In seven seasons of “American Idol,” Paula Abdul has definitely had her moments.
But her gaffe on Tuesday night’s episode was either the “Kookiest Paula Moment Ever” or a sign of the judges’ apparently not-so-spontaneous evaluations of contestants’ performances.
Abdul on Wednesday sought to explain the blunder as a simple misunderstanding. “We all just screwed up everything,” she told Entertainment Tonight.
It was Neil Diamond night, and after each of the show’s five remaining contestants sang their first of two songs for the evening, the judges were asked to comment on their performances.
Randy Jackson quickly rattled off his impressions, and then Abdul launched into a lengthy analysis of contestant Jason Castro’s two performances. Yes, that’s right. Abdul remembered TWO performances. When Castro, and all of the other contestants, had only performed ONCE.
“Oh my God, I thought you sang twice,” a flustered Abdul said when Jackson gently pointed out that Castro had only performed one song so far. She added: “This is hard!”
“You’re seein’ the future baby, you’re seein’ the future!” host Ryan Seacrest said.
Abdul tried to cover for the mistake by saying she had been reading her notes from both Castro’s performance and contestant David Cook’s performances.
The flub was enough to convince some fans that Abdul must have prepared her notes on both songs before the live performance.
On the “Idol” forums, some fans pondered whether the judges’ comments were a function of who the show’s producers want to win rather than the content of the performances. Others gave the show the benefit of the doubt, saying Abdul must have taken notes at the dress rehearsals
Abdul explained on Wednesday that Idol producers had thrown the judges a last minute curveball during the show. “I am feverishly trying to write notes for every performance,” she recounted, saying her notes got mixed up.
“I was just trying to give my critique for Jason Castro, and scribbled Jason’s name, and that was David (Cook)’s. “This is live television. This is fun!,” she said.
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I think it’s evident that American Idol is NOT aired completely “LIVE” as advertised. Try recording the show at home and then play it back. There are many changes that are obvious. For example, the recap of the performances at the end of the show include parts of the performances that were never actually seen. In many cases the microphone position, gestures etc. of the performers never actually took place while singing, however, they mysteriously are included at the end during the recap. I think Paula was simply having “dejavu” because she had already seen it. The show is recorded at least twice. It is NEVER aired LIVE as they claim. However, I will still watch it, because I still enjoy the performances.
- Posted by rcurtisPaula need to stop taking what ever shes taking befor the show, most of the time you can’t even understand her she mumbles to much,
- Posted by Renee lupianThe trust is gone. I want to see certified vote counts, and they better equal 100% of 36 million. The proof of truth is now their responsibility.
- Posted by PresOfWebPaula has totally screwed up my main source of income now. Am i the only one hoping for another car crash soon?? we will be taking applications for new judges from the end of this series ( by the way - David Cook is the already decided winner - so don´t bother voting for anyone else, you´ll only be wasting your dollars)
- Posted by randy jackson - idol judgeno one will ever be as talented as kelly clarkson. and since she´s been gone from the american idol world, its been a dark and dreary place for me
- - I LOVE YOU KELLY!!!
- Posted by benOMG!
I so love Paula! YAY! American Idol rules! down with the Idol bashers! hehe
- Posted by benlast nights show was a truly disgraceful example of American stupidity - the very fact that they all watch this load of absolute twaddle is saddening for me. bring back the British empire! this show is the epitamy of the sickening over-zelousness of the Americans in general
- Posted by simon cowellObviously, there is some editing and not all is “live” as Idol is represented. The comments on Jason are interesting, if the decisions were made on vocal quality only, he would have gone home much earlier. I am thinking about buying some hair and giving Idol a try next season.
- Posted by Phil RossLast nights show was sad, I was embarrased for Paula, she had no real clue she had even made a mistake. If people really listen to her babble they will realize she does this every week. Its entertaining, but still she owes an apology to the contestants and the viewers. But I doubt that will happen she apparantly gets lost when she has to do something different. Paula, put the drink or whatever down and pay attention to what your supposed to be doing.
- Posted by BillieDang, guys, Paula made a mistake. All right, she’s not the brightest daisy in the garden, but everyone makes mistakes. She said she mixed up the notes, and maybe she did, but to immediately throw up arms and scream “CONSPIRACY!!!” is ridiculous.
Let’s be real, if the producers want someone off the show, they just have to put it on Ryan’s card that “so and so” didn’t win enough votes. Who tabulates these votes? Where’s the Checks and Balances? It’s a TV show which is fun, entertaining, and lively, but it won’t start a national crisis if Jason is voted off, if Jason wins, or if Paula flubs again (Which she will, which is why we either love her or not). Have fun with it, but don’t take it so seriously. These contestants will all come out ahead. They’ve recieved the notoriety from the show, the good ones will be in our limelight for years, the bad ones will slowly fade from memory…
Let he who is without “mistakes” cast the first stone.
Just my opinion, and I’m sticking to it.
- Posted by Edward D Padilla(spoiler) America voted for Jason and he will be in Top4.
Hope this will be a wake up call for the producers!!
I want to forgive the judges/producers because they are highly paid to make fool of themselves:-))
Hope last couple weeks’ Jason’s experiences would strengthen his stamina and will do the electrifying performance and give us a bundle of joy despite expecting more Jason-haters bashing as well as knowing outpouring support. This would build his character which will inspire many more viewers.
- Posted by abcdUnfortunately, television which has great potential for changing the world, instead in the interest of greed panders to the stupidity, vulnerability, and sensation seeking viewers. That would be “US” people! So, let’s stop complaining and being so insulted when we figure out we have been duped. It just rubs our nose in how stupid we are and we don’t like facing that fact so let’s just blame those million dollar execs in high places who are having the laugh. We deserve it for watching television crap (90% of it), buying the products that allow it to be shown. Let’s grow up and smarten up, we’re better than this. And, as for American Idol it should be called “American Fool”.
- Posted by lLarry BuffingtonI’m sure the judges see the performances during rehearsal.
Obviously, Paula must have formed her opinion based on what she had heard previously even though only one song was sung by Jason. She wasn’t actually wrong in her assessment.
- Posted by DebbAI was thrown wide open. My assessment: the problem is not that all three of the judges give pre-planned reviews provided by the producers — Randy and Simon have enough experience and expertise that they can come up with it on the fly — but that Paula was so wasted last night that someone had to write her comments out for her before the show. Then she still managed to screw up by reading the wrong part of the page they had given her. It is a Paula problem. It is sad. I feel like everyone on the show knew what was up and tried to cover for her, but she was obviously so out of it that she just couldn’t be covered up. (Simon to Paula: “Just tell us who your favorite was.” You can manage that. Can’t you, Paula?) If the show goes for another season, the triad will be broken up.
- Posted by ErinI think she’s on some kind of downer/anti-depressant. At least I’d like to think that because she otherwise seems to be two or three cards short of a full deck.
- Posted by FrancescaHow on earth do you get Brooke confused with Syesha? You have to be deaf, dumb and blind to think that way. Is Paula even paying attention at all? “Brooke your just Brooke and we love you”, “No wait, Syesha your just Brooke and we love you” Haha!!! “Jason your just David Cook and we love you” And on and on and on…………
- Posted by SLQ*Compared to the two DAVID’s. Everyone makes mistakes.
- Posted by JosephBWhy do any of you care if the show is rigged or not? How does this affect your life in any way? Are you richer, pooer, happier, sadder, smarter, dumber, fatter or skinnier because of this show? No? Then quit complaining. It’s possible Paula made a mistake, she is after all, human. You will still watch this show week in and week out, regardless of who the judges are. Paula is like the drunk sorority whore at the party, dancing all over the place and making out with everyone. She is annoying, but she does make the show that much more bearable.
As for Castro, compared to Sayesha, and the two Jason’s, he was terrible! I did like “Forever in blue jeans”, but I think it was mostly because of the song, not him. He should be going home tonight and not because of this huge conspiracy that everyone seems to have about the show being rigged. Besides, if it is rigged, he’s probably got a number of record deals already offered to him.
- Posted by JosephB