Interesting...Paula NOT returning to Idol

[Lisa loves Pooh]

That is weird Bicker.

The AI contestant we met was from the season before last. He said that it was several rounds until he got to audition before the judges. I may be misremembering--but I thought he said it was a month long process.

I would also assume the callbacks would be in the same cities as for editing, they always say the host city they are in.

If true, this explains why a singer will go to more than one city's audition -- it's such a crap shoot. And IMO a very flawed system. Why not ask the singer which style they'll sing and send them to the appropriate station?

I don't know--I'm certainly not an expert. Just sharing what I had learned from a former contestant who made it to the voting shows (but no the live ones).

His reasoning that a bunch of good folks don't make it through is that there are lots of good folks and they have to let some of the bad folks through for the show. He may have even made it to the top whatever--but you wouldn't likely know him from Adam as he was not featured at all during the process and he and another person who were not featured were one of the first two people to go.

At that point I realized that lots of the panel frustrations are a bit embellished b/c they don't see as many people as it seems they do. I had presumed that they were there for 12 hours-listening to 5 or more acts an hour--and they aren't. And of course--the producers are editing a show to have some influence on the outcome.

As for the genres, they are expected to sing multi-genre on the show and it it would seem to be a fair part of the weed out process to rule out those who can sing in their genre and those who can't. If they are rock and role but can't pull off country ( Do they know they are at a country station?)--how would they pull it off later in the process? KWIM? The premise of the show is to find the singer who could sing the telephone book if asked in 101 diferent genres.

 

[beattyfamily]

I heard on GMA this morning that Paula was offered 10 million for her contract and she wasn't happy with that considering how much the others were getting. It also didn't seem like it was set in stone so who knows.
They did say that they were talking with Posh Spice about taking Paula's place.

It was announced on Ryan's radio show today that Posh will be a guest judge for one city. She doesn't want to do it on a regular basis.

I don't blame Paula for being upset that all the men get a lot more than she does. I think Ryan's deal gets him 15 million a year, Simon gets 37 million. Not sure what Randy gets but I heard them say it was more than Paula.

 

[ma2jr]

It just won't be the same without Paula

 

[Camicar]

The premise of the show is to find the singer who could sing the telephone book if asked in 101 diferent genres.

Emmm, don't agree. The premise of the show is to find a singer who can make 19E a lot of money and do so quickly and easily by telling customers what they will be getting in an artist. You don't do that by finding a singer who can sing everything -- largely because the industry today does not reward such singers, it's all about sticking artists into boxes.

IMO, they make the kids sing in different genres in order to
(1) cause trainwrecks and
(2) to give each one a chance to showcase their individual style. The judges are always telling the kids to be who they are, show who they are, to have a point of view. They are not telling them they need to master all genres, because of course no one can. Or should because IRL otuside of Idol, no one is going to demand that Danny Gokey do rap or Allison sing bluegrass or Kris sing Led Zep. (Adam could sing the phone book and make it sound beautiful, but he's hardly the typical contestant because his voice and skills are so unique.)

 

[Arielle22]

I am thrilled she is gone. She would prattle on with her no nonsense remarks and tell every person how this was the start of a great career for them (even when voted off).

I want to hear more songs and less banter by the judges.

 

[goofy!]

Watching the Today Show this morning, they had somebody on from MTV, TMZ or one of the popular gossipy networks.

They did a poll and it revealed that 63% of current viewers would no longer watch IDOL without Paula. It was surmised that she was like the nutty aunt that you don't realize you miss until she is gone.

The poll is significant in that if even a portion of those who responded they wouldn't watch IDO anymore follows through, that would be a huge drop for IDOLs already declining ratings.

And then this afternoon, TMZ is reporting there are "insiders" that are reporting that IDOL execs are trying to woo Paula back.

 

[Camicar]

They did a poll and it revealed that 63% of current viewers would no longer watch IDOL without Paula. It was surmised that she was like the nutty aunt that you don't realize you miss until she is gone.

The poll is significant in that if even a portion of those who responded they wouldn't watch IDO anymore follows through, that would be a huge drop for IDOLs already declining ratings.

I think most people will forget by next January and if they are in the habit of watching the show, will continue to watch it.

Personally, I don't intend to watch again, but not due to losing Paula.

 

[Pumbaa_]

I love Idol and have watched it from the beginning. Paula was the only positive thing that many of the contestants had going for them.

I think it is the beginning of the end for the show. I will miss her

 

[bicker]

While it is possible that American Idol could last another 8 years, it isn't likely. However, it is Simon who makes the show, not anyone else. There is little chance that the show will go more than a year or two after Simon leaves, assuming they even attempt to continue after Simon leaves.

So saying that this is the beginning of the end of the show is a pretty safe prediction. Attributing it to anything other than Simon, though, seems off-kilter to me. I know there were some folks who said that when Cook beat Archuleta that that was the beginning of the end for AI. I suspect that there will be at least one singer eliminated "too early" (on someone's estimation) this coming season, and they'll be able to declare that the beginning of the end. Maybe they'll add a new sponsor (perhaps an airline), and someone will hinge their prediction that that is the beginning of the end on that.

But in the end, with all due respect, I think predicting the end of American Idol will be related to anything other than Simon's departure is pretty dodgy. And the day of Simon's departure is coming.

 

[Disney Ella]

I'm not a big watcher of the show, but I like Paula. You could always count on her to say or do something strange to liven up the show. I cannot stand Kara and think they could have gotten someone with industry appearance who had a more appealing personality.

 

[ma2jr]

It won't be the same without Paula...

 

[EthansMom]

Paula has never been a favorite judge with either myself or my husband. Her criticisms of contestants so rarely make sense. But, in the few episodes where Paula was absent (two or three seasons back), it was obvious that there was an element missing without Paula.

When Kara was added last season, both my husband and I said, "Wow, they must be getting ready to oust Paula."

In all reality, I expect that Paula wants more money than the show is willing to pay her. I also suspect (from her behavior and appearance on the show) that she may have some health issues that are affecting her job performance and that would have an impact on her being retained for another season.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Emmm, don't agree. The premise of the show is to find a singer who can make 19E a lot of money and do so quickly and easily by telling customers what they will be getting in an artist. You don't do that by finding a singer who can sing everything -- largely because the industry today does not reward such singers, it's all about sticking artists into boxes.

IMO, they make the kids sing in different genres in order to
(1) cause trainwrecks and
(2) to give each one a chance to showcase their individual style. The judges are always telling the kids to be who they are, show who they are, to have a point of view. They are not telling them they need to master all genres, because of course no one can. Or should because IRL otuside of Idol, no one is going to demand that Danny Gokey do rap or Allison sing bluegrass or Kris sing Led Zep. (Adam could sing the phone book and make it sound beautiful, but he's hardly the typical contestant because his voice and skills are so unique.)

The live show format contradicts your statement, though. All the folks who won could sing most if not all genres presented without issue (except maybe some folks didn't like the rendition-but they could sing it.)

If they really wanted the kids be who they are, they would only sing their genre of choice week in and week out. But that isn't the case.

Adam could sing any genre--he could b/c he knew how to make his song choices work for him in a way that was unique and comfortable.

I also didn't state that they must "master" a genre. They must be able to "sing" a genre. The "telephone book" example was simply a statement of hyperbole that they are looking for singers who can be versatile and not one trick ponies.

 

[Nancy]

I am thrilled she is gone. She would prattle on with her no nonsense remarks and tell every person how this was the start of a great career for them (even when voted off).

I want to hear more songs and less banter by the judges.

I wouldn't say I am thrilled she is gone, but I'm ok with it. Now I won't have to say over and over again "shut up Paula" while she rambled on and on and on...or talked over Simon and constantly interrupted him.

 

[bicker]

Latest news is that Paula actually was offered a 30% increase and turned it down.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32316620/ns/entertainment-reality_tv/

I can't wait to see Katy Perry sitting in Paula's chair. That'll be neat.

 

[Cinderella94]

While it is possible that American Idol could last another 8 years, it isn't likely. However, it is Simon who makes the show, not anyone else. There is little chance that the show will go more than a year or two after Simon leaves, assuming they even attempt to continue after Simon leaves.

In my opinion, it would be very dumb to keep going after Simon's gone. At that point, they should quit while they're "ahead".

 

[KristaTX]

Speaking of Idol. Did you guys see this?

Do you remember this contestant?

Entertainment Weekly reported that she was killed when she was hit by a car. I think it happened sometime last week.

I remember her. She tried out a couple of times, right? She was obnoxious and flipping the judges off one year, but then this past season she behaved a lot more nicely and they gave her quite a bit of camera time because of her changed attitude.

Does anyone happen to have a link about what happened? I did a quick search on the EW site, but didn't find it.

 

[Nancy]

Latest news is that Paula actually was offered a 30% increase and turned it down.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32316620/ns/entertainment-reality_tv/

I can't wait to see Katy Perry sitting in Paula's chair. That'll be neat.

As long as she doesn't come out with contestants names written on her clothes showing her support of them

 

[Lil Lil]

I will miss Paula and her quirky comments.

I did hear a rumor that Paula may be offered a job judging dancers on the show- So you think you can dance. They are starting a fall edition and Paula may be on that show. She hasn't denied the rumors but will be meeting with producers soon. She said dancing & choregraphy is her fortay.

 

[Jennasis]

I vote for Cyndi Lauper to replace her!