I know things have been rough for Paula Abdul.  Her long-term stalker just committed suicide…how horrible is that?  I mean, to be stalked for so long, and to live with that kind of threat, and then to have to deal with at least the implication that you were somehow responsible for that.  It’s terrible and I do not want to minimize Abdul’s truly legitimate suffering.

But…

Do y’all ever get tired of news that just isn’t?

The stalker thing–that’s serious stuff.  That’s news.  Alicia over at CelebrityPsychings did a great piece on stalking and how to deal with it.  That’s real.

But apparently, at an American Idol audition in Louisville,  failed contestant Mark Mudd wished Abdul a warm “Be careful,” and Abdul yelled at him, “You don’t say that to people!”  Then, the producers of AI released an apology letter (of sorts) to viewers (but not to Mudd) about how they were sorry if anyone was offended.

By someone expressing concern for them.

Yes, that is SO offensive.  I am reminded of that chihuahua played by Cheech Marin in the movie Oliver and Co:  “If this is torture, chain me to the wall!”  If expressing a wish that I be careful is offensive, bring it on.  Our world needs more of that sort of caring expression, not less.

So, Abdul snaps at the poor dude, the producers cover their butts, and worst of all…this is somehow news.  As it is every time Abdul says or does something weird.  Which is often.

Alicia is more understanding than I am about Abdul’s level of stress and anxiety because of the stalker thing.  I think it’s horrible that she had to go through it, but that doesn’t mean she can snap at every well-meaning well-wisher that walks by.  Or that it’s news when she does.