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Seacrest 'Bummed' About Paula

By PopEater Staff Posted Aug 5th 2009 12:29PM

'American Idol' host Ryan Seacrest seemed blindsided by Paula Abdul's announcement that she would not be returning to the show. "The news stunned me last night," he said on his KISS FM radio show. Seacrest denied all the rumors that this was a publicity stunt and admitted he's "bummed" to see her leave on such abrupt terms.

"She's a dear friend. I love her to death and am really sad that it came to fruition. I'm just bummed because we've worked together for so many years. It's sad," he said.

"Everyone that I've passed today here has asked 'Is it true? Is it a publicity stunt?' As far as I know, it's real. At this point she's decided to leave," he said.

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'Idol' Judges Hit the Town

Take a look at the 'American Idol' judges and host out and about.

A-SAYLES

Idol' Host and Judges

(FILES) TV personality Paula Abdul arrives at the 51st Annual Grammy Awards, at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, on February 8, 2009. Abdul announced on August 4, 2009, she will not be returning for a ninth season as a judge on the hugely popular television reality show "American Idol." FILES/AFP PHOTO GABRIEL BOUYS (Photo credit should read GABRIEL BOUYS/AFP/Getty Images)

AFP/Getty Images

FILE - In this April 6, 2008 file photo, from left, Paula Abdul, Simon Cowell, Ryan Seacrest, and Randy Jackson are seen backstage at the "Idol Gives Back" fundraising special of "American Idol" in Los Angeles on Sunday April 6, 2008. Fox said Tuesday Aug. 4, 2009, Abdul has decided against returning to "American Idol" as a judge. (AP Photo/Matt Sayles, File)

FILE - In this March 5, 2009 file photo, "American Idol" judge Paula Abdul arrives at the American Idol Top 13 Party in Los Angeles. Fox said Tuesday Aug. 4, 2009, Abdul has decided against returning to "American Idol" as a judge. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello, file)

FILE - In this April 6, 2008 file photo, Randy Jackson, left, Paula Abdul, center, and Simon Cowell are seen on stage at the "Idol Gives Back" fundraising special of "American Idol" in Los Angeles. Fox said Tuesday Aug. 4, 2009, Abdul has decided against returning to "American Idol" as a judge. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill, File)

ASSOCIATED PRESS

FILE- This jan. 13, 2009 file photo shows Kara DioGuardi of "American Idol" arriving at the FOX Winter All-Star Party in Los Angeles. DioGuardi will be back for her second round as a judge on "American Idol." (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello,File)

©AXELLE/BAUER-GRIFFIN.COM Los Angeles Premiere of "Funny People". ArcLight Theatre, Hollywood, CA. July 20, 2009. Job: 90720A1. www.bauergriffin.com www.bauergriffinonline.com Pictured: Ryan Seacrest.

AXELLE/BAUER-GRIFFIN.COM

"American Idol" host Ryan Seacrest arrives at the premiere of the film "Funny People" in Los Angeles, Monday, July 20, 2009. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)

HOLLYWOOD - JULY 20: TV personality Ryan Seacrest attends the premiere of Universal Pictures' "Funny People" held at ArcLight Cinemas Cinerama Dome on July 20, 2009 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Ryan Seacrest

Getty Images

HOLLYWOOD - JULY 20: TV personality Ryan Seacrest and director/writer/producer Jude Apatow attend the premiere of Universal Pictures' "Funny People" held at ArcLight Cinemas Cinerama Dome on July 20, 2009 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Ryan Seacrest;Judd Apatow

Getty Images

Amid rumors about Adbul's contract negotiations, Seacrest revealed the salary might not have been close to what she wanted. According to TMZ, she was pulling in somewhere between $2 and $3 million a year, and she wanted more. Allegedly, she changed management twice and made it difficult for the producers.

Just last month, Seacrest announced he got a raise to host the show, bumping him up to $45 million for three years. "Obviously she has her reasons for doing it and if she didn't feel like she was getting what she needed. I understand that too," he said.

On his Twitter, Seacrest wrote, "Idol and the cast have grown with each other over the last 8 seasons. I can't imagine the panel without Paula. She's a star. a great friend."

But he hasn't given up all hope yet. He's crossing his fingers that Abdul will come back. "I would love that. I think that would be fantastic for all of us. That would be great," he said.

Tags: american idol, AmericanIdol, judges, paula abdul, PaulaAbdul, ryanseacrest

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Thursday 06 August

By linda

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RYAN SEACREST if you are upset then do something about Paula being left out! You are the big cheese supposedly so lets use that clout to get Paula back. If not you KNOW ratings will drop. It's Paula we love and need at the judges table. It's just boring without her. She is the foil to Simon. It was perfect. Don't fix it if it isn't broken!!! PLEASE??

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