Girl Power TV

You know that American Idol is almost here when rumors and controversies make their way to the gossip mill. I am in that firm believe that many of the stuff that came out in the press last year, stuff that barely have nothing to do with whether or not the talents can sing, come from one and the same source — publicists who drum up these news to draw attention to the show.

I watch American Idol as much as the next person addicted to it. In spite of the slide in quality, it is still doing very well in terms of viewership. But I am also aware that it has considerably lost the interest of many other people, who’ve probably figured out that this isn’t really a talent contest but a popularity contest. And this is why they need to resort to all these publicities — to keep the others interested, and maybe sway new people, American Idol virgins, into watching.

There’s one news running this week that reeks so much of publicity drama. It says Paula Abdul intends to leave the show to work on other projects.

According to OK! magazine, the 45-year-old - who has featured on the show for seven years - is developing new TV projects and is hoping to “transition” out of the series.

A source tells the magazine, “She knows that every season could be her last. Now she’s got a new secret venture that she’s really excited about.”

Abdul’s connection with the show has recently left her “saddened” - after alleged stalker Kara Dioguardi, a failed former Idol contestant, was found dead in her car close to the star’s home in Sherman Oaks, California on Tuesday evening. Goodspeed is said to have become obsessed with Abdul after her brief audition on the show in 2006.

But as soon as that news came out, we read a denial from the show’s producers saying she’s not leaving. It’s confusing. It sounds like the handiwork of a publicist and for most people, do you even care?

That’s the first of the controversies, folks. There will be more on the way, especially when Idol returns in January 2009.

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