Nigel Lythgoe really was serious about wanting to work with Paula Abdul again. Lythgoe used to be executive producer on American Idol, before he left to devote his full attention to So YouThink You Can Dance. This upcoming week, they'll be filming "Vegas Week" for the upcoming fall season six of the hit summer series.But before that starts, Lythgoe has invited Paula Abdul to fly down to Vegas this weekend so they can talk about her possibly becoming a part of the show. He'd love to have her, of course, "If I can afford her," he says. The question becomes: was it the money over at Idol, or the fact that she felt disrespected?
As to what capacity Abdul could be involved in the show as it takes Idol's time slots in the fall, she could be very involved. Hell, if they agree to things quickly, she could be a part of the judging panel for "Vegas Week," meaning she'd only have missed the initial auditions, and she could certainly join the choreographer pool immediately.
If Lythgoe can get her, it would be a pretty big move for the show, FOX and Abdul. With Dance trying to prove it can hack it with the big boys in the fall season this year, having such a high profile personality who's been on the number one show on television join your roster of judges doesn't hurt. I imagine a ton of Idol and Abdul fans would tune in at least once to see how she's doing in her new digs.
It's a win for FOX because it keeps her on the same network, in essentially the same time slot, so the network can at least somewhat appear as if they were loyal to her. And it's a win for Abdul, because it's a perfect fit for her talents, and there's no better time to join the hit reality show than when it's making a high profile move of its own. Now it could be new season, new judge, new choreographer.
I'd imagine they'd have to offer her a permanent seat on the panel next to Nigel Lythgoe and Mary Murphy. And, to be able to properly market her addition to the show for the greatest impact, that would be the right move. I have mixed feelings about whether I would still want the rotating chair for other choreographers to comment, because about half of them offer good criticism while the other half are just crap. Of course, that also sums up Paula's track record.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
8-06-2009 @ 1:34PM
rebecca majeski said...
Please, deliver me from Paula Abdul being on SYTYCD. So far they have had professionals as judges. I would not consider Paula in the same category with Mia Michaels, Adam Shankman, et al. Yes, she has been a dancer, but she is not the caliber of the choreographers on this show. Let her have a seat in the audience, but please do not let her participate as a judge and comment or critique on anything.
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8-06-2009 @ 1:39PM
Anita said...
Actually I disagree. Paula was a choreographer before she became a singer. She choreographed for Janet Jackson and also for the academy awards for several years. Plus, the choreography at the height of her career was amazing. Although I critique El Abdul, I think she's better suited to dancing than singing -
8-06-2009 @ 2:51PM
justelise said...
Paula Abdul choreographed the Laker girls AND she did all of Janet Jackson's choreography for years. She's got more credits as a choreographer than some of the current choreographers on SYTYCD. She was wildly successful as a dancer and choreographer before she ever thought about singing.
8-06-2009 @ 3:40PM
Anita said...
Hmm, you're right, JE. I just looked up Andy Shankman's bio. Evidently Abdul hired him as a back up dancer for one of her videos and to get his first choreo job he pretended he was her choreographer.
8-06-2009 @ 4:51PM
RobynM said...
Oh please. I'd watch Paula over Mia any day of the week and twice on Sunday. Mia seriously rubs me the wrong way whenever she opens her mouth, and I'm not all that impressed with her as a choreographer either.
8-06-2009 @ 8:47PM
lauren said...
Paula Abdul not in the same league of choreographers as Mia Michaels?? LOL!! Are you from another planet or just 12 or 13 years old. Paula, at one point, was the most famous choreographer on the face of the Earth. She could hold her own against Mia Michaels with her eyes closed, ears plugged and both hands and legs tied behind her back. Give me a break!!
8-06-2009 @ 9:27PM
IRA said...
PAULA, YOU SHOULD TAKE THE NEW JOB AND DO A GREAT SHOW PROVING TO THE CHAUVINISTS AT IDOL THAT YOU WERE TOO GOOD FOR THEM
8-07-2009 @ 1:05AM
lexi panico said...
Paula is amazing, I find her humorous.
I am 15 years old, and I love watching Paula. Ryan on the other hand is not as entertaining, he bickers with Simon assuming he's charming. When really, dude Sycrest, grow up. Any way, Paula deserves more money then Sycrest she is more entertaining.
8-07-2009 @ 5:25AM
aihaa said...
You're kidding right? Paul is not in the same league or have the same kind of credentials as the other choreographers? You need to do a littel research on what Paula has achieved - her awards and recognitions she has received. Beieve me, she's much more than former dancer . . .
8-06-2009 @ 2:47PM
Harold Love said...
Well, if she felt dissed by FOX how would this change that unless they offered her a lot of money which they already decided not to do.
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8-06-2009 @ 1:36PM
Anita said...
I think it's a win, but Idol's final offer to Paula was $5 mil. I doubt SYTYCD even offers its judges over 500k. Plus, Paula's personality seemed a unique part of the Idol mixture, which I don't know if it'll translate to SYTYCD, although her skills will. Oddly, Paula could've done both SYTYCD and Idol together. And, that probably would've helped to raise her Idol salary -
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8-06-2009 @ 1:39PM
Ryan said...
LAME!
SYTYCD was a better show than American Idol because of a few things. One of those things was Paula Abdul NOT being on the show.
Please DO NOT DO THIS! A guest choreographer once or twice a season, I can take. Her judging? PLEASE GOD NO.
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8-06-2009 @ 8:15PM
CONNIE said...
what a shame about paula not being on idol again. she & simon make the show. she has the nicest attitude and is so kind. it is a big mistake not to have her on. the show will never be the same !!
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8-06-2009 @ 8:23PM
Caroline said...
I think "Idol" has lost it's mind---giving Seacrest that HUGE salary $45M, and everyone knows Simon wouldn't work for peanuts, so where does that leave the Lady, the sweet. the heart and soul of the singers, after they have been bashed by Randy and Simon. I think "Idol" without Paula will be like a Day Without Sunshine! Many have voted they will not watch if Paula doesn't return. Nigel is making a smart move, and she does have more experience and respect in the world of dance than you are giving her credit for. I say- Go Paula, and if you can, make it double dipping by working on both shows, with double last years salary for each show!
That will make me very happy and proud.
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8-06-2009 @ 9:26PM
TheFeyNan said...
@Caroline. I totally agree with your comment. The show will not be the same without Paula, I was suspicious when they brought Kara on last year. I think Kara is a talented woman also...but without Paula, I am not watching Idol. As the ole saying goes "we were hanging out around the water cooler today" and 4 out of 5 said the same thing. Plus, I don't know who could top our 2nd place winner anyway, we now have the "World Idol", Simon spoke of this past season...Adam Lambert...Good Luck AI your ratings were already dropping, And to Paula, You Go Gurl!!!!
8-06-2009 @ 8:50PM
Lauren said...
why do you think Nigel is so hot to get her on the show. He likes and respects her and knows she's the most qualified to do the show. The choreographers on SYTYCD are all fantastic. They come up with great routines... just watch what Paula will come up with. She'll fit right in.
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8-06-2009 @ 9:12PM
Myshiloh said...
Paula knows dance and the very atmosphere of SYTYCD is different from Idol. She loves dance and choreography, so while she might not be quite the expert others are on the panel. I'd take Paula and her rambling over Mary's screaming anyday, to be honest. But I'm for just adding her...as well as continuing to have guest choreographers/dancers each week too. Nigel has wanted her for a long while - that's not for nothing.
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8-06-2009 @ 9:41PM
A.D.D. said...
Next gig will be http://americashottestanchorwoman.com
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8-06-2009 @ 10:10PM
PAULA FAN ALWAYS said...
AMERICAN IDOL WILL "NOT" BE THE SAME IF PAULA DOES NOT RETURN!! SHE STARTED WITH THE SHOW!! SHE IS THE "REAL HEART" OF THE SHOW!! LOVE HER OR HATE HER, WE ALL LOVE TO WATCH HER!! YES, SHE MAY HAVE BEEN A CHOREOGRAPHER 1STUT SHE WAS ALSO A WONDERFUL SINGER AND SHE IS GOOD AT WHAT SHE DOES!! NO ONE AND I MEAN NO ONE LIKES KARA!! (if thats even how you spell her name, who cares) KARA'S A FAME SEEKING *ITCH!!!!( WHO CAN NOT (NOT) SING!!!!!!!!!!!! SHE IS NOT PAULA AND AMERICA DOES NOT LOVE HER!! WE ALL LOVE PAULA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! PLEASE BRING HER BACK TO IDOL!! OR JUST CANCEL THE SHOW BECAUSE IT WILL "NOT" MAKE IT WITHOUT HER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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8-06-2009 @ 9:59PM
AARON said...
PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE JOIN THE SHOW PAULA!!!
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