What will Paula's absence mean to 'American Idol?'

As most of you know by now, Paula Abdul will not be returning to 'American Idol' as a judge next season. Count me among the people that think this is a good thing.

In my opinion, Paula really added nothing to the show. In fact I feel that she detracted from it. She would very rarely offer any constructive criticism to the contestants and her cheerleading of the 'Idol' hopefuls usually bordered on embarrassment. A judge should remain neutral, for the most part. It's ok to say that someone is your favorite or the one you think is the best. But to stand and dance or cheer for a contestants performance is embarrassing, and I think she loses any credibility she had when she does things like that.

I don't think 'Idol' will miss a beat with Paula's absence. Kara DioGuardi can fill her shoes quite nicely and frankly do a better job. Paula had a big problem criticizing a performance. She couldn't bring herself to say something bad about a contestant. Randy and Simon have no such problem, and neither does Kara. I think you'll all agree that when Simon or Randy gives someone a good review, it really means something. Does it mean anything when Paula says something good about a contestant?

No. Because she says something good about everyone.

Paula, as a judge, needed to be more honest and critical when a contestant needed it. Paula wanted to be liked, and it didn't work. I think that is part of the reason she is no longer there. We've been told that it was Paula's decision not to return and that her salary was part of the reason. What i'm hearing is that producers didn't feel she was worth the money she was asking because of the reasons mentioned above. It was a totally mutual decision and that behind the scenes the producers think it is good for the show that she doesn't return.

I'd like to see 'Idol' go back to the 3 judge format with the occasional guest judge. But the show doesn't need 4 judges at all times.

What do you think?