Paula Abdul turned down role as 'American Juniors' host

Looks like Simon Cowell isn't the only American Idol judge feeling burned out right now. Prior to the launch of Fox's American Juniors, a spin-off from Idol, no one was certain who the host was going to be, which is highly unusual in TV-land. FInally, the day before Juniors debuted, Fox announced that Ryan Seacrist would host. Now we know the cause of that delay.


The Associated Press reports that Fox wanted Idol judge Paula Abdul to host Juniors, but Paula turned the show down repeatedly. She said that she actually wanted to do the show, but she also wanted some time to herself.

Like fellow judge Simon Cowell, Paula is trying to capitalize on her newly-revived fame as best she can. She's involved in a promotion with Gillette to find the "best legs in America." She's developing a show for MTV. She's developing another show for the WB. And she says she wants to come back for Idol 3. Something had to give, and the Juniors gig was the odd one out.

Ryan then got the job by default, despite his on-air vote count blunders in the Idol finale. We wish him luck, especially now that all America knows that Fox wanted to move on without him.


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