Paula Abdul’s, the American Idol judge, public renouncement of her seat left many fans and entertainment insiders wondering if this was merely another negotiating ploy in contract-renewal talks. Surely she wouldn’t simply walk away from the biggest show on television?
But that is exactly what has happened. At a Television Critics Association press conference on Thursday, Fox Entertainment Chairman Peter Rice told reporters Paula Abdul almost certainly will not return to “Idol,” according to multiple reports.
“We were hoping Paula came back,” Rice said. “We love Paula. She’s been clearly wonderful on the show for eight years and was an important part of the ‘Idol’ family. There’s going to be a change. It wasn’t a decision we made. But now that the decision’s been made, we have to look at it in a positive way. We have to look at it as an opportunity for the show to bring a different energy to it and an energy that can be entertaining for the public.”
Rice said that Fox made a “very fair” offer to Paula Abdul that included a substantial raise, but that she decided not to return for another season. According to reports, Fox’s offer was for a multiyear, eight-figure deal that would have been a 30 percent raise from her last contract.
TV shows are lining up for a chance to snag Paula Abdul, in the aftermath of her departure from American Idol and Dancing with the Stars seems to be leading the pack.
When asked about Abdul’s availability, ABC Entertainment President Stephen McPherson told reporters last week she’d be a welcome addition to Dancing with the Stars stating,” … I would love to have her on Dancing, as a contestant, participant or judge. I think she’s a huge talent. I think there’s a lot made of her in terms of who she is… There’s sensitivity and an emotion to her that balances out Idol, and we’d love to have a piece of that.”