They say money isn’t everything, but when it comes to Paula Abdul finding a job, it seems to be the opposite.
The American Idol alum, who sat on the Fox reality show’s judging panel for eight seasons before leaving due to contract negotiation problems (although she claims it’s because she had to “stand on [her] principle,” whatever that means), has now passed on headlining ABC’s Star Search remake, according to Reuters.
Earlier this week, TVGuide.ca reported that Abdul was planning to front the revised singing competition, but apparently money woes are getting in the way of her working once again.
Previously, Abdul rejected the five million deal Fox was offering her to continue on Idol this season, and the 47-year-old is still reluctant to take a lower salary from Search.
ABC, on the other hand, is naturally reluctant to indulge in high figures to launch an untested reality show into a TV marketplace already swimming with successful talent contests.
Unfortunately for fans of the classic Star Search franchise, the loss of Abdul puts the fate of the show in jeopardy since the Letter network’s interest in the remake was heavily tied to her participation.
Of course, things seem to change at the drop of a hat in Hollywood, so Abdul could be back on board before you have time to sing your first note.
The original Star Search was hosted by Ed McMahon (The Tonight Show) from 1983 to 1995, before CBS tried out a remake hosted by Arsenio Hall in 2003. The latter lasted for only two seasons.
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