So Paula is officially gone from American Idol. It really shouldn’t have come as a shocking surprise to many. Her erratic behavior and distaste for delivering bad news seemed to make her live with a constant noose around her neck. Regardless, she seemed the perfect foil to Simon Cowell’s snarky style, and for all her fluff, she added that certain something to the show. Now it will have to come via a rotating panel of celebrity judges (Victoria Beckham & Katy Perry among others) until a permanent replacement can be fitted for Paula. She’d built the show up from its infancy in 2002, and was a large part of the phenomenal success today. So what really happened here?

We wrote a couple weeks back (read article) that Paula’s manager was more than a little peeved that Idol’s producers hadn’t approached them with a deal for Paula’s return for the 9th season of American Idol. The New York Times reported that the offer that did hit the table was a multi-year deal that was in the neighborhood of $10 million which represented a 30% raise over her former contract. Abdul was looking for $20 million. Let’s put those numbers in perspective. Ryan Seacrest just signed a deal for $45 million over 3 years which tripled his previous yearly take home. Ryan frickin’ Seacrest. It’s pretty obvious the producers were ready to let Paula walk, and their lowball offer was the kick in the pants to get her moving on her way. You could even say that last year’s addition of Kara DioGuardi to the judge’s panel was the precursor to Paula’s demise. American Idol never really needed 4 judges. It’s way too many cooks in the kitchen.

So what is next for Paula? The rumors are definitely flying in from every angle. A judging spot on hit reality dance show “So You Think You Can Dance” seems to be the popular rumor, but its really too early to go placing Paula on a new show just yet. Currently, she just wrapped filming on her second guest appearance on “Drop Dead Diva” in Peachtree City, GA. The episodes will air on Lifetime on September 13 and October 11. Where ever Paula Abdul lands, its certain she will bring a lot of energy, quirkiness and general ‘Paula-ness’ to the role.