Hey Paula
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A lot or a little?
The parents' guide to what's in this TV show.
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this reality show follows the hectic life of American Idol judge Paula Abdul. While most of the material is fairly benign, viewers will see her curse rather frequently ("bulls--t" is bleeped; words like "ass" aren't) and make fun of other celebrities on occasion. When her life gets too stressful, Paula can get very emotional; expect to see her cry and yell in reaction.
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- Parents say
- Kids say
I love Paula...cept this show is...not for me...
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What's the story?
If you've always been fascinated by Paula Abdul (and really, who hasn't?), then HEY PAULA will scratch your itch to peek behind the headlines and see what really makes the singer, choreographer, businesswoman, and American Idol judge tick. With cameras following her every move, viewers track the diminutive celeb as she jets from Los Angeles to the Midwest to New York and back to promote her jewelry designs, attend the Grammy Awards, accept a fashion award, and much more. Along for the ride are her trusty assistants and advisors -- her publicist, stylist, hairdresser, and personal assistant -- who all lose sleep to keep Paula organized ... and endure her mild wrath when things get messy.
Is it any good?
The Paula revealed here isn't much different from the one we already know, though the glimpse into her busy schedule offers some insight into her sometimes-delirious behavior. And it's fun, in a voyeuristic way, to see her get pissy sometimes, too. (Seeing the less-than-glamorous side of celebrity might be a good eye-opener for star-struck younger viewers.) Ultimately, this is pure, unadulterated, guilty-pleasure fluff -- fun fluff, perhaps, but after watching you might wonder what else you could have done with the 30 minutes of your life you'll never get back.
Talk to your kids about ...
Families can talk about why Paula Abdul is considered a good subject for a reality show. What makes her stand out? Why do you think people would want to watch her life? Families can also discuss what it takes to be a successful celebrity. What kind of person is good at the business of being a star? Does the fame and recognition seem worth the amount of work they do? Does being famous appeal to you? What would be the best and worst parts of being a celebrity?
TV details
- Premiere date: June 28, 2007
- Cast: Paula Abdul
- Network: Bravo
- Genre: Reality TV
- TV rating: TV-PG
- Available on: Streaming
- Last updated: September 20, 2019
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