Paula Abdul: Don't Make it So Easy

Paula judging Jason Castro



Paula judging David Archuleta. It's about 1:50 into the clip.




It was Neil Diamond night on American Idol. Each of the five remaining contestants performed two of his songs.

And, wannabe apothecary, Paula Abdul was in loopy form.

First she told Jason Castro that she loved hearing his lower register during his first performance because she rarely gets to hear it. Then she proceeded to tell him that his second song "was lacking in charm" and left her a "little empty"(no Paula that was the prescription drug cocktail you gobbled down before taping*)

She continued:

"The two songs make me feel like you're not fighting hard enough to, to get into the top four."

It was one of her more coherent judging moments this season. The problem was, Castro had only performed, count em', ONE song. Yeah the chuckles from the audience were audible.

Seriously. That's gotta be embarrassing.

Abdul looked confused when Randy Jackson chimed in that was "just for the first song." To which Abdul responded, "Oh my god! I thought you sang twice!" That Castro's a memorable one. Then she backpedalled and said that she accidentally read her comments for David Cook. But the damage had already been done. And consequently it makes me ask: "is the judging rigged or something?"

I know reading your own notes can sometimes be a chore. But dayum!

It still gets better though. The highlight of the show--for me-- occurred, during judging, after David Archuleta performed his second song, "America."

That's when Abdul said, "This was the absolute perfect song for you to sing. David your voice is so on point. I just want to see that joy and that spirit and the prodigy and that little savant that used to..." [Now this where transcribing her monologue gets tricky. She either slurs after that, or says 'sail.' That little savant that used to sail? ]

So you're saying he's like a maritime Rain Man? Niiice. Being able to accurately count a large number toothpicks with your eyes is, however, a useful talent.

*FYI: I have no proof that Abdul "gobbled down a prescription drug cocktail before taping." And truthfully, I love Paula. She's funny!