Paula Abdul Tweets Goodbye to American Idol

Paula Abdul's rocky, woozy, funny, teary, sincere and altogether unforgettable eight-year tenure at American Idol is over. Abdul broke the news late Tuesday in a bundle of tweets to her followers. And while no one can really say they didn't see it coming, a Paula-less Idol remains no easier to comprehend as the sun rises this morning over a wounded America.

The bombshell came down to one tweet a little before 11 p.m. EDT:

With sadness in my heart, I've decided not to return to #IDOL. I'll miss nurturing all the new talent, but most of all..Cont'd...

Um... yes, Paula. Please go on:

I'll miss nurturing all the new talent,but most of all being a part of a show that I helped from day1become an international phenomenon.

What I want to say most, is how much I appreciate the undying support and enormous love that you have showered upon me

It truly has been breathtaking, especially over the past month

I do without any doubt have the BEST fans in the entire world and I love you all

A more official statement was released not long afterward by Fremantle Media:

Paula Abdul has been an important part of the AMERICAN IDOL family over the last eight seasons and we are saddened that she has decided not to return to the show. While Paula will not be continuing with us, she's a tremendous talent and we wish her the best.

And a few hours later Ryan Seacrest wanted you to believe he gets his Idol news second-hand:

about to go to sleep when I started seeing my blackberry blow up. I have read what u have read and I am shocked and saddened about paula

Idol and the cast have grown with each other over the last 8 seasons..I can't imagine the panel without puala. [sic] She's a star @ a great friend

Spoke to randy..hope to speak with paula privately overnight.

Meanwhile, prepare to live in a world where Kara DioGuardi is Simon Cowell's lucid new tiebreaking foil and, for the foreseeable future, Abdul's last credited screen appearance will be Brüno. Expect more stardust to settle today.

· PaulaAbdul [Twitter via The Wrap]