American Idol
Gossip (Page 3)

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:

[Photos: Getty Images]

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.

Ryan Seacrest is apparently worth $15 million a year to American Idol.

Does that mean Simon Cowell is worth $50-100 million per season?

We aren't sure about the latter, but Seacrest just closed a new three-year, $45 million deal with CKX, parent of American Idol producer 19 Entertainment.

Under the pact, the reality TV staple will be exclusive to CKX in broadcast TV primetime to host American Idol or any CKX show that might succeed it.

The deal more than triples his salary from around $5 million a season.

BIG SHOT: Thanks to his new American Idol deal, producer-host Ryan Seacrest is now one of TV's highest-paid personalities, if not THE highest. [Photo: Fame Pictures]

Arguably the king of 21st Century media, Ryan Seacrest has a cable deal with Comcast and is E!'s lead anchor. He produces such reality shows as Keeping Up with the Kardashians, It's Complicated and ABC's upcoming Jamie Oliver reality series.

He's even jump-starting Lindsay Lohan's production company.

American Idol producers will are now focusing on securing the show's judges for next season. Simon Cowell has made statements that he might leave the smash singing competition when his contract is up at the end of next season.

Some British media sources have pegged his salary demands at more than $100 million per year, which sounds ridiculous, but if Seacrest earns $15 million ...

The other judges - Randy Jackson, Paula Abdul and Kara DioGuardi - all have said they hope to close deals to return to the reality juggernaut next year.

Amidst growing controversy that AT&T helped to rig this season's American Idol results, the show wants to make it clear:

Kris Allen is the champion.

Earlier today Fox, Idol producers 19 Entertainment and FremantleMedia issued the following statement:

"Fox and the producers of American Idol are absolutely certain that the results of this competition are fair, accurate and verified. Kris Allen is, without a doubt, the American Idol. We have an independent third-party monitoring procedure in place to ensure the integrity of the voting process. In no way did any individuals unfairly influence the outcome of the competition."

Kris Allen won American Idol. Up next? A debut album.

AT&T also defended itself:

"Last week, countless parties were held in homes, bars, and other public places across America to watch the American Idol finale. In Arkansas, a few local AT&T employees were invited to attend two local watch parties organized by the community. Caught up in the enthusiasm of rooting for their hometown contestant, they brought a small number of demo phones with them and provided texting tutorials to those who were interested.

"Going forward, we will make sure our employees understand our sponsorship celebrates the competition, not individual contestants. That said, it's quite a leap to suggest that a few individuals could have impacted the final results."

We mean no disrespect to Kris Allen or his supporters, but might the reigning American Idol champion have unfairly earned his crown?

According to a report in The New York Times, one of the show's biggest sponsors may have played a vital role in Allen's victory.

AT&T, by its own admission, provided phones for free text-messaging services at parties organized by fans of the Arkansas native.

At a pair of gatherings in Allen's honor - held during, and immediately following, last week's Tuesday night performance show - representatives of AT&T (whose network is the only one that can be used to cast American Idol votes via text message) passed around free phones.

No such efforts were made on behalf of Adam Lambert.

No one doubts Kris Allen's talent. But questions are being raised about the fairness of his American Idol victory.

Moreover, The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette states that AT&T employees actually instructed Allen fans on how to send 10 or more text messages at the press of a single button.

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Fans and celebrities are still coming to grips with the fact that Adam Lambert is not the American Idol.

While Kris Allen is clearly an impressive talent, it's hard for critics not to wonder about the basis for his victory; namely, did it have anything to do with Lambert's presumed homosexuality?

Here's a sampling of ways various critics have tackled that issue/asked that question:

• The Chicago Tribune: "It's difficult not to wonder if Lambert's sexuality played a role in Allen's victory... If Lambert's popularity on Idol was any indication of how tolerant and accepting America has become, his loss may indicate there's still further to go."

• Professional poker player Annie Duke: "I seriously think Adam lost just because he is gay. Bummed. Bummed. Bummed."

• Examiner.com: "Adam was too gay for America."

What do you think of these arguments? Weigh in below...

Did Adam Lambert's sexual orientation cost him the American Idol crown?

Kris Allen is your new American Idol.

Left speechless when Ryan Seacrest initially asked him how it felt, Allen continued to express utter consternation backstage.

"I felt shocked almost every week that I made it, and to be the American Idol, I’m completely shocked."

The champion also had nothing but kind words for fellow finalist Adam Lambert: "I feel like he deserves this just as much as I do. He’s an amazing performer, gifted guy and really just an amazing guy. It was fun doing this with him."

Where will Kris go from here, in terms of making an album?

"I think it’s pretty obvious that I’ve done a lot of the singer-songwriter, pop-rock kind of thing and that’s something I want to do."

Do you think Kris Allen is a worthy champion?

Lambert, meanwhile, isn't about to shed any tears over his second place finish.

"I felt so good. I got to sing with Queen and KISS!" he told OK!, reflecting on the two-hour finale. "First or second, it doesn’t matter to me; I got to sing with two great, heroic rock bands."

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