Press Tour Diary: Katy Perry, Posh Spice to (temporarily) replace Abdul on 'Idol'

WHO:Entertainment president Kevin Reilly and chairman Peter Rice.

9:56 am:Rice addresses the Abdul situation head-on.

Paula will not be returning toIdol, he says.

Its very saddening for us.

Were very sad shes not coming back.

He concedes that the new season will now have a different dynamic and energy….

But theres also something exciting about that.

9:59 am:Any chance Abdul might change her mind?

We have concluded our negotiations and Paula has announced that she is not [returning].

10:04 am:The four-judge format will continue onIdol.

He adds that Perry and Beckham are one-off guest judges and dont represent a long-term fix.

10:20 am:Rice concedes that there is going to be a change next season onIdol.

And we have to look at that as a positive change now.

We have to look at it as an opportunity to bring a new energy to the show.

Adds Reilly: [Idol] is ultimately about the contestants.

For more on todays exec session, read Lynette Rices recap over at Hollywood Insider.