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Access Atlanta > American Idol Buzz > Archives > 2008 > December > 11 > Entry
12/11: Abdul says “Idol” failed to protect her from stalker
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Paula Abdul claims the “Idol” producers let the late Paula Goodspeed audition three times despite the fact they knew she had been stalking Paula for years.
Speaking on talk show host Barbara Walters’ Sirius Satellite radio show this week, Abdul said, “She came to the audition. I said, ‘This girl is a stalker of mine. Please do not let her in.’ I was shaking. The producers thought, for entertainment value, it would be funny. Fun for them to cause me stress. It would make good television. If you look at the audition on YouTube, you’ll see I couldn’t even look up. But it wasn’t just once. She showed up again in Las Vegas and she showed up the following year.”
Abdul adds, “(Then) Fox broadcasting literally went to my house and gave my address away and showed how easy it is to break in.”
She even implied she might leave the show after next year. We’ll see how Kara does this year. Maybe we can live (gasp!) without Paula Abdul on “Idol” one day!
And get this from TMZ: before her “Letterman” appearance, “Idol” suits told her to zip it and she did -somewhat. She is in talks to do season nine and those talks have been going on a month, TMZ said.
-Ryan Seacrest is executive producing “Momma’s Boys,” a new reality show on NBC, which is basically “The Bachelor” times three with moms (including an appallingly racist one) thrown into the mix. It debuts Dec. 16.
Ryan admits that his closeness to his own mother helped him come up with the concept for “Momma’s Boys” — a new dating series that poses the question: “Who is really the most important woman in every man’s life?”
So what kind of woman would Ryan’s mother want him to date?
“One that is under her spell — one that is under her control,” the “American Idol” host says. “I tend to like girls that are more provocative than my mother would approve of. She would definitely want the one that continues to go to church every Sunday. I might want the one that skips every Sunday.”
I missed the press conference Wednesday to be in a training session about Twitter. But I watched a preview of the actual show. It features 32 women, several who are from the Atlanta area. They chase after three guys, with moms in tow. One mom seems kind of cool, another is the quintessential Jewish mom with all the affectations (“I’m going to be vekempt!” she says while gushing about her son.). Then there’s the racist who can’t see her son dating a black, a Jew, an Asian or anybody too fat or doesn’t do what she says. What year is she from? 1958?
Some girls are sweet, innocent types who moms would love. Others are dopey model types (including a Penthouse pet and a Playboy centerfold type). There’s even a really shy gal who prefers animals over people and cleans up after everybody.
I just interviewed Ryan’s mom Connie. I’ll post that tomorrow or Monday depending on time.
-While Kellie Pickler does correspondence work for Seacrest on New Year’s Rockin’ Eve on ABC Dec. 31, David Cook will be on Fox with Spike Feresten. I’m also trying to get some time with Cook on Monday when he’s in Atlanta for the Q100 xmas party.
Comments
By JTesla
December 11, 2008 5:18 PM | Link to this
Paula… yawn. Over the years I’ve grown tired of her off the show drama. I may not like the repetitious sayings of Randy, but at least he isn’t hopping up and down for attention every two months.
Ryan’s show: not my thing. Looks like just another show with a weak premise trying to cash in on over the top stereotypes.
Training session about Twitter? Corporations never cease to amaze me.
By Nana
December 12, 2008 6:26 AM | Link to this
T.G.I.F!!!!!!!! Yea, we made it to Friday. Now to just make it through the day.
Ryan’s new show, don’t think I will watch it. It seems to have no appeal to me whatsoever. Don’t see it lasting very long at all.
What can I say about Paula? Actions speak louder than words.
By Deirdre
December 12, 2008 7:10 AM | Link to this
Morning!
Busy day today with my sister-in-law.
Re Ryan’s new show…YUCK!
Re Paula…ditto JT!
I’ll pop in and out when I can.
By Deirdre
December 12, 2008 8:09 AM | Link to this
This was on msn.com:
The memo reveals that for its semifinal round, “American Idol 8” will have 36 instead of 24 contestants; the audition episodes will be reduced while the pre-semifinal Hollywood round episodes will be increased; the wild card round will return, giving eliminated contestants the chance to compete for one of the top 12 finalist spots; the show’s focus on “bad singers” will be minimized; and “Idol Gives Back,” the show’s charity telethon, will not air this year.
I don’t care if any of this is true as long as the part about minimizing the focus on bad singers IS true!
By harrietth
December 12, 2008 8:26 AM | Link to this
I second that, Dierdre! The bad singers have made a mockery out of the show’s original intent, or at least intent as far as I understood it in the beginning. And, while some of the bad singers are deliberately so, there are enough bad, but sincere folks who are made fun of to make it distasteful to me. Maybe the recent suicide sent a message.
By linny ,,,=^..^=,,,
December 12, 2008 10:29 AM | Link to this
ditto D and H, however, i am excited that they will show less audition and MORE pre-semifinal HOllywood stuff… if you’ve made it to hollyweird, then at LEAST you should have some talent, and it will be good to see more of that, IMHO. wonder if the “wild card” was encouraged by watching what happened to Donald on AGT — if he hadn’t been brought back, the top 5 would have been verrrrry different!
anywho, busy busy day (filing day — bleh) so i’ll catchya later, blogsters!
By Nana
December 12, 2008 10:37 AM | Link to this
Changes are coming to AI. Great, now if they would do away with the mosh pit, I would be a happy camper. But one of the main things that I have a problem with is the judges laughing and making fun at some of the contestants. IMHO, that is just plain rude and very unprofessional. I feel that subject needs to be approached by the powers that be.
By JTesla
December 12, 2008 10:53 AM | Link to this
The wild card should be a good thing. A lot of talent has been lost the last few years simply because they didn’t get the early fan base. Of course if the wild card is used to bring back someone like Danny from last year then I’ll be giving you a different opinion at that time.
By harrietth
December 12, 2008 10:58 AM | Link to this
Amen, JT. I loved the wild card. And, linny, I am with you on the Hollywood thing. That used to be one of the most entertaining things about Idol. The interaction/back-biting/friendly repartee was fun to watch, and you really got a better sense of some of these folks’ real personalities.
By Nana
December 12, 2008 1:51 PM | Link to this
I too, like the wildcard. I like the fact that AI is bringing it back.
I’m calling it a day and headed to Auburn AL to pick up my puppy. I’m so excited I can’t contain myself. Can’t wait to see her.
Hope all of you have a great weekend and no matter what you have planned, be good, be safe, be happy and please drive careful if you have to drive.
Catchya later…………….
By harrietth
December 12, 2008 2:34 PM | Link to this
We are excited for you, Nana! Can’t wait to hear all about her when you get back. Take care.
By Deirdre
December 12, 2008 4:21 PM | Link to this
Give Memory a hug for us, Nana!
Saw The Day the Earth Stood Still today. eh!
By JTesla
December 12, 2008 4:35 PM | Link to this
Keep us posted on Memory.
Deirdre: “eh!” That’s what I thought when I first heard that they were doing a remake.
By Justin
December 12, 2008 11:58 PM | Link to this
Well, long time no comment, lol, but Paula please don’t leave! The judges table would never be complete without one of the 3.
By JTesla
December 13, 2008 3:23 AM | Link to this
Nice to see you Justin. How is this for math:
3 + 1 = 4 - 1 = 3