

If you think about it, day time talk is where Paula may land and should land. Her honest straight talk, and unpredictable nature would be a ratings winner for any broadcaster.

Paula Abdul Quits American Idol ...Via Twitter

You can't do it more publicly than that folks. She didn't issue a press release or go through her agent or handler, nope she used twitter. Of course is wasn't your typical tweet either:

"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 1 become an international phenomenon ... What I want to say most, is how much I appreciate the undying support and enormous love that you have showered upon me ... It truly has been breathtaking, especially over the past month ... I do without any doubt have the BEST fans in the entire world and I love you all."

Before you conspiracy buffs weigh in, it's confirmed. Both Fox, FremantleMedia and 19 Entertainment confirmed Paula's announcement.

Sources close Abdul to indicate Paula wanted about $20 million to stay with American Idol. Unable to come to terms Paula rejected a 30% raise which would have resulted in an eight-figure multi-year deal. It's hard to imagine Paula would reject the offer and settle for nothing.

Thus ends the era of the original American Idol judges panel. Worse yet, the show loses it's last bastion of reality as Paula always brought a surprise element to the show which even Simon could not match.

Paula Wants 20 Million - Does Idol Want Paula?

It's not even been two days since Paula Abdul's new agent (David Sonenberg) proclaimed Paula was offended by not being offered a new contract with the next season of Idol just around the bend.

What does he do? Asks for 20 million on behalf of Paula. It's a brazen and brave move to assume the position of power but is it really just bravado?

Sources close to Radar Online report that Idol producers have in fact offered Paula closer to half of what her agents demands. If this is true, then Sonenberg is really just after media attention and trying to drum up sympathy.

The only question there is now is this; do the producers of Idol want Paula back? If not, she's going to have mud on her face (and worse no job) thanks to her new agent. If Idol does want her back, it's just a question of what is she really worth to the show? Perhaps she should stop thinking about Seacreast's payday and concentrate on her own. Someone needs to remind her that we are indeed in a recession and I'd gladly take 10 million for sitting on a panel and judging wanna be pop stars.

Paula Abdul Won't Return to American Idol?

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.