American Idol

Paul Abdul is hurt, angry and threatening to quit "American Idol" ... like "60 Minutes" wants to snatch her up.

It's absurd, but Abdul's manager told the L.A. Times, "Very sadly, it does not appear that she's going to be back on 'Idol," adding "Idol" producers have been "rude and disrespectful" by not offering her a new deal.

Ok, let's now get real. Our "A.I." spies say Abdul is raking in about 2 1/2 million bucks a year -- a nice check, but compared to the $15 mil a year that Ryan Seacrest just sealed ...

In Hollywood, stars have to talk the walk in order to rob the bank. Paula's manager says since "Idol" hasn't offered her a new deal she's now considering starting a competitive show. Here's the deal ... Paula tried starting her own series a few years back with Paramount .... NIGHTMARE! The idea crashed and burned.

So it's yet another ploy for more moolah, and more power to her. Whatever the deal it's a long way from Paula's first season paycheck -- our "A.I." spies say she was pulling in $5,000 a week.

Seacrest -- who is now richer than fettuccine alfredo -- was eating with Jennifer Lopez this weekend at Madeo when we suggested she take Paula Abdul's place on the panel ... Ryan said he'd love to see J. Lo sitting "next to" her.

They'd be crazy to get rid of Simon ... Kara D., not so much.

Hicks has not had a song make the charts since 2006.

We've obtained an internal memo from two divisions of Adam's old label, which clearly lists Lambert as the co-writer on nine of the 11 tracks on the album.

Lambert's new handlers released a statement on his behalf this week condemning the album, which said: "I was hired as a studio singer to lend my vocals to tracks written by someone else ... I was broke at the time and this was my chance to make a few bucks."

One day she's a nobody, the next day she's an "American Idol," and then all of the sudden she's starring in "Dreamgirls" ... no, not Jennifer Hudson ... Syesha Mercado.

Sources say the season seven "Idol" contestant has been cast in the upcoming international tour of "Dreamgirls" the play -- landing the role of Deena Jones, who was played by Beyonce in the movie.

Calls to Syesha's rep have not been returned.

Kris Allen, consider this a warning.

It wasn't all about chicks grinding to Def Leppard at the British strip club Seacrest and Simon Cowell hit up last week -- according to him, they were just there for "research" on mimes.

They must have done some good probing -- Seacrest still admits he blew "too much" on a lapdance.

Lambert's revelation came at the end of last night's 20/20 interview. For all those ladies wanting to lock lips with their "American Idol" all it takes is a "couple of drinks."

The owner of Stringfellows gentleman's club told us R & S -- who have been to the club before -- were given two private tables that were surrounded by at least 21 professional pole masters. That equals 42 boobs or 10.5 strippers each.

The owner said the girls love it when R & S show up, because they're "great guys ... and extremely generous." As for private dances -- we're told the boys always keep it classy and stay out of the champagne room.

Ryan Seacrest and Simon Cowell scouted for undiscovered, highly flexible talent at a London strip club called Stringfellows last night -- and were diligent enough to stay there until 4:45 this morning.

Next season on "American Idol," look for hot chicks who can't sing, but can pick money up off the floor without using their hands.

He requested we not air that part. Whoops.

So far Kris has topped Adam on the music charts.

In the superhero world, Quween is like the paps' Kryptonite, or like a superhero that is really crazy and will probably end up hurting someone ... but in a cute and funny way.

Janice received 36 months probation, has to complete 20 days of labor and has the option to go to anger management or to have 36 hours of psych evaluation. She has to report back to court on July 16 for a progress report.

The attack against Seymour occurred a few weeks back after a taping of "American Idol."

The "American Idol" wannabeen and his guy Drake were in Venice yesterday, playing cute by pretending they didn't even know each other.

And they say true love is dead.

We've just obtained the 911 call made after an "American Idol" stage manager was injured on the retracting stairs last month.

The caller says Debbie Williams fell "approximately ten feet" and onto her leg, was "bleeding" and may have broken her leg.

Turns out Debbie didn't break it, but suffered a deep gash that required a bunch of stitches.