TVSquad Talks To Paula Abdul on "Drop Dead Diva"

[JamesG]

Paula Abdul Talks "Drop Dead Diva", Dancing & Needing Her Own "Judge Paula"
by Maggie Furlong
posted Jun 4th 2010


If singer-dancer-QVC maven Paula Abdul has truly mastered one thing, it's keeping all of us guessing.

Since vacating her judge position on "American Idol", Paula has been rumored to be doing "Dancing With the Stars" and, more recently, pal Simon Cowell's U.S. version of "X Factor".



But surprise! It was recently announced that Paula's got her own new dance-themed reality show coming midseason to CBS called "Got to Dance", where she'll act as mentor and head judge.

She's also multi-tasking with some serious acting, playing a version of herself in dream sequences on Lifetime's "Drop Dead Diva" (season 2 premieres Sun., June 6, 9PM ET).



I caught up with Paula to get her take on her big dance number in Sunday's "Diva" premiere -- and the one thing that went horribly wrong. She also dished about her dream job, being the voice of reason on the show and needing her own "Judge Paula."





So great to see you back on "Drop Dead Diva"!
Were you a fan of the show before you came on last season?

Last season, I only saw the pilot and I fell in love.

I'm friends with Craig Zadan and Neil Meron, who produce it, and [creator] Josh Berman contacted me with the producers and asked if I'd be interested in doing a part in it.


And I said this is so lovely ... a yummy kind of script, and the characters, the content and the message is so positive and wonderful. And it's quirky and fun -- it has that whole "Ally McBeal" kind of feel to it as well.

I loved it. I thought it was such a little gem. It's well written, the characters are great and there's always a great message.









I love that you get a dance number in Sunday's premiere -- did it take any convincing to get you to throw on a sexy dance outfit and show off your moves?

It was very much a dream sequence! [Laughs]

It was just a great way to kick off the season. It was about getting the characters that are part of this wonderful show together and everyone just dancing. It was a lot of fun.


However what wasn't fun is I had sprained my ankle the night before. I tripped over a man's foot in the aisle of the airplane while he was sleeping. I tripped on the way going to the bathroom and I sprained my ankle.

So that wasn't fun having to do it on a sprained ankle, but you know, the show goes on!









On the show you play Judge Paula.
What do you think you'd be doing today if you weren't "Paula Abdul"?

You know what? I'm fortunate to be able to do a lot of things, and working with young people is always going to be something that I want to do.

Right now I'm in San Francisco addressing these leadership programs and organizations -- it's always a great thing to know that you can help make a difference and encourage young people with their dreams.




So working with kids?

Well I always say, if I wasn't doing what I do, I would want to be working at the Discovery Channel or Discovery Kids or Nickelodeon ... just a fun, creative outlet to create some exciting things for kids.




I'd bet they would let you if you really wanted to!

It's really funny you say that!

I remember that I was asked this question, probably like 15 or 16 years ago. At the time I believe Albie Hecht was the president of Nickelodeon, and I remember saying I wanted to run Nickelodeon.

It showed up in an article later that Albie Hecht said, 'I saw that, and I welcome Paula to come anytime. However I will not look good in tights and a skirt.' [Laughs]









I just talked to Brooke Elliott from the show, and she was saying how crazy it was to get to dance with you because she grew up listening to you.

How does it make you feel that so many people were raised on your music?

It's awesome -- it really is. But it's also always weird when everyone's taller than me! [Laughs]

It is endearing to me. Brooke is so talented -- unbelievably talented -- and it was really cute sharing a dance scene with her, and she was having a blast.

And Margaret Cho is also just so lovely. The cast is wonderful -- when they were dancing, they're going, 'Oh my god, we're dancing the same sequence as you. This is crazy!'









And now you're this voice of reason on the show ...

I love being her voice of conscience. I think everyone needs a conscience.

Sometimes we don't listen to that -- we all have that ability to have a gut feeling and knowing what's right and what's wrong, but sometimes we need a little bit of a reminder that we're good and we can stand up for ourselves.

I'm just always there to give her a push, and I love that. I wish I had a Judge Paula for Paula! [Laughs]









Are there any plans for you to go back for more episodes?

I love the show -- I'd definitely go back, absolutely.
But I'm not supposed to say anything, so I can't tell you!




Well here's hoping they'll get you back there again ...

Absolutely! It's a charmed show ... it's like pixie dust was thrown all over it.

http://www.tvsquad.com/2010/06/04/dr...dul-interview/