Posh Reels In $5M Idol Contract

(NEWSER) - Ice princess Victoria Beckham did manage to crack a smile when she showed up as a guest judge for American Idol to fill in for Paula Abdul last week, but that's as good as it got, reports Radar. "It didn't go too well," said a source. Posh "tried too hard to be nice, but came off as icy and wooden." Abdul shocked fans last week with her decision not to return to the show. More»

Employees toast departure of 'difficult diva'

(NEWSER) - Ryan Seacrest may be sad to see Paula Abdul go, but he’s in the minority: Longtime American Idol staffers were so overjoyed at her announcement, they threw an impromptu party, the Chicago Sun-Times reports. “Can’t you hear our celebration?” one veteran staffer says. “We broke out the good champagne tonight.” More:

• Rumored replacements for Abdul—if producers decide they need one—include Diana Ross and Natalie Cole.

Idol Judges Will Reunite for His New Talent Reality Show

(NEWSER) - It will be just like old times: Paula Abdul will join Simon Cowell as a judge on his new talent show, the X Factor, reports AP . The move had been rumored , but a source says Abdul will indeed be at the judges' table when the first taping takes place Sunday in Los Angeles. The show, based on a British version, will debut on Fox in the fall. Singers will vie for a $5 million record contract. Click to read about how one of the new American Idol judges is the show's best ever . More»

Sources say Ryan could take over for Cowell; Victoria Beckham guests

(NEWSER) - American Idol’s 2010 season premiered last night, but if you’re wondering how new judge Ellen DeGeneres did, don’t—Victoria Beckham filled in, and not to critics' delight. From her "crazy" face to the "nothing" she added to the commentary, the Daily Mail cites several who were less than impressed with Missus Becks—in spite of the fact that she called out spat-hungry Simon Cowell. More»

Cowell, Abdul in talks to team up on new show

(NEWSER) - Good news for anyone pining for the good ol' days of American Idol: Paula Abdul and Simon Cowell may be reuniting for Cowell’s X Factor. Sources tell TMZ the pair is discussing the possibility of Abdul coming on the US version of his UK hit as a judge. Cowell himself recently said he adores Paula, and “whatever happens, I will be working with her in some capacity, because I miss her,” the New York Daily News adds. More»