American Idol has been around for eight years.  It has produced many talented performers.  Clay Aiken, Kelly Clarkson, Daughtry and Carrie Underwood are arguably the most well-known and talented performers from the eight year run.

But what about Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson, Paula Abdul and Ryan Seacrest?  Certainly, they were not household names before American Idol hit the air-waves and now they are stars in their own right.

American Idol has shown in the past that the idols are expendable.  They seem to support their talent until another contestant comes along the next year.

But on Tuesday, August 4, 2009, American Idol showed that their judges are not that important to the show……..just ask Paula Abdul.

After weeks of negotiations with the producers of “American Idol,” Paula Abdul said Tuesday evening that she was leaving the top-rated singing competition.

Paula’s contract expired at the end of season 8 and she had been negotiating for a substantial raise from the estimated $2 million that she earned last year.  Unfortunately, she has included the public in her contract negotiations with Fox.  It is usually a bad idea to try to push your boss in a public arena.

There is some sympathy for Paula as she said she just wanted a fair deal.  Judges Simon Cowell and Randy Jackson are already locked into a contract for season nine so they are set.  Then it was announced this week that Kara DioGuardia, the newest of the judges would return for another year.  They all were signed for the year, but Paula and the show were stalled in the negotiations.

And then there is Ryan Seacrest who has signed a three-year deal worth some $45 million to stay as host of “American Idol.”   American Idol must think he is far more important than Paula Abdul.

Paula announced her decision on Twitter saying, “With sadness in my heart, I’ve decided not to return to Idol.  I’ll miss nurturing all the new talent, but most of all … being a part of a show that I helped from day 1 to become an international phenomenon.”

Within an hour, FOX, FremantleMedia North America and 19 Entertainment issued the following statement. “Paula Abdul has been an important part of the ‘American Idol’ family over the last eight seasons and we are saddened that she has decided not to return to the show. While Paula will not be continuing with us, she’s a tremendous talent and we wish her the best.”

What do you think?  Do you think Paula was asking too much of American Idol or do you think the show just wanted to let her go?  Will her departure make a difference??  Do you even care??

Personally, I am not a huge American Idol fan.  But I will always be thankful that they introduced the world to Clay Aiken.

Below is a video of Clay Aiken singing “Bridge Over Troubled Water” on the finale of Season.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QC9SKjdoTXg