Well, there goes one of the few reasons why I ever watched American Idol.
Paula Abdul’s decision to leave Idol removes a crucial element in what is one of the few subtle things about this singing competition: the balance between the judges’ standards of quality, and their mix of personalities.
Paula was widely ridiculed — frequently by Simon Cowell as well as by fans and critics — for her often wildly discursive, breathless, looped logic in analyzing any singer’s performance. But Abdul played a crucial role at that table: she was the judge who identified most intensely with the performers, who took the “I’ve been there, I know how hard this is” position. She always came to praise, in the same way Simon comes to carve singers up.
Sure, she rarely gave us anything approaching real criticism. She didn’t delve deeply into technical analysis, or get off many good one-liners — that’s hard to do when you spend a lot of your time moved to near-tears (and often real tears) by a performance.
But that’s what was endearing about Abdul: She was all heart. Simon, Randy, and Kara, for all their differences, aren’t as hot-wired directly to their emotions as Paula is.
Sure, Idol is just one big, loud, glitzy singing contest. Sure, I’ve never been Idol‘s biggest fan. But I liked the way Abdul was there to throw off the curve, to send an often absurd show into even more surreal directions.
We have no idea what she’ll be doing next. But mark my words: her sincere wackiness, her heartfelt absurdism, her cheerful eccentricity, will be missed on American Idol.
What do you think?
I don’t know, Ken, maybe you’re right, but I don’t expect to miss her. Between her and Randy, I would have preferred to see Randy go, but I don’t think it’s a great loss to Idol. She’s had one lucid season among eight. Let’s give Kara eight seasons, and we might decide she’s spectacular, too.
Best of luck, Paula, but I don’t think AI will suffer without you.
Not watching it anymore. When they announced the fourth judge beginning of last season, it was the beginning of the end and I refused to watch the trainwreck AI has become. I mean, seriously? You’re going to spar with a Hooters girl in a bikini over technique that you’ll never have to see again? Gimme a break.
You are absolutely right. You nailed it.
She said the same crap to EVERYBODY & it was obvious she was self medicating – 20 million for insane bable that helped nobody sing better!? Puh leese U might as well hire Little Richard instead he’d do the job for 10 million! She got greedy and now she is going away THANK GOODNESS!
Paula did exactly what the writer of this article asserts: balance. This made the show. The show will go downhill from here because she was a part of the show’s dynamic.
Paula, Randy & Simon (never cared for the other gal) each brought something unique to the show. Randy the heart and soul of what the company was looking for in a contestant, their sustainability to become a cash cow; Randy is always so right on identifying raw talent. Simon, you want the truth and can stand it, he’s the man and you have to admit he knows his stuff. Just because his delivery is a little tough doesn’t mean he doesn’t care, in fact I would venture he cares more than everyone, because he wants to get it right the first time; isn’t that the right motive and goal of the show. Paula, Paula, underneath all that glamour, finding the words to express herself, the emotional investment in each contestant, lies a true artist and musician that innately knows her stuff better than the guys, much smarter than she is given credit for. These three people were the dream team for American Idol and Ryan Seacrest was their perfect foil. AI, with Paual gone will never be the same for me. I’m so sad.
I completely agree with you Ken, and this comment. Paula will be missed. She was definitely the heart of the show.
Kara should NOT come back — just dead air.
I completely agree with this article. I can’t imagine the show without Paula, and I will no longer watch it.
I never understood why she was on there in the beginning.
Oh yeah, that was around the time a lot of has-beens were showing up on these reality shows. Which means her only relevance was that she worked cheap.
Next year, no one will even remember that she was ever on AI.
Without her special brand of crazy, that’s going to be one bland panel. I think she is far more important to my enjoyment of the show than Seacrest (who was just given a squillion dollars to re-sign) – anybody could host that show. Remember Dunkleman? I have seen plenty of the overseas versions and the host doesn’t matter – but NOBODY has crazy Paula’s magic. She and Simon were a perfect team. I’m still not sure what Randy does. How much did they offer him?
Paula means well and she does have a lot of heart. However, I have to say that everytime her turn came for comments on a performaance it was like watching an awards show where the recipient babbles on and on endlessly while the audiance is cringing begging for them to just shut up and walk off the stage.
What’s so ironic is that in the beginning, everyone was begging for Abdul to be replaced. There was even a contestant who told Abdul to her face on TV that she wouldn’t have even made the first cut.
Now that she’s grown on the public, she’s irreplacable(sp).
Give Kara a chance. At least she can sing and offer constructive criticism which will give the contestants a better chance.
I think it’s about eight years too late. Her contribution to the show was nominal at best. Now either give Randy a thesaurus or a good swift kick in the rear, and we’ll see.
This may be the shot in the arm that American Idol really needs.
At least the contestant pool will get better.
everyones a critic
Ken, you ridicule this show all the time. You are the worst person to be commenting on this. Just stop watching the show and have one of the TV watch people who cover American Idol comment on the relevance of Abdul’s departure.