Oct 4th, 2000
Abdul rushes to Fox Kids series
By Michael Schneider
HOLLYWOOD (Variety) - Straight up, Paula Abdul hopes to be forever Fox Kids' girl. The singer-choreographer has signed a development pact with Fox Kids Network to develop a new live-action/animated children's series.
The untitled project, still in its early stages, will be the first to come out of Abdul's new Planet Paula Prods.
Abdul said she's meeting with writers about helping create the show's concept. The show will follow the adventures of a garage band climbing their way toward success and contain musical numbers choreographed by Abdul.
But beyond that, no characters have been created yet, and Abdul said she hasn't determined how the animated and live-action elements will be integrated.
Abdul, who sang a number of hits in the late '80s and early '90s, said the genesis of the idea came from the video to her song ``Opposites Attract,'' in which she starred opposite an animated, singing cat.
``I was inspired by my experience working on that video 10 years ago,'' she said. ``But I was also definitely inspired originally by Gene Kelly dancing with the mouse in 'Anchors Aweigh.''' Abdul said she may also provide a voice or even play a live-action part in the series.
``What excited me about seeing 'Who Framed Roger Rabbit' was the ability to really believe that animated characters exist. It excited me to be able to bring it to the small screen,'' she said.
``Paula is a one-of-a-kind artist, and we're very excited to be working with her,'' said Joel Andryc, executive VP of programming and development at Fox Family Channel and Fox Kids Network. ``Not very often are we able to draw on the talents of an individual who is able to reach kids through music, dance and imaginative storytelling through the medium of live-action and animated television.''
Abdul has sold more than 25 million records worldwide and has won a Grammy, seven MTV video awards and two Emmy awards for music and choreography.
Most recently, Abdul has served as the current Pop Warner National Football ambassador and continues to conduct dance and cheerleading camps.
Reuters/Variety
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