Paula Abdul to host revamped ‘Star Search’ for ABC

The 2009 American Music Awards Nominations Beverly Hills

The Ausiello Files from Entertainment Weekly is reporting that Paul Abdul will play host and judge to a resurrection of the ’80s reality talent competition show Star Search in an attempt to compete with Fox’s hugely successful American Idol, which Paula left prior to this season and was replaced by Ellen DeGeneres.

There have been rumors Paula might land a gig on ABC’s Dancing with the Stars, which would have made more sense since Paula is first and foremost a dancer, but she will instead return to passing judgment on aspiring singers, comedians, models and dancers as she attempts to fill the shoes of Ed McMahon and Arsenio Hall.

What? You don’t remember the first time a network tried to bring Star Search back? CBS took a stab back in 2003 with Arsenio Hall at the helm – an experiment that lasted all the way to 2004. The site is still up for the show, so if you’re looking to reminisce CLICK HERE. Otherwise, here’s a quick flash to jolt your memory:

Arsenio Hall Star Search

There are no details yet on how closely the show will resemble it’s previous incarnations, or exactly what Paula’s role will be. There is also talk that Paula might somehow still be able to swing a gig on Simon Cowell’s Americanized version of his hit UK talent reality show The X-Factor, but I just don’t see how that will happen.

So what do you think? Will Paula be able to do what Arsenio was not? Will people once again be tuning in to Star Search? Will they be able to recreate the magic that lead to the discovery of Justin Timberlake and Britney Spears? Ahhhhhh, I remember those days just like it was yesterday….

(Depending on who else they get as judges, my money is on one season, two at the most.)

Paula Photo: ZumaPress
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