Talks Heating Up For Paula Abdul To Launch ‘Star Search’ on ABC

During the 1980’s, ‘Star Search’ was the premier television talent contest on the airwaves. Former ‘American Idol’ judge Paula Abdul and the ABC Network are reportedly having serious discussions about launching a modernized version of the once immensely popular reality program. According to Entertainment Weekly, a deal is in the process of being finalized and while there has been no confirmation as to what Abdul’s role would be on the show, sources close to the negotiations are under the impression that Abdul would serve as a host and as a judge.

The ABC Network has been attempting to bring Abdul into the fold ever since it was confirmed that she would not be returning to ‘American Idol’ for its ninth season. If the deal is finalized as planned, ABC intends on launching ‘Star Search’ during the summer. There is currently no indication as to whether or not Abdul’s forthcoming ‘Star Search’ contract will prevent her from serving as a judge on Simon Cowell’s U.S. version of ‘The X Factor’, which is expected to debut on the Fox Network in the third quarter of 2011.

According to Entertainment Weekly, CBS attempted to re-launch a modernized version of ‘Star Search’ in 2003 in order to piggy-back on the success that the overwhelmingly popular ‘American Idol’ had been achieving since it debuted. CBS’ version was hosted by comedian and television personality Arsenio Hall but the re-launch was a failure and the show was canned after one season.