Paula’s Next Move: Viva Las Vegas!

After weeks of speculation as to what a Paula Abdul post-Idol career would look like, a picture is starting to emerge: Vegas and a talk show.

The disgruntled ex-judge confirmed to “Access Hollywood” that she’s in the midst of discussions that will see her take to the Vegas stage.

“That will be more . . . really announced later, when everything’s worked [out],” she said. “It’s going to happen, but the details have yet to be ironed out.”
She also mentioned that Nigel Lythgoe has extended a former offer to appear on “So You Think You Can Dance,” in what will apparently be some kind of guest judge capacity. “Nigel has offered… I don’t know yet,” Paula muttered. “I’m a big fan of the show. It’s fantastic, and I wouldn’t be surprised if I maybe came in and guest judged, but I don’t know the details of any of that.”
“I’ve heard from everyone and I love them all,” she said. “I wish them absolutely best. And we check in on each other and see how everything is going. It’s been great.”
When asked whether she’d like to host her own talk show, she gushed, “Absolutely. I definitely want to do a talk show because it would be different . . . since there is talk about me possibly doing one I don't want to give the goodies away. I'd be Paula. It would be a lot of fun variety with a ton of unexpected stuff and tributes to everyday people getting their big chance.”

Having seen a zillion failed talk shows come and go, I don’t hold out a lot of hope for a successful run for “The Paula Abdul Show.” Vegas, though, that’s another matter.

Frankly, I think Paula could do extremelyt well in Sin City. Vegas is a town where Bette Midler and Elton John and Cher and even Donny and Marie rake in millions for their respective shows. Vegas is also a weird kind of alternate universe where Carrot Top is a major draw, Rita Rudner has been named “Las Vegas Comedian of the Year” for five years running and the late impressionist Danny Gans (who most people outside Nevada have never heard of) had the most popular show in town.

In this landscape, a Paula Abdul dance-style revue could do very well, but it’s also going to be a helluva lot more work than sitting at a table twice a week on “Americna Idol.”

Meanwhile, I maintain my opinion that we will see Paula on “Idol” come January, and that this whole thing is a big publicity stunt.