OK. So I don’t like to write about such fluff, usually. And having had to cover American Idol for waaaaay too long in my day job, I am kind of over the whole phenomenon. However, I am a little horrified by the producers’ choice in actually debating whether or not to renew Paula’s contract.

Here is what I know, being a former media insider and all. For some reason, people tend to think it is Simon who is the real draw. People assume Simon is the genius whose razor tongue drives the ratings. “Let’s all tune in tonight and see what that bristle-y Brit has in store for those baby belters tonight!” Right? Well, actually, not so much.

In my experience, Simon has three basic, under-nuanced reactions to performances:

1. “You were really good tonight. Probably your best performance of the season.”

2. “You were just average tonight. I’ve seen you do better. In my opinon, you’re going to have to really step it up if you expect to win this competition.”

3. “You sounded like a starving cat in heat screaming in a back alley.”

But it has always been Paula who scores the real media coverage. And beyond the media, how often have you stood around your water cooler saying like, “OMG you guys! Can you believe what came out of crazy Paula’s mouth last night? I mean, is she, like, high or something? I mean…”

Paula is the one who continues to give Kathy Griffin the real comic gold. Paula is the one who still seems like she genuinely cares about each of the contestants and is actually rooting for them to do their very best. Paula cries real tears. Paula’s reactions are always original, completely out of left field, and totally memorable, especially when they make absolutely no sense whatsoever. Do you remember the time she compared one contestant’s performance to “a really great salad”? Oh, I do.

So, in my opinion, FOX needs to get its sh*t together and realize the gem they have on their hands. Or, in Paula’s own words, recognize her for “the gift” that she is.

In other words, suck it up, pay her what she’s worth, and get over it!