Paula Abdul - Judge

[Cleocatra]

All this Paula bashing reminds me of when Rita Hayworth was labled a drunk by the media. Her slurring words were part of symptoms of early onset Alzheimers. Paula could very well have some undiagnosed disease. Until then, talk about her being on drugs and alcohol is a bit premature.

The media might be bashing but I think the majority of people on this board are more concerned than anything else.

I like Paula and it makes me scared for her when I see her so out of it and looking so strange.

I don't know what is going on with her but whatever it is I hope someone close to her takes the initiative and gets her some help.

The worst thing that people who care about her can do is sit back and pretend that eveything is okay.
It's often the easiest thing to do but unfortunately it's not what's best for the person with the problem

[Jexter]

I LOVE sober Paula as a judge. I am offended by a drugged up Paula as a judge. Her behavior is disrespectful to the contestants and to the audience and it weakens the show.

I don't buy the "mysterious disease" theory. The health sciences have advanced since Rita's days and Paula has pockets deep enough for the best doctors.

Either way....drugs/alcohol/mysterious disease, she needs to shape up or get off the show.

For that matter, I think Simon and now Randy (Randy wasn't always an a-hole), should learn to be direct without being demeaning. I guess now that I think about it, Paula's no worse than these two.

[Justafan1]

Her addiction has become part of the show. She is not going to rehab, there will be no intervention nor will she be replaced. She is part of the fabric of this show.

I think you are absolutely right. If it wasn't part of the show there is no way in hell Simon, Randy, the producers wouldn't take care of her. And I mean it in a good way, helping her.

There is no way that anybody close to her wouldn't do something if they really care. She is a public figure and her behavior doesn't do any good to her image.

I say they allow her to continue like this on purpose. It sounds bizarre but there is no other logical explanation.

[Cleocatra]

I think you are absolutely right. If it wasn't part of the show there is no way in hell Simon, Randy, the producers wouldn't take care of her. And I mean it in a good way, helping her.

There is no way that anybody close to her wouldn't do something if they really care. She is a public figure and her behavior doesn't do any good to her image.

I say they allow her to continue like this on purpose. It sounds bizarre but there is no other logical explanation.

I agree with you 100% Justafan, I think they are using her obvious problem as part of the draw.

I have read on other sites where people post that a lot of the reason they still watch AI is Paula and not wanting to miss it the night she finally goes right off the rails and has to be stuck in a straight jacket and hauled off the stage by men in little white coats.

If they cared about her at all they would get her some help, remove her from the show and gaurantee her that she will be welcome back when she has dealt with whatever issue she is dealing with.... whether it's mental, physical , booze, pills or whatever.

[Victrola]

I agree with you 100% Justafan, I think they are using her obvious problem as part of the draw.

I have read on other sites where people post that a lot of the reason they still watch AI is Paula and not wanting to miss it the night she finally goes right off the rails and has to be stuck in a straight jacket and hauled off the stage by men in little white coats.

If they cared about her at all they would get her some help, remove her from the show and gaurantee her that she will be welcome back when she has dealt with whatever issue she is dealing with.... whether it's mental, physical , booze, pills or whatever.

Absolutely. Whatever problem Paula has - if the public is so obviously noticing it her friends, co-workers should be intervening! Or the producers. Something's not right and milking her for the ratings is just cruel and strange.
It can't just be the editing that's making her seem off -- imagine sitting beside her for hours per day --- knowing she's off her rocker?

[echo226]

There is definitely plenty of time between American Idol seasons where Paula could be in full-fledged rehab.

Does anyone at all think that it is, at least partially, an act to keep the public buzz going ?

I agree she is usually the kindest, but she rarely originates any constructive comments. She typically parrots or agrees with one or both of the boys when it's on-point advice. I think she has a role on this show and is forced to play it ... and part of it is being the ditzy broad.

As for her looking rough, each time we see her she is a year older. I think she's 44 years old now, and if she has been living a rough life by excessive drinking and required use of pain killers, compounded by probably not much rest and who knows what her diet is, etc., etc. --- this is right about the time of life when these things start to show.

I too hope she is okay !

[Cleocatra]

Well if she is just getting a bit older and drinks too much or takes too many pills then she still needs help.

She was'nt just acting a bit ditzy on some of the interviews, she was visibly odd with her eyes rolling, speach slurred and losing her train of thought.

I have heard her interviewed where her SSS's did'nt roll and she did'nt slur, so I have a hard time believing that explanation offered by others, I have a friend with a slight speach impediment and it doesnt come and go, it's with her all the time.

Paula having her spokes people issue statements trying to chalk it all up to her being tired is just ridiculous IMO
Plus I read Paul's statement where she insists that she does NOT DRINK AT ALL, never ever, she says she's a tea totaler and that she does not take drugs.

So if she doesnt drink and she isnt on drugs what is wrong with her?

If I was a close friend of hers I would be worried because if it isn't either of those then she has serious medical concerns, possibly of a neurological nature. *shrug*

Like you, I wish her well and hope she get's help if she needs it.

[Lotuslander]

When she says she "Doesn't take drugs", I'm sure she is not including prescription drugs in that statement. But I saw one interview, and she was higher than a kite. She's in as much denial as William Hung was a few years ago, but I have to admit, I'm going to watch A.I more often this season because of it. I'm sick.

[bbnbama]

Warning for the mods: I went through the article and put stars to finish out a particular 2 words that are not allowed here but I thought the article was relevant.

Link Here


You****—Censored?

Offending Paula Abdul clips are abruptly taken down.
January 22, 2007

By Sunshine Mugrabi


Following a week’s worth of controversy about her behavior, Fox Broadcasting ordered clips of Paula Abdul swaying, appearing intoxicated, and answering questions on TV news programs in a nonsensical way taken down from You**** this week.

The move raises questions about where the line should be drawn between copyright infringement and outright censorship. It also shows how quickly an embarrassing piece of footage can become a viral sensation now that videos can be easily uploaded to the web.

“What Fox runs the risk of is using copyright law as a form of censorship,” said Van Baker, an analyst at Gartner Media Service.

Ms. Abdul, a judge on the wildly popular show American Idol on Fox, whose parent is News Corp., has insisted she doesn’t drink or take drugs. Last week, she told Jay Leno on The Tonight Show that her inability to answer questions during news interviews on several Fox affiliate stations was the result of a mix-up in satellite feeds.

‘Some people would say this is an overly aggressive use of the takedown procedure.’

"Well, there was a mistake. Alabama (oh hell...it figures my state would be involved somehow! ) was in my ear and so was Seattle at the same time," said Ms. Abdul.

However, such damage control hasn’t stopped bloggers, TV pundits, and others from speculating that Ms. Abdul’s behavior is veering out of control. Meanwhile, the video of her appearance on the Seattle Fox affiliate attracted many viewings on You**** before being pulled. (A new version has since been uploaded.)

You**** did not immediately return a request for comment. Fox Broadcasting declined to be interviewed for this article.

Any violation of what is known as the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) is grounds for removal of videos on You****, a division of Mountain View, California-based search giant Google. However, there are also “fair use” laws that allow some content—such as short clips or satirical depictions of celebrities—to be aired online.

“Some people would say this is an overly aggressive use of the takedown procedure [allowed in the DMCA],” said James Nguyen, an attorney who specializes in entertainment and copyright law at the Los Angeles-based law firm Foley & Lardner. “They’re within their rights … but most of the major TV networks don’t ask you to take down their other clips.”

This is not the first time that the DMCA has been invoked to prevent embarrassing or unpleasant videos from being shown online. Mr. Nguyen also cited a recent incident in which a video of Second Life avatar Anshe Chung being a victim of a “griefing attack” was pulled from You**** following a request.

In that situation, the avatar of Ms. Chung—whose real life name is Ailin Graef—was bombarded with pornographic imagery while being interviewed in CNET’s Second Life Theater. Originally, Ms. Graef argued that this was a copyright violation because she owns her avatar, according to a CNET News.com article on the subject. The video was unavailable on You**** for a period of time, but was later restored.

Another unintended consequence of this move could be that it extends the kerfuffle over Ms. Abdul’s behavior rather than quelling it. Mr. Nguyen called this the “Barbra Streisand effect,” referring to that actress’s insistence that paparazzi photos of her mansion not be used. Perhaps it will become known as the Idol effect.

[Bo3b]

Absolutely. Whatever problem Paula has - if the public is so obviously noticing it her friends, co-workers should be intervening! Or the producers. Something's not right and milking her for the ratings is just cruel and strange.
It can't just be the editing that's making her seem off -- imagine sitting beside her for hours per day --- knowing she's off her rocker?

Wait....this IS a reality TV board, right? I thought using people and milking them for ratings was what it was all about!

Personally, I think you're either for this type of exploitation or not...it's the primary foundation of reality TV. If people don't like it, they should change the channel.

Cruel and strange? You bet. Bring it on.