That's the whole reason why I WATCH the audition week. In fact, the audition week is the only time I make an effort to catch American Idol. After the second season, they lost me as a viewer.

I know I am the minority because AI ratings are higher than ever. But those bad auditions are the funniest thing the show airs. Will you miss them if they are cut? Do you think it has something to do with the suicide of Paula Goodspeed?

Rumor has it the 8th season of American Idol is going to have some noticeable changes added to the mix. According to Access Hollywood, 

• AI will air “fewer bad singers and more ‘aspirational’ singers” during audition week. (BOO!)
• There will be a top 36 instead of 24.
• The Wild Card round is back in full effect. (Thanks to Jennifer Hudson no doubt)
• NO AI GIVES BACK!!! Wonder why they would cut that? They donate millions of dollars a year because of that night?

The show gave no official comment on any of the rumors. What do you think about the changes?

Paula Abdul was looking happy as she arrived to The Late Show With David Letterman yesterday in quite an outfit. Anyone else getting a bit of a Prince vibe from Paula? I'm was curious if any of you liked Paula's eclectic style, or should she have toned it down a few notches? :)

Photos by WENN

OH MY GOODNESS! Talk about doing anything for higher ratings! When Paula Abdul saw Paula Goodspeed at one of her American Idol auditions, she told the bosses that she was a stalker for the past 17 years. And they did NOTHING ABOUT IT.

"She came to the audition. I said, ‘This girl is a stalker of mine. Please do not let her in.’ I was shaking. The producers thought, for entertainment value, it would be funny. Fun for them to cause me stress. It would make good television.

"If you look at the audition on YouTube, you’ll see I couldn’t even look up.

"But it wasn’t just once. She showed up again in Las Vegas and she showed up the following year." 

It didn't end there. Fox Broadcasting then filmed a segment at Abdul's home practically giving her address away to anyone who wanted it.

"(Then) Fox broadcasting literally went to my house and gave my address away and showed how easy it is to break in."

MIND YOU, Goodspeed wrote several threatening letters to Paula in the past. But this wasn't enough for American Idol to protect their judge. 

"The letters that were written were about bodily harm. She said that the only way I will serve my purpose is when I am up in heaven being her guardian angel."

So why stay? After all of this? Why remain on American Idol? Paula says she is under contract.

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Singer and American Idol Judge Paula Abdul is in the market for a new home.  She has not stayed at her home since an alleged stalker was found dead outside of her home in Los Angeles three weeks ago.  The fan, Paula Goodspeed, was a former American Idol contestant.

'I've been staying in different homes and hotels, and I have security with me,' she tells PEOPLE. 

Paula is preparing to sell her house and buy a new one.  She says it has been a difficult time for her but that she has the support of others.

I have my family, and I have my good friends who've completely opened their hearts and their doors to me, which is great." 

Paula has also been working on several projects: in addition to judging American Idol contestants, she has also been working on a special called Rah! about cheerleading competitions and is launching a line of accessories titled Forever Your Girl.

Although Goodspeed's family insists that she was not a stalker, Paula says that she cannot reveal details of Goodspeed's behavior because of the ongoing police investigation.

I'd love to tell you so much more," she says, "but I'm holding my tongue." 

This is definitely one of the downsides of celebrity.

Photos by WENN

American Idol fans - hold onto your seats! Rumor has it that Paula Abdul is leaving the cash cow to develop her own TV project! Now that Kara DioGaurdi signed on, Paula is planning on slowly transitioning out to focus entirely on her new venture.

"She knows that every season could be her last. Now she’s got a new secret venture that she’s really excited about."

I wonder what kind of project she would be interested in doing. I mean, she makes a TON of money with American Idol and is more famous than she's ever been in her entire career. What could possibly take her away from all of that? 

This is morbid and so sad.  A dead body was found in a car outside Paula Abdul's house.  Police believe the death was a result of suicide/drug overdose.

Police sources tell us they think the victim is an alleged Abdul stalker and cops have been to the house "numerous times before" to deal with her.

The Ventura County Sheriff's Department tells TMZ the victims parents called them at 3:00 PM to tell them their daughter was missing and that she "had an unnatural obsession" with Paula Abdul and they might want to check Abdul's home.

TMZ has pictures of the car.  The woman even had a license plate that reads ABL LV.  This is a tragic story and it's unfortunate that the woman didn't get psychiatric help before coming to such a horrible end.

I completely disagree! I love number one and two and I am not just saying that to be nice. UGH I HATE THESE LISTS! Thank goodness it's getting close to when I launch the annual Obsessies! I love giving INO readers a chance to voice their opinion on poll questions like the one below. 

What do you think about this list? I mean how on EARTH did number 7 get on here?

1. Gwyneth Paltrow and Huey Lewis: Cruisin’ (2000)
2. Paula Abdul and MC Skat Kat: Opposites Attract (1989)
3. Paul McCartney and Michael Jackson: The Girl Is Mine (1982)
4. Bono and Frank Sinatra: I’ve Got You Under My Skin (1993)
5. Willie Nelson and Julio Iglesias: To All The Girls I’ve Loved Before (1984)
6. Mariah Carey and Busta Rhymes: I Know What You Want (2003)
7. Jennifer Warnes and Bill Medley: I’ve Had The Time of My Life (1987)
8. Hilary and Haylie Duff: Our Lips Are Sealed (2004)
9. Mick Jagger and David Bowie: Dancing in the Streets (1985)
10. Madonna and Justin Timberlake: 4 Minutes (2008)

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You don't need to be a parent to empathize for Jennifer Hudson and her family during this endless tragedy. I keep using that word while writing update posts on the situation, but there is no other way for me to explain it. To lose your mother and brother to a violent crime and then your 7 year old nephew all in the same week (or lifetime) is something nobody should have to go through.

For those of you who haven't heard,  Julian King was found murdered in the SUV that was cited in the Amber alert from the day before. He was killed execution style with two bullets in the head. Did I mention he was seven years old. 

William Balfour, the man who police are currently questioning was found with blood on his clothing which is currently being tested. He is Jennifer's brother-in-law.

Simon Cowell and Paula Abdul have offered their condolences to Jennifer, a former American Idol contestant.

 

Abdul: "This is a horrific tragedy and my thoughts and prayers go out to Jennifer and her entire family. The time I had to get to know Jennifer and forge a wonderful friendship with her while she was on Idol was very special to me, and I personally can't imagine a greater loss for any family."

Cowell: "I was horrified when I heard the news. This is an appalling tragedy. My thoughts right now are with Jennifer, and her family."

If you would like to give to charity in this family's honor, here is some information:

On behalf of the Hudson family, the Pleasant Gift Missionary Baptist Church announced establishment of the Hudson-King Domestic Violence Prevention Fund, c/o Seaway Bank and Trust Co., P.O. Box 19522, Chicago, Ill., 60619.

The Rachael Ray show hit the streets of New York in a double-decker bus to crash the American Idol auditions! What isn't this girl involved in?

Rachael brought the judges some lunch and I need to know if Simon Cowell approved! If there is one person I wouldn't want to get judged by, it's Simon. He holds nothing back! I have agita just thinking about it.

And if you can't make out the picture, Ryan Seacrest and Randy Jackson are sharing a bite of Rachael’s specialty wrap. HA!

Tune-in to find out if Simon liked Rachael Ray's cooking during her season three premiere show on September 8th. 

 

 

Paula Abdul wants to put an end to the rumors that there is a cat fight a brewing with new American Idol judge, Kara Dioguardi. Paula says that she couldn't be happier to have another female on the team.

The truth is... I don't think Fox would bring on another judge who is as passive as Paula. Wouldn't you think, if anything, Kara is going to be harder on the contestants than Simon? She has to bring some sort of conflict to the show otherwise it wouldn't be worth the effort. But Paula is insisting it isn't with her. 

"The American Idol cast was such a boys club, now I have a true sister to share the fun with. It’s been amazing."

I can't wait to watch this season. Not even for the contestants! It's all about the judges for me. How will the voting work? Does Simon Cowell get final say? Will the other judges resent him for that? It's going to be big.