Could Paula Abdul thrive as a talk show host?

Paula Abdul needs some career advice. In the wake of her departure from American Idol, the sometime choreographer/occasional singer and QVC pitch woman has been rumored to be doing all kinds of TV projects. Most have turned out to be rumors and nothing more, but in an interview with TV Guide, Paula said there is a TV dream she covets. Paula Abdul would like to host a TV talk show.

I can't imagine a worse TV vehicle for Paula, especially the kind of talk show she envisions. She said, "It would be a lot of fun variety with a ton of unexpected stuff and tributes to everyday people getting their big chance."

That sounds perfectly cloying, especially if you assume that Paula will be pretty much herself, pretty much like she was on American Idol, which was uncritical, sweet, gentle and pleasantly unfocused.

None of those "qualities" would add up to a good talk show host. Even someone like Rachael Ray, whom I think is awful on her talk show (I like her a lot better on her Food Network programs), is engaged and energized. Paula's not. Even when Idol gave her a platform to promote herself last season, a solo spot to sing and dance, Paula didn't really rise to the occasion.

If I was advising Paula -- yes, me -- I would not recommend the talk show route. It's too much work and you have to be way too involved. Paula wouldn't want a daily show anyway. Idol wasn't really a daily grind and her appearances on QVC aren't, so you could imagine her saddled with a talk show and unable to keep up the pace.

Maybe the best type of show for Paula would be a variation on the old Ed Sullivan Show or Star Search, even if the latter would smack of being too much like Idol. I'd give her a taped show in which she can discover young talent and give them a showcase. That's what they could call it: Paula Abdul's Talent Showcase. You never know, it could be a hit.