Paula Is Forever Your Judge

Sometimes nice girls finish first.

Fox announced Wednesday that Paula Abdul, the sticky-sweet glue that holds the American Idol judges together, will remain with the show for at least three more years.

Sandwiched between Randy Jackson and Simon Cowell, Abdul is known for her infinite supply of upbeat remarks, even if they apply to a contestant's hairdo, dance moves or infectious enthusiasm rather than to his or her voice.

"Paula is an integral member of the American Idol family and we are excited to have her continue as the show's beloved judge," Fox Entertainment President Peter Liguori said in a statement. "As someone who rose to the top of the charts as a solo artist, she has unique insights into the contestants' hopes, dreams and fears."

Abdul, 43, rode a huge wave of success in the late-'80s, selling more than 6 million copies of her debut album Forever Your Girl, which spawned the hit singles "Straight Up," "Coldhearted Snake," "Opposites Attract" (which earned her a Grammy for Best Video) and the title cut. Her 1991 followup, Spellbound, also moved around 6 million copies, buoyed by a George Lucas-directed video for the single "Rush, Rush" that costarred Abdul and Keanu Reeves.

The former Laker Girl has also won two Emmys for Outstanding Achievement in Choreography and has lent her dancing expertise to music videos and films such as Coming to America and American Beauty.

Maybe it's that unique insight that allows Abdul to start off what should be a biting critique with, "You know what I love about youÂ?" Apparently it's her job to soften the blow before Simon steps in with his jackhammer.

Abdul's future on American Idol was briefly up in the air last year after Corey Clark, a contestant from season two, claimed in a Primetime Live interview that he and Abdul had engaged in a three-month affair. Clark had been kicked off the show when Fox discovered that the pop-star wannabe had a police record.

But Fox had Paula's back and after a quick investigation the network eventually squashed the rumor, saying there was "no corroborating evidence or witnesses" to prove Clark's story. Even Simon Cowell, usually pretty swift with a brisk Paula putdown, publicly declared the story to be "rubbish."

The sharp-tongued Brit went one step further, telling Howard Stern over the phone during the shock-jock's morning satellite radio show Mar. 16 that he didn't think Abdul should have been let go even if she had messed around with Clark. (Cowell also gave his prediction of who would make it to Idol's top three this season--Kelly Pickler, Chris Daughtry and Taylor Hicks, he said.)

So perhaps Cowell is just as aware of how deliciously watchable his love-hate onscreen relationship with Abdul is as the 31.3 million viewers tuning in partly to catch Simon roll his eyes and Paula punch Simon in the arm.

"Paula's warm and nurturing nature is vital to the balance of the show," Mike Darnell, executive vice president of special programming at Fox, said in a statement. "We are thrilled to have her alongside--or actually in between--Randy and Simon."

While Jackson is more of an even-tempered middleman, usually punctuating his negative appraisals with "that was just alright for me," it's the judges sitting on his left and their polar opposite approaches to constructive criticism that ups Idol's addiction factor.

And sweet will continue to pair with sour for at least a few more years, thanks to the five-year multimillion-dollar contract extension Cowell signed in November. So not only will America get its fill of burgeoning singing talent for the rest of this decade, we won't have to go without accented cutting remarks, either.

After Colombian crossover star Shakira and ex-Fugee Wyclef Jean perform on Wednesday night's elimination show, the number of Idol hopefuls will be whittled down to nine.

"It is truly an honor to be a part of the American Idol phenomenon," Abdul said after her new deal was hammered out. "As an artist myself, it is a pleasure to have a connection with each of the contestants and be able to fully support their dreams and aspirations. They truly inspire and amaze me each week. Of course, I also look forward to putting Simon in his place for years to come."

Amen.