In the more than seven years I’ve been a television critic, I never thought I would write this: Fox made a huge mistake letting “American Idol” judge Paula Abdul go.
There, I said it: Now I ought to just stab myself in the chest.
But whether we realize it or not, like it or not, or support it or not, the loopy, superficial, slightly inept Abdul was an intrinsic part of the “American Idol” formula that’s going to be difficult to recreate.
As critical and cantankerous as fellow judge Simon Cowell was or as sensible as Randy Jackson was, Abdul was the counterpoint. She was the hair-brained, sometimes nonsensical powder puff, who believed in the power of positive thinking for even the most untalented contestant.
Her yin reacted to their yang, and without it, Fox’s No. 1-rated television show will miss Abdul’s kind-hearted critiques and school-girl enthusiasm that added balance to the “American Idol” world.
Early last week, Abdul announced on her Twitter account that she would not be returning to the show after eight seasons as a judge. Since the beginning, the spunky longtime pop singer and dancer was never truly a judge of singing prowess. She was there to provide hope for aspiring singers who had just been verbally mauled by the blunt Cowell and the even-handed Jackson.
Fox executives responded later in the week by saying they wanted Abdul to come back but that she had turned down a rather “substantial” raise (some say
she turned her nose to $4 million a year but would say yes to $10 million, which is still substantially less than the $15 million Ryan Seacrest will get for “Idol” as well as for producing future projects for “Idol” owners, 19 Entertainment).
My argument is that Abdul should at least make what Jackson pulls in — as well as Seacrest, if you take out from the equation his producing fees.
Perhaps to add salt to an already big wound, Fox meanwhile renewed new judge Kara DioGuardi, who frankly added nothing to last season’s mix. Simply, it was a big mistake to go to four judges.
Finding a replacement for Abdul will be difficult, which the show’s producers are planning to do by the new season’s premiere in January.
Will they find an equivalent? Probably not, because her chemistry with the other judges is hard to replicate. And it will be difficult to discover someone who will be as well-liked or as unpredictable as Abdul, who managed to generate plenty of water-cooler talk after each week’s episodes.
But the new season hasn’t started yet, and there are still possibilities. While it sounds like Abdul committed the ultimate career suicide — I think, as does former “Idol” producer Nigel Lythgoe does — that the former “Forever Your Girl” could strike a deal before the start of the live performances in January that satisfies everyone.
Well, I actually don’t feel she was EVER a judge in the constructive sense of the word. I think Kara is a better person to critique, and she is capable of showing compassion as well. I have never thought Paula was a singer, even if she DID record in the 80’s. Her talent is in choreography, and she is tops in her field. She should be on SYTYCD. They only need three judges on AI. Why there is talk of Victoria Beckham is beyond me. The real change I would like to see with the judges is having them stop the antics, insults, physical assaults, and disrespect of one another’s opinions, which all take up time. With the time saved, the contestants could have more than 90 seconds to showcase their voices and styles.
Absolutely untrue… Paula has a very good sense of pitch and always tells the ocntestants to remember not to over-sing, or watch the pitch.. kara is useless
All a matter of perspective, I guess. Check out Kara’s credentials and her critiques. At least she was coherent. Many people have a sense of pitch…even Randy. “Pitchy, dawg.” As a singer, Paula had an approximate 1 1/2 note range. Had she not had her dancing to accompany the act, she would never have sold as much as she did. She’s the consummate pro when it comes to choreography. That’s where she belongs. I was put off with her rambling ridiculous statements and her slapping and interrupting Simon.
I agree, Paula was an integral part of the show. She will be missed.
To comment on the above posters —
Remember, Idol’s about finding a STAR and STAR qualities are not measurable…Adam has them, others dont.
As STAR judges it is also more than just judging (though I think Paula was a fine judge) Paula has star quaility, Kara does not! Maybe Idol producers should remember its own formula!!!
Paula is the best. She is the heart of Am Idol.
Her chemistry with Simon is irreplaceable. I love to watch does two.
She should get the raise she asked for. Simon, Randy and Ryan all got good deals. She deserves that too.
Frankly, I’m stunned that anyone still thinks this “Reality Show” is anything more than the scripted and staged faux-Karaoke contest that it obviously IS.
Paula and Simon’s chemistry is what MAKES this reality show work. Randy is worthless, Kara is LESS than worthless. I suspect that less than 10% of viewers care what either of them says or does. Reality shows like Idol thrive on creating buzz, and Paula was responsible for at least 50% of the buzz generated by the show over the past however-many years.
Idol will trudge on, and continue to pretend that their planted contestants and mediocre talents with compelling back-stories are (or ever Will be) actual “stars”. But the show will NEVER again be able to capture the spark that made it what it is today – not unless they bring back rambling, bumbling, incoherent Paula.