Paula Abdul has been visibly intoxicated on American Idol for at least two seasons now. In some of last season’s auditions, Abdul’s slurred comments are edited down to the bare minimum, and the camera spends very little time on her. Trying to fend off rumors of drug abuse, Paula released a statement in April of last year that she was suffering from a rare neurological disorder that causes burning pain, Complex regional pain syndrome. Here’s what she said at the time:

Notice the distinction Paula makes between taking something for medical and recreational purposes. She never said she doesn’t take drugs, she just said that she doesn’t think she’s addicted and implied that if she is on medication, she needs it for medical reasons.

A year later and Paula’s condition doesn’t provide enough of an excuse. People think she needs to sober up before she goes on live TV, and newspapers are buzzing about her ridiculous behavior:

She went on to mumble something about a fortune cookies, a moth, cornflake, and a melon. This is true.

All of this comes on the heels of Paula’s breech of security at LAX.

Defamer has video of Paula’s breakdown on American Idol, and here’s a clip of a saner, buffer judge as Barry Bonds impersonates Paula Abdul.