"AMERICAN IDOL" JUDGE PAULA ABDUL JOINS "SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE" PREMIERING WEDNESDAY, JULY 20, ON FOX

AMERICAN IDOL judge Paula Abdul has been tapped for a special role on FOX's new series SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE, which premieres Wednesday, July 20 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT). Abdul will travel the country and teach average Americans a thing or two about dancing. Whether in factories, office buildings or shopping malls, Abdul will use her unique skills of dance and motivation to teach large groups of real people how to find their groove thing and really shake it. These video vignettes will celebrate America's love of dance and will air during the performance episodes of SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE.

Abdul is one of the most recognized choreographers in film, television, video, stage and live tours. Her celebrated work in choreography includes Emmy-winning contributions to "The Tracey Ullman Show," Abdul's own performance on "The American Music Awards" and her choreography for the Academy Awards, for which she earned an Emmy nomination.

Other triumphs include her award-winning work with Janet Jackson, which garnered two MTV Video Awards; and working with such musical legends as Aretha Franklin, George Michael, Luther Vandross, INXS, Heart and Prince. Abdul's favorite memory is dancing alongside her idol, Gene Kelly, in the Diet Coke commercial that was recently inducted into the Coca-Cola Hall of Fame Museum as one of that company's top commercial campaigns.

Abdul's choreography contributions in feature films include the Academy Award-winning "American Beauty," working with Cuba Gooding Jr. on his Academy Award-winning performance in "Jerry McGuire," and transforming Val Kilmer into Jim Morrison in Oliver Stone's "The Doors."

Abdul also continues to honor her roots by running dance and cheerleading camps, competitions and scholarship programs throughout the country, and has never forgotten her first break as a Los Angeles Laker Girl.

SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE was created by Simon Fuller and Nigel Lythgoe and comes from 19 TV Ltd. and dick clark productions. It is executive-produced by Simon Fuller, Nigel Lythgoe and Allen Shapiro.

About 19 Entertainment
19 is recognized as a leading creator, provider and promoter of globally successful, music-based entertainment, or "Entertainment Brands." 19 has attracted a unique collection of expertise in people who work together to integrate and leverage activity across television, music, film, merchandising, music publishing, recording, artist/writer and producer management, sponsorship and promotion. To date, 19 has been involved in the creation of 106 No. 1 singles and 83 No. 1 albums, with an impressive tally of 281 Top 40 albums and 430 Top 40 singles.

About dick clark productions
Founded in 1957, dick clark productions has grown to become a leading independent producer of a wide range of TV programming for broadcast/cable networks, distributors and advertisers. The Company has produced thousands of shows and specials in all genres and for all day parts, including such perennial hits as "Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve," "The American Music Awards," the "Golden Globe Awards," the "Bloopers" specials and series, the "Daytime Emmy Awards" and the "Academy of Country Music Awards," among others. The Company also is a leading creator of award-winning communications experiences from live events and meetings to integrated marketing programs for major corporations.