Abdul's 'Idol' critiques cause stir

LOS ANGELES, April 30 (UPI) -- "American Idol" judge Paula Abdul made headlines after she critiqued contestant Jason Castro for his performance of two songs when he had only sung one.

"Jason, the first song I loved hearing your lower register, which we never really hear. The second song, I felt like your usual charm wasn't ... it was missing for me, it kind of left me a little empty. And the two songs made me feel like you're not fighting hard enough to get into the top four," Abdul told Castro Tuesday night as part of a new format that had the judges holding their reviews until after all the contestants had performed, EW.com said. The judges usually critique each singer immediately after they perform.

Abdul's fellow judge Randy Jackson reminded Abdul the contestants had only sung one song at that point in the show, prompting Abdul to remark: "Oh my God. I thought you sang twice!"

Abdul insisted she was temporarily confused and mistook her notes for contestant David Cook as being those for Castro.

However, EW.com said she told Cook only moments later that his performance was "fantastic."