'American Idol': Readers want Paula Abdul off the show

Paula Abdul's muddled mental state on Tuesday's show has some Dish Rag readers calling for her head.

But others are more sympathetic, going with the old "to err is human, to forgive divine" advice.

Derek wrote: "She needs to go."

Flip added: "Paula, you really need some help. ... The others try to cover up for [you], but it's embarrassing watching you."

But Hayes cautioned: "Wow. A human made a mistake. Imagine that! Give Paula a break, you morons."

Meanwhile, reacting to the news that "American Idol" producers recently conducted a research study that surveyed fans on whether they wanted to see more or less of Abdul and Ryan Seacrest, the comments were overwhelmingly supportive of Seacrest, and many offered up Abdul's head instead.

There was Riley's impassioned "OMG, I would stop watching if they kicked off Ryan!" And Joan's "Ryan is a vital part of the show. If anyone to get rid of would be Paula."

Then there was MaryJ's "Paula is the problem, not Ryan! Please please get rid of Paula."

But right now, it doesn't sound like anyone is going anywhere.

"Idol" Executive Producer Cecile Frot-Coutaz told the Hollywood Reporter this week that the "Idol" judging/host lineup will remain the same.

"We are constantly looking at the show with an eye towards improving the viewing experience," she said. "However, after seven seasons on air as the most popular show on television, one thing is certain: Randy, Paula and Simon are, and will be, our judges, and Ryan is, and will be, our host."

So, depending on your viewpoint, that's good news or bad news.

Time for a DR readers vote on Paula. Should she stay or should she go? And where?  And who should replace her? How about -- gasp -- Madonna? I bet she could handle Simon.

Maybe Olivia Newton-John? Dolly Parton? Barbra Streisand? (Nyah, it would be too difficult for cameras to only shoot her good side.)

Wait, here's an idea, BRITNEY SPEARS!

It'd be a great comeback for her. The ratings would go sky-high, just like "How I Met Your Mother." Plus we already know Britney can out-wacky Paula any day.

Photo: Ryan makes nice with Paula when he gets his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Paula has a Walk of Fame star, but she thinks she has two. (WireImage)

Comments

[Wendy]

I like Paula keep her! So she made a mistake nobody is perfect! Give her a break!

[Dorothy]

Paula deserves to stay on the show. Please just let her do her job.

[Pat]

Paula is a litte quirky but her unique personality adds a lot to the show and it's always fun to see what she will wear and how she does her hair. Keep Paula...She's too much fun to get rid of!

[ANJO]

Without Paula it is not a
show. She is part of the
whole program.
It is good to make mistakes, shows we are
humans.

[Isabel]

Everytime its paula's turn to speak i push MUTE!! Her advise makes NO FREAKIN' sense. She looks high all the time and slurs the crap out of her words. How can FOX keep someone employed who is always on meds and looks drunk this is suppose to be a family show!!!! I vote she needs to be GONE!!as does Many other moms and dads trying to explain whats wrong with this woman when my 7 yr old asks "why does she talk funny??"

[mindy terwilligar]

She made a mistake so what. Everyone makes mistakes. That is lve TV. This is my favorite show and she helps make it.

[Tara]

I love Paula...she is the one that always finds something good in all the singers and just because she made a mistake doesnt mean she isnt aloud to...No one would want to watch the show if she left!!! Thats a fact ...it wouldnt be the same.

[wndlou]

It's good news to me that none of the judges or Ryan are going anywhere. The show would not be the same if any of them left!

So Paula made a mistake! Everyone does and she is always the one who is the most forgiving of that when it comes to contestants!

[Louise]

If we were all perfect! the world would be a very boring place...Paula, u often give the advice,"be you, be yourself" please take it from me, you be you always. x

[Frances Jones]

Paula's agonises over saying anything that could be miscontrued as even remotely offensive but she should stay. Struggling to watch her string a coherent sentence together is so painfully funny to watch.

[Robbin Morris]

Paula is the emotional support for the contestants. She is there to say something positive to each contestant even when it is a struggle to think of something to compliment them on. When a contestant gives a really bad performance he or she must feel horrible & embarrassed about it, but can calm down a bit & focus on the positive after Paula's nice, gentle comment.

[Mike in SF]

I'm not saying this in a flip manner, but i honestly think she's on meds of some kind, and that's why she stutters incoherently sometimes. When I see clips from earlier seasons I can tell she used to be much more composed. Sometimes I've thought it's Meth, because I've seen the same sort of scattered behavior in people on that. Who knows.

That all said, I love Paula, and wish she'd get her stuff together. It would also be nice if she'd learn to be a little less pampering with her remarks. Simon should teach her how to express her critical eye and grow some teeth. Simon may be cruel sometimes, but he's dead-on 95% of the time.

[tina nina]

Me and my mom mute paula or fast forward thru her comments, if we can't fast forward, we mute it and either say random gibberish or make turkey noises... very amusing!!!!

[floss]

Isabel: maybe you should worry less about how the people on television talk and teach your 7 year old some manners.

[CB]

I feel that any show that has been the number one for so long, the judges should be left the same. If you go and change them people may stop watching the show. We watch to see new tallent and the suggestions the judges give are a vital part of the show. It hard watching our favorites get kick off but that is how the show gets to the American Idol.

[ANNIE C]

INSTEAD OF DEFENDING PAULA FOR BEING AN AIRHEAD, WHAT ABOUT JASON CASTRO? IT CAN'T BE FUN TO BE NEGATIVELY JUDGED ON A SONG YOU HAVE YET TO SING AND THEN HAVE TO GO SING THAT SONG! NOT EVEN AN APOLOGY FROM PAULA. HOW DID SHE HAVE NOTES ON A SONG SHE HAD NOT HEARD UNLESS SHE PRE-JUDGED HIM OR WAS TOLD WHAT TO SAY.

[Sonia UK!]

Please! get Paula off the show... jeez us watchin in the uk cringe! Simon is the man...always right :-) Randy is cool..tells it as it is, but Paula?? please..talk about sittin on the white picket fence! We need more grit baby!

[sunshine]

paula is annoying. you cant understand what shes talking about half the time and her critiques suck. they need to get rid of her soon. shes ruining the show!!

[Kathy Stoops]

If you take Paula off I will never watch again. I love her to death. So she made one stinkin mistake and it was because they changed the set up on them on that very show. Go gripe some where else idiots. KEEP PAULA

[Linda C]

Paula is part of American Idol. She is very easy on the contestants even when the act wasn't as good as it shold be, she tells them gently. Someone has to conteract that pompous ass sitting next to her.

[Vi]

PAULA IS THE SHOW. IF SHE IS GONE THE SHOW WILL END. I LOVE THE CHEMISTRY SHE BRINGS TO THE SHOW ESPECIALLY HER RELATIONSHIP WITH FABULOUS SIMON.

[ferociousroger]

Keep Paula.... just sober her up a little...

[Shanta G]

poor paula,i mean i dont know what happened but randy PAULA and simon is american idol no one can repce any of them holla!

[Steve]

Paula needs to go. She needed to go BEFORE the latest goofball stunt. She doesn't express herself well verbally, she does not offer objective critiques so none of the contestants really cares what she says. Tuesday night's antics just say she was either drunker than usual or not paying attention to the show(duh what is she there for???) or possibly both. I don't believe Ryan's comments mean a thing as to her safety on the show. Execs at Fox will decide that based on what the viewer reactions are.

[irene lemen]

i haven't seen too many comments on those screaming teenagers in the front of the stage!!! why are they there and whose bright idea was it to have them ??????