Words I'd once never thought to hear in the same sentence: "Paula Abdul" and "independent counsel."

And yet here we are in Peter Liguori's first-ever session with TV critics as Fox entertainment president, and most of the questions so far have been about Abdul. He's assuring us that the network's going to get to the bottom of the allegations that Paula Abdul had a sexual relationship with an "American Idol" contestant while he was on the show.

And, yes, the network and "Idol" producers have hired an "independent counsel."

And, no, it's not Kenneth Starr.

Liguori, who won't discuss any of the details of the investigation, including the identity of the independent counsel -- other than that he or she is "not someone of major notoriety" -- said the investigation into Corey Clark's allegations "is winding down."

But insisting that Fox takes the investigation seriously, Liguori says he doesn't want it hampered by "Idol's" production schedule, which has auditions beginning on Aug. 18.

It's possible that in the early stages of the auditions, Abdul might be replaced by a guest judge, he indicated.

That said, he apparently doesn't see any problem with adding Abdul to "So You Think You Can Dance," noting that her background as a dancer made her a "natural."

In a post-press conference scrum, Liguori confirmed that the independent counsel, who's dealt, among other things, with corporate cases of sexual harassment, has no subpoena power, this not being a criminal investigation, and it wasn't immediately clear from what he said if there would be penalties for lying.

As to what Abdul's told the counsel, "some allegations were denied," he said carefully.