Paula Abdul Needs to Buy a Clue

by Michele Cheplic | More from this Blogger

28 May 2008 04:19 PM

Honestly, I strive to think of people in the best light possible (which is not to say that I'm always successful) but when it comes to thinking highly of Paula Abdul the word "challenging" becomes a severe understatement.

In a previous blog I mentioned that Abdul secretly dreamed of and then made public her desire to compete on ABC's smash hit "Dancing with the Stars." Never mind that she is gainfully employed as a judge on Fox's "American Idol." (Though, how she remains so is still a mystery to me.)

Well, Abdul can put away her dancing shoes because her boss is making no bones about the fact that he will not allow the former choreographer rumba on a rival network.

"American Idol" executive producer Nigel Lythgoe recently told In Touch magazine that it would be a cold day in you know where before Abdul waltzes over to ABC while still under contract at "Idol."

"As far as I'm concerned, Paula is American Idol and our judge," Lythgoe told the magazine. "It's like asking Simon (Cowell) to sing. Why would I want that?"

Believe me there are probably more people that would tune in to see Cowell hit a high note than would watch Abdul shimmy and shake her stuff on national TV.

Always the gentleman Lythgoe added that his decision had nothing to do with Abdul's talent as a performer.

"It's not that Paula wouldn't be good at it," Lythgoe insisted. "She would be brilliant. But she was a dancer, so why would a dancer go on a dancing show? That doesn't seem fair to me!"

My point exactly.

Yet, for some unknown reason (or one that is not fit to print) Abdul just doesn't seem to get it. Even after the singer learned about her boss' remarks regarding her desire to appear on "Dancing with the Stars," Abdul still told reporters that she isn't giving up her dream just yet.

"I'm hypothetically thinking about it (Dancing with the Stars)," remarked Abdul. "I'd be honored. I want to wear the pretty dresses!"

Is this chick for real?

Honestly, Abdul is better off competing on "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire" and using her prize money to buy a clue.

Learn more about Michele Cheplic

Michele Cheplic was born and raised in Hilo, Hawaii, but now lives in Wisconsin. Michele graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in Journalism.

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Tristi Pinkston (10839) 29 May 2008 12:24 AM

I think it would be really unfair to have Paula on DWTS. She's got a dance background -- and the other celebrities don't. That's the reason for the show, to take people who don't know how to dance and teach them how. Besides, Paula has lots of pretty dresses!

Michele Cheplic (37445) 29 May 2008 02:54 AM

DWTS producers would be fools to put her on. What a joke!

Libby Pelham (12965) 29 May 2008 05:28 AM

I almost found it unfair to bring in Kristi Yamaguchi since she was a figure skater and I don't know ballroom dancing, but it seemed like there were many similarities and she seemed to do SO well.

Michele Cheplic (37445) 30 May 2008 06:02 AM

I think she won because of her work ethic, determination and flexibility. Plus I get the feeling that Kristi is just one of those people who exceeds at anything and everything... you know like the girls in high school you couldn't stand b/c they were just soooo perfect.

Libby Pelham (12965) 30 May 2008 07:17 AM

Yeah, but honestly, aren't all those characterstics needed to be a successful figure skater? And I would imagine you have to be careful about your form and how you look in both events. It just makes me wonder since there hasn't been a female champ since season 1... Oh Michele, she's so cute, you couldn't hate her! You'd want to in high school, but she'd just be so darn nice too - :-)