Paula Abdul could be returning to FOX Network as a judge.
During the 2015 Winter TCA Press Tour, FOX Network boss Gary Newman told reporters that Abdul could be the next judge on "So You Think You Can Dance," now that Mary Murphy has decided not to return for season 12 of the dancing competition series.
"We're in conversations with Paula," Newman said. "We don't' have a deal closed so we have nothing to announce, but we hope to soon. We think Paula is great. America loves her and responds to her."
Newman added, "Paula has an amazing personality from all those years on Idol and in particular, America always loved her. She brings a[n] tremendous amount of credibility to the dance world and that's what you're looking for in a judge, to be credible and entertaining."
Last week, E! News reported that Murphy's contract was not renewed for the upcoming season.
The choreographer and longtime judge joined the series as a judge in 2007, and remained on the show for two years before returning to the judge's table in 2011.
"We love Mary. She was a huge part of that show," Newman said. "She was a great advocate for the show and advocate for the network. We wish Mary well and she really was a great partner over the years, but we just felt the show needed to be shaken up a bit. We worked with our producers and are trying to do that."
Murphy released a statement explaining her departure from the dancing series.
"I'm saddened of course to be released from my contract," Murphy's statement read. "I'm very grateful and proud to have been part of such an extraordinary television show, So You Think You Can Dance, for 11 seasons. I'm sure there wasn't a person watching that didn't know I loved what I did!!"
