"American Idol": Jason Or Syesha Will Go. Should Paula?

So we're down to the Final Four: Rocker David, Cute David, Dreadlocks Dude and Syesha. If "American Idol" actually was a singing competition, Jason and his dreadlocks would be going home tonight. But Syesha has so consistently been at the bottom every week that maybe, finally, she will run out of luck this week. Given who we think is casting those 35 million votes every week (Hint: Squeeeeeeeeeeee!), there's no shame in finishing behind three cute boys. We will be liveblogging tonight.

Amazingly, most of the talk in this Final Four week hasn't involved any of the contestants but current "AI" judge, former Laker Girl and all-around ditz Paula Abdul. After her phantom judging - no, after her actualsong judging of a phantom  last week, the normal buzz about whether she is, well, buzzed became a roar. She is, at least, a stone cold sober ditz, and her unrelenting praise of every single contestant's nearly every single performance is wearing down many viewers. Could Paula Fatigue be at the root of the show's ratings erosion? No less than the L.A. Times asked readers what to do, and they want her gone.

Simon Cowell and the show's top producer both say Paula's not going anywhere. And frankly, just about every show on TV is facing ratings erosion after the writers strike. But our friends over at Buddy TV still say it's time to get Paula off their air. "Paula Abdul is not good at her job. This is non-negotiable," they write. "She's a walking punchline. Paula can barely make cogent points, she just rambles and rambles. Her forte is blind praise – this is easily replaceable."

Well, sure, Paula's a ditz who often appears to have accidentally sat on one of those tranquilizer darts the rangers use when Yogi and Booboo get too close to the campers. She talks nonsense, overpraises every kid who gets up there and chokes, and she tears up at the slightest provocation. But that's what she's there for. Randy is the cool dude dawg. Simon is Dr. House the "mean" one who actually tells the truth about the performances. And Paula is the comic relief counterweight to their seriousness, offering warm and fuzzy nonsense about unicorns and rainbows. Every TV family needs one like her. It's a cold hard word in the music business, and Paula's your Aunt Jean after one too many highballs at the family reunion, tucking you in with a big sloppy kiss and slurring her words when she tells you "Sweet dreams!" The show wouldn't be the same without her.

Comments

[melinda]

Paula is the only reason I am watching this show. she is the only one who the media cares about. She gets 90 % of the attention. Without her, nobody is gonna care about American Idol, except a few die hard fans. letterman, jay leno. perez hilton etc Never talk about American Idol anymore, except when they mention her. Who cares what some random male chauvinist blogger on buddy TV thinks??

[hmm]

This show would be incredibly boring without her. so boring i would stop watching right away. She gets headline after headline, and you know why? because people Care about her. whereas nobody really cares about simon, randy, ryan or the contestants anymore. any decline in ratings isnt Paulas fault. in fact, i believe Paula is the one who actually is keeping it at #1.

[Jane]

I think Paula gives the show its balance it needs between Simon (who is very honest in his opinions and constructive criticism - nothing wrong with that) and Randy Jackson who seems to only know a couple of phrases (Dawg...that was the bomb...seems there were parts that were a little pitchy!. When Paula ends up saying something constructive instead of how nice someone looks tonight - then you know there was a real problem with that particular performance.

[BARBARA]

I THINK PAULA IS WONDERFUL ON THE SHOW. SHE DOES GET HER POINT ACROSS WELL ENOUGH. SHE A BUFFER FOR THE HARSHNESS OF SIMON. THE CONTESTANTS SEEM TO LOVE HER. NOT BECAUSE SHE BLOWS SMOKE BUT, SHES NOT HATEFUL. WITH ALL THE STRESS OF THE COMPITION THEY NEED SOMEONE LIKE PAULA TO ENCOURAGE THEM.

I WAS REALLY ROOTING FOR JASON..BUT HIS LAST PERFORMANCE WAS OFF THE CHARTS HORRIBLE. I COULDNT EVEN JUSTIFY HIM ANYMORE. I AGREE WITH SIMON, " I THINK HE DID THIS ON PURPOSE" I HAVE MY THEORY BECAUSE HES WAY BETTER THAN THAT MESS OF A PERFORMANCE...THIS IS MY THEORY. HIM AND SYESHA HAVE A THING GOIN ON. IF YOU NOTICE IN ONE CLIP OF ALL THEM TOGETHER..THEY WERE HOLDING HANDS AND SYESHAS REACTION TO THE FAN KISSING JASON. SO...I THINK HE DID IT ON PURPOSE TO MOVE ASIDE SO SYESHA COULD STAY. CALL ME NUTS..BUT I THINK THATS IT.