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Melanie McFarland blogs from the networks' midsummer press tour.

July 28, 2005

Straight up now tell me, Mr. Liguori...

Either you have read, or will read, about Fox entertainment president Peter Liguori discussing the Paula Abdul and Corey Clark affair. An inquiry is currently being carried out by an independent counsel hired by Fox, 19 TV Ltd. and FremantleMedia.

Abdul
Abdul

At stake is whether or not Abdul will keep her position as an "American Idol" judge because, as Liguori told us over and over again, "any allegations against this show, we take quite seriously. The credibility of the competition is extraordinarily important to us."

The way that press conference was going this morning, you would have thought the whole deal was going to be made into a publishable report. Who am I kidding? Someone's probably writing that right now.

But here's what I got out of it.

a) Liguori stressed how important it is that Fox maintain the credibility of "Idol."

b) He added, "Look, the audience loves Paula. She continues to get support. She continues to light up our online sites and message boards. She is part and parcel of that show, and her specific style seems to be working quite well."

c) Abdul also is part of Fox's summer series "So You Think You Can Dance." She's traveling around and teaching regular people a few moves.

d) "American Idol," in its current incarnation, is the main reason Fox ended last season in first place in the 18-49 demographic, for the first time ever.

e) People seem to have forgiven Martha Stewart. Why not Abdul?

Put it all together, and my guess is that unless some truly horrifying stories come out of that probe, the "did she or didn't she" question won't matter -- that woman will forever be "American Idol's" girl.

If the investigation has not been completed by Aug. 18, the first day of auditions for the fifth round of "Idol," she'll be joining Randy Jackson and Simon Cowell for another go.

At any rate, Fox and Liguori had other announcements as well.

Liguori
Liguori

Fox is trying to take reality in a new new direction, because that uplifting, feel-good stuff just is not for them. But what it has proposed, "XQuest," sounds...well, confusing, to be honest.

See if you can figure this out. It is a partially scripted, partially unscripted competition soap opera that approximates a sci-fi movie, with two teams and a lot of crazy computer graphics. Apparently a couple of specially constructed NASA simulators, called "biocrafts, will be the teams' temporary home. Imagine Entertainment and one of the producers of the videogame "Halo" are putting it together.

Much more straightforward is the news that "MADtv's" Josh Meyers is joining "That '70s Show" as a regular, and Ashton Kutcher will return for four episodes.

Posted by Melanie McFarland at July 28, 2005 06:17 PM
Comments

Paula Abdul is like the coolest person ever! And so are you!

Posted by: Rodney Ho at July 29, 2005 12:39 AM

I haven't missed one of the American Idol's shows. I think FOX should rise above this Clark issue and continue to support Abdul as a professional. She certainly has given alot to alot of people! She is great people and she adds alot to the show-what she did with this fool is her business. Leave it alone! dli out.

Posted by: david ingram at July 29, 2005 07:32 AM

the guy is ajerk and fox should put the whole matter to bed. and not give that jerk any more air time

Posted by: martin kahn at July 29, 2005 08:42 AM

the guy is ajerk and fox should put the whole matter to bed. and not give that jerk any more air time

Posted by: martin kahn at July 29, 2005 08:42 AM

the guy is ajerk and fox should put the whole matter to bed. and not give that jerk any more air time

Posted by: martin kahn at July 29, 2005 08:42 AM

Why would Paula want to do that guy? Let's get real for a second... he's kinda ugly!

Posted by: Aaron Johns at July 29, 2005 09:20 AM

Paula should only be fired if what she did effected the outcome of the show. If she did have an improper relationship with a contestant, she should be disciplined; but she should be fired only if what she did effected the show.

Posted by: Greyshade at July 29, 2005 09:28 AM

Whether or not Paula Abdul had inappropriate conduct with this man is not the issue. It is whether she treated this man differently than the other contestants. The only proof we have is this guy's word that Paula gave him advice. How is advice unfair treatment? And how can you believe a guy who would tape a call(or make one up) of someone who was trying to help him and exploit it to the media for coverage.

Posted by: Anonymous at July 29, 2005 11:19 AM

Paula helps make the show.Without her it would be dull.Move on.Ignore the jerk.

Posted by: Rance at July 29, 2005 12:18 PM

We kept the President,lets keep Paula

Posted by: e.mcd at July 29, 2005 01:08 PM

I was reading this for amusement. I can't believe people care this much about the subject. Once we get hunger, poverty, overcrowding, global warming, our economy, etc. settled, I'll consider worrying about Paula Abdul's personal life.

Posted by: maefly² at July 29, 2005 01:46 PM

Reality TV thrives on this type of gargage, and apparently so do you loosers.
The only thing lamer that you Adbul supporters is the fact people still are talking about this show and these people.

Posted by: Nada at July 29, 2005 01:48 PM

Reality TV thrives on this type of gargage, and apparently so do you loosers.
The only thing lamer that you Abdul supporters is the fact people still are talking about this show and these people.

Posted by: Nada at July 29, 2005 01:48 PM

This whole story is a non-issue! I can't believe you folks are so shallow that you give a rat's ass about this "scandal", yet you have no comments on the important issues of the day. I can't believe I am commenting on this idiotic story, either! Shame on me, too.

Posted by: maybeso at July 29, 2005 03:52 PM

According to Bill Clinton, Paula did nothing wrong.

Posted by: William at July 29, 2005 07:38 PM

Let's get real here! This is just a tv show to entertain the public. I think this silly scandal is being taken too seriously. There's a lot more going on in the world today that warrents our concerns.

Posted by: R. Clement at July 31, 2005 07:05 AM

Thats that extreme right wing mentality for you!!!!!!!!
Perhaps they should set up an independent counsel and "attack" other guests on moral grounds before they appear on that network.Like Livingston maybe........remember him???Their so busy playing the moral card they don't realize how unethical and hypacritcal they are.What an insult to their own intellegence!!!!!!!!!

Posted by: john at July 31, 2005 07:08 AM

In other words they need to get a grip on reality and stop exploiting things that are obviously personal.They should stop hiding behind that big image they create.Just like THE WIZARD OF OZ!!It's all about an agenda!!!

Posted by: john at July 31, 2005 08:53 AM

Hey........Let's spend 60 million and have Kenneth Starr investigate this matter and while their at it go after Newt Gengrich.I understand he had affair going on during Clintons sexual encounter.I wonder how many sexual encounters he had with his "ongoing" affair.Where does it all end.

Posted by: john at July 31, 2005 09:38 AM

Paula for President, we could do worse, in fact we usually have.

Posted by: bosco sourpuss at July 31, 2005 07:01 PM

Paula is cool, but i hate her because she hates carrie underwood, and carrie is the best!!!!!!

Posted by: kelly at July 31, 2005 07:37 PM

Absolutly unreal, Who the hell do these and the people that are involved think they are? The entire US which I love and served for has began to remind me of the old Christian witch hunts, where they are burned at the stake, simply because some jerk accused them of being so, and if they didn't twitch thier nose and disappear it was because of all the High morals of those bottom feeders watching that prevented her evil... For crying out loud, as one person said there is plenty of things to be concerned with other then who Abdul is laying this week.
Things like the fact that we send almost a billion to support some other country, while in Fla. there are still familes "Small children included" living in a park from the hurricains over a year ago, but hell thats not front page is it so noone cares. People need to start seeing what is in front of them and right next door those are the ones that need your concern and help, if you want a banner to run with try getting those folks back in the homes they worked all thier life for. a couple of quote to think of before jumping to conclusions, judge not least you be judged, and let he without sin cast the first stone. Not going to get a religious battle going, but if this many can get on toic about who is getting laid, I would think they could sure as hell get a few phone calls or letters into the press and their representatives to help real people with real problems.

Posted by: Commonsensea at July 31, 2005 08:12 PM

John (johnnycomelately@comcast.net),
If you are going to criticize the intelligence of other people, you should make sure you can spell and use proper grammar.
Why do you think this human interest story should turn into a political discussion? I think you are just trying to show off your “intellegence”.
Most of the bleeding heart liberal people I have met over the years tend to be at the same intelligence level as yourself. I know it’s a personal matter so no one else should care, but it is hard to ignore the many flaws in your posts when you are so hypercritical of others. I find it difficult to believe that you understand complicated political issues, or bother to research them, when you obviously have a very limited grasp of grammar and spelling.
Heed my counsel and do yourself a favor, buy a dictionary and use it! Here is a short list of words you should start with; counsel, council, they’re, their, hypocritical, hypercritical.
And please, in the future, keep your posts relevant to the article.

Posted by: TylerDurden at July 31, 2005 08:16 PM
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