Four! 'Idol' Eyes Paula Replacement

By PopEater Staff Posted Aug 7th 2009 08:35AM

With the sudden departure of 'American Idol' judge Paula Abdul, the show's producers say they're sticking with four judges and on a quest to find her permanent replacement. In the meantime, the show will employ an array of female pop stars including Victoria Beckham and Katy Perry, who will stand in as a guest fourth judge for the audition rounds.

"There is no expectation and no thought right now that any of these judges will be a long-term judge for us," Peter Rice, the chairman for entertainment at Fox Broadcasting told the New York Times.

"All of the people we are talking to have successful careers. I don't even think they would be available."

Rice admits, "it was our hope and expectation that Paula would come back." But she announced that she would not accept Fox's new contract offer, Mr. Rice said. Sources say she was hoping to get around $10 million for this season, but executives were pushing to give sign on for $4 million. Simon Cowell is believed to receive more than $30 million annually from his 'Idol' activities, and Ryan Seacrest last month signed a new contract that gives him "$10 million a year to host the program plus another $15 million over three years for the use of his image to promote 'Idol' and for other development projects," the NYTimes reports.

Earlier this week, PopEater staff compiled our list of stars we'd like to see replace Abdul, including '80s pop singer, Debbie Gibson, four-time Grammy award winner Olivia Newton-John and the outspoken media blogger Perez Hilton. See Our Complete List!

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'Idol' Judges Hit the Town

Take a look at the 'American Idol' judges and host Ryan Seacrest out on the town. More pics >>

Idol' Host and Judges

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. "We made an offer we feel is very fair to Paula" that included a substantial raise, Fox Entertainment Chairman Peter Rice told the Television Critics Association on Wednesday Aug. 2009. But Abdul decided against returning for the hit singing contest's ninth season, he said. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello, file)

(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

Tags: american idol, AmericanIdol, judges, kara dioguardi, KaraDioguardi, katy perry, KatyPerry, paulaabdul, randy jackson, RandyJackson, ryan seacrest, RyanSeacrest, simon cowell, SimonCowell, victoria beckham, VictoriaBeckham

Comments

(53)

Friday 07 August

By Ari of Light

High Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

Please, use only three judges with the occasional guest judge.

Thank you

By Dee

Highest Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

If Paula does not come back and Kara stays , I will not. Cannot stand Kara and Paula makes the team of THREE complete. They each compliment each other. Randy, Paula and Simon. Kara is like a throne in a bunch of roses.

By carol

Yes Paula started that show just like the rest of them and the offer needs to be made to get her back and i still beieve it will..

By ibe american

Vote down Vote up Report this

When the show becomes more about the judges than the talent it is truely time to pull the plug. Too much ego stroking already on the show....give up new talent!

By Bev

"If it Ain't Broken, Don't Fix It."

AI is breaking a successful Formula. The ratings have been going down and I suspect will really drop with not Paula. The Recipe will now be missing an ingredient. After Adam's Debacle and the the most likley rigged voting I already decided not to watch another season. The only reason I watched last season was because of Adam.

Bon Appetite!

By Tina

If Paula goes and Kara stays, another viewer is GONE!!!!!!!!!!!! Why mess with a good show, and like previously said if its all going to be about the judges and announcers, than take the whole show off!!!

By jeff

Perez hilton who thru that idiots name into this ? that's the biggest joke i've ever heard. put him on that and i gaurantee that show will be done for. who is it ? this stupid site that says this.

By Rommel

I know right? when I saw Perez name I was like WTF? who in their right mind would want this douchebag and ugly pig in the screen? everyday? If they do then I think people would really stop watching AI just cuz his there? what talent does Perez have to be an IDOL judge?

By Joan

I cannot stand that PHONEY,BACKSTABBER Kara. Paula Abdul is American Idol and without her this show will completely suck.
Paula Nurtured these contestants and really helped them, and Kara is so not like that at all. Last year she tried to upstage the Bikini Girl and it back fired on her so badly, it was like she was competing with this little girl.
I feel as though she stole Paula job from her, they brought her paid her less money and that was they end of Paula.
I will like others will not be watching that show any longer.

By jay blaisdell

Paula will be back. It's her niche. I mean, there's really no other place for her to go in the entertainment field. The one who should be replaced is Randy Jackson. It's numbing how few words of the English language this guy knows. I just don't see what he brings to the table other than, "Yo-yo-yo ...lissen up, Dog."
Surely, there's someone a bit more articulate and saavy than this uncharismatic dude.

By JR

My family and I have been watching American Idol since day 1 and without Paula Abdul as a judge, AI will lose many devouted fans. We will NOT watch AI anymore, especially if Kara comes back next season. AI producers are making it seem that it was Paula's decision not to return, while in reality it is the producers who do not want to give Paula a descent raise while Simon, Randy and Ryan receive huge raises. She is 1 of 3 judges that helped make AI a success and without her it will not be the same. BRING PAULA BACK!!!

By JBaer

I can hear Katy Perry now: "You didn't sing 'I Kissed a Girl' the way I do, so you're not going to Hollywood."

By Aggie

If they would give EQUAL PAY to her she would have stayed. Shame on FOX for not doing that.

By janie

Fox did not wan't to renew her contract. Paula was FIRED plain and simple. PR stunt more money ploy, on her part, Paula played chicken with the #1 show and the big boys and lost. When you get the ever popular "we are going in different directions and wish her the best" shes done. This show is a money maker. Even if the ratings drop a little Paula won't make a difference in the long run and Fox knows this. Hopefully, she won't be like Farrah Fawcett, Suzanne Sommers, David Caruso, Shelly Long,Valerie Harper (she had her own show and got fired) and the show continued. Caruso was the only one who got lucky but it took years to get there. Their ego's the show wont last without me all backfired big time.

By j

How stupid are these execs? They keep Kara who is totally pathetic and makes most viewers want to vomit....

They throw tons of $$$ at Simon and Ryan but can't come up with some bucks for Paula??? Give me a break.

Adding Kara was a GIANT MISTAKE, keeping her, even stupider. Not keeping Paula, pricelessly stupid....

By bk

The one thing that I've not heard anything about is how much Randy and Kara are making for AI? Cause obviously Simon will make the most - he's why most people continue to watch this show. And Ryan will make more cause than the other judges cause he's on-camera more than they are. However, we haven't heard what the other 2 judges will be making???

By LSA

Good Riddance!!! I'm sorry, but Paula was a puke with her nonsensical babbling drivel and that drunk/drugged look on her face all the time. I won't miss her! Not to mention her immature, childish antics with Simon, I think its a good thing she's gone She's a has-been. She had what? 3 popular songs IN THE '80's- What has she done since????

By Lucille Haycox

LSA....You are a sick mother....and I detest what you said about Paula......she made it fun...and personally....if Fox would have paid the same amount to her as to the others.....she would still be there................I will miss her..and it was enjoyable watching American Idol......with out her.....forget it.

By Mj

Jennifer Lopez or Janet Jackson would be great replacement for Paula....If Fox would take a chance on Janet?????

By Suz

I don't give a fig who the judges are other than Simon. He is the only honest one, and I usually agree with him. And I do like Kara. I know I will watch the show regardless.

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