After months of rumors surrounding Paula Abdul’s next move after leaving “American Idol” last year, the former dancer and choreographer will return to the judges’ table as part of a new primetime talent show on CBS.
According to the Hollywood Reporter, Abdul will be lead judge, executive producer, creative partner, mentor and coach on “Got to Dance,” a series from ShineReveille based on the U.K. hit.
The show is billed as broadcast’s first all-ages, all-genres dance series — “from ballroom to break dance, bhangra to ballet, and tap to tango.” Acts will compete for a panel of judges, with viewers getting to vote for their favorites during the semifinals and finals.
Her addition to CBS follows a number of rumors about where the one-time pop star would end up since announcing via Twitter last year that she was leaving “American Idol.” Networks have been courting Abdul for an array of unscripted projects.
In January, ABC made her an offer to appear on “Dancing With the Stars,” and Fox reportedly has eyed her for Simon Cowell’s 2011 singing-competition show “The X Factor.”
CBS greenlighted “Got to Dance” back in March, and Abdul had always been the network’s top choice to serve as a judge.
The network, which is expected to make an official announcement about the show later today, will likely air “Got to Dance” midseason, raising the possibility of Abdul’s new show competing directly against “Idol.” Next year will be the first time that “Idol” won’t have Cowell.
The British version of “Dance” debuted this year on Sky 1 and became one of the country’s top-rated premium-network series. The series is a Shine Group format, created by Princess Prods. and Shine TV and produced by Reveille. Abdul, Elisabeth Murdoch, Howard T. Owens, Mark Koops and Robin Ashbrook are executive producers
