American Idol

Studdard, who won season two, thinks Paula is "probably" worth it -- but as TMZ first reported, Abdul has been taking meetings with ABC head honcho Steve McPherson and could end up on "Ugly Betty" and a show with her name on it instead.

Sadly, our cameraman got it wrong by asking Paula if she was bent out of shape because she felt disrespected by Simon. She legitimately answered "no." The truth is -- even more than the money, she Twitter-quit because she felt disrespected by "A.I." execs, who agreed to pay Ryan Seacrest $15 mil a year, Simon Cowell a gazillion a year, and Paula a puny $4 mil a year.

Hey "American Idol" cheapskates -- $10 mil is a bargain ... because crazy sells!

With Paula Abdul off "Idol" -- for now -- the former Spice Girl arrived in Denver on Friday just in time for the start of the show's auditions.

If anyone can help crush the hopes and dreams of thousands of wannabe singers ... it's Victoria.

"American Idol" loser Constantine Maroulis claims he got punched by a "drunk" non-fan at a party Wednesday night -- but only 'cause he didn't see it coming!

The whole thing went down at an event in NYC -- in which some dude reportedly punched, pushed and kicked the crap out of the "Idol" reject-turned-Tony reject until security arrived to break it up.

Later that night, CM went to his Twitter page and posted the following message:

"Haha I'm FINE! Some drunk dude tackled me in the middle of the concert and jumped on me

Broke up quick, didn't even know him. Or throw one punch. I don't mind a fight ... but only when its fair and I'm lookin."

According to the New York Daily News, the fight began after Constantine and the other dude argued about Paula Abdul leaving "Idol" -- but so far Maroulis hasn't Twittered anything about that.

Sources tell us Paula Abdul will make a deal with "American Idol" if the price is right -- and we're told that price is $10 million a year.

We've already reported well-connected "Idol" sources say they haven't closed the door on bringing Paula back for season 9. We're told they have not communicated with Abdul since she tweeted her goodbye, and auditions start Friday -- without Paula.

But here's the deal. Our sources say Paula was not happy with the "Idol" offer but willing to sign -- just days before her deal-breaking tweet. She had a sudden change of heart, largely because she felt "disrespected" by "Idol" execs who had offered Simon and Ryan a lot more than they offered her. We're told the show offered her around $4 million a year.

In the end, we're told the magic number is $10 mil. If "Idol" antes up, they can buy a loose cannon.

**Check out yesterday's TMZ Live -- when Harvey and Charles answered your questions about Paula's fate and Debbie Rowe showing up to Dr. Arnie Klein's office again.

The door isn't completely slammed on Paula Abdul ...

Multiple "American Idol" insiders are telling TMZ there is a chance Paula will come back to the show. Reality -- better than a good chance.

We're told the conflict is ultimately all about money ... and buzz leading up to season 9.

But for now, "A.I." is full speed ahead -- auditions for the show are set for tomorrow ... without Abdul.

The ex-judge was at JFK yesterday, where she called the situation "overwhelming" -- but insisted the drama wouldn't change her relationship with her former desk-mate.

Abdul also said she hadn't heard about producer Nigel Lythgoe's offer to be on "So You Think You Can Dance" -- but she might have another backup gig lined up anyway: Babysitting ... for Barack Obama's kids!

For the record -- we know Nigel offered Paula an opportunity to become a "guest judge" -- but nothing permanent ... at least not yet.

Our sources at "American Idol" say the show made Paula Abdul two offers ... and then she just went and quit by tweet.

As we already reported, we're told Paula was pulling in somewhere between $2 and $3 million a year and she wanted more. Our sources say "A.I." made her an offer that she didn't like at all. Paula countered but producers didn't want to pay that much, so they countered with another offer.

Rather than responding to the second offer, Paula shocked everyone by tweeting her goodbye. The weirdest thing ... "A.I." took the tweet seriously and responded with an official sayonara.

We're told Paula made it especially difficult during the negotiations because she changed management twice.

One person at "Idol" called her reaction "an emotional tweet." You don't learn that in law school.

As for what she'll do, we're told producer Nigel Lythgoe has given her a standing offer to be a guest judge on "So You Think You Can Dance." Here's what we're thinking -- he'd kill to make her a regular.

Paula's kinda crazy ... but crazy sells.

We thought it was a negotiating ploy, but our "American Idol" sources say Paula Abdul is really gone and will not return.

FOX issued a statement saying, "While Paula will not be continuing with us, she's a tremendous talent and we wish her the best." It definitely sounds real.

We know Paula was ticked at the salary disparity between her and others -- while Ryan Seacrest just made a $45 million/3 year deal and Simon Cowell can buy a small country with his "Idol" money, Paula was getting somewhere between $2 and $3 mil a year.

Here's the weird part: FOX could definitely afford to up the ante and seal the deal, which indicates they weren't that into her.

And they just signed Kara DioGuardi -- which we just don't get at all.

Guess who just blinked in American Idol's high stakes game of chicken? Paula Abdul says she's leaving the show.

She just tweeted this:

"With sadness in my heart, I've decided not to return to Idol. I'll miss nurturing all the new talent, but most of all being a part of a show that I helped from day 1 become an international phenomenon."

Sources have told TMZ that Paula's been negotiating for a big raise, and the deadline was this week because rehearsals are about to start.

So, hardball negotiation ploy on Paula's part or the real deal?

Stay tuned...

If you ever dreamed of sleeping in "A.I." champ Kris Allen's bed, here's your chance ... and his wife is totally on board to let it happen.

Kris and Katy are currently sub-leasing their fully furnished apartment in Cabot, Arkansas for $600 a month, because the young lovebirds will be spending the next couple of months holed up in Hollywood.

to uncover the "horrible" video of the "Idol" judge singing -- and did we ever. Here's Cowell waaaay back in '82 on the popular U.K. television show "Top of the Pops" performing as his barking alter-ego "Wonderdog."

Britain's got talent, indeed.

David Glassman -- attorney for 24-year-old Daniel Bark -- tells TMZ, "We're going to put a blanket not guilty plea on all counts."

Bark -- who's on suicide watch in a New Jersey jail -- is charged with aggravated manslaughter and vehicular homicide... as well as eluding police and leaving the scene of a crime. Cops say Bark struck Cohen while fleeing police after hitting a parked car -- just minutes before.

But Glassman says there's a huge gap with respect to when Bark allegedly struck the victim.

Bark is alleged to have killed Cohen with his 2005 Mitsubishi Galant.

The man arrested for the hit-and-run death of "American Idol" contestant Alexis Cohen has just been charged with death by vehicular homicide.

23-year-old Daniel Bark -- who was booked yesterday for reckless driving and leaving the scene of an accident -- was also charged with aggravated manslaughter and eluding a law enforcement officer.

Cohen was struck on a road in Seaside Heights, New Jersey over the weekend -- her body was found by two pedestrians.

Bark's bail has been set at $150,000.

Thanks to APP.com for the pic of Bark.

An arrest has been made in the death of an "American Idol" contestant who was struck and killed by a car over the weekend.

23-year-old Daniel Bark was booked on charges of death by reckless driving as well as leaving the scene of an accident in the death of Alexis Cohen, who appeared on "Idol" in seasons 7 and 8 but failed to win a trip to Hollywood.

Cohen was struck on a road in Seaside Heights, New Jersey. Her body was found by two pedestrians ... it was found 350 yards from Cohen's parked car.

Cohen received notoriety for her post-audition rant in Season 7.