It's official: Paula's back with Simon

Simon and Paula are back together again, judging vocal talent on Cowell's "The X Factor."

In typical high drama, Paula Abdul officially closed a last-minute deal with the Fox network Sunday that reunited her with her former "American Idol" colleague Simon Cowell on the highly anticipated show.

Auditions for the reality singing competition began Sunday at the Galen Center at USC in Los Angeles.

Abdul appeared a bit overwhelmed as she prepared to enter the first taping of the show and meet her fellow judges -- Cheryl Cole, Antonio "L.A." Reid and Cowell -- as a group for the first time.

"It's awkward and wonderful and beautiful at the same time," Abdul said.

Of Cowell, she said: "I really miss him."

Will viewers see a different, less bizarre Paula? She smiled: "I am who I am."

Actress Sada Thomson dies at 81 Sada Thompson, the durable matriarch of stage and screen who won a Tony Award for her portraits of four characters in the 1971 comedy "Twigs" and an Emmy Award for playing the eternally understanding mother in the TV series "Family," has died at age 81.

Thompson died Wednesday of a lung disease at Danbury (Conn.) Hospital, agent David Shaul said Sunday.

In her stage debut in 1945, she played Nick's Ma in William Saroyan's "The Time of Your Life." By far, her biggest Broadway success was "Twigs," by George Furth, in which she played three sisters -- as well as their mother.

Thompson won wide acclaim during a career that spanned more than 60 years. "Human character is just endlessly fascinating," she said of her work in a 1991 Los Angeles Times interview.

A PLAYBOY'S SUICIDE

FOR THE ROSES