Star Search: Paula Abdul Coming Back to Reality TV?

Ever since Paula Abdul left American Idol last year, there’s been rampant speculation about the performer joining one of the other reality competition series — Dancing with the Stars, So You Think You Can Dance, and FOX’s upcoming The X Factor.

It looks like a show is in Abdul’s future but it may be one that no one suspected. Abdul is reportedly in talks with ABC to headline a new version of Star Search.

The original Star Search ran for a dozen years in syndication, from 1983 until 1995. Hosted by Ed McMahon, the series pitted pairs (typically a champion and a challenger) of vocalists, spokesmodels, comedians, dancers, and singing groups against one another. An episode’s winner would return the following week and, if someone won several weeks, they’d move on to champion rounds.

The series helped launch the careers of stars like Linda Eder, Rosie O’Donnell, Sinbad, Christina Aguilera, Britany Spears, and Justin Timberlake.

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When American Idol became so popular, Star Search returned to television on CBS in 2003 with Arsenio Hall as the host. It lasted for just two seasons.

Now, Hall’s former girlfriend, Abdul, may headline a new version of Star Search for ABC. The alphabet network has apparently been trying to make a deal with Abdul since last year when there was some talk of her joining Dancing with the Stars. That didn’t work out but this one may.

Simon Cowell has hinted that he wants Abdul to join him at the judges’ table on the US version of his UK hit, The X Factor. It’s not clear if hosting Star Search would prevent her from taking part on that show when it debuts next fall.

What do you think? Would you watch Abdul on a new incarnation of Star Search? Did you watch the original?

UPDATE: Abdul apparently turned the offer down. It remains to be seen if ABC will move forward with the series anyway.