REALITY TV

Paula Abdul's Idol War

Star might not return to show as judge.

Paula Abdul is issuing fiery condemnations of American Idol via her manager, who says the star will not return for the show's ninth season because she hasn't been asked back."I find it under these circumstances particularly unusual; I think unnecessarily hurtful," he said of the contract delay. "I find it kind of unconscionable and certainly rude and disrespectful." Idol's host Ryan Seacrest is back on a three-year, $45 million contract that dwarfs his earlier pay of $5 million a year, while judge Randy Jackson is also returning through 2011. Cantankerous judge Simon Cowell reportedly asked for $100 million a year, though it's unclear if he'll be returning.