American Idol

American Idol just got a lot saner, and a lot less entertaining.

Following weeks of rumors about her departure and public contract negotiating, Paula Abdul has confirmed her exit from the top-rated show on television.

"With sadness in my heart, I've decided not to return to Idol," Abdul wrote on her Twitter page last night. "I'll miss nurturing all the new talent, but most of all being a part of a show that I helped from day one become an international phenomenon.

"What I want to say most, is how much I appreciate the undying support and enormous love that you have showered upon me. I do, without any doubt, have the BEST fans in the entire world and I love you all."

The show is now left with a trio of judges for season nine: Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson and Kara DioGuardi, who signed a new deal last week.

In response to Abdul's farewell, Fox released the following statement:

"Paula Abdul has been an important part of the American Idol family over the last eight seasons and we are saddened that she has decided not to return to the show. While Paula will not be continuing with us, she's a tremendous talent and we wish her the best."

Will you miss Paula Abdul on American Idol?

Fans are split on whether or not Kara DioGuardi's return to American Idol is a good thing.

But show executives are reacting to the news like the judge is the second coming of Simon Cowell. Here's what Fox president of alternative programming, Mike Darnell, said of DioGuardi:

“Kara’s spitfire personality and sharp musical sensibility infused American Idol with a new energy last year. She clearly has a keen eye for talent - spotting Adam Lambert’s superstar quality early on last season - and her performance on the season 8 finale was one of the most memorable in recent Idol history.”

Darnell forgot to mention that Kara has to lighten the heck up. She isn't actually God's gift to music.

Said American Idol producer Simon Fuller:

"We are so happy to welcome back Kara for her second season with Idol. She is a breath of fresh air and her passion for music and her understanding of talent is invaluable. This show is all about discovering new talent, and Kara’s championing of Adam Lambert is proof positive of her great instinct.”

Earlier this summer, DioGuardi got married to Mike McCuddy.

A former American Idol contestant clams the show is rigged.

We cannot confirm or deny this accusation, but we can report the following series-related news:

Kara DioGuardi is coming back to the judges' table.

Following weeks of rumors and questions about her status, a source told E! News that DioGuardi is on board for season nine.

"Her deal is done. There are no ifs, ands or buts," the insider said. "Done. She will be back."

Does the return of DioGuardi make you happy or sad?

Perhaps a look back at her most memorable, bare-skinned moment on American Idol last season will sway your opinion in one direction or the other...

Ju'Not Joyner made it to the final 36 contestants on season eight of American Idol.

This gives the aspiring singer a unique perspective into the country's top-rated show, one he used to either exploit for personal gain this week; or speak the truth about how the competition is rigged by producers.

In an online chat with fellow semifinalists such as Felicia Barton and Kendall Beard, Joyner went off on the series.

He declared "it's a fixed thing if I ever saw one," and made the following accusations:

• American Idol producers labeled him a "troublemaker" because he questioned the show's contract (which he referred to as a "slavetract");
• He was cut from the show due to his concerns over this contract;
• The show makes contestants use the same lawyer;
• Producers had it out for him after he refused to let them highlight his background on air: "They wanted me to put that out to the world and expose my personal business for ratings. I wouldn't do it," he said.

Most damning of all, Joyner says the results of American Idol are fixed. He said that Kris Allen is a talented musician, but:

"The producers know who they want and they slant it to reflect that. They fix it in a way that makes you surprised but it's still manipulated. Think about it...ADAM, ADAM, ADAM, then...Kris....SURPRISE SMITHCHES!!!!"

In conclusion, Joyner scoffs at the notion that Idol is a regular talent show, writing in the chat:

Alexis Cohen, who was ridiculed by Simon Cowell and termed the Green Goblin during auditions for American Idol, was killed on the New Jersey shore Saturday.

According to the The Asbury Park Press, Alexis Cohen, 25, was apparently struck and killed by a car in what authorities are calling an apparent homicide.

Deputy Chief Michael Mohel of the Ocean County Prosecutors Office reports that an autopsy revealed that the Allentown, Pa., passed away after suffering severe chest, abdominal and closed head injuries as a result of the collision.

Authorities are currently conducting an investigation into Alexis Cohen's death, asking anyone with information on the hit and run to speak up.

Alexis Cohen provided one of American Idol's most colorful tryouts.

Cohen rose to reality stardom after her 2007 American Idol audition resulted in a showdown with Cowell, who likened her to the Spider-Man character.

Alexis responded with a bird-flipping rant, in which she claimed to "march to the beat of a different drummer" while vowing to "leave with [her] dignity."

Resilient, she returned to audition in 2008. Again, she was shown the door.

Check out some of Alexis Cohen's greatest auditioning moments ...

Alexis Cohen American Idol Auditions

Paula Abdul's manager says his client has not been offered a contract to return to American Idol.

Simon Cowell says he definitely wants his fellow judge and occasional flirt to come back next season.

What do past Idol contestants say about the possibility of Abdul's absence from the show?

We couldn't get a hold of Adam Lambert because he's on the road touring, but Jordin Sparks was fully on Paula's side in an interview with Extra this week:

“Oh my gosh, they need to keep Paula,” the season six champion said. “It would be so different without her on the show... She was the one who usually came back and was like, ‘Are you guys doing okay? Are you fine?’ And I definitely think they need her. She’s amazing and deserves it.”

Despite Jordin's kind words, Abdul might still be replaced on the show.

If that happens, who do you think should take her spot?

Simon Cowell wants Paula Abdul.

Not in the sexual sense, although the two American Idol judges often flirt like school children.

Instead, the British music producer has made it clear that his judging partner is mistaken in assuming the show doesn't want her back.

“She’ll be fine. She’ll be on the show,” Cowell told Extra yesterday, responding to Abdul's manager's complaints. “I don’t get a lot of say. I’ve just made it clear that I want Paula on the show."

Meanwhile, Ryan Seacrest expressed a similar sentiment.

“I think, as far as I know, you’ll see everybody back. I hope so.”

As for the most recent batch of American Idol finalists, they recently brought the Staples Center down with a crowd-pleasing show in Los Angeles.

Take this, gay-hating bigots!

Just a few days after he and his fellow American Idol tour mates overcame a church-sponsored protest of their concert in San Jose, Adam Lambert led season eight's top 10 artists into L.A.'s Staples Center.

Lambert was often joined in front of the crowd by winner Kris Allen, as well as Danny Gokey, Allison Iraheta and other favorites. His set of songs included:

“Whole Lotta Love, “Starlight," “Mad World,” “Slow Ride” and a medley of David Bowie singles. Below, Lambert and Allen take center stage on the tour stop:

Will you purchase the debut albums of Lambert and Allen? Each will hit stores this fall.

As you ponder those additions to your iPod, click on the following photos of these rising stars in Los Angeles:

Might season nine of American Idol be the sanest season yet of the nation's top-rated show?

According to David Sonenberg, the manager of Paula Abdul, his client has not receive a contract offer to return to the series.

"Very sadly, it does not appear that she's going to be back on Idol," told The Los Angeles Times. "I find it kind of unconscionable and certainly rude and disrespectful that [American Idol production companies Fremantle and 19 Entertainment] haven't stepped up and said what they want to do."

Would you watch American Idol without Paula Abdul?

Sonenberg says Abdul would "love to be on the show," but is yet to receive any word about her status.

"She's not a happy camper as a result of what's going on. She's hurt. She's angry," Sonenberg said. "I think at this point we're going to be considering everything, including some kind of a competition show. She has tremendous ideas for a whole variety of shows."

Last week, Ryan Seacrest agreed to a three-year, $45 million deal to continue as host of American Idol; while Randy Jackson is signed through 2011 and Kara DioGuardi has expressed interest in returning.

Simon Cowell's contract runs through next year, as negotiations continue to keep him around for many more seasons.

In an incomprehensible, depressing state of human affairs, anti-gay demonstrators protested Adam Lambert at an American Idol concert in San Jose on Sunday.

Members of the hate-filled, close-minded, controversial Westboro Baptist Church were spotted outside the HP Pavilion, carrying signs that criticized homosexuals and chanting about Lambert's sexuality.

The season eight runner-up revealed his sexual preference in an interview with Rolling Stone last month, a few weeks after he finished second to Kris Allen on the Fox series.

Keep smiling, Adam Lambert. You have far more fans than critics.

Fortunately, Lambert's fellow American Idol finalists have his back. Michael Sarver told fans inside the venue that his friend wasn't fazed by the idiots outside.

"Funny how people think it's a good idea to mess with a big Texan and his AI family," Sarver Twetted. "Adam is just fine, shakes it off and so should we.

"We are together in this thing. You mess with one you mess with all ten. We are strong and we are 1. For those outside protesting I say do not judge less ye be judged yourself. Guys don't mind these people, we are a strong family."

Seriously, who does such a thing?!? These protesters had just one goal in mind: to spread hate. We pity them and their sorry existence.