'American Idol' fans jittery as Paula Abdul's future could include 'So You Think You Can Dance'

(e3media)--Paula Abdul's shocking decision to leave "American Idol" left fans reeling Wednesday - and she may already be on her way to a new gig.

Former "American Idol" producer Nigel Lythgoe told the Los Angeles Times on Wednesday that he's talked with Abdul about coming to Fox's "So You Think You Can Dance."

"With Paula's background as a dancer, choreographer and reality judge now, I don't know anyone more qualified than Paula Abdul," he said, adding they would meet in Las Vegas this weekend.

The Lythgoe-Abdul discussion added a new twist to the quickly moving story, which began Tuesday night when she revealed she wasn't returning to "Idol" after failing to reach a new contract deal with producers.

"I am a huge Idol fan and I think the producers made a mistake here," wrote a fan at DailyNews.com. "Paula brought a certain amount of intrigue to the show because she was so unpredictable and sweet."

Abdul had been on the show since its launch in 2002, and often provided the comedic and occasionally bizarre moments on the hit singing competition.

"I can't believe it," "Idol" judge Randy Jackson told TV's "Extra."

Abdul used the Twitter.com social networking site to tell fans she was leaving.

"With sadness in my heart, I've decided not to return to Idol," Abdul "tweeted" Tuesday night.

Abdul's deal expired at the end of last season. She was reportedly seeking $12 million a year, up from the $4 million she had been making.

While it appeared she would return, the process turned sour recently, and her new manager David Sonenberg told the Los Angeles Times that "very sadly, it does not appear that she's going to be back on "Idol."

She told the world she was leaving just a day after Fox announced Kara DioGuardi would be back this season.

Show producers recently signed host Ryan Seacrest to a three-year, $45 million deal to host and produce other shows.

E! News staffer Guiliana Rancic Wednesday was urging people to tweet "Save Paula!"

They're not alone in being shaken by the news. A whopping 65% of the Daily News readers who voted online Wednesday said the show wouldn't be the same without Abdul.

A Fox spokeswoman had nothing new to say Wednesday beyond Tuesday night's comment that execs were "saddened that she has decided not to return to the show."

There was no hint of whether show producers will replace her on the judges panel, now occupied by Simon Cowell, Jackson and DioGuardi- or leave it at three. There was some criticism this past season that four was one too many judges.

Abdul's spokesman did return request for comment.

While Abdul is out at "Idol," it's unlikely she's going to go hungry.

NBC officials also said on Wednesday Abdul would be welcome there: "Paula is an exceptional piece of talent," NBC executive vice president of alternative programming Paul Telegdy said at the Television Critics Association press tour in Pasadena.

"We have no specific plans for her but I wouldn't rule anything out. As a viewer, I'll miss her on the show," he said.

Scott Sternberg, who produced Abdul's reality show "Hey Paula," said he was surprised by her decision not to renew.

"As a big fan of the show I am sad to see her leave," Sternberg said, "but Paula's a great talent and I am excited to see what's next for her."