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 alex

Vote down Vote up Report this

I personally think that the show will not be the same if Paula isn't there. I don't like Kara at all and putting someone else in Paula's spot is just disgusting to me.

By Jennifer!

wow, seems like a lot of people on this site won't be watching American Idol anymore since Paula will leave and Kara will stay. Well I'm going to join you guys because I will not watch American Idol again if Kara is on the screen!

By imsmrtru

I don't blame Paula for leaving the show. I would leave too for a measly 4 million when she is unique and she gives more publicity for the show than anyone else. People like to look at her because they don't know what's coming next. After taxes, paying her manager and agent and money required to keep up her appearance, she won't have much left. Now that she's gone, who is going to give that much publicity for the show. Paula kept the show getting publicity with her odd behavior in the news and that was good for the show. Also, Paula was known for criticizing Simon and showing distaste for Simon's behavior was a winner on the show, especially for Simon. The show is going to be sorry for not keeping her because most people associated the show with Paula and Simon. They are like two peas in a pot, both with odd behavior which gave the show a "funny" and interesting twist. Good Luck without Paula, the other judges are boring.

By jackilimite

Keep the judges down to three and get someone else in place of Kara. She is a train wreck waiting to happen. She is clueless and repeats herself over and over. After awhile it gets real boring. I stopped watching mid season last year. If Kara is back, I'm done with the show. There are plenty of experienced and knowledgable people in the music industry who can contribute a lot more to Idol then the stupid senseless remarks that come from Kara..

By terri

i hope paula will come back. nobody will be able to really take her place.the show was all about simon and paula anyway.bring her back.

By FE

I HATE FOX EXECS FOR SHOWING DISCRIMINATION AGAINST WOMEN. THE SAME OLD STORY MEN EARNING MORE MONEY THAN MEN.SINCE PAULA IS OUT SO AM I. ALL WOMMEN SHOULD BOYCOTT IDOL BECAUSE OF EQUAL PAY FOR EQUAL WORK. I CANT STAN THAT OTHER WOMEN. WHAT HER NAME?

By Vera

I think Paula should stay. It really sad that all the other men got what they asked for,I'm sure. What is with Victoria Beckham as a guest host. She's an underwear model and a skanky skeleton. Just because she was a Spice Girl, who never sang solo, we don't know for sure if she can carry a tune,and being married to David Beckham is the only way she can be known. All that certainly doesn't qualify her be guest judge. Besides, she has that snooty haunted look

By Jewell

If Paula does not return and she is replaced by some non-talented dirk like Victoria Beckham I will ask all my readers on my website www.blackwomeninsports.com not to watch this show and I know they will listen. I have a strong following. We need Paula back. We do not need 2 Simons.

Saturday 08 August

By Kent

First, don't bring Paula back. She's a very nice person, but she doesn't offer constructive criticism. She simply gushes about the positives, even if it's just wardrobe. And the arguing with Simon has gotten old.

Second, don't add a fourth judge. Four judges makes for shows that run over, substantially. All it does is make me miss the start of the non-Fox show that I watch, and that really irritates me.

Third, reduce the second installment on Wednesday to 30 minutes. No one wants to see the group number or a performance by a has-been star. We just want to know who the bottom three are and who got voted off.

Sunday 09 August

By Ron Kamin

Everyone I know says they CAN'T STAND DioGuardi!!!!
She will definately kill the show with Paula gone. And 4 judges???? Why????

Saturday 15 August

By Peach

American Idol would do well to bring Paula back to the show and lose that loser Kara who is boring! The show debuted with three judges - Simon, Rand and Paul and it should be kept that way. If not, I plan not to watch!

Saturday 22 August

By Tripple J

Paula is the GLUE to the show. Once you remove the GLUE it will all fall apart... Or maybe that it what they want.

Sunday 23 August

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