When last season of American Idol added fourth judge Kara DioGuardi, many speculated that Kara’s addition was a potential test to see if she could replace Paula Abdul in case Paula decided to leave the show (because a woman can only replace another woman, obviously). Now, Paula’s embroiled in difficult contract negotiations that leave her status on the show uncertain. Her manager has complained to the press that Paula is being lowballed – she makes far less than fellow judge Simon Cowell and host Ryan Seacrest, and she’s holding out for more money.
As an avid Idol fan, I could go two ways with this. One is that Ryan and Simon both provide more value to the show than she does – Simon’s also a producer and helped create the show, and while it seems like hosting a reality show is easy, compare Ryan with a lesser TV host and you’ll see how talented he is at moving the show along and smoothing transitions. Ryan’s the only host, but Paula is one of three – or four – judges. Besides, her commentary is often rambling or irrelevant – do we really care that you like someone’s personality or outfit when they can’t freaking sing? Part of me thinks she should be grateful to Idol for resurrecting her career and making her a pop culture icon. After all, would she have had her reality show, jewelry line, endorsement deals, or other side gigs if she hadn’t made her Idol-fueled comeback? I doubt it.
On the other hand, there’s the Randy Jackson factor.
Apparently, we’re not the only ones who like workplace distractions. Just in time for the new season of American Idol, staffers on the megahit show are amusing themselves by placing bets on how many assistants judge Paula Abdul will go through before the show ends.
From the article:
Although live episodes of “American Idol” are still several weeks away, many people close to judge Paula Abdul are gearing up to begin keeping track of how many assistants she will tear through during the course of the season.
“Last season it was an absolute revolving door of assistants,” said one person who spends a great deal of time with Abdul during the course of “Idol.” “I’m definitely going to try to keep count this year. Some people would last weeks, others just days. She can’t be kept happy, you never know what she’ll lash out about next.”
Someone really needs to bring back Hey Paula! If the writer’s strike goes on much longer, the entire world will have a reality show. Don’t worry, Paula, we’re forever your girls.
Our awesome friend Jeff over at 52 Projects sent over the best YouTube video we’ve seen in awhile (even better than the Korean inmates dancing to “Thriller”).
Enjoy this clip of Paula Abdul having a meltdown about her assistant. We really can’t summarize this adequately.
The thread on Television Without Pity devoted to Paula Abdul is subtitled “Better Living Through Pharmaceuticals.” It’s appropriate, considering my most frequent reaction to watching her on American Idol is “dude, whatever she’s on, I really need some.” Besides Idol, Paula has other projects: a movie about the Bratz dolls (no, seriously) and an upcoming reality show, for two. However, according to this blog post, Paula torpedoed a recent meeting about a cosmetics endorsement by answering her cell phone in the middle.
I like to think it’s so obvious that we don’t need to say it here, but don’t answer your cell phone in the middle of a meeting. I mean, the fact that the damn thing even has a ringer on while you’re in a conference room means trouble, because as anyone who has ever owned a freaking cell phone knows, the law of karma means people only call you at the worst possible times. If this rule has somehow escaped you, I’d like to offer up a few others:
Don’t answer your cell phone during a job interview
If you have an important call you’re expecting, put the phone on vibrate
If the phone call in question is, say, your mom calling to say your cousin just went into labor, you’re allowed to answer it- after you let the other people in the room know why you’re taking the call, and then you should
Answer the phone while out in the hallway
The kicker to this whole article? Apparently, Paula has gone through seven personal assistants this year. Seven? What is she trying to do, out-Naomi Naomi?
This whole thing has made me very tense. Clearly, I do need some of whatever Paula is on.
–Lilit
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When last season of American Idol added fourth judge Kara DioGuardi, many speculated that Kara’s addition was a potential test to see if she could replace Paula Abdul in case Paula decided to leave the show (because a woman can only replace another woman, obviously). Now, Paula’s embroiled in difficult contract negotiations that leave her status on the show uncertain. Her manager has complained to the press that Paula is being lowballed – she makes far less than fellow judge Simon Cowell and host Ryan Seacrest, and she’s holding out for more money.
