Whether this is a negotiation ploy being aired via the media or a sincere statement of fact can't readily be known, but Paula Abdul's manager has said flatly that it looks more than likely that his client won't be coming back to American Idol for the show's ninth season. Paula's agent David Sonenberg has said that no proposal for her return has made its way across his desk. This is in the wake of a record 3-year, $45 million contract for Ryan Seacrest this week as host to the wildly popular show. That number triples his past gross salary of $5 million per season and makes him the highest paid reality host on television.

Sonenberg has said that Paula would love to return to the show, which will premiere in January, but the producers must step up to the plate. He elaborated in an interview with the Los Angeles Times saying "I find it under these circumstances particularly unusual; I think unnecessarily hurtful. I find it kind of unconscionable and certainly rude and disrespectful that [Idol production companies Fremantle and 19 Entertainment] haven't stepped up and said what they want to do."

When asked about Paula's current state, he said she was hurt and angry by the process. He said that if American Idol was suddenly taken off her plate that Paula would explore other options for competitive, variety-type shows. Abdul was rather cryptic with Letterman last month regarding her potential return.

It may just be that the show's producers have bigger fish to fry. Simon Cowell's contract expires next season, and British papers have reported that the snarky star may be commanding in excess of $100 million to stick around. There shouldn't be any question as to whether American Idol would survive if Paula jumped ship, but can you say the same for Simon?