Simon and Kara aren’t leaving ‘American Idol’

Courtney Hazlett The Scoop

Well-placed sources with ties to “American Idol” are saying that the hype about Kara DioGuardi and Simon Cowell leaving is just that — hype.

“Every year there are rumors right before the finale,” said one source. “That’s all they are — rumors. It makes for good buzz.”

The current point of contention is a recent statement from Fox entertainment exec Kevin Reilly, who was asked about DioGuardi’s return. "I can't comment on that right now,” Reilly said, leaving plenty of room for interpretation.

“Listen, Simon’s coming back (in 2010), the show’s still a success. Whether he’ll want to come back again this time next year, that’s up for debate,” said a source who knows both Cowell and DioGuardi. “Here’s the thing about Kara. She is good for Paula. They definitely don’t want to lose Paula, but she was not always the easiest to work with. With Kara around — and the two are friends, despite what you might read — the entire production goes more smoothly.”

Spelling's weight worries are media's fault
Lately Tori Spelling has been appearing on celeb weeklies under headlines fretting about whether she's too thin. Spelling says that although she does not have an eating disorder, it's the media's fault that she worries about her weight.

"The first time I went out after I had Liam, the paparazzi were around and I remember trying to hold my stomach in, even though my muscles were shot to hell, because it's not like they want a story, ‘Look at the happy couple, they just had a baby,’ they want, ‘Do you see her stomach? We thought she already had the baby,’ ” Spelling told Fox News.

This is curious when you look at Spelling’s past relationships with the celeb weeklies, and the deals she’s struck with them after the birth of her children.

Daughter Stella was born June 9, 2008, and by the week of June 25, Tori and baby were on the cover of OK! magazine, with photos reportedly purchased for a fee in the high six figures.

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Son Liam was born March 14, 2007, and by the week of April 4, the new family appeared on the cover of Us Weekly.

While there’s an inordinate amount of attention paid to the entire “body after baby” phenomenon, and the debate over what a couple should do with their baby’s image is a multi-layered one, the reality is this: both concepts are newsstand gold. As long as there are willing participants on both sides of the deal, these pressures will exist. Can’t have it both ways, Ms. Spelling.

Courtney Hazlett delivers the Scoop Monday through Friday on msnbc.com. Follow Scoop on Twitter: @ courtneyatmsnbc.

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