Now that it is official that Paula Abdul will not be returning to Idol for its ninth installment, it is a good time to look back at some of the judge's most memorable moments on the show. Therefore, IDOL LIVE is counting down Paula's Top 5 most memorable moments from the show (not including her off-show antics. There are too many of those to include here and could fill up their own alternative countdown).
5) Arm in a sling and a broken nose
Paula is no stranger to injury, but when she showed up to critique the Top 7 finalists (including Jennifer Hudson) in Season 3 wearing a sling, everyone had questions about what was the cause. It turned out that Paula's thumb suffered a freak manicure accident, and so she had to keep her thumb from coming into contact with anything or she would be sent into "excruciating pain."
This was not the only time Paula hurt herself during the Idol season. Just two days before the sixth season's finale, Paula tripped on her dog and broke her nose. Oh Paula...
4) A moth, a melon and a fortune cookie
Idol's fifth season was full of bad jokes (i.e. Taylor Hicks' victory), but the worst one possibly came on Top 24 results night when Paula was asked by Ryan Seacrest to give advice to Kevin Covais and Jose "Sway" Penala, one of whom was about to be eliminated from the show. As usual, Paula did not disappoint:
Even though it came early on in this season, this one-liner has stuck with Paula to this day and symbolizes that poorly-placed humor sticks out like a sore thumb on this show.
3) Performing like it's the first time
When Paula took to the Idol stage for the first time in the series' existence to perform her new single "(I'm Just) Here For the Music," the excitement was through the roof. When it came time for the actual performance, however, many considered it to be a let-down:
Sure, Paula's choreography is unsurpassed and still seems to be top-notch after all these years, but her lip-synching was not the right kind of example to set for the finalists considering they were receiving feedback from her on their singing among other things. Still, this performance is one for the Idol history books.
2) The affair of the century
Although accusations of an affair between Paula and Season 2 disqualified contestant Corey Clark were still two years away, the decision to include a sketch of Paula having a dinner date with Simon Cowell, complete with sexual tension and suggestive undertones.
The big, fat kiss that topped off the scene was the icing on the cake. It's pretty certain, however, that something like this would never have happened in any season after this.
1) Seeing the future!
This will forever and always be known as the most memorable moment of Paula's Idol career. As you all remember, things got hectic on Top 5 night in Season 7 as the judges were asked to write down comments for each of the Top 5 finalists' performances and deliver them all at once. Paula was noticeably caught up in the impromptu change in procedure and gave us all this gem:
Now, say what you will about Paula and her crazy antics, but you can't deny this was hilarious. It might not be her most proud moment, but to Idol fans it is without a doubt her most memorable one. Once again Paula, thanks for all the fun you've given us over the past seven years and good luck in your future endeavors.
