Bravo has announced that Hey Paula!, a new docu-reality series that will give viewers a look at American Idol judge Paula Abdul's professional and personal life, will air as part of the network's summer programming lineup.
|
ADVERTISEMENT
|
"It's a hectic time in my life right now with several projects in television, film and fashion," said the 44-year-old Idol judge/recording artist/choreographer/business woman/producer. "I'm excited to open the doors to Bravo and have all my fans see the other sides to me, beyond what they see on American Idol."
Although it won't premiere until this summer, Hey Paula! has already generated controversy for the frequently embattled Idol judge. In February, Pilgrim Films and Television, a television production company, filed a lawsuit that claimed Abdul tried to cheat them out of the reality series based on her life.
According to Pilgrim, the company met with Abdul and her producing partner David Russo in 2004 and discussed the creation a talk show that would feature her. However after several "false starts," the lawsuit states the concept evolved into a reality show titled Hey Paula!, which would be based on Abdul's "wacky life." The project apparently "fell apart" after Abdul demanded final editorial control over the product and Pilgrim alleged Abdul told them "she had secretly taken" the production company's Hey Paula! project to Bravo. The lawsuit filed by Pilgrim claims Abdul never mentioned Russo was allegedly "in on" selling the show to Bravo, and also asks for compensatory and punitive damages, in addition to an injunction "prohibiting anyone from airing Hey Paula!.
In addition to Hey Paula!, Bravo has announced that Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List's third season and the third season of Top Chef will also air this summer. Noticeably absent from Bravo's summer programming schedule will be Project Runway's fourth season, which won't premiere until late 2007.
About The Author: Christopher Rocchio
