In Defense Of Paula Abdul . . .

Well America, it’s time to face some cold hard facts. Sure, Paula Abdul is a tad loopy, she loves to stand up and dance, she gets uber emotional about the contestants she loves the most and then there’s that unresolved sexual tension with Simon Cowell. But, no matter how much flack she’s gotten over the years, an American Idol without Paula Abdul is going to be just downright boring. The show was already getting stale—adding Kara DioGuardia as a fourth judge last season did nothing to reenergize the show. Honestly, Paula and her unpredictability were the only things that made the show worth watching week after week.

Now, the rumors are floating about who Paula’s replacement might be and the names are nothing short of a big ol’ yawn. Katy Perry and Victoria Beckham are confirmed to fill in as guest judges during the auditions but many are buzzing that Victoria “Posh Spice” Beckham could become a permanent fixture on the show. Have we ever even heard her speak? Be witty? Did she even sing lead in the Spice Girls? She just doesn’t seem like a choice that’s gonna make the world say “Paula Who?” 

But here’s an interesting twist in this whole drama. Technically, Paula’s saying syanora to Idol because compared to the other judges and host Ryan Seacrest (hello $45 million dollar deal) she is grossly underpaid. But this is less about money and more about respect. Shows like So You Think You Can Dance and America’s Got Talent are rumored to want to snatch Paula up and add her to their own judges’ panel. Chances are they won’t be able to afford her but it just goes to show that Paula—craziness and all—is a force to be reckoned with. American Idol will pay the price if they let Paula go without a fight!