Paula Abdul

Paula Abdul returns to the medium that made her both a household name and a running joke this week: reality television.

The former American Idol judge will take on a similar role on Live to Dance, which premieres tomorrow night on CBS. In preparation for the series, Abdul spoke to Julie Chen yesterday and aimed to correct her image.

"I am intelligent," Abdul said, smiling. "Having a brain, that's a concept, yes, with Paula Abdul. I have a brain."

Abdul admits she can be "goofy," but shoots down any talk that her on-screen behavior is relate to any substance.

"I've never had a drinking problem. Even though I've been in this business for quite some time, I've never physically been drunk in my life. I've never been drunk in my life. I don't use recreational drugs."

Paula Abdul is almost back, reality TV fans.

After walking away from American Idol about 18 months ago, the beloved/loopy judge is back with Live to Dance, a CBS competition that premieres on January 4. She tells TV Guide the program, previewed below, is "about celebration."

Live to Dance Promo

"It's about celebrating acts that move forward as opposed to who's going home," Abdul told the publication. "We're the only show that has all ages. You could be a soloist, duo or group of any size. There are some acts that came in with 50 people! And I don't try to take them out of their element and do routines in a style they've never done before."

Abdul will be joined on the Live to Dance judging table by Kimberly Wyatt and Travis Payne, while the singer also says there will be 90-foot "Dance Domes" under which contestants will perform.

Paula Abdul may be gone from the American Idol judging table, but her influence on pop music remains.

In the latest example of a current artist either honoring the past or disparaging it (you decide!), Vampire Diaries star Katerina Graham has remade Abdul's classic single, "Cold Hearted Snake."

Check out the singer's original music video for it HERE and then watch Graham in action. Whose version do you prefer?

Cold Hearted Snake Remake

Nigel Lythgoe may be back as the producer of American Idol, and he may openly desire Paula Abdul as a judge on the show, but this isn't going to happen.

The singer is under contract with CBS for a new show titled Got to Dance.

But Abdul did speak to TV Guide this week about her former home and answered questions about its judging predicament. Excerpts follow...

On Lythgoe: I have the utmost respect for Nigel. Him going back to American Idol  is in many ways a very big blessing. He's a wonderful producer and I'm taken by the kind words he had to say. I have tremendous respect for him.

On her Idol experience: I'll always be a fan of the show. I had an amazing time. To be part of something from the very beginning that grew into such a worldwide phenomenon is really awe-inspiring. It's going to go down in history. It's always wonderful to be part of something that's larger than you could have ever imagined.

Should Randy Jackson remain as a judge? I read this is Randy's last year under contract. I think it's important for people to have familiarity with someone. I haven't been able to ask Randy what it feels like, because it's not the time to ask him. Randy is a great guy - he really is. Everyone loves Randy!

On the Jennifer Lopez/Steven Tyler rumors: That's the legacy of the show that I get to feel a part of. It's a show that's going to go down in history. I'm just honored and blessed that I get to be a part of it. It has certainly allowed for so many wonderful times.

Hmmm... avoiding that question, Paula? Let's turn it over to THG readers: Do you wanna see J. Lo and Tyler as American Idol judges?

Bret Michaels has laid out the reasons why he should be the next judge on American Idol.

But there's one person he doesn't need to convince, and she's someone who knows a lot about the gig: Paula Abdul.

"If he were to take that position I think he would be awesome at it because you've got to have a passion and love for music," Abdul told Us Weekly. "It takes somebody who really, really understands young people to try to make the magic happen in those 30 seconds. [Bret] would fit the mold perfectly."

That said, Paula says no one will ever be able to truly replace Simon Cowell.

"Honestly, the word replacement to me does not apply because, as we all know, they broke the mold after Simon. I don't think he could ever be replaced," she said. "There should be no comparison."

It's true, but it's still an important question: Should Bret Michaels be the next American Idol judge?

Not all viewers believe this season of American Idol has been a bore.

But we can all agree on one thing: it's been far less nutty than seasons past.

That's because Paula Abdul couldn't reach a new contract with Fox last August and walked away from the show. However, there's good news on the slightly insane judge front: Abdul is returning to reality TV!

She'll serve as producer and lead judge on Got to Dance, a CBS competition that premieres in early 2010. According to a press release, the series will cover everything from “ballroom to break dance, bhangra to ballet, and tap to tango."

Rambling, incoherent critiques and a lot of comments on the contestants' outfits? Don't worry: Paula will have all that covered, too.

American Idol got a much-needed shot of adrenaline and entertainment this week, when Adam Lambert returned to the stage that made him famous.

But ratings for season nine have plummeted, along with its enterainment value and overall talent level (no offense, Crystal Bowersox).

Especially because it will be competing with Simon Cowell's The X Factor next year, the series needs to do something, it needs some kind of savior, it needs... Paula Abdul?

Sources tell the latest issue of In Touch Weekly that "it's a huge secret, but American Idol producers might be trying to woo Paula Abdul back to the struggling show."

Compared to when Paula was on the panel, viewership has fallen by approximately six million this season. That may have a lot to do with a lackluster set of finalists, of course, most of whom are the same type of singer.

But with Simon departing, “they want Paula back,” an insider tells the tabloid. “They’re not sure if she’d be the fifth judge, but they are talking to her. People tuned in to see Paula’s wacky antics and her chemistry with Simon. The show is just not as much fun to watch without her.”

Do you agree? Do you wanna see Abdul return to Idol?

Paula Abdul may be insane. As in actually not of sound mind.

As week ago, we were talking about her hosting Star Search. That sounded like a good fit for the former American Idol judge, but she turned it down.

To host a new reality show based around flash mob dancing.

Seriously. EW sources confirm that the project, which is being produced by the folks behind The Biggest Loser, would feature Abdul and dancing god Kenny Ortega (High School Musical, This Is It) choreographing mass dances in public locations.

Try to refrain from laughing out loud if you're at work now. An NBC insider stresses that a deal is far from done, of course, so she could still flake.

We sort of hope for her sake that she does.

Paula Abdul may want to reach out and grab some common sense if she is seriously considering this new career "opportunity." [Photo: PacificCoastNewsOnline.com]

Former American Idol judge Paula Abdul is said to be "finalizing a deal" to star in a new version of Star Search, the '80s-era talent show hosted by Ed McMahon.

Hope her contract includes open bar.

Slated for Summer 2010, the Star Search reboot is said to feature Abdul serving as a combination judge and host, although details are still being worked out.

ABC, which is said to be developing the show, did not comment to Entertainment Weekly, which first reported the news about the recently departed Idol staple.

Is Paula Abdul nearing a return to reality TV?

Rumors suggesting Paula was headed for Dancing With the Stars as well as Idol frenemy Simon Cowell's upcoming X Factor series have also circulated recently.

The original Star Search wasn't just for singers: actors, comedians and models vied to win the competition. So basically, it's like Britain's / America's Got Talent.

One alum of the long-running show: Britney Spears.

What do you think of a revamped Star Search and the idea of Paula on board? Do we really need more shows like this - and is she the right person to host one?

All of a sudden, crazy is in crazy demand.

Paula Abdul is reportedly fielding a major offer from ABC. It comes with many zeroes attached to it, but one major catch:

TMZ reports the network has told Abdul it will give her a $1 million development deal... as long as she appears on this season of Dancing with the Stars.

For whatever reason, ABC wants Paula so badly it would still allow her to judge The X Factor with Simon Cowell on Fox, as those two met a week ago to discuss pairing up again on that upcoming show.

But, again, this deal is contingent on Abdul taking part on the new edition of Dancing with the Stars, which kicks off in March. It's not the first time she's been considered for the competition.

Our reaction to both parts of this rumor? First, does The X Factor really wish to replicate two judges from American Idol? Secondly, how can Abdul possibly be allowed to compete on Dancing with the Stars?!?

She's made her living as a choreographer. That would be akin to asking the THG staff to take part in Celebrity Blogging with the Stars. We wouldn't feel right doing it.