‘Idol’ dilemma: Cut Kara, or can Paula?

If “American Idol’s” new two-reviews-per-contestant policy proves anything, it’s that four’s a crowd on the show’s bloated panel.

In an effort to prevent timeslot overflow, Simon Cowell and Paula Abdul swapped talk time with Randy Jackson and Kara DioGuardi Tuesday night, with only two judges commenting on each singer.

But fans who miss the old format can take heart.

According to OK!, the streamlined approach won’t be around for long. Sources told the magazine one of the judges has to go, and the top two contenders should come as no surprise.

“The plan to add a fourth person backfired,” an insider revealed. “Now the producers are left with a tough decision: Do they go back to the original three-judge format, or leave Kara there?”

Of course leaving DioGuardi onboard leaves no room for her pal, “Idol” veteran Abdul. Not that that’s a problem for the newbie judge.

“As long as the show brings in millions of viewers, everyone wants a piece of it,” another insider said. “Paula wants to remain on the program for as long as Simon is involved, and Kara’s trying to stay on for as much time as possible. She wants Paula to get the ax.”

Ouch.

Springsteen barely knows his alleged mistress
Bruce Springsteen found himself caught in the crosshairs of a bitter divorce when New Jersey resident Arthur Kelly accused wife Ann of having an affair with the rock legend, but a music industry insider insists the Boss is an innocent man.

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“When Bruce was a member at The Atlantic Club in Red Bank, this woman would manage to ‘run into’ him when he was working out and start chatting him up like they were old friends,” the source told the National Enquirer. “When Bruce moved to Gold’s Gym in Long Branch, she suddenly began showing up there, as well.”

The source explained that while Ann Kelly pursued Springsteen and “seemed almost obsessed” with him, that’s as far as any relationship went between the two.

“The wife pestered Bruce, but he didn't have an affair with her,” the insider said. “He's freaked out that he was named in her divorce because he barely knows her.”

Dish on the fly
Boring celebrity Twitter feeds are a dime a dozen, but one star’s managed to up the interest by putting his money where his tweet is. On Wednesday, “X-Men Orgins: Wolverine” star Hugh Jackman offered big bucks to a charity of a Twitter fan’s choice. “I will donate 100K to one individual's favorite non profit organization,” he wrote. “Of course, you must convince me why by using 140 characters or less.” … Estranged mother-daughter duo Candy Spelling and Tori Spelling are finally communicating — sort of. In her new book “Mommywood,” Tori Spelling addressed the kind of relationship she’d like to have with her mother, while on CandySpelling.com, Mom responded. “You say you look at my website, so I’m trying to reach you that way,” the senior Spelling wrote. “I want to see you and your family — in private, like the ‘normal family’ you say you always wanted.” Sure, it’s kind of frosty, but it’s a start.

Tabloid Tidbits is compiled by Ree Hines.

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