ABC programming chief says he told Paula Abdul he love to hire her post-’American Idol’

ABC wants Paula Abdul to dance on over post-’Idol’

PASADENA, Calif. —ABC is joining the chorus of those seeking to hire Paula Abdul, who said she’s quitting “American Idol.”

ABC programming chief Stephen McPherson told the Television Critics Association on Saturday that he was “stunned” to hear she’d decided to leave the top-rated Fox series and that he’s contacted Abdul, whom he called an old friend.

McPherson told Abdul he’d love to see her at ABC, home of “Dancing with the Stars.”

Abdul announced last Tuesday she was leaving as an “Idol” judge following stalemated contract talks with Fox and the show’s producers. She said she quickly started receiving “wonderful” offers.