Manager says Abdul wants new 'Idol' deal

LOS ANGELES, July 18 (UPI) -- "American Idol" judge Paula Abdul is prepared to leave the popular U.S. TV series unless show producers meet her contract demands, her manager says.

David Sonenberg offered a pessimistic view about his client's chances of finalizing a contract with "Idol" producers and appearing on the Fox series' ninth season, the Los Angeles Times reported Friday.

"Very sadly, it does not appear that she's going to be back on 'Idol,'" Sonenberg said.

"I find it, under these circumstances, particularly unusual; I think unnecessarily hurtful. I find it kind of unconscionable and certainly rude and disrespectful that they haven't stepped up and said what they want to do."

While Abdul and Sonenberg await a contract offer from the FremantleMedia and 19 Entertainment production companies, auditions for the new "Idol" season are about to get under way. The Times said auditions start Aug. 6 with the season to start January.