If there is one show that probably has encompassed everything this decade has been about it has to be American Idol. Granted shows like Sopranos, House, and Battlestar Galactica (which I have yet to see) are probably all better then American Idol, but in terms of ratings sensation, merchandising and the ability to draw in the nation every week on Tuesdays and Wednesday Nights to see amateur singers with varying levels of talents perform pop songs in front of an audience in Los Angeles. I also forgot the auditions but you know the story about that, bad singer, bad singer, badder singer, and Good singer, then it's pretty much a shoot. Anyways to the point (I seem to forget it here and there), Paula Abdul isn't returning for another season. Meaning that she was only in American Idol's first 8 seasons. THe controversy with Idol producers most likely has to do with money and also the arrival of Kara DioGaurdia last season. So the question remains, can American Idol hold enough steam to continue to decimate the competition, or is the show nearing it's end? Well I would have to say the latter is true for the most part, but the show itself is a phenomenon. It's the biggest reality show possibly ever, and the 2nd reality show to reach #1 on Nielsen ratings following Survivor: Australian outback. However without Paula will the show continue to be as big a juggernaut or will it begin to taper off to ABC's hit series Dancing With the Stars? or could it possibly falter to a CBS Drama? Who knows the fate of American Idol, but without Paula Abdul the quality will probably never be the same. I'm not a huge Idol Fan, but I watch it here, it has practically decimated all competition standing in it's way. Since 2005 nothing has been able to beat American Idol, does that mean times are going to change or are we going to continue talking about the success of Idol for the next 10 years or so?