Paula, Shakira & The Deep Blue Sea

June 01, 2006

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DON’T GO AWAY, LITTLE GIRL

With American Idol done for the season, I’ve got a roaring case of the P.A. Shakes. The P.A. Shakes have nothing to do with a Prince Albert. They’re what happens when one gets used to seeing Paula Abdul in their living room several times a week and then she just goes away.

That lady is sunshine in a disco dress, if you ask me. My favorite Paula moment of this season was not televised, however. It happened before my eyes. Back in April, I got to attend a taping of Idol (it was country night—yee-hah) with several friends, one of whom, Mike, is a Paula-phile from way back.

As the pint-sized vibeologist was ushered by us on her way to the judge’s table, Mike opened his button-down shirt Superman style to reveal the T-shirt he bought at Paula’s “Under My Spell” tour in the early 90’s. (On a side note, does anyone else remember that Paula had a contest to name the tour for her Spellbound album? My submission, Spellbound for Disaster, didn’t even make the first cut.) Anyway, when Mike flashed her his Paula shirt, she stopped in her tentative tracks, smiled warmly, then went in for a big, long embrace. As they were hugging, I was certain I’d get to share a moment of eye contact with Paula over his shoulder—she was inches away from me, after all—but it was not to be. Paula’s eyes were closed in rapturous gratitude. Or maybe she just passed out for a bit.

Though Paula didn’t seem as out-of-it this year as past years, she was still plenty out-of-it and I wouldn’t have it any other way. My roommate Tony and I have an Idol ritual that I’d like to share in the hopes that it might catch on by next season. It’s like a Paula Abdul drinking game… only all the drinking has been done before taping backstage and in the car ride over.

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