Paula Abdul trades stage for courtroom as judge in Lifetime’s ‘Drop Dead Diva’

Paula Abdul plays court judge in ‘Drop Dead Diva’

LOS ANGELES — Paula Abdul is back in the judge’s seat — but not on the “American Idol” stage.

Abdul cameos in Lifetime’s “Drop Dead Diva” as a gavel-banging, glammed-up version of herself in a dream sequence set in a Los Angeles courtroom. In the over-the-top scene, the former “Idol” judge dispenses oh-so-fabulous justice in the form of a vocal and fashion critique to Jane (played by Brooke Elliott), a plus-size lawyer possessed by a skinny model.

“Jane, you bring it with your voice, but you lose it with your choice,” Abdul declares.

At one point in her scene from the Sept. 13 episode, “Judge Paula” rises from the bench to reveal her “belted and bedazzled” ensemble — a chunky belt and glittery skirt below a flowing top crafted from a black judge’s robe. Abdul appears in Jane’s dream to motivate her to continue suing a clothing retailer that only sells small dresses. Abdul’s final verdict?

“It’s nice being the only judge,” she coos.

Abdul will next be seen as the host of the “VH1 Divas” concert, the live Sept. 17 event which will include performances by “American Idol” winners Kelly Clarkson and Jordin Sparks as well as Miley Cyrus and Adele. Abdul has yet to announce a steady job to replace her role on the Fox singing contest, which she left amid contract negotiations in July.

On the Net:

www.mylifetime.com

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