# Paula Abdul Not Returning To American Idol Next Season

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paula-abdul-not-returning-to-american-idol-next-season/505394>\
**Category:** Cafe Society\
**Created:** [August 5, 2009, 5:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paula-abdul-not-returning-to-american-idol-next-season/505394 "2009-08-05T05:56:06Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 3

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**Author:** ![LiveOnAPlane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/3d9bf3/32.png) [@LiveOnAPlane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LiveOnAPlane)\
**Post date:** [August 12, 2009, 12:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paula-abdul-not-returning-to-american-idol-next-season/505394/41 "2009-08-12T12:59:37Z")

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Who to replace Paula? I vote for Sarah Palin!  
…OK, I’m gonna go over and join **Steampunk Willie** in the corner, now.

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**Author:** ![Candyman74](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ad7895/32.png) [@Candyman74](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Candyman74)\
**Post date:** [August 12, 2009, 2:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paula-abdul-not-returning-to-american-idol-next-season/505394/42 "2009-08-12T14:23:56Z")

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> [@Tangent](#):
>
> While Simon, Randy, and Kara have all had a good deal of previous success in the music industry, Paula Abdul was the only judge who was herself once a bona fide pop star. That’s what this show needs–replace Paula with another former pop idol, but this time find one who can be constructively critical and can speak coherently on live television. That last part is crucial, but I don’t know who might fit that bill. Probably would be another female to keep the gender balance. Cindy Lauper? Pat Benetar? Melissa Etheridge?
> 
> Ooh! I know–Courtney Love!  
> (just kidding)

The recent news is that they’re going with Posh Spice.

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**Author:** ![SaharaTea](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e9a140/32.png) [@SaharaTea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SaharaTea)\
**Post date:** [August 12, 2009, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paula-abdul-not-returning-to-american-idol-next-season/505394/43 "2009-08-12T14:37:37Z")

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> [@Candyman74](#):
>
> The recent news is that they’re going with Posh Spice.

So far she’s coming on for a guest appearance [only](http://www.hollyscoop.com/victoria-beckham/victoria-beckham-to-join-american-idol_21130.aspx).

> [@](#):
>
> Victoria’s publicist confirmed that she’ll make a “one-off appearance” as a guest judge, but added that she most likely won’t join the show as a permanent judge because she’s busy with her fashion line.

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