Paula Abdul Spaces Out On "American Idol"

(CBS)  A simple change of procedure on "American Idol" Tuesday created an awkward moment for judge Paula Abdul.

Normally, each contestant receives feedback on their performance as soon as they've finished their song.

But this week the judges were asked to hold their feedback until the contestants had each performed their first of two songs. The five contestants were then brought out on stage together to hear what the judges thought.

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Photos: "American Idol" Season 7

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Judge Randy Jackson rattled off a quick critique of each singer, and then it was Abdul's turn.

"Jason, in the first song I loved hearing your lower register which we never really hear," she told contestant Jason Castro. "The second song, I felt like your usual charm was missing. The two songs sound like you're not fighting hard enough to get into the top four."

Castro, like all the other contestants, had only sung one song.

The contestants looked confused and host Ryan Seacrest appeared to be looking off-stage for a cue from the producers.

"Just on the first song," Jackson interrupted.

"Oh my God, I thought you sang twice," Abdul said, looking flustered.

"Paula, you're seeing the future, baby," said Seacrest.

The show returned to its usual feedback format when the second round of songs commenced.

The contestants sang the songs of celebrity guest coach Neil Diamond on the show.

David Archuleta and David Cook receiving the best feedback of the night. Brooke White redeemed herself from last week's poor performance in the judges' eyes by singing a heartfelt version of "I Am, I Said."

Abdul and Jackson gave Syesha Mercado good marks. Cowell thought she proved she's a good singer and actress, but that her second song wasn't memorable enough to keep her in the competion.

All the judges were underwhelmed by Castro.

When it was all over, Cowell observed, "This is officially the strangest show we've ever done. But I like that."

[keithle1]

Time for her to get a pink slip. Who needs her. She''s in her own world. The other two guys know more than she does anyway. Simon is The Man. Who cares about space cadet Paula. I hate it when she acts like she''s the mother of the singers trying to make them feel better when Simon lays down the cold. hard brutal truth that they should save their singing for the shower.

[kevzgrl]

I think Paula clocked herself in the head one too many times with the microphone, back when she still HAD a singing "career" - this kind of thing keeps happening and each time gets more and more weird. Someone should check her meds...

[baileyccc]

Simon can''t keep a straight face when Paula is talking because she rambles so and is clueless. I am surprise something like this has not happen before now. She is way over her head as a judge.

[avigil2]

To b-easy63: the show isn''t rigged (although, it hasn''t been proven that it isn''t). Didn''t you read the article above? Paula was probably commenting on notes she took during rehearsal, which apparently, the judges are allowed to see. She was just ahead of herself. But she''s still very ditzy.

[jetlizhan]

b-easy63

i can''t believe you can''t spot a ''tongue in cheek'' comment when you read one - now who''s the blonde?

[grammawhamma]

Ohhhh leave Paula alone. So what if she is a ditz, at least she is a nice ditz. Simon has the brains and tells it like it is. Randy is the one that drives me nuts.

I think the two Davids will be in the finals. I''m banking on David Cook to win.

[jnr1005]

Paula has always been a crayon short of a whole box...but an arrogant self absorbed B like Syesha should definitely not win...

[tomanyt]

This show is fake.

[dds815]

I can''t believe I''m writing this! hah
Simon~ i usually agree with, but last night it blew my mind. He sits there and tells Syesha she won''t make it another night and both her songs went very well and then he tells Brook (who I like, but for many reasons should have been off weeks ago) she did alright when the first song if nothing else should get her out of the running! Syesha, two good songs - Brook, one good song! How does that add up to Syesha being gone? It is crazy this year how we see Simon cover over and over for Brook. Things (David A. the first week out forgets his words and the ax falls ~ Brook many, many weeks into it forgets her words and "nothing") that he''ll rip others apart for he lets her off the hook. He has been more than unfair to Syesha and has rode her from day 1 I think! One week is one set of rules for her and then next he flips the coin on her. How would anyone keep up. He doesn''t do that every week to the others. She has kept on smiling and hung in there though. Way to hang tough. He wants her gone is all that is. Fair is fair, unfair is unfair. Shame on Simon for being soooo unfair to some!

[b-easy63]

she is rather daffy - but i like her - is she really a blonde?
Posted by jetlizhan at 08:49 AM : Apr 30, 2008

I never watched Idol, but I have seen Paula on other shows and in the news. If you knew her when she was a singer and dancer, then you''d know that the old Paula was all business, serious and smart with no drug induced weirdness. This is either drugs, drink, a disorder or sheer acting in the extreme, just to keep the show entertaining and Paula as a viable performer.

It is sad, Paula was NEVER like this before this show.