It's still a couple of weeks before new judges Steven Tyler and Jennifer Lopez show up on Fox's American Idol, and before Piers Morgan, familiar as both a judge on NBC's America's Got Talent and a winner of the same network's Celebrity Apprentice, fills Larry King's interview chair on CNN. But another familiar TV judge can be judged tonight at 8 ET on CBS, when the new Live to Dance series showcases, yes, Paula Abdul...
On Fox's American Idol, Abdul unquestionably was part of the show's initial success -- and, playing and flirting with caustic fellow judge Simon Cowell, part of the show's undeniable, and definitely unpredictable, chemistry. But now, on Idol, not only are they both gone, but so are the two new judges introduced in recent seasons. The only holdover is Randy Jackson, who will have to step up his game considerably, and widen his vocabulary, if he's not to be trampled by the new folks.
As for Morgan, who knows? He won Celebrity Apprentice precisely because everyone underestimated him, and he was more cunning and intelligent than most people thought, so I don't count him out. Besides, replacing Larry King may be replacing an icon in a popularity and celebrity sense -- but in terms of stepping in as an interviewer, it's almost impossible not to outdo King's infamous "What, me prepare?" approach.
But for now, we have the return of Paul Abdul. The latest return, actually, because she's already added to her far-from-Idol resume by starring in Hey Paula (her own widely, and wisely, ignored reality series), being a recurring guest judge on Drop Dead Diva, and serving as a correspondent on Entertainment Tonight. ('But enough about you, let's talk about me...')
In CBS's Live to Dance, she serves as both mentor and head judge. Other judges are Travis Payne and Kimberly Wyatt, and the host is Andrew Gunsberg. (Me, either. Not a single one.) Her enthusiasm for dance, and empathy for the contestants, is a given -- but will her Gracie Allen act work without Simon Cowell's sour George Burns?
And with a show televised on the same night as Fox's Glee, will there be enough song-and-dance lovers to go around? Even though American Idol no longer airs on Tuesdays, Glee does -- as does NBC's Biggest Loser, which, astoundingly, starts its 11th cycle tonight. After the initial curiosity tune-in factor is over, Paula Abdul could end up as the night's biggest loser herself.
What do YOU think? Does the return of Judge Abdul interest you at all? And, if you decide to watch the show, what's your opinion afterward?