As flakey as she might seem at times, Paula Abdul is not going to be leaving “American Idol.” The head of the Fox network gave her a vote of confidence Thursday while announcing the 2008-2009 TV season.

Fox Chairman Peter Liguori told reporters that “we love Paula; she’s coming back.’ He did, however, say the show itself will be tweaked next season.

Liguori says he has met with the show’s producers about a revamp for the eigth season. But he did not outline any specifics.

Ratings were down this season and so was the buzz about the show. It’s still the most-watched program on TV.

“Both the network and the producers really want to take a look at the show for next year and see what we can to do inject it with new levels of energy and new unpredictable twists and turns and ramp up the storytelling,” Liguori said.  “We do constantly want to make this show the most relevant, zeitgeisty show on TV to keep it on the tips of everyone’s tongue.”

Liguori blamed writers strike for some of the decline in ratings. “We think the show has somewhat suffered from the post-strike malaise of folks watching less broadcast TV,” he said.

President of Fox Entertainment Kevin Reilly added:  “It’s not like it’s in the death throes here. There’s some real charm in that cast. Whether it’s caught the world on fire, I don’t know. Some of it is just natural maturity of the show. It’s been a phenomenon, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t go through some natural aging just like any other show. We’ll do some of those creative twists next season, and we’ll see what comes out of it.”

Liguori also said that the Wednesday results show will, at least on most weeks, go back to a half-hour.

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We’re not sure if this is just a hat, or if you’re supposed to decorate it for Christmas. Or if it picks up an FM signal. Any ideas?

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“I’d like to thank the academy, all the little people in my life ...”

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“Maybe I shouldn’t have had that sixth cup of coffee.”

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“Maybe instead of the DVD entertainment system, perhaps I should have gone for the emergency flotation option?”

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This level of egg hiding will certainly present a challenge for this year’s children. 

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“Dr. Habernathy, I need an appointment right away. This pimple is obstructing my vision!”

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“Now, please don’t be discouraged if your results with our super hydrating facial aren’t as extreme as ours at first. It takes weeks of faithful application of our creams to achieve this stunning transformation!”

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I wonder what they think when she hits the Chik Fil A drive thru?

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Is this a Yankee player who forgot his uniform at the cleaners? Or is something else going on here?

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We all learn how to fish our spots. My new little hole is a little bridge that carries the alternative to 19 across a sunset. It’s my kind of hole. The silt ridden toxic sludge of a greenwood creek spills out into a clear-watered bay. The concrete bridge abutment is littered with cigarette butts and discarded tackles. The gas station across the road has a frosty selection of beer and a back room to hand select your shrimp.

It’s the kind of Florida hole that enables an alternating gaze between silver dollar corks, sailboats and shell keys.

It’s my kind of hole.

A new hole walking distance to my new hole.

Somewhere between Carolina and being down under at the Outback I found time to relocate to the other side of the bridge to Pinellas. Check another semi-sleepy Florida beachtown of my life’s list of hat racks.

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The Wide World of Snouts? The World Cup of Swine? What in the name of sport is going on in this photo?

That’s where you come in. We want to read your best caption for this one. All we ask is that you include both your first and last name, and that you keep your ideas out of the pigpen.

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Romantic lemurs? Who’d have thought?

In advance of Valentine’s Day, we’re setting our hearts on you writing a witty caption for this photo.

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We can’t go a month without one. The celebrity meltdown keeps “Entertainment Tonight” and “Access Hollywood” in business.

Now comes E! with a two-hour count down of the “MOST EMBARRASSING FREAK-OUTS, FOUL-UPS AND FAUX PAS TO EVER HIT HOLLYWOOD!”

The “25 MOST SENSATIONAL CELEBRITY MELTDOWNS” debuts at 5 p.m. Saturday.

Here’s a random list of the celebrities featured.  You can put them in order of “most” outrageous.

Dave Chappelle
Alec Baldwin

Michael Richards
Kanye West
Naomi Campbell
Rosie O’Donnell vs. Elisabeth Hasselbeck
Winona Ryder
John Stamos
Anne Heche
Martin Lawrence
Tom Cruise
David Hasselhoff
Russell Crowe
Pat O’Brien
Lee Tamahori
Matthew McConaughey
Mariah Carey
Robert Downey Jr.
Mike Tyson
Paris Hilton
David Hasselhoff
Isaiah Washington
Don Imus
Mel Gibson
Britney Spears
Lindsay Lohan

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This brings new meaning to the concept of fast food. 

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