Exclusive: Just because Paula Abdul isn’t on “American Idol” doesn’t mean she isn’t very much in demand. Two weeks ago Abdul was a guest host on “So You Think You Can Dance” on Fox. Her appearance didn’t move the ratings up, but she gave the show a shot of adrenaline it badly needed. Not only that: she actually knows something about dancing since she is a respected choreographer. Let’s not forget that she taught Madonna and Janet Jackson’s dancers a lot of their moves.
Now I’m told that Paula will return for three weeks in September as a judge again on “Dance.” She’ll judge the semi finals and finals with Nigel Lythgoe. Of course, Lythgoe was her boss on “Idol” and the two have remained tight. Lythgoe himself was bounced off of “Idol” at the end of this past season. Now the show is scrambling for judges.
I am also told that Simon Cowell tried to reunite with Abdul and Randy Jackson on the upcoming season of “The X Factor.” Sources say Fox–which has all these shows– didn’t mind. But producer Freemantle Media and 19 Entertainment did indeed object to Cowell, Abdul, and Jackson trying to replicate Idol’s golden days as the show is now sinking and could be facing its final season.
