Looks like Simon is waving goodbye to a great franchise thanks to Paula Abdul!!! Paula Abdul's live on camera critique of a performance by Jason Castro that had not been performed yet illustrates what we have thought all all along. The pre-scripting of the show skews viewer votes so show producers can lean the show to the artist they feel will be most profitable.... Wow..John Dowling retires from UPop 29 and American Idol jumps the shark all in one day.... Oh b.t.w. don't buy the eventual spin that the judges review the performances in dress rehearsal and determine their comments at that time... you know that will be the spin.... thanks Paula...you ruined it!