'HEY PAULA' KICKS OFF BRAVO'S NEW THURSDAY NIGHT OF ORIGINAL PROGRAMMING WITH BACK-TO-BACK EPISODES, THURSDAY, JUNE 28 AT 10PM

NEW YORK � May 31, 2007 � Behind the songs, behind the dance, the spotlight, and far away from Simon Cowell, there's the real woman behind the headlines � pop icon Paula Abdul. Kicking off Bravo's third night of original programming on Thursday, June 28, with back-to-back episodes from 10-10:30PM ET/PT and 10:30-11PM, the 30-minute docu-drama series "Hey Paula" provides an unfiltered, real-life look at the "American Idol" judge, entrepreneur, choreographer and multi-platinum artist, giving insight and context to Abdul's much-reported on professional and personal life. "Hey Paula" will air regularly every Thursday, from 10-10:30PM ET/PT.

"Hey Paula" paints a three-dimensional portrait of Abdul and her "Crazy Cool" world � from the stressed celebrity and tough business woman to the comedic prankster. Viewers will see Abdul up close 24/7 as she battles insomnia during the much-talked-about "American Idol" satellite media tour interviews; bumps heads with QVC execs; develops her own fragrance and plays practical jokes on her assistants. Through it all, Abdul has a knack for being able to laugh along the way. On her singing career, she quips, "Last time I had a hit record, Bill and Hillary were having sex�that's a long time ago." And Abdul jokes about Cowell with a QVC security guard, "If someone comes that has dark hair, that looks like Beavis and Butthead haircut and has a tight shirt�and he has a British accent, do not let him in."

Additionally, the seven-episode series features the posse of people essential in keeping the Abdul empire running smoothly. The "Hey Paula" players include Daniel, her hairstylist and BFF, who always promises a good time; Jeff, her longtime (and now former) publicist of seven years, who protects her like a sister; Kylie, her full-time wardrobe assistant, who keeps Abdul looking her best; and Abdul's kids�her four Chihuahuas � Bessie Moo, Chomps, Thumbelina and Tulip.

In the first episode of "Hey Paula," a whirlwind 48 hours lies ahead for the star and "Team Abdul." As Abdul gets red-carpet ready for the Grammys, her Chihuahua "Chomps" chomps down on a loaned million dollar antique ring, much to the chagrin of the overprotective jewelry rep, and a call from the Bratz filmmakers creates additional drama. Immediately after the awards, Abdul changes out of her Valentino gown in the car, while making a mad dash to catch a red eye, and nearly misses the flight. But the day's not over and there's no time to rest for an exhausted Abdul. Landing in Philly, she heads over to QVC to see her jewelry designs, only to find they're not what she envisioned. If it's not up to par, Abdul's not putting her name behind it. With just a few hours before the live QVC show, she voices her concerns. Will the changes to Abdul's jewelry line be made in time? Just an average day in the life of Paula Abdul.

Abdul's off to NYC in the second installment of "Hey Paula" for a jam-packed week filled with events, meetings and press. Abdul and her publicist Jeff begin the trip at the annual dinner for the Young Menswear Association Fashion Scholarship Fund for Parson School of Design, where she's presented with the Fashion Icon Award by Tim Gunn � a true honor, since Abdul's graced the worst dressed list more than once. But by the time she gets to her hotel, it's 4am. With just two hours of sleep, Abdul attempts to grab some shuteye after a meeting with her perfume manufacturers, but ends up losing a battle with insomnia, and continues to miss night after night of sleep. A full week of meetings later, with no zzz's, combined with catching the flu, Abdul must get through a series of satellite interviews to promote "American Idol." And this is when she makes headlines once again.

ABDUL BIO:

An award-winning, multi-talented artist, Abdul has enjoyed success and acclaim both in front of and behind the camera. As a recording artist, she notched worldwide album sales exceeding 30 million units, two No. 1 Albums, six No. 1 Singles, a Grammy Award, seven MTV Awards, two Emmy Awards, two People's Choice Awards and two Kid's Choice Awards. Currently, she is one of three celebrity hosts on America's No. 1 television program, "American Idol," now in its sixth season on FOX. Abdul recently turned her talents to jewelry design and in April 2006 introduced the Paula Abdul Jewelry Collection on QVC to record-breaking sales and public acclaim.

Behind the camera, Abdul is recognized as one of the entertainment industry's most gifted and accomplished choreographers, active in film, television, video, stage and live tours. Her motion picture choreography credits include the Academy Award�-winning "American Beauty," the Academy Award�-winning "Jerry Maguire," Oliver Stone's "The Doors," John Landis' "Coming To America." Among her other notable choreographic achievements are her Emmy Award-winning contributions to "The Tracey Ullman Show;" an Emmy nomination for choreographing the Academy Awards�; and her own performance as an artist opening "The American Music Awards." She has choreographed music videos for such artists as Janet Jackson (a collaboration that yielded two MTV Video Awards); Aretha Franklin; George Michael; Luther Vandross; INXS; Heart; and Prince. Abdul fulfilled a personal dream when she danced alongside her idol Gene Kelly in an award-winning commercial for Diet Coke. Abdul received her big career break as a Los Angeles Laker Girl, and she continues to honor her roots by running dance and cheerleading camps, competitions and scholarship programs throughout the country.

Bravo is the cable network that plugs people into arts, entertainment and pop culture with original programming, acclaimed drama series, movies, comedy and music specials, and by showing a whole different side of celebrities. Currently available in more than 84 million homes, Bravo is known for breaking exciting new personalities, shaking up the way we look at style, media, fame and Hollywood, pulling back the curtain on the creative process, and making influential and inventive original programming. Its critically acclaimed original programming includes the Emmy-nominated "Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List," 12-time Emmy-nominated "Inside the Actors Studio," "The Real Housewives of Orange County," "Top Chef," "Celebrity Poker Showdown," as well as the 2004 Emmy winner for Outstanding Reality Program, "Queer Eye," and the four-time Emmy-nominated hit competition series, "Project Runway."

Bravo is a program service of NBC Universal Cable Entertainment, a division of NBC Universal one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production, and marketing of entertainment, news, and information to a global audience. Bravo has been an NBC cable network since December 2002 and was the first television service dedicated to film and the performing arts when it launched in December 1980. For more information, visit www.bravotv.com.