American Idol 4
Will Paula Step Down?
A May Sweeps Sex Scandal
By Ron Lemon
May 2, 2005
Are Paula's days as an American Idol Judge numbered? Will she step down?
Those are the questions buzzing around the net today as ABC get ready to air its "explosive expose" Wednesday night.
In case you have been in a coma for the last week we will breifly recap the situation for you.
Former American Idol contestant Corey Clarke, who was kicked off the show for failing to diclose his criminal and legal issues to the show's producers is now shopping a kiss and tell all book. In the book Clarke alledges that Paula "seduced him" with offers to help him with song selection, style choices and generally help him succeed in the compitition. He says she gave him money and offered him up to two-million dollars in exchange for having sex with her and being her "special friend."
Clarke also says he is not the only one. He claims Justin Guarini "bragged about having an affair with Paula." A representative for Guarini says it's just not true.
Last week FOX announced that it was launching an internal investigation of Paula. No further details were given. According to the Drudge Report FOX agreed last week to furnish answers to a series of questions from ABC News by close of business last Friday. It appears that FOX was not happy with the outcome of its own investigation and as a result, they changed positions and have not answered any questions from ABC.
Paula's people did issue a statement saying Paula would not dignify the allegations with a response. Then she responded by calling Clarke a liar.
Here's the latest. There are tapes. According to The Drudge Report, "Late night phone calls and answering machine messages are said to tie Abdul, 42, to an inappropriate relationship with a 22 year-old contestant. ABC is preparing to play the audio, along with on-camera interviews given by former contestants who did not receive the same personal 'coaching.'"
According to JuiceeNews "Paula...may voluntarily step down from her position this week."
I hope that does not happen. If it is all true, then it was inappropriate to say the least, it was also unfair to the other contestants, and (I'm not a lawyer) but I wonder if it is a violation of FCC rules dealing with game shows. But the final result was Corey was booted, supposedly for other reasons, and he went no where on the show. No harm - no foul, but it is really bad judgement on Paula's part. However I don't think she should lose her job over it. Although wanting to hide because of the embarrassment I can understand. I mean really, Corey Clarke?
ABC will air the tapes even though they have been told by Abdul's attorney Marty Singer "that the network faces legal action if it proceeds with Wednesday night's PRIMETIME LIVE expose." But ABC lawyers are so sure of the validity of the audio and video evidence being presented that they are not concerned with any legal challenge. Besides, May is sweeps month.
The Drudge report quotes a top FOX executive as saying "I am quite surprised and disappointed ABC is devoting an hour of its prime time programming to air tabloid trash." And FOX owner Rupert Murdoch has said he believes ABC is attempting to maliciously "destroy" the nation's most-watched series as it heads into the final weeks.
I guess nobody told him about CSI.
So the controversy continues. A lot of it will be resolved after Wednesday night. We hope we don't lose Paula. Honestly she lends very little to the show, but she would be missed. I'm not sure I can even say why. But wouldn't you agree?
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