Former "American Idol" and "X-Factor" judge Paula Abdul is taking back her spot at the judge's table, at least for a night, Yahoo! TV reports. The ratings for the hit show "So You Think You Can Dance" are currently down, and FOX is hoping that Abdul can help give them a boost as a guest judge.
"SYTYCD" has its numbers down by about 27 percent this summer compared to last, according to EURweb. Will Abdul's appearance make a difference?
Abdul was a judge for eight consecutive seasons of "American Idol," back when the singing competition was the country's most popular show. Now there a number of other competitors, from dance competition shows like "SYTYCD" and "Dancing With the Stars" to popular singing shows like "The Voice." Abdul originally left "Idol" over a contract renewal issue, though she appeared on the first season of the U.S. "X-Factor" as a judge and mentor before she was fired by show-runner Simon Cowell. The current "X-Factor" US judges are Cowell, Demi Lovato and newcomers Kelly Rowland and Paulina Rubio.
According to the New York Daily News, at the time Abdul did not take the dismissal lightly. An insider reported in 2012 that she "screamed" at the producers and "went ballistic when she found out she wasn't [asked] back" for another season. She reportedly felt "used" by Cowell, who fired her for her "unpredictable behavior" on the show.
"Yes, it's true; I won't be returning to 'The X Factor' next season," she said at the time in a statement. "I've learned through my longevity in this industry that business decisions oftentimes override personal considerations." She added that "Simon is, and will remain, a dear friend."
The singer and dancer is set to judge "SYTYCD" show tonight (July 9) at 8/7c, and executive producer Nigel Lythgoe has tweeted in anticipation: "It's the girl I've waited ten seasons for."
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