Oprah thinks ousted American Idol judge Paula Abdul’s got the stuff to be the new “Queen of Talk” — at least that’s the word from National Enquirer Gossip Guy Mike Walker. With Oprah set to say “Happy Trails” to her long-running talk show in September 2011, stay-at-home moms are already on the hunt for a new gal to wear the coveted daytime crown.
Wack-A-Doodle Abdul could be just the woman for the job.
O has commissioned Paula to tape a pilot for a one-hour talk show that could be picked up by Winfrey’s soon-to-be launched Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN), industry insiders reportedly revealed this week. Sources say if the pilot resonates well with OWN viewers, Abdul might find herself with a job hosting a weekday gabfest on Oprah’s new network.
The Enquirer’s Walker writes: “Format will be Oprah-inspired — lotsa celeb guests, and real people telling inspirational stories…”
Paula has also been linked to a judging gig on Simon Cowell’s American adaptation of the UK hit The X Factor, as well as a $1 million development deal with ABC.