Is American Idol Losing Paula Abdul?

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There may be one less judge on the American Idol panel when the series begins its ninth season this January.

According to Paula Abdul's manager, negotiations between the show's softest judge and producers are not going well -- and it's looking grim for Paula fans.

"Very sadly, it does not appear that she's going to be back on Idol," David Sonenberg told The Los Angeles Times.

"I find it under these circumstances particularly unusual; I think unnecessarily hurtful," he added of the powers-that-be, who have yet to make Paula a decent offer. "I find it kind of unconscionable and certainly rude and disrespectful that [Idol production companies Fremantle and 19 Entertainment] haven't stepped up and said what they want to do."

Though Paula has said that she would "love to be on the show," she hasn't heard anything concrete. "She's not a happy camper as a result of what's going on. She's hurt. She's angry," her manager said. "I think at this point we're going to be considering everything, including some kind of a competition show. She has tremendous ideas for a whole variety of shows."

Ooooh, Paula's getting frisky! But, really, I think I would miss her if she wasn't babbling incoherently next to Simon. Who will say everyone looks beautiful? 

Meanwhile, the Twitter universe has blown up with a crusade to "Keep Paula." Everyone from fans of the show to former contestants who are currently on tour are rallying for the producers to open their eyes and save "the nice one."

Awww, they like her -- they really do.