After weeks (and for some, months) of speculation, Paula Abdul has announced that she will not be returning to “American Idol”. Apparently FOX offered her a contract, which she turned down.
My first thought on hearing the news: who’s going to hug the contestants from now on, figuratively speaking? (And often literally.) Abdul was often the mothering part of the judging triangle, buffering Simon Cowell’s brashness and adding to Randy Jackson’s common sense with her loving and inspirational ramblings.
I don’t know if Kara DioGuardi, who has signed on for another season, really was “Paula in training” during season 8; I do know she isn’t exactly a fitting replacement for Abdul.

With her own brashness and quick defensivness, DioGuardi is more Cowell than Abdul, leaving Randy Jackson the only real voice of reason on the show. Viewers love Cowell (myself included), no matter how much they complain, but DioGuardi, for all of her spunk, can sometimes go a little overboard with her temper. One Simon is enough.
Hopefully Paula Abdul will continue to mentor aspiring artists, something she does very well. Her enouragment went far beyond the show’s stage; almost every Idol I’ve ever talked to, no matter how long ago they competed, says they are still in regular contact with Abdul and that she’s always encouraging and offering advice.
Idol would never have been the same without her and so hat’s off to Paula Adbul on eight successful seasons. Not clue what she’ll be doing next. With her own line of jewelry and that video she did with Randy teaching people how to sing, her opportunites are endless.
But maybe she’s the smart one for getting out while the show is still relatively successful. At least we won’t have to watch her and Simon snuggle and canoodle at the judges’ table next season. That’s a plus!
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