Paula Abdul: Don't call her crazy anymore

Wackiness was not to come, however. The audition episodes, which were taped last fall, offered hints that a new Paula was emerging, although they chronologically predated her televised interviews. While she played her part and argued with Simon occasionally when he offered particularly harsh criticism a few times, those were the exception.

Instead, Paula frequently doubled over with laughter, clearly amused when Simon ridiculed delusional or ridiculous contestants.

She even regularly said no to contestants who looked to her as though she was their ticket to Hollywood. Paula loves everyone, after all.

When the regular, live performance and results shows began, Paula did the strangest thing of all: She faded into the background.

Competing against Sanjaya might not have been possible, at least in terms of the raw entertainment he provided, but Paula Abdul has spent most of this season quietly observing. Her critiques tend to be short, and frequently, she agrees with Randy — or more shockingly, finds Simon agreeing with her.

There have been a few moments when she seems about to slip into her former persona, but it’s usually just to offer kind words, not to freak out. Her critical language is also not as direct as it could be. Still, she’s a different judge than she has been before.

The day after Paula Abdul gave her crazy TV interviews, Bravo announced that she will have her own docudrama reality series on Bravo this summer. The announcement from Bravo promised that “Hey Paula!” would be “a candid real look at ... her professional and personal life.” The timing for the announcement couldn’t have been better; her interviews seemed to preview both what she’d offer on “American Idol 6” and on her reality show, which was sure to be epically captivating.

That’s especially true since it was filmed at least in part during that period of craziness. When Paula cancelled all remaining interviews to promote the sixth season after those “technical difficulties,” her spokesperson also blamed fatigue and revealed that she was “exhausted” from interviews and from being filmed for her new Bravo series.

“Hey Paula!”, then, may offer insight into her behavior, never mind hours of entertainment. But if it’s as boring as she’s been this season, Bravo shouldn’t even bother.

Andy Dehnart is a writer and teacher who publishes reality blurred, a daily summary of reality TV news.

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