Paula gets her own show

By Michael Starr
The New York Post
5/25/2010

Paula Abdul’s TV’s exile has ended.

The former “American Idol” judge will host a new talent show on CBS called “Got To Dance,” based on a UK hit and set for a midseason launch next year.

That means Abdul will be competing directly against “Idol” — which Fox still hasn’t renewed for next season.

It also leaves open the possibility that she could reunite with “Idol” pal Simon Cowell later next year on “The X Factor,” the American version of his British hit launching on Fox in September 2011.

Cowell has made no secret of his desire to work with Abdul again, and told Oprah Winfrey last week he attributes part of “Idol’s” ratings dropoff this season to Abdul’s departure.

Both CBS execs and Abdul’s camp were tight-lipped yesterday about whether her “Got To Dance” deal would allow her to work with Cowell.

Abdul, who reportedly turned down ABC’s offer to appear on “Dancing With the Stars” this season, will executive-produce “Got To Dance,” in addition to being a “creative partner, mentor, coach and lead judge” of the show, according to CBS.

“Dance,” which premiered earlier this year to big numbers on Britain’s Sky 1 (a pay TV channel), is a competition show in which dancers of all ages and styles compete.

“I’ve spent the better part of my life teaching, mentoring, nurturing — working with so many talented people — and I consider myself truly blessed to be able to continue to do something that I hold so dear to my heart,” Abdul said in a statement yesterday.