Post-Abdul fallout and reaction, Kat McPhee goes blonde
For JTesla and any fans of Katharine McPhee, here’s a teaser of her upcoming album cover. The season five runner up has gone blonde!
TMZ has Paula Abdul commenting on her departure from the show. She teases that Simon Cowell “misses me already.” (The embed code TMZ provided me didn’t work so I’m just linking.)
This L.A. Times commentator will miss Abdul’s loopiness.
Her mini-rants, apropos-of-nothing comments and drowsy confusions never had the comedic timing or control that marked a master. But then, “American Idol” was the vanguard of reality programming, on which nothing is supposed to be scripted. Abdul provided the first taste of what the citizenry now gorges itself on: live-action breakdowns.
And what will Paula do now that would even bring in $3 million a year? Nothing that I can fathom. How many baubles can she sell on Home Shopping Network? Her God-awful reality show “Hey Paula” proved nobody wants to see her hanging out with her stylist. She could make money touring but given her past physical problems, could she handle that, given people expect her to dance, dance, dance? She could latch on to another reality show. I mean, she could do “So You Think You Can Dance.” That’d probably be her best option.
Loading ...In the end, her impetuous move to leave was fed by ego, not any real economic sense. I’m sure Randy is happy with his $3 million a year. He knows he has zero chance of making that much doing anything else. At least Ryan Seacrest could leave “Idol” and have plenty of other gigs to keep him in the tens of millions in net worth.
Actually, Abdul’s best bet might be joining a show like “The View.” But does she really have interesting opinions about anything outside of “Idol”? I’m not sure. Still, if she gets such a job, she’d get a very good paycheck.
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67 comments Add your comment
linny ,,,=^..^=,,,
August 6th, 2009
11:09 am
Thanks Rodney — if this is also linked, i am SURE today will be very … ah … um … very … um …. INTERESTING! yes! that’s it! Interesting…
~¿@
linny ,,,=^..^=,,,
August 6th, 2009
11:11 am
seriously, thanks for the new thread! It will be somewhat interesting to see where she goes from here — there’s talk that Nigel will use her on SYTYCD — but like other judges, it would have (PLEASE NIGEL!) to be only 1 or two shows … and i do NOT believe that she “knows more about dance than Mary Murphy or Nigel Lythgoe” — maybe as much in some genres, but nope, i don’t think so otherwise.
anywho… now we’ll have a “quiet” time and when AI starts back up, we’ll have a whole new backlash whipcrack about paula’s absence… i can wait for that, yes i can!
Rickster
August 6th, 2009
11:13 am
Paula needs to fire her manager and swallow her pride and reconsider her decision. She’s banking on a tsunami of public outcry that I think will be more of a wave (as in “wave goodbye.”)
MacLean Stevenson leaving M*A*S*H, Shelley Long leaving Cheers. David Caruso leaving NYPD Blue.
Paula is just the latest in a long line of entertainers who made career-killing decisions.
Take the $10 million Paula! Most people will not sympathize with someone who turns down that much money for anything.
Rickster
August 6th, 2009
11:14 am
I brought my combat helmet & flak vest just in case Linny – not to mention an ample supply of sand bags for my bunker.
Skid Row
August 6th, 2009
11:24 am
The world has come to an end when people have nothing to do but blog about American Idol. What do you people do all day? Are you on welfare? I can’t imagine having a job and them allowing you to be in here all day. Oh, they don’t know? Figures. Losers!
Rickster
August 6th, 2009
11:31 am
And it starts….
linny ,,,=^..^=,,,
August 6th, 2009
11:32 am
*snort* and…you’re bothering to comment “here” … why?
WatchingIdol
August 6th, 2009
11:32 am
Rodney – I need to disagree with you. Paula will likely have options that require less work at as much, if not more, pay.
And let’s face it, she probably doesn’t need the money, anyway. With the huge increases given to Seacrest and Cowell this year, she had to feel as though her contribution to the show was not deemed valuable by the powers-that-be. It seems less about the money and more about the respect. I applaude her for bowing out with class and moving on without feeilng the need to trash Idol.
BTW, Paula is in a different situation than MacLean Stevenson or Shelley Long or David Caruso. Those were people who were unknown before their shows. (I remember life before M*A*S*H.) Paula entered Idol with an established name. Granted, a name that regained brightness through Idol, but a known person, nonetheless. She also has other income streams, like her QVC cr*p. On top of that, through the past few weeks she has not come across like Long or Caruso, who both egotistically bolted from shows they felt were beneath them. One didn’t renegotiate and the other actively worked to get out of his show.
I admire how Paula looked at the offer made and decided she would move on to newer challenges without feeling the need to tarnish the show.
Believe it or not, I can relate to her on this. A couple years ago, I wasn’t “feeling the love” from the company for which I was working. It wasn’t about the money, it was about the respect for what I was doing for the company. Several competitors offered my positions, and I went with the one that appeared to get how what I did helped the company.
Fast forward two year – My old company was the bailout poster child, and my entire old department was canned. My present company also has suffered tremendously in the downturn, but because they respect what I do, I am still employed and feel comfortable that will continue. So I can understand how Paula can be thinking it’s not about the money, but it’s about the respect she is given and the comfort in working for a company that really thinks you are impacting the bottom line.
Sorry for the long post!
linny ,,,=^..^=,,,
August 6th, 2009
11:34 am
^5 Rick
Skid Row
August 6th, 2009
11:35 am
then be quiet already
Perry Dane
August 6th, 2009
11:37 am
Who cares about Paul Abudul or Kara Diwhateverhernameis. Who cares about American Idol. It’s a stupid lame show with stupid lame judges with stupid lame audiences.
Margaret W
August 6th, 2009
11:40 am
I believe this program has been on too long now. Why not bring back something like Lawrence Welk? I don’t much care for the music they sing on this program anyway. Most of the time those kids sound like they are screaming. That is not music!
WatchingIdol
August 6th, 2009
11:41 am
Skid Row – Yeah, I’m on welfare….
Seriously, I cannot imagine being in a job where someone is monitoring what I do every minute. Many of us are lucky enough to be in jwork situations where we are judged on performance and have proven results that make our employers trust us enough to not get bent out of shape if we surf the net for a few hours during the day. We are in professions, not jobs, and have careers, not work hours. We have salaries, not hourly pay-rates.
My workday and non-work hours are so blended that work is part of my life. I work from home (for a Fortune 100 company) and have been given numerous awards over the past few years for my outstanding performance and contribution to the company. I churn out more work and have pulled together more “wins” for my company than most people who sit at desks and have to worry about “the boss” seeing them on the Internet would have in an entire career.
Some nights I stay up working until two in the morning. Some days I go shopping and have lunch with friends from ten in the morning until four in the afternoon. Sometimes I go to the beach and work from a hotel balcony. As long as I’m producing, staying connected via email and phone and being places when I have appointments, nobody cares.
Not that I need your approval, but I just wanted to give you an idea of what a good work experience is like, because it sounds like all you know is the grind.
Rodney Ho
August 6th, 2009
11:42 am
Rickster–I think David Caruso eventually found a perfectly fine new outlet (even if it took a decade): “CSI: Miami.”
Yes. Paula does have options. And yes, she’s wealthy enough, I’m sure. She is in better shape than McLean Stevensen or Shelley Long were given that she already runs some side businesses and is still in demand. I’m just not sure if she’ll get a better venue. Then again, none of the folks involved in “Idol” will ever be involved in anything quite that big ever again cos who knows if TV will ever generate anything like that ever again given the splintering of the audience even since 2002.
WatchingIdol
August 6th, 2009
11:47 am
Rodney – If it were about the money, Paula would be staying. If you or I were offered $2MM, we would do whatever was asked. Heck, I’d eat raw veal marinated in battery acid if it meant $2MM. (Any offers out there?) Good for Paula that I sense it’s not about the money for her at this point.
Skid Row
August 6th, 2009
11:52 am
Yeah Idol Watcher. You’re life is so productive you have time for inane topics like American Idol. I can top your lousy existence of work. Work? Not in my vocabulary. Does “TRUST FUND” mean anything to you? Now who’s laughing. Make sure you bring those numbers. Actually, you’re probably one of the few making the decisions to hack those “hourly” workers you just insulted. The ones facing foreclosures and bankruptcies. You must be really proud of yourself while you “work from your balcony at the beach” while some are starving just to find their next can of beenie weenies.
Deirdre
August 6th, 2009
12:06 pm
Skid…honey…why are you hanging around if it’s such a waste of time? We don’t stay on here ALL day…we pop in and out while doing other things…like working. Seriously, estimate how long it took you to post a comment and then tell me you don’t take at least that long 10 times a day to just stare into space…or take a deep breath…or say something to a co-worker.
This blog is something that adds to our day rather than take away from our day. It can work for some people and not for others…we’re not calling you stupid or a welfare recipient just because you’re not interested in multi-tasking.
IF you need to focus on only one thing at a time then go do it
Harm
August 6th, 2009
12:12 pm
I heard on The Weather Channel this morning from Al Roker that it is rumored that AI is in negotiations with Victoria Beckham to use her as the fourth judge. Has anyone else heard this?
Paul R. Nelson
August 6th, 2009
12:14 pm
So this is where all the cat people come to mingle online. Question to the regular bloggers: How many cats do you have? I would guess that the minimum that each one of you have is 5. Please get a life and stop talking about this show. It is because of the mindless drones that follow American Idol that this country is in the shape that it is in. You are the same simple people that thought it would be smart to vote in the least experienced person to ever take the highest position in the land in the White House. Obama should have been sent packing long ago – he has ruined the country. Save Paula.
Skid Row
August 6th, 2009
12:14 pm
Um-umm, I don’t have co-workers. I don’t work.
Deirdre
August 6th, 2009
12:17 pm
Not a word about it, Harm but I wish they’d just skip the whole 4th judge thing!
Rodney, IMO, Paula is absolutely nuts to leave this job. I get that she may be looking for a little bit more respect but she won’t get that as long as she stays in the public eye. Her disjointed conversations leave one shaking their heads. Whether she’s on meds or not, she comes across loopy and the public sees her as ditsy. She should have kept this job.
Deirdre
August 6th, 2009
12:19 pm
OK Skid……I don’t either. I’m retired. So what’s you’re problem with me having a nice converstion with some nice people about a show that we all happen to like?
Nobody ever said that you had to like the show.
Deirdre
August 6th, 2009
12:20 pm
Hey Paul…I don’t have cats but I do have 3 dogs…does that qualify me as a mindless drone with no life?
Harm
August 6th, 2009
12:21 pm
I would love to stick around and chat, but I have several things to do today. The first two things on my list are VERY important, go to the mailbox and get my welfare check then go play with my 5 cats!
Deirdre
August 6th, 2009
12:21 pm
Oh and Paul…I didn’t vote for the current President. Do you see all your stereotypes just crumbling around you?
Skid Row
August 6th, 2009
12:26 pm
My props to Paul. Great minds think alike.
linny ,,,=^..^=,,,
August 6th, 2009
12:26 pm
knowing Roker, that HAS to be his brand of humor. if the show DOES hire someone on the fly to be a fourth judge, they WILL lose viewers, not fly-by-niters who love to whine and say “i’ll never watch that agaaaaain” — no, people who will just … quit watching! because the 4 judge format destroyed this past year any element of “it’s about the CONTESTANTS” — It was hard to fight through the BS between and about and around the judge/commentator panel (and after the top 24 are chosen, the judges’ panel is NOT a judges’ panel any more, its a bunch of commentators and that’s about IT) to get to the supposed purpose of the show — the contestants.
and people like skid row — well, he/she/it spoke for him-/her-/itself in showing what an idiot he/she/it is. Trust fund indeed. I wouldn’t trust someone that speaks like him to other people if my life depended on it,and the BS about having a trust fund is just too hilarious to respond to seriously….
Harm
August 6th, 2009
12:32 pm
Just a last thought before I go….
Trust Fund = Welfare
Deirdre
August 6th, 2009
12:34 pm
Speculation is rampant that Paula WILL return to Idol. I bet this is just her way of not having to sit through the awful singers. She signs a contract in time to go to Hollywood and she misses the crap!
Skid Row
August 6th, 2009
12:36 pm
Oh ninny linny. Tsk, tsk. No one is asking you to believe me or not. You wouldn’t want it to be true anyway. But there are those of us do exist. In a while, I think I may go stroll the pond behind my flat and feed the ducks. Then later this afternoon grill beside the pool with a bodacious red wine to go with the steak. Have some friends over. Aaaahhh, yes indeed, trust funds are nice.
Deirdre
August 6th, 2009
12:38 pm
Yawn!
Skid Row
August 6th, 2009
12:38 pm
Harm must have to disappear and do some actual work. Good luck buddy. Wouldn’t want those projections to be off.
Skid Row
August 6th, 2009
12:39 pm
How can you be tired if you’re retired? Yawning at mid-day? Life is too exciting to be tired.
WatchingIdol
August 6th, 2009
12:41 pm
Skid Row – the fact someone may be living off inherited money just doesn’t faze me. (Those that live off family money NEVER talk about it, let alone refer to it as “Trust Fund” money.) You’d be amazed at how many people I know who “don’t have to work” but would find their lives empty without their work. Again, it’s the difference between finding something you love to do and being paid for it versus thinking of work as a paycheck or loafing around doing nothing.
BTW – nobody reports to me, so I’ve made no decision that has left anyone else unemployed. For the record, though, I work with many people who have had to make those decisions and it’s not something that is done with glee. There are many senior executives going without pay this year to keep people lower on the totem pole employed. The company for which I work has done a great job of minimizing layoffs this year, but had to let some people go or the entire company would have gone under and we all would be unemployed.
As much as I am happy with my job, I’m even happier that my life is fulfilling enough that I don’t have to fill a void by looking for fault in what others do. Thankfully I have enough going on that is positive that I don’t have to make myself feel good by trying to put down others. There would be nothing sadder to me than having to make myself feel important by going onto a Web board and denigrating those that are posting.
I know you are trying to get a rise out of us, but you’re only getting our pity.
Just in case you really do have money to burn, a friend of mine works with a charity that puts together backpacks for kids returning to school whose parents cannot afford school supplies. The company that was supposed to provide the backpacks just pulled out at the last minute, so they are scrambling to get backpacks in the next day. Since you have money and time, perhaps you could go to WalMart and purchase some backpacks and deliver them to the charity. Here is their web site: SWEEAC http://www.sweeac. org (remove the extra space)
Rickster
August 6th, 2009
12:42 pm
Remember the good ol’ days when we were begging Rodney to never again mention a certain blogger and envisioning Carmen Miranda outfits? (chuckle.)
Deirdre
August 6th, 2009
12:45 pm
So Skid…let me get this straight! You don’t work…you stroll around your pond, drink wine, BBQ with friends….and you’re asking the people here why they’re not busy? Maybe we ALL have trust funds! But your first thought(having a trust fund yourself) is that anyone else besides you who isn’t busy working must be on welfare. My logic prof would have had a field day with that one.
ls
August 6th, 2009
12:46 pm
I heard that Victoria B. will be a guest judge on AI, not a regular because she is “too busy.”
Rickster
August 6th, 2009
12:50 pm
Rodney. I’ll concede Caruso came out okay. His wasn’t a career killing move – just really stupid.
As far as the others… they’ve done nothing since that comes close to what they left.
And is Paula really in demand – other than Idol and the denizens of the Home Shopping Channel?
ls
August 6th, 2009
12:50 pm
Amen, WatchingIdol. You said that extremely well….
Deirdre
August 6th, 2009
12:55 pm
Nice move, WI!!!!!!!
Deirdre
August 6th, 2009
12:56 pm
Hey Is!
Are
August 6th, 2009
1:04 pm
I ditto that!
That
August 6th, 2009
1:05 pm
Hey! Don’t leave me out!
What
August 6th, 2009
1:06 pm
What are you talking about. That?
When
August 6th, 2009
1:07 pm
It’s obvious.
Janet Greenlee
August 6th, 2009
1:16 pm
I thought this was an American Blog but I’m not sure. Can someone explain to me what is going on? Am I in the right place? I think when Paula leaves the show the ratings will go down. Plus Simon is ready to call it quits as well. I think this will definitely be the last season and without Paula, I’m not sure I will watch it. I can’t stand Kara.
Rickster
August 6th, 2009
1:21 pm
So.. Skid… how many personalities are you being treated for?
AU Alum
August 6th, 2009
1:25 pm
Does anyone watch So You Think You Can Dance? I’m picking Jeanette to win.
Mercedes S.
August 6th, 2009
1:27 pm
“Paul” and “Skid Row” sound awfully alike… the same person, Rodney? Ditto for That, What, When types. Tiresome. Adam Sandlers in their own small minds.
A columnist in the New York Post wrote that the Paula brouhaha is a modern take on “All About Eve”, with Kara, in the upstart Anne Baxter role, befriending Paula – Bette Davis, the “old” Margo Channing – only to steal her job and life.
Wonder how much Kara IS being paid…
Nana
August 6th, 2009
1:29 pm
I see the children are hard at play again. I thought school was back in session.
So skid has a trust fund, huh? Probably when pigs fly.
Deirdre
August 6th, 2009
1:32 pm
Janet…you’re in the right place. Go ahead and make a comment about Idol…we’re just dealing with some kids getting their last licks in before they have to go back to school.
AU Alum
August 6th, 2009
1:34 pm
Oh yes Mercedes! I remember that movie. What a great comparison – Kara showing up and stealing the job from Paula. As much as she gets made fun of for being loopy, she still made the show interesting. Kara acts like a know-it-all.
Git R Done
August 6th, 2009
1:39 pm
Yeeeeee Haaaaaaaaaww!!
ls
August 6th, 2009
2:29 pm
Hey, Deidre. New to blogging on this site, but not new to reading the blogs on this site. You “regulars” are hilarious and I thoroughly enjoy reading your blogs back and forth.
Also, just read Katy Perry will be a guest judge as well.
Rickster
August 6th, 2009
2:29 pm
I hate to be the bearer of bad news… but they’re looking at keeping (or bringing back) the four-judge format. This from an AP story (link available on the AJC.com main page.)
PASADENA, Calif. — Fox Entertainment Chairman Peter Rice says negotiations are over with Paula Abdul and she’s not coming back to “American Idol.”
Rice told the Television Critics Association on Thursday that the network made an offer it considered very fair to Abdul, but she decided not to return as a judge on the hit singing contest.
Auditions for the ninth season are set to begin Friday, and Rice said guest judges will join Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson and Kara DioGuardi during the seven weeks of tryouts.
Two have been confirmed to step in as guest “Idol” judges: Victoria Beckham and Katy Perry.
Rice said the network is saddened by Abdul’s decision but looks forward to finding a replacement for her who could bring a new dynamic to the show.
Garth
August 6th, 2009
2:34 pm
Ok Paula has been there and done that! She has already done what all these people want to do. She has made hit records and toured all around the world. She knows what it takes because she has done it. Randy has too. All the rest no not at all. The rest talking heads. This will hurt the show. Time to pack it in anyway!
Heather MacDonald
August 6th, 2009
2:37 pm
This whole topic has degenerated into insanity today. WI, good suggestion on the backpacks. I’ll go purchase a couple this weekend if I can find the cash in the budget. Thanks for the information. Rodney, I wish there were some way you could get a rein on the children in here. I’ll see you guys tomorrrow. After all, it IS another day *she says in her best Scarlett O’Hara accent*!
Heather MacDonald
August 6th, 2009
2:38 pm
P.S. Kat McPhee looks HOT as a blonde. Good for her!
Woodpappy
August 6th, 2009
2:46 pm
I liked Paula’s craziness, but I’m not gonna miss her that much. In my opinion Randy could go as well. It’s about the Singers and hopefully receiving some constructive criticism (both of which are lacking when Randy and Paula speak).
Nana
August 6th, 2009
2:49 pm
Welcome to our blog Is. Hope you decide to pull up a chair,sit a spell and stay around. One can always find some mischief to get into around here.
ls
August 6th, 2009
2:56 pm
Thanks, Nana. Just might do that…
Deirdre
August 6th, 2009
3:09 pm
Is…just got back from errands…if you’ve been reading for awhile then you know that today is par for the course around here…specially just before school starts. Hang out with us…I’m sure you’ll fit right in!
ls
August 6th, 2009
3:09 pm
Wha’ “hoppa”??? I don’t see my last post.
Nana, I was trying to respond to your welcome.
Thanks & I might just take you up on that.
ls
August 6th, 2009
3:14 pm
OH, now it shows up, finally….
Anyway, you got my “Thanks” twice. I will shut up now….
Deidre, yeah, the crazies have defintely come out of the woodworks.
WI must have really put that one in their place, finally. Maybe they see how low class they are coming across with the juvenile comments.
A “trust fund” doesn’t give a person class…. NOW I will shut up….
Mercedes S.
August 6th, 2009
3:29 pm
“Class” has nothing to do with money, least of all trust funds.
Nana
August 6th, 2009
3:51 pm
Going to wrap my week here and start my week-end. My hours have been changed to Monday – Thursday 6am to 4pm. 4 – 10 hour days. Hooray!!
That will save me from driving another day for 145 miles just to work.
Everybody have a great evenong, be safe, be happy and always keep a song in your heart, a smile on your face and a tap in your toes. And please, be careful when on the highways.
Can’t wait to see who wins SYTYCD tonight.
Bye for now………………
JTesla
August 6th, 2009
4:37 pm
WOW thanks Rodney! She looks good as a blonde. Wish I was around for the discussion.