paula abdul

Welcome back, Paula!

Fox's much-anticipated reality competition show, 'The X Factor,' is taping its first episodes of judged auditions today in Los Angeles, and luckily we now know that the judges panel will include Paula Abdul.

Rumors have been swirling -- even up until a few hours ago -- that Abdul's deal was still not finalized. We all know the show must go on (and that contract debates had a hand in her 'Idol' departure), but a Paula-less 'X Factor'? After months and months of speculation? No thanks.

Abdul joined fellow judges Cheryl Cole, L.A. Reid and her old 'Idol' pal Simon Cowell on stage today, officially confirming her role on the show and her reunion with Cowell.

If Simon Cowell gets his way, the judging panel for Fox's 'X Factor' will look like this: Cowell, L.A. Reid, Cheryl Cole and Paula Abdul. Yep, Simon wants Paula back.

In an interview with Deadline, Cowell revealed his panel hopes but was sure to point out that negotiations with Abdul, his former 'American Idol' panelist, have yet to begin.

"I've always wanted Paula," Cowell told Nikki Finke. "Always been very vocal about that. I missed her the second she left the show. Always loved working with her even though she can be a pain. And I've been consistent about this. I don't know what it is about her, but I've always clicked with her ... I think there's a good chance it will be her. We've agreed that we would meet as many people as possible, and now we're reaching the deadline we've got to make the decision soon. But I think she's got a really good shot."

Former 'American Idol' judge Paula Abdul described her relationship with Simon Cowell as "tumultuous" on 'The Ellen DeGeneres Show' (weekdays, syndicated). But Abdul took things a step further by comparing Cowell to "fungus" that just won't go away.

When asked to describe her dealings with the notoriously cranky Cowell, Abdul replied, "Very tumultuous. Definitely love/hate in the sense that -- actually, when we're on the hating side, I will cross the street and walk on the other side. I avoid him like the plague."

Simon Cowell continues to be cagey regarding final selection for the 'X Factor' judges panel. He did, however, reveal the names of possible judges and those who definitely aren't being considered on 'Access Hollywood Live' (weekdays, syndicated).

Cowell said that George Michael, Nicole Scherzinger, Mariah Carey and Paula Abdul are possibilities, but that Christina Aguilera and Katy Perry are not. He also said that Elton John is absolutely not in the running "He's so grumpy nowadays. He'd just be moaning the whole time," said Cowell.

Look, we wanted Paula Abdul to succeed with that dancing show of hers. We really did.

But now that TV Line is reporting that 'Live to Dance' is as good as dunzo after finishing its first season this week, we can't help but enjoy that feeling of relief washing over our bodies at this very moment. Why?

Because Paula's now free to join Simon Cowell's 'The X Factor,' obviously.

Simon Cowell's new singing talent show 'The X Factor' doesn't hit TV until the fall, but there's already buzz brewing about whether former 'Idol' judge Paula Abdul might rejoin him on the judge's panel. Cowell and Abdul were both on 'Access Hollywood Live' (Weekdays, Syndicated on NBC) today, and while they didn't appear on camera together, it was obvious they were both dancing around the recent rumors.

Cowell reported that no 'X Factor' judges have been officially signed yet. When asked about Abdul, he said, "She's in the mix, but, you know, a lot of people are in there."

As Simon was being interviewed, the camera cut to Abdul backstage as she placed electrical tape over his mouth on a TV screen. And when it was Paula's turn in the interview chair, the discussion quickly turned back to her British frenemy.

If Paula Abdul is headed to Simon Cowell's 'The X Factor', she's feigning ignorance. On 'The Tonight Show' (weeknights, 11:35PM ET on NBC), Jay Leno first asked whether she missed working with him as an 'American Idol' judge. "Of course, I miss everybody," she said diplomatically.

"The rumor is you guys might work together again," Leno nudged. She was speechless. The host added, "Is this the first you've heard of it?" Abdul replied, "Yeah," and then clarified: "He always talks to me about, 'We will work together somehow, some way.'" Meaning...?

'Live to Dance,' the "feel good" dance show headlined by lead panelist Paula Abdul, has everything a reality competition series needs to succeed -- colorful characters, lively performances, a trio of judges, a personable host and eliminations.

But can the CBS program, which airs Wednesdays at 8PM ET, now in its second week, succeed without "showmances," bickering judges, paddles with the number "3" on them, big red "X's" and other staples that we've come to expect on similar programs?

Abdul is counting on it.

The former 'American Idol' judge, who sat next to Simon Cowell for years as the Brit brutally told aspiring singers that they sucked exactly what he felt, told TV Squad she's taking a softer approach with 'Live to Dance' contestants.

In Craig Ferguson's attempt to ask Paula Abdul about her reality competition show, 'Live to Dance,' the host of 'The Late Late Show' (weeknights, 12:37AM ET on CBS) stumbled onto some copyright issues. "Have you got three judges like on 'American Idol'?" he asked. She placed her hand on his as if to stop him and said, "We're experts. You're not allowed to say judges."

Ferguson altered his question: "Have you got three experts like on an unnamed copyright show that's got no relation to this one? ... And do you have a mean one from another country?" Abdul replied, "There's only one of those."

Paula Abdul's new CBS series 'Live to Dance' debuted to decent ratings, pulling in 10.6 million viewers in its 8PM premiere.

According to TVBytheNumbers, the new reality dance competition was seen by 10 million viewers at 9PM. The series pulled in 2.4 million viewers in the 18-49 demographic, a number similar to what canceled sitcoms 'The New Adventures of Old Christine' and 'Gary Unmarried' did in the same timeslot.

Over on NBC, 'The Biggest Loser: Couples' was down in the 18-49 demographic compared to a year ago, with 3.3 million of those viewers. The two-hour premiere was seen by a total of 8.2 million total viewers at 8PM and 9.4 million at 9PM.

['Live to Dance' - 'Auditions #1' & 'Auditions #2']

Welcome to the latest slice of reality TV, CBS's 'Live to Dance,' a sort of 'America's Got Talent' for dancers only. But more than a show about talent and dancing, there was a lot of star style because CBS made this the Paula Abdul show.

Paula, finally landing somewhere after Fox's 'American Idol,' is not just a judge on 'Live to Dance,' she's also a mentor.

In essence this is a platform for Paula, and unlike her disastrous Bravo reality show, 'Hey Paula,' for the most part she's in her element here. She gets to be sparkly and cloying, spouting platitudes and clichés about passion and inspiration.

Former 'American Idol' judge Paula Abdul appeared on 'The Early Show' (weekdays, 7AM ET on CBS) to promote her new reality show competition 'Live to Dance,' which is set to premiere tonight. According to Abdul, the show gives her the ability to be as nurturing to contestants as she wants.

Paula Abdul may have gone on 'The Late Show' (Weeknights, 11:35PM on CBS) to talk about her upcoming reality show 'Live to Dance, debuting Tuesday, January 4, but David Letterman had other ideas. He wasn't going to let her get out of there without talking at least a little about her old foe, Mr. Simon Cowell.

Letterman asked Abdul where Cowell was and what he was doing, and didn't seem to pick up on the fact that she was either slightly annoyed by the time he was taking to talk about a guy she has no professional relationship with right now, or she was being cagey on purpose.

She kept indicating that he'd be in the states soon, having just wrapped the most recent season of 'The X-Factor' in the UK.

"Where we follow him around while he picks out sweaters," Letterman said.

Besides a bunch of close-ups on Paula Abdul, here is a list of things you will see in the new promo for CBS's 'Live to Dance': old ladies in pink camoflauge pants, shirtless dudes in skirts, some creepy grey doll people, various tuxedo jackets and a grown woman in a bathing suit with a prop tricycle.

The most important thing to come from this clip is the realization that the new dance competition will not suffer from a lack of freakshow contestants. Also, sometimes you don't know how much you need Paula Abdul judging people on television until she's gone, then she returns on a ridiculous new show with a former Pussycat Doll and a dance troupe who decided the "dusty Dickensian zombie" look would be a good idea.

'American Idol' has continued slipping in the ratings, and now its undergoing a near complete judging overhaul this season. 'Whatever With Alexis and Jennifer' (Weekdays, Syndicated) had Paula Abdul on their show, the first judge let go that kind of started this cannonball rolling.

When asked if she felt somewhat vindicated now, Abdul admitted, "Yeah, I do."

"The thing is that people think it's very simple and easy to fill spots that have become warm and endearing to people," Abdul explained. "I was there for the contestants. I really was. When you stick in the business and you stick to it and you hang in there and you ride the wave, people will vehemently oppose you ... But you hang in long enough and it all kind of washes itself out."