OUR EXCLUSIVE POLL

In our exclusive poll, 57 per cent of voters believe that Simon should receive the same pay as Ryan Seacrest who just inked a $45 million deal with Idol. Another 19 per cent of voters think that Simon deserves twice Seacrest's salary!

And only 7 per cent of voters believe that Simon's pay should be less than Seacrest's salary. The remaining responders replied that they simply don't care about the judge' pay sale. Sphere: Related Content

KRIS ALLEN, DAVID COOK AND ADAM LAMBERT HEADLINE GMA'S SUMMER CONCERT SERIES AT CENTRAL PARK

On Friday, Aug 7th, New York's Central Park may be the rockin'est place around!

Good Morning America's (ABC) Summer Concert Series in Central park will feature three of American Idol's most talented graduates -- current American Idol Kris Allen, former Idol winner David Cook and fan favorite Adam Lambert. Sphere: Related Content

RUMOR: PAULA HAS DROPPED HER ASKING PRICE -- AND FANS CONTINUE TO SAY THEY WANT PAULA BACK, NOT DioGUARDI

Rumor has it that Paula Abdul, perhaps feeling a bit antsy now that Kara DioGuardi has inked a deal to return to American Idol, has dropped her asking price by nearly 50 percent, reports EW.com.

Sources now claim that Paula is willing to return to American Idol for just $12 million annually -- slashing her previously hoped for $20 million.


American Idol fans, who are largely also Paula fans, have questioned why the show's executives are playing hardball with Abdul after inking a $45 million deal with host Ryan Seacrest -- and paying Simon Cowell what is estimated to be $30 million a year from judging, along with the right to sign management contracts with "Idol" contestants. Rumor is that Cowell, for a new contract, also wants an amount in the $45 million range.

And they are also questioning why Fox is bringing back fourth judge Kara DioGuardi, largely considered unnecessary by viewers. On Monday Fox tried to place a pretty powerful spin on DioGuardi's return. "We are so happy to welcome back Kara for her second season with 'Idol' said executive producer Simon Fuller. "She is a breath of fresh air, and her passion for music and her understanding of talent is invaluable. This show is all about discovering new talent, and Kara's championing of Adam Lambert is proof positive of her great instinct."

But the message boards have been and remain overwhelmingly filled with calls to bring back Paula -- and messages saying that fans couldn't care less about DioGuardi's return.

On PopWatch writer Michael Slezak penned a poem that in part reads:

"They’re bringing Kara back to Idol

I say ‘no, no, no!’

Please give her the sack

Paula’s stabbed in the back

That’s low low low

Could this news be one big tease?

Never forget ‘No Boundaries’

They’re bringing Kara back to Idol

But she should go go go."


On MTV message boards, one individual wrote: "Wow! Talk about selective memories! Kara wanted approval from Simon before she'd even admit she'd vote to pass Adam on to Hollywood. After several performances she said he was too "theatrical" -- and even said he wasn't connecting with the audience. ... But Randy and Paula were total Adam supporters from day one. ... Paula needs to come back -- PLEASE bring her back! We'll put up with 4 judges -- just bring her back!"

Another poster wrote: "PAULA is the one who championed ADAM!!! ... Paula said in the first audition he was the best they'd had from every city!!! ... Why haven't they signed Paula back on??? That's just wrong. KEEP PAULA!"

And another message reads: "Disappointing that she (Kara) will be there again. Paula makes the show interesting. ... Why don't the Idol producers listen to viewer comments? Wake up!"

On LATimes message boards:

"Boo!!! Yet another indication that the producers have stopped caring about the show. ... Kara brings absolutely nothing to the show. The show is not about the judges no matter how hard they try."

Another message: "Damn! I didn't mind her but, if she replaces Paula I will not be happy. Keep Paula!!!"

And at okmagazine:

(In response to an article saying that fans can breathe a sigh of relief that Kara DioGuardi will return as a judge), one fan wrote -- "'breath of relief', is that some kind of joke??? no fans wanted Kara back. all we care about is that paula comes back"

Another message poster added: "No one in their right mind wanted Kara Simonwannabe to come back!"

While some fans have written of their support of DioGuardi, the overwhelming response has been that she adds nothing to the show. And overwhelmingly fans say that they want Paula! Sphere: Related Content

SIMON COWELL WANTS MADONNA AND SHIKIRA AS A MENTORS ON 'THE X FACTOR"

American Idol judge Simon Cowell is eager to land Madonna as a judge for the top British reality show, 'The X Factor,' according to Ok! Magazine.

Cowell believes that Madonna can help 'The X Factor', a Saturday night music talent contest, win a ratings battle with BBC series 'Strictly Come Dancing.'

In the past, Cowell has been successful in luring musicians like Beyonce, Mariah Carey, Britney Spears, Westlife and Take That to mentor contestants.

Cowell has reportedly requested an increased budget to be used to acquire the biggest music business names for the live talent show. "Simon is the most powerful man in TV these days," said a source, "and he's in a position to call the shots. ITV are happy to back him, and he is determined to repay their faith by getting the biggest names in the world, including Madonna."

But Cowell may need to every bit of his persuasive skills since Madonna is currently wrappingup her Sticky and Sweet tour and will likely be involved in promoting her album "Celebration" which is due to be released in late September.

Another source indicated to the Daily Star Sunday that, "Shakira is a massive international star, and Simon's determined to get her on board."

Sphere: Related Content

WITH DioGUARDI BACK ON AMERICAN IDOL, WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR PAULA?

Kara DioGuardi will return to American Idol -- confirmed in a press release today from Fox, 19 Entertainment and FremantleMedia. Now the question on everyone's lips is -- what does this mean for Paula?

Some fans are expressing surprise that DioGuardi will return to Idol. Last season comments by the four-judge panel consumed so much of the program's time that performers appearing last on the schedule were rushed through. Fans overwhelmingly expressed that the show's original three-judge panel was ideal -- that four judges were too many. And judging by Idol message boards and messages posted on Twitter, it is Abdul that fans really want back on the show -- rather than DioGuardi. And, previously placing DioGuardi's return in doubt, her penned "No Boundaries" failed to catch on with the show's fans and was recently dropped from the American Idol tour song list.

But auditions for next season's American Idol have already begun. Simon Cowell is back. Randy Jackson is back. Now even Kara DioGuardi will return. And Abdul and her fans are wallflowers in the Idol dance -- left sitting on the sidelines, waiting and wondering whether the show's executives have any plans at all for her return.

"We are so happy to welcome back Kara for her second sseason with Idol," said the show's creator and Executive Producer Simon Fuller. "She is a breath of fresh air, and her passion for music and her understanding of talent is invaluable. This show is all about discovering new talent, and Kara's championing of Adam Lambert is proof positive of her great instinct."

"Kara brings her own special style and sensibility to the show," echoed Executive Producer Cecile Frot-Coutaz to Access Hollywood. "We're very pleased with her contributions as the fourth judge on the panel."

Abdul, on July 30, posted a message to fans on Twitter: "Your support & encouragement means so much to me. I hope you understand I can only return to #Idol if the deal is fair." So Abdul, rumored to have previously received considerably less compensation than Simon Cowell and Ryan Seacrest, is waiting for Idol executives to invite her back on the show with a deal that is "fair."

Abdul fans, who have worked tirelessly to send a message to Idol executives that they want Paula back, wonder why their messages have thus far been ignored.

"I think that we have made it clear that American Idol will not be the same without Paula," said Jenny Wilson of Sacramento. "We are the fans who support the show, and we want Paula there. She is as much a part of the show as the contestants and Simon and Ryan. I cannot understand why the show is ignoring the fact that viewers want Paula. Without the viewers, there would be no show at all. And, quite honestly, I don't think that most of us have cared whether Kara was on the show or not."

"You have to wonder whether Fox listens to its fans," said Rachel Karl of Los Angeles. "We have made it clear that Paula is important to us. The cost of keeping Ryan and Simon has apparently not been a concern, but why will they not spend the money to keep Paula? It makes no sense. There are just so many fans who love Paula. She brings something to the show that no one else does -- a sensibility, a real love for the contestants. It is genuine and real, and fans respect that."

American Idol has been called a "cash cow" for Fox, both in terms of bringing viewers to the network and for the revenue that it generates. While the show's ratings and advertising dollars have declined from the show's peak, it remains the most watched television show and is second only to the Super Bowl in rates from advertisers. Overall, American Idol drew nearly $850 million in advertising revenue last season, more than any other television show, according to the Los Angeles Times.

Thus, some fans wonder why Idol executives are dragging their feet in bringing Abdul back to the show. They say they want Paula back -- and, given the show's rich coffers, they wonder why their wishes are going unheeded by Idol executives. Sphere: Related Content

AMERICAN IDOL KRIS ALLEN HONORED WITH HIGHWAY SIGN IN JACKSONVILLE

American Idol Kris Allen's grandfather, Charles Wood, was on hand for the unveiling of a highway sign honoring his famous grandson, according to the Jacksonville Patriot. The sign will be visible to motorists traveling along U.S. 67/167.

In speaking of his grandson, Wood said, "I think he's done good." He added that once Allen had made it into the top four contestants on Idol, he thought that Allen had "a shot" at winning. Sphere: Related Content

AMERICAN IDOL KRIS ALLEN TO APPEAR ON ELLEN DeGENERES

American Idol Kris Allen will appear on the Ellen DeGeneres television show this Wednesday, August 5.

Allen, in the midst of the American Idol Tour that is sweeping across the U.S. and Canada until mid-September, will both perform and be interviewed by DeGeneres.

Also during the tour, Allen is working on an album that is due to be released in the fall. "We are currently working on it during the tour -- when I have days off," he explained. "The album will probably be pop/rock, with hopefully a little bit of something that will surprise fans in a good way." Sphere: Related Content