Now that Simon Cowell’s departure from “American Idol” is official, the door is wide open for Paula Abdul to join “X Factor,” the show Cowell is bringing to the United States in 2011.
Cowell certainly hinted that Abdul could be part of his new show. Shortly after he announced his tenure at “Idol” had an expiration date, Cowell said, “Whatever happens, I will be working with her in some capacity, because I like her.”
A source close to Abdul said that she has not come to any agreement with Cowell at this point, but she’s had some conversations about teaming up with him.
“Paula had no hard feelings toward Simon when she left (“American Idol”). There have been conversations about her future. Paula’s considered many opportunities, and is waiting for the right one to come along,” said the source.
Abdul has yet to comment on her next step or Cowell’s departure from “Idol.”
Barbara Walters considered NBC offer
In a move that suggests Barbara Walters really wanted to be part of the Conan/Leno/late-night television discussion, Walters announced on Monday’s “The View” that she had talks with NBC about returning to the network.
In the context of a discussion about O’Brien’s future, Walters said, “On network television, all they care about in terms of sponsors is the 18 to 49 group. … I have not talked about this before, but it seems to me that today is an appropriate day to do it. I do not exactly fall in the category of 18 to 49. … Last June, NBC came to me. NBC was my home for so many years before I came to ABC. And to my amazement, they made me an offer to come back to NBC News.”
U.S. & World
Walters didn’t make it clear just what her job would be at NBC, but said the decision to return to the Peacock network was a difficult one.
“It was a very difficult decision,” Walters said. “I was wrestling with it. And I would have been able to continue to do ‘The View’ because this is daytime. I would not have left ‘The View.’”
George Takei looking toward Broadway
George Takei of “Star Trek” and, more recently, “Heroes” fame is looking toward a run on Broadway. The actor was in New York on Monday for a reading of a new musical, “Allegiance.” The World War II –era musical follows the Omura family, who was forced to leave their home and relocate to a Japanese internment camp.
“It was such an emotional reading,” said Takei, who lived in an internment camp as a child. “The lyrics (by Jay Kuo) are so moving, so powerful.”
Takei said that despite enthusiasm for “Allegiance,” the show won’t hit Broadway immediately. “We’re going to tour with it first, and eventually get it there.”
Courtney Hazlett delivers the Scoop Monday through Friday on msnbc.com. Follow Scoop on Twitter @courtneyatmsnbc.
