Seems like the two judges are missing ex-judge, Paul Abdul. Resulting from a contractual dispute, Abdul announced last month that she would not be returning to the show. After branding the show around the three judges and their antics, Paula's absence is indeed an unfortunate blow to the show.

Cowell, Randy Jackson and Kara DioGuardi have been working without Abdul for about a month now, judging auditions around the country with guest judges sitting in for her.

"Of course I miss her," Simon said right before the LA callbacks began.

How was it different?

"It's like comparing a carrot to a banana," he said -- whatever that means.

Randy told a local TV station that he still can't get used to not having Paula there.

"I look across the table and say, 'Where's my P,' " Jackson said in his characteristic jive talk. (Source: NYPost)

We can't say we would have been tuning in anyway. Idol has become increasingly more stale with each season. It just doesn't have that same allure it did the first few seasons. It was reported that Paula pulled in approximately $2 million from Idol last year while Simon makes approximately $40 million a year and Ryan Seacrest just signed a 3-year contract worth $45 million. Paula is currently a free agent at the moment so there is still a small possibility that they'll bring her back onboard. Maybe this is all just a big ratings ploy.