Image Credit: Bob Charlotte/PR PhotosThis just in: Paula Abdul is straight up headed back to TV!
Sources confirm to me exclusively that the ex-American Idol judge is finalizing a deal to headline an updated version of Star Search, the great-granddaddy of all televised singing competitions, for ABC. Abdul’s role is still being defined, but I hear it will likely include some combination of hosting and judging. An ABC rep refused to comment.
The Alphabet network had been wooing Abdul since last summer when she officially announced her departure from Idol. There was talk of her joining Dancing With the Stars in some capacity, but a deal never came to fruition. It’s not clear if Abdul’s Star Search gig would preclude her from joining former colleague Simon Cowell as a judge on the forthcoming US version of his UK monster hit, The X Factor, which is slated to debut on Fox in the fall of 2011. (Star Search is being targeted for this summer.)
This isn’t the first time that Star Search, which premiered in 1983 with host Ed McMahon, has been resurrected from the TV bone pile. In 2003, CBS brought the show back with Arsenio Hall in an attempt to capitalize on the massive popularity of the then-new American Idol. The revival was axed in 2004.
Thoughts? Smart career move for Abdul? Or does this have dud written all over it? Weigh in below! (Additional reporting by Keith Staskiewicz)
I don’t think it’s such a good idea. I mean, the last failure was just 6 years ago. That’s yesterday in TV. People will still have the bad memories from the last singing-comp curse.
This will be a good idea if Andy Richter gets to host.
Not even Andy could save this. I hope he has much better career prospects than something like this.
I don’t even remember the star search reboot, so if a lot of people don’t remember it, I doubt that’ll be an issue. With that said, singing competitions aren’t for me.
Old title, new title, she knows music, dance and talent when she sees it. I say give her a shot at the venue. If she makes it, she can write her own ticket from there on; if not, then she sticks to performance and teaching and gets out of the limelight for a while. She can always come back to it later. She’d done it before.
Oh god.
I’m literally cringing everytime I read the word “reboot” is there no originality left in Hollywood and TV?
Sloppy seconds of a television singing competition? Just join Simon, Paula!
Technically, this would count as thirds. The show has been in the fridge for a couple days, and you’re mildly intoxicated and don’t want to cook a real meal. So you just go for the crap in the tupperware dish. Blech.
I have to go with this comment. Paula and Simon made a good match. Even if I’m in the minority, I thought Paula was a pretty good judge, except when she SEEMED to be impaired.
I just hope she’ll be free enough to work with Simon on X-Factor. I want that reunion to happen.
Good for her anyway.
Now THIS is gonna be a hit…NOT.
The year 1992.
More like the year 1987.
This is going to be amazing. I am so excited to see Paula back on TV and on what was one of my favorite shows. I am dying, I am so happy!!
You’re kidding right?
If Paula is doing it, it’s got to be HUGE. Trust me, this will be THE show of the summer!
Sounds like Paula is still upset about Ryan Seacrest’s 45 million dollar contract and wants to cash on possible big hosting bucks. I think she should just stick to judging with Simon instead of trying hosting duties. Sounds like a trainwreck!
Wouldn’t you be upset at a 45Mil deal? Anyway, she doesn’t strike me as the “host” type.
Coulnd’t agree more. Paula consistently appears to be under the influence of something, sadly, and behaves in a manner that would suggest significant impairment. Having 25 yrs in the music industry, I must say she does not come across as a credible judge of anything, her decisions on contestants seem to be based solely on personality and appearance. I have never heard her give even one clear, concise,professional level assessment of any contestant’s talent or potential. Kara does provide that kind of insider knowledge in her decisions, to contrast the differences between the two. Paula had a five minute bubblegum career. ( not trying to be ugly, just a fact).Several shows have been in talks with her ( So You Think You Can Dance, for example) and all ultimately decide not to sign her. Considering that her true background was in dance, it’s kinda shocking that the dance reality shows decline her. She isn’t credible, she isn’t professional and doesn’t belong sitting in a show business judging seat. Get someone who has the real cred to do that job. As for “re-booted” shows, puh-lease. Time for tv land to get an original idea and stop rummaging through the archives for an old money-maker they can dust off and re-vamp. BORING.
Welcome back Paula!!!! I LOVE Paula and I LOVE “Star Search”
I LOVE Paula and I LOVE Star Search. Welcome back, Paula!!!!
It’s a bad idea. She should just wait for Simon’s show. She would be in danger of over exposing herself in too similar a format. On the other hand, if she’s out of consideration for the X-factor, then she should do it. even though I remember Star Search as one of the most boring shows on TV.
Yes she should wait for X-factor. Don’t the judges take the contestants under their wings and mentor them through the competition? I think that would be a good style for Paula who cared about the contestants more than the other judges. She can work not only on their musicality, but their style and dance moves.
If Simon is so important, why are “Idol’s” ratings down? You all want her to do a show and be his second fiddle again when it’s clear she was the star??
Ha ha! I don’t think Paula was the star of Idol. I think its the contestants and Simon that keeps people tuning in. 20 million viewers still ain’t too shabby.
Ratings are down… yet it still makes more money than any other show on TV. BY A MILE.
Reason she was “the star” per se, was because she was so fun to watch how trashed or loopy she might be each week and hear what she would say!! Sorry, that’s not a star…that’s just free, pure entertainment Q!!
Stupid move on Paula’s part. It didn’t make it the last time. Can’t imagine it will make it this time. There’s already going to be Simon’s X-Factor which I think more people will watch.