'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 ??????

[meleesa]

Paula is a sweetheart and obviously has a drug problem. The nicest thing all that love her can do is to PLEASE put her in re-hab during the off season and help her thru her addiction. She will then have time to recover b4 next season.
I wish her all the best and hope her tv 'family' love her enough to do an intervention on her.
Be careful about judging people who have any kind of addiction. What they need is love, support & the truth.

[Anita]

Paula either repeats or paraphrases what Randy has said or what the mentor (ie., Neil Diamond) has said beforehand. It's like she never has an opinion of her own.

[shanna]

Paula has BIG problems not sure if she is on drugs or drinks too much. she needs to go!!! If she's not drunk or on drugs than what is her problem? She is forever messing up what she's trying to say and that blunder on tuesday just takes the cake. GET RID OF HER!!!!!!!!

[Lisa]

Paula made a mistake, all humans do. We are the ones who vote not the judges and we should be forming our vote on who we want to stay. If a judge says something we don't like, by mistake or other wise, ignor it and go on. I watch the show and do take the judges comments/remarks into account but make the choice myself of who I want to stay.

[marli]

i agree steve. the screaming teenagers need to go or either learn how to wave their hands at the same time as the person next to them or on the beat at least...

[bill]

i agree. get rid of the screaming teenagers up front. keep paula for a little but start looking for a replacement. i can get over her last mistake, but her comments are too shaky and drive me nuts.

[Sandy]

Paula deserves to stay on the show. She is a part of American Idol and always will be. So people just need to shut up.

I love paula!!! Her advice is sweet and when the other judges have nothing good to say, she gives the contestants hope. So let her do her job.

[mindy]

Leave her alone. The show would not be the same without her. I am a big fan of this show and never miss it. I am sure none of use make mistakes LOL

[Debra]

I'm not sure but I think Paula might need an intervention of some sort.
I don't want to judge but it appears to me that she's under the influence of ?drugs.
I've lost interest in the show as I'm sure some others have.

[H]

If paula was not on the Idol who would argue with Simon.

[Nancy]

Oh my God, how did I miss the survey on whether or not to keep Paula on the show? I cringe every time she opens her mouth, I hide my face because I am so embarresed for her. Put her out of her misery and either keep her quiet or give her q-cards, it's unbearable

[Nancy]

Oh my God, how did I miss the survey on whether or not to keep Paula on the show? I cringe every time she opens her mouth, I hide my face because I am so embarresed for her. Put her out of her misery and either keep her quiet or give her q-cards, it's unbearable

[centerman101]

I personally think Paula has no use on the panel. She mumbles and tries to be nice..She's out of it most of the time.
Jason should not be there anymore. He really is not that talented..and also is not that bright.
Sorry Jason--watch yourself on TV and see what I mean.

[len readshaw]

The show would not be the same (as good) without Paula and would not be good at all without Ryan. I am considering not watching next year beacause the voting system is allowing it to become a popularity contest not a singing contest. The vote should be "vote for the person you think perfomred the poorest" This would keep the better performers to the end.

[psd]

Paula and Randy both need to go. I'm sick of both of them. If I hear "Yo Dawg" one more time I will throw up. Paula is embrassing. Simon gives good advice, sometimes I don't agree with him but at least he has some sense and manners,

[lulu]

Paula's wacky comments and behavior are the only fun things about an otherwise tired, tawdry, and downright tedious show. People say it's scripted? Perhpas, but it is most definitely boring and formulaic, neither of which you could accuse Paula of being!

[Paula's # 1 fan]

I don't care what they say about Paula Abdul. i really love her. I always want to see her in the american idol. If shes not there its getting boring. Shes the power, the queen of american idol so please dont let her go. Think about it. I know when paula's off in the show. The rating will be off too cause no one's gonna watch the show. I swear!! Go paula. Whatever happens, im still your number one 1 fan!

[hr3george]

This was NOT a mistake. She has slowly fallen into the abyss over the last 3 years and this was the final dive. How come she was the only person on the planet who thought Jason had sang two songs? How much effort does it take to write a comment on a notecard after each performance and keep her thoughts straight on five very different performances from five very different people? Her defenders need to pull their heads out of the sand and take a good look at her declining lucidness and erratic behavior.

[Realistic]

I like Paula's heart and what she stands for...she is kind and that can inspire better performances from the contestants. That being said, as a viewer, I find her excrutiating to watch, and she often rambles on for far too long. Thank goodness for TIVO!

[Les]

She made a mistake. The media had a great time eating it up now it's time to move on to more important things. The judges and Ryan make the show what it is so I doubt anyone's going anywhere. And I found the comment about the photo extremely moronic. For people who are supposed to be photojournalists, get your facts straight: Paula DOES have a star on the walk of fame.

[bob lustig]

Well I was at this show and when I looked at Paula's eyes way before she made those comments she looked like she was taking pills.I know she needs to be in Rehab and I pray that she seeks help.Being a person that has been abusing drugs for decades I know what i'm looking at when I see them stoned.I have been drug free for years.You can save this post and down the road you will see that I'm right on Paula's using pain killers and muscel relaxers (somas).I felt real sad for her and almost said someting to her when she walked past me going on a break.She would never pass a drug test..........100%,no way,someone please talk to her and suggest rehab and detox.........

bob..........

[Jo]

No, your readers do not want Paula off the show. This reader would not watch the show without Paula.

[Jo]

And just for the record, Simon was much more out of it than Paula. He didn't even remember Jason had performed.

[A]

I don't know if Paula suffers from any type of mental illness. That's her private and personal information.

Whatever the issue is, I think it's so sad that people are calling for her removal.

If she rolled in on a wheelchair would that make it all right?

It's very sad how people with any illness especially ANY type of mental illness are treated.

[Big Sam]

American Idol is a piece of irrelevant fluff produced in a city full of fluff heads. If you got rid of the entire show, who would be upset. The PBS and news watchers such as myself, or the obese couch potato?

[mandy]

The issue is NOT Paula making a mistake, people all make mistakes. It is the fact that she keeps lying and lying and lying about what she said. She goofed she WAS talking about Jason Castro and lied. When admits to her lie then forgiveness is in order

[mandy]

the powers that be need to stop enabling Paula in order to up their ratings that is the sad part. Paula YOU need to stop lying, that is offensive to the viewing public and what you did affected a young mans life

[Peter Grafton]

Ignore the tallentless idiots who can only justify themselves by finding fault with others. Be yourself Paula and keep giving encouragement by your sincere opinions and remember those who never made a mistake never made anything. XX

[Laura]

Paula is human and made a mistake but she is not the one wronged here. She gave a negative review of Jason Castro before she had even heard him sing the entire song. She said that she heard about a minute of his song at the dress rehearsal while she was getting her guest seated for the dress rehearsal. So basically, she was not paying attention to Jason, she was focused on making sure that her guest was comfortable in the audience yet she commented as if she had actually heard the entire song.

Apparently Paula was not paying attention during the show either or she would have realized that he had only sung one song.

Paula is getting paid a lot of money to pay attention and give an honest critique to the contestants. If she's not paying attention, how can she do that? She needs to do her job or go. Period.

[Trish]

America Idol is RIGGED!!!! We all know it now...that's why ratings were down on Wednesday night/. Why watch or become invested in an outcome that has already been decided for us. It will be David Archultea and David Cook in the finale and Jason Castro will be run over by a Mac Truck bythe producers and judges of this show if necessary to make sure that happens. So I say Thanks Paula....it's been a real "eye-opener" for America!!!!!

[Dave]

Paula has done a lot more than make a mistake. She's obviously on a lot of medication (I hear for pain), her comments have grown increasingly confused and without value over the years. She simply doesn't add anything to the show. She seems to be a nic e person, but she's really not contributing anything, and needs to be replaced.

[curtis]

sorry, but when she said " it's so hard" when she tried to cover up her not paying attention, that was the last straw, she is not a judge she is a bystander and has been for quite some time, so many now question the shows validity and whether or not it is fixed, sorry [as Simon would say] but all credibility of the show being on the up and up has gone out the window

[Tobias]

I like Paula she always has something nice to say to all the contestants. She brings the mercy, and the grace to American Idol.
Jason wanted to be voted off, it was not something Paula did. It was by his own hand.
Stop giving Paula a hard time.
So she got confused. The pressure to perform perfectly is up there, and if any of those casting stones against her had to be under that same pressure I venture a guess you would never do as well as she does.
The people who complain the loudest are cyber bullies and are just writing anything they they want just to get a rise out
of those who actually read these posts. It is so juvenile.

[vbstone]

Paula makes the show fun and interesting...her "crazy" antics make for good television. I know some people watch just to see how out of it she is on the show. If she was replaced I think it should be a respected singer/songwriter. Madonna would be perfect but I'm sure she is too busy.

[Brooks]

Has anybody else given it some thought that Paula may be suffering from a disease that she may or may not be aware of? Or if she is aware,just has not gone public with it? This is possible,unfortunately,IF that is the case.Look at Michael J. Fox for example when he was showing the signs early on.Maybe she is having a 'personality' problem,psychological,who knows ? Maybe she and or close friends or worse,nobody.Have some pity people.Care for other's feelings,or just take other's into consideration.Whatever the case,if these are just simple mistakes due to over-working,or medication,or other,still,she should be forgiven.Paula is one of the most beautiful women on earth,inside and out.She deserves Respect,Compassion,and so much more.

[Simon Says]

PROOF OF AMERICAN IDOL FRAUD!!!!

This is the second year in a row that American Idol has had a songwriting contest. Since the contest ended last year I've researched the contestants from last year and this year....FYI there were over 25,000 entries last year at $10.00 for each song. 20 songs were then chosen out of the 25,000 for an online vote. The winner's song is then performed on the American Idol Finale. The problem I have is that one of THIS years Top 20 Finalist is a Co-writer of LAST years Top 20 Winner.

Somebody from American Idol has some explaining to do.

THERE IS A LOT, LOT, LOT MORE!!!!!
FOR ALL THE FACTS PLEASE VISIT....
http://americanidolexposed.weebly.com/