Straight up, she'll tell you--Paula Abdul is mad.
Under orders from the diminutive American Idol judge, her lawyer, Martin Singer, fired off a warning to ABC this week, threatening legal action if the network proceeds with its upcoming exposé, Fallen Idol, scheduled to air next Wednesday.
"There's a false story that's defamatory to Paula...Her lawyer responded to that," Abdul's spokesperson told the New York Daily News.
The network has said its Primetime Live report will "explore explosive claims about behind-the-scenes activities at American Idol." Though ABC News has not commented on specifics of the special, published reports have suggested that those claims include allegations by former Idol contestant Corey Clark that he had an affair with Abdul.
Clark, who was booted from the second season of the talent search after his criminal record--which he didn't disclose to producers--was unearthed, is reportedly shopping a tell-all book proposal about his experiences on the show, including how Abdul allegedly offered him financial assistance for his career pursuits and pressured him to keep their romance quiet.
On Tuesday, a spokesperson for Abdul released a statement to Access Hollywood, denouncing Clark as an "admitted liar."
"Paula Abdul will not dignify the false statements made by Corey Clark with a response. Mr. Clark is an admitted liar and opportunist who engages in unlawful activities. He is communicating lies about Paula Abdul in order to generate interest in a book deal," the singer's rep stated.
Simon Cowell and Ryan Seacrest also leaped to their coworker's defense.
"There's no underhandedness going on behind the scenes," Cowell told syndicated newsmagazine Extra. In response to Clark's allegations, the usually surly judge stated, "I do think they're rubbish. I think this guy's out there to publicize a book.
"Paula, to be fair to her, will spend more time backstage with the contestants giving encouragement and everything else. But that's not a bad thing!"
American Idol producers, on the other hand, apparently aren't quite as sure that Abdul is being honest about her possible fraternization with Clark.
According to the Los Angeles Times, Idol producers are looking into the allegations. A source close to the show told the Times that Abdul denied Clark's claims when initially quizzed by producers.
If the alleged romance did, in fact, occur, Abdul could be in violation of FCC rules pertaining to televised skill contests.
Section 508 of the Communications Act states that it is illegal for anyone "with intent to deceive the listening or viewing public...to supply to any contestant in a purportedly bona fide contest of intellectual knowledge or intellectual skill any special and secret assistance whereby the outcome of such contest will be in whole or in part prearranged or predetermined."
We're not sure if singing qualifies as an "intellectual skill," but "special and secret assistance" could apply to an whole multitude of sins.
No matter how explosive the claims Fallen Idol purports to explore may be, it's doubtful ABC can do much to derail Idol's monster ratings.
The talent search held onto the second and fourth spots in the ratings for the week ended Sunday, drawing 24.1 million viewers Tuesday night and 22.7 million viewers for Wednesday's results show.
