You probably felt a surge of conflicting emotions when Paula Abdul revealed that she was leaving American Idol.

First there was shock. Then incredulity. After all, American Idol had reportedly offered Paula Abdul $5 million a year to stay – who’d turn down a sum like that? And then came begrudging acceptance. After all, this is Paula Abdul we’re talking about – a woman whose modus operandi seems to be ‘how could I make the least possible amount of sense here?’

So maybe Paula Abdul really is stupid enough to turn down that sort of money. Or maybe it’s all a publicity stunt…

That’s it. American Idol has lost its heart. Well, maybe not its heart – more like its atrophied cerebellum.

Anyway, look, Paula Abdul has left American Idol. That was our point. And Paula Abdul’s American Idol departure is a shock – for all the threats and posturing from her management recently, we were certain that Paula was just angling for a bigger salary. But no – first Paula Abdul Twittered her resignation and then Fox confirmed it.

We can’t overstate what a loss this is. Without Paula Abdul around, the American Idol contestants will now be forced to sleep with each other. Disappointing.