After Paula Abdul announced her intention to leave the hit reality show “American Idol,” many fans are doubting Abdul’s drama was nothing more than a publicity stunt but Ryan Seacrest, Idol’s host says otherwise.

Idol Trio: Randy Jackson, Paula Abdul & Simon Cowell

Seacrest recently revealed on his radio show last August 5th and I quote “First of all, everyone that I passed today here has asked me, ‘Is it true? Is it a publicity stunt?’ “He said, adding, “As far as I know, it’s real — at this point, she’d decided to leave.”

“So the news that Paula Abdul is leaving ‘American Idol’ stunned me last night. She’s a dear friend I love her to death and [it's] really sad that it’s come to fruition,” he said. “I’m just bummed and I think if you were to talk to Randy or Simon they’d say the same thing. It’s just sad. It bums us out.”

Seacrest also claims that he only found out about Paula Abdul’s decision to leave the show when he was having dinner Tuesday night. He made a phone call to verify if the news was true and this was he was told that Abdul is indeed leaving. Further more Seacrest isn’t ruling out the possibility that Abdul might be come back as an Idol Judge.

“I would love that,” he said. “That would be great. This week Randy, Simon, Kara and I are in Denver for auditions, and I’m sure I’ll have more to tell you.
“You hate to see this happen. I’m sure she has her reasons. Everybody sort of wondering what’s happening, but [it's] not a publicity stunt.”

For more details check MTV.com.

Dr. Conrad Murray, Jackson's personal physician says he administered propofol the night Jackson died.

Yesterday Federal agents were seen searching the home and office of Doctor Conrad Murray, Michael Jackson’s personal physician. Authorities are trying to find evidence that would prove Murray’s act of administering the powerful anaesthetic eventually led to Jackson’s untimely death. Since cases involving a doctor guilty for a patient’s death comes rarely. Authorities would have to find evidence showing reckless action that lead to death.

A law enforcement official told the Associated Press on condition of anonymity that Murray told investigators he administered the anaesthetic propofol the night Jackson died to help him sleep. The official also informed Associated Pres that the doctor left Jackson’s bedroom and returned to find that he was no longer breathing. It’s still unclear how long Murray was out of the room. The official stated further that investigators are working under the theory that the anaesthetic caused the King of Pop’s heart to stop and that toxicology reports that should show what killed him are expected as early as this week (credit: Associated Press).

Federal Agents raided Murray's home and offices in search for evidence on reckless administration of propofol which lead to manslaughter.

According to an article by the Associated Press, after three hours of searching Murray’s home in a private gated community, Los Angeles police and federal Drug Enforcement Administration agents carried away five or six plastic storage containers and several thick manila envelopes. Murray’s medical offices namely the Global Cardiovascular Associates Inc. were also searched by authorities.

Murray’s lawyer, Edward Chernoff, stated that the sealed search warrant “authorized investigators to look for medical records relating to Michael Jackson and all of his reported aliases.”

Other than documents, authorities also seized Murray’s cell phones and a computer hard drive at Murray’s home.

According to the American Society of Anaesthesiologists, home use of propofol is virtually unheard of and if Jackson’s doctor left his side during the sedation then he would have violated guidelines for the safe use of the drug. The guidelines state that a physician should be physically present throughout the sedation and remain immediately available until the patient is medically discharged from the post procedure recovery area.

Murray, 51, a licensed doctor in California, Nevada and Texas became Jackson’s personal physician in May. Murray was staying with Jackson in his rented Los Angeles mansion. Chernoff stated that Murray discovered Jackson unconscious in his bedroom the morning of June 25. Murray tried to revive Jackson, when this failed; the paramedics were called after half an hour. Three minutes later, the paramedics arrived and spent another 42 minutes trying to revive Jackson before finally taking him to a nearby UCLA Medical Centre where he was pronounced dead.

Federal Agents raided Murray's home and offices in search for evidence on reckless administration of propofol which lead to manslaughter.

Michael Jackson was believed to have been using the anaesthetic propofol about two years. According to Associate Press, Jackson’s medical history is quite complex that investigators are trying to determine how many other doctors administered the drug to Jackson. Murray claims he administered the drug several times before.

During their search, Murray directed investigators to a closet in the room where Jackson slept and found enough propofol and sedatives to fill two gym bags and an IV line and oxygen which would be needed for the administration of the drug.

Source: Associated Press

Alexis Cohen during an American Idol audition

Alexis Cohen, 25, from Pennsylvania, who auditioned twice in American Idol for a shot at stardom, was killed in a hit-and-run accident last Saturday. According to Cohen’s mother, Mindy Dallow, her daughter was walking to get something to eat when she was struck. Her body was later found on Bay Boulevard near Dupont Avenue around 4 a.m. She was then pronounced dead at 6:35 a.m. at the Community Medical Centre in Toms River.

Daniel Bark (left) charged of Alexis Cohen's Death speaks with his attorney, David Glassman at the Ocean County Justice Complex

Cohen was nicknamed “Glitter Girl” after auditioning in American Idol. During her Season 7 audition she proudly declared ‘I march to the beat of a different drummer.’ After being rejected twice the idol hopeful was known for her angry outbursts after the audition (see video below). Dallow claimed that her daughter was planning a third audition in June was preparing for a call-back audition.

The perpetrator, 23-year old Daniel Bark was arrested Sunday evening in Atlantic Highlands. Bark was charged with leaving the scene of the crime which killed Cohen and is expecting additional charges of aggravated manslaughter, death by auto and eluding. The Superior Court Judge Wendell E. Daniels said these complaints could be accompanied by a bail of $150,000 on top of the $35,000 bail that is holding Bark in the Ocean County Jail in Toms River.

According to Bark’s attorney, David Glassman, stated that Bark is on suicide watch in the County Jail. I quote “He’s having an extremely difficult time mentally coming to terms with the fact there’s an allegation that he caused a death,” Glassman said. “His family wants the victim’s family to know their heart-felt condolences go out to the victim.” During the trial, Bark was fighting back tears and said nothing other than “Yes, sir,” when the judge was asking him if he understood his rights.

Paula Abdul one of the tenured judges of the hottest reality musical competition, American Idol, may not be coming back for the ninth season according to her manager during an interview with LA Times. The manager claims that Paula was and I quote “She’s not a happy camper as a result of what’s going on. She’s hurt. She’s angry,” David Sonenberg, the “Idol” judge’s manager, told the newspaper on Friday.”

Sonenberg who became Paula Abdul’s manager just weeks ago says that he has yet to receive a proposal for Paula’s new contract. His reaction was set forth after the news that Ryan Seacrest, American Idol’s host, was offered a 45-million contract tying him up with the show for the next three years. Paula’s co-judges, Simon Cowell and Randy Jackson also received offers. Cowell was heard to be in negotiations to renew his contract while Jackson is already set with the show until 2011.

Sonenberg comments that Paula’s situation was rather unusual and unnecessarily hurtful. Furthermore, he complains that it was rude and disrespectful since Fox still have not made any attempts to renew Paula’s contract.

These videos explain a lot about Michael Jackson. I have embedded 9 videos from YouTube that helps us understand more about the King of Pop. I didn’t really understand why Michael Jackson lived in a way that’s unorthodox for most of us until I saw this interview by Martin Bashir. I was totally shocked by Michael’s perception of a lot of things but I really don’t blame him. Though, he was tagged as the World’s Greatest Performer, he was not fortunate enough to have a normal childhood. Rest in Peace Michael Jackson! You truly are the World’s Greatest Performer!