While Fox itself isn't commenting, Paula Abdul and her fellow American Idol judges have launched a preemptive strike against speculation that ABC's upcoming "explosive" Primetime Live special will center around the allegations of Corey Clark, the one-time ousted American Idol 2 finalist who is reportedly shopping a tell-all book to publishers.

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ABC has continued to decline to reveal any specifics about the broadcast's content beyond its statement that the show will "explore explosive claims about behind-the-scenes activities." However, rumors have swirled that Primetime Live has been investigating whether any of American Idol's judges have had inappropriate contact with its contestants -- sparking additional speculation that the ABC broadcast will focus on allegations published in a book proposal that Clark is shopping.

The 24-year-old Clark had made it to American Idol 2's Final 9 before becoming disqualified due to the discovery that he had failed to disclose the existence of pending misdemeanor battery charges resulting from assaulting his then 15-year-old sister.

Earlier this month, New York Post gossip columnist Cindy Adams reported that in addition to terming original Idol runner-up Justin Guarini a "cheeseball" and Idol 2 runner-up Clay Aiken a "geek" and describing "infighting" among the finalists, the book's sample chapters (read by Adams) reportedly contain detailed first-hand descriptions of judge Paula Abdul's Studio City home and mentions of "wild, drunken sex" (although the Post report left it unclear who was having sex and where it was occurring.)

Last week, the Globe supermarket tabloid added to the report, alleging that Clark's book will claim that he had a "secret affair" with the increasingly troubled 42-year-old American Idol judge. According to a MSNBC.com gossip column summary of the Globe article, Clark reportedly alleges that the two had sex in the guest room of her house, that Abdul "paid some of his expenses and promised to fund his career to the tune of $2 million," and that she made him vow to not speak of their relationship.

The embattled American Idol judge fired back on Tuesday, releasing a strongly worded denial to the syndicated Access Hollywood entertainment news program.

"Paula Abdul will not dignify the false statements made by Corey Clark with a response. Mr. Clark is an admitted liar and opportunist who engages in unlawful activities. He is communicating lies about Paula Abdul in order to generate interest in a book deal."

Additionally, according to the Los Angeles Times, Martin Singer, Abdul's lawyer, has sent ABC News a letter threatening legal action if it proceeds with the Primetime Live special.

Meanwhile, fellow American Idol judges Randy Jackson and Simon Cowell also defended Abdul during Tuesday television appearances.

"Paula, to be fair to her, will spend more time backstage with the contestants giving encouragement -- but that's not a bad thing," Cowell told Extra correspondent Terri Seymour (who also happens to be Cowell's girlfriend.) "I think [the accusations] are rubbish. I think this is a guy who's out there to publish a book."

According to the New York Post, an ABC spokesperson says that the network still plans to go ahead with plans to air the Fallen Idols stand-alone Primetime Live special. Hosted by Primetime Live co-anchor John Quiqones, the program will air on Wednesday, May 4 at 10PM ET/PT.

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