After 'Idol,' Paula Abdul Could Land on Another Judges' Panel

Is Paula Abdul, "the kindest" of the "Idol" judges, heading for a new show?

ByABC News via logo
August 10, 2009, 7:31 AM

Aug. 10, 2009 — -- Less than a week after announcing she was quitting Fox's "American Idol," award-winning choreographer, and ever-controversial Paula Abdul could be heading to another TV dance show.

The ex- "Idol" judge with eight seasons under her belt is reportedly a big fan of ABC's "Dancing With the Stars" and ABC's entertainment president Steve McPherson said the show would "love" to have her.

"Absolutely. I would love that," McPherson said Saturday at the Television Critics Association summer press tour, according to a story in People magazine. "I was a little stunned by the decision, and we would love to have her on 'Dancing.'... There's a sensitivity and an empathy that balances out 'Idol,' and we'd love to get a piece of that."

"Dancing With the Stars" host Tom Bergeron told "Good Morning America" that he's been lobbying hard on Abdul's behalf within ABC.

"She'd really like to do it," Bergeron said. "I have pressed the case all the way up and down the ABC bureaucratic ladder. And I think it would be fascinating."

But ABC is not the only network interested. Last week executive producer Nigel Lythgoe of Fox's "So You Think You Can Dance" said the show was also courting Abdul.

"I don't know anybody who has had her experience being a dancer, choreographer and a judge," Lythgoe said. "I asked if she would be available."

While Abdul has been noncommittal concerning her future, in an April interview with ABC News' "Nightline" she appeared confident.

"Don't bet against me," she said, "because the most powerful kryptonite I possess is the connection with the people."