Paula Abdul is as good as gone from ‘Idol’

Courtney Hazlett The Scoop

Paula Abdul has spent the better part of the week telling anyone who would listen that she’s dissatisfied with the producers of “American Idol” and the she’s upset with Simon Cowell (“he’s like a family member you can’t get rid of”).

Seems a little strange to air so much dirty laundry just weeks before the new season of “Idol” premieres, but as it turns out, Abdul might not have much reason to care about awkwardness. That’s because she’s seriously considering not going back to “Idol” at all.

“Paula has a reality show on MTV (‘Rah! Paula Abdul’s Cheerleading Bowl’) and her jewelry line,” says a source close to Abdul. “She’s got no reason to put herself through the stress of the show if she doesn’t want to. She’s all but done; and given her other successes, she has no reason to be afraid about speaking out now.”

An “Idol” source says that the scenario — one that includes Abdul leaving as early as the pretaped auditions — is one they’re preparing for. “Obviously we have three other judges who can carry the show, and if she leaves before the live shows, the auditions can be edited so that she’s hardly noticed.”

Bronx Mowgli Wentz isn’t for sale
While some rumors claimed that Ashlee Simpson-Wentz and Pete Wentz were shopping baby photos of their son, Bronx Mowgli, another story said that Bronx’s photos weren’t up for grabs at all.

In response to the idea that the couple weren’t getting any magazines to bite at a hefty price tag during a tough economy, a rep for Simpson-Wentz said, “We are not offering photos to the media, so there is nothing to ‘bite at.’”

She might want to pass the message along to her father, Joe Simpson, though. According to an e-mail he sent to editors prior to the birth, photos were very much for sale. Not only was there a six-figure price tag attached to the photos, but according to the e-mail, there were editorial controls built in, too. No talk of plastic surgery allowed.

Mary-Kate Olsen laughs away pregnancy rumors

Slideshow   Celebrity sightings Gerard Butler faces “The Ugly Truth” in Los Angeles, KISS member Gene Simmons gets in his licks in Quebec, Kris Allen and the “Idols” are back on stage and more. more photos

You might not see Mary-Kate Olsen smile much in photographs, but that doesn’t mean she isn’t doing it in private.

When rumors surfaced that she and her beau of 11 months, Nate Lowman, were expecting a baby, the couple “found the pregnancy rumor hilarious,” reports Us Weekly. (Her rep has officially denied the rumor).

The couple has been spotted out and about in Art Basel Miami, where Lowman, who is an artist, helped curate an exhibit at The Station gallery.

Weekend box office
The end of the Year of Jon Hamm is upon us, so it seems fitting to mark its passing with Hamm’s final new release of 2008, “The Day the Earth Stood Still.” The sci-fi remake is a family-friendly PG-13, and will appear in 3,400 theaters. There’s no way it’s not going to top the box office, especially considering the competition: “Delgo,” which opens in 1,800 and “Nothing Like the Holidays,” which opens in 1,500 theaters.

More on Paula Abdul |"American Idol"

Courtney Hazlett delivers the Scoop Monday through Friday on msnbc.com.

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