VIDEO: Paula Abdul Returns To Small Screen With Live To Dance

Jan. 5 2011, Published 8:05 a.m. ET

More than a year after leaving American Idol, Paula Abdul returned to the boob tube Tuesday with the debut of her new talent competition, Live to Dance, which aims to crown the country's finest dance act.

Watch the video on RadarOnline.com

Paula was flanked by choreographer Travis Payne and Pussycat Doll Kimberly Wyatt on the judges' panel of the new show, which will award $500,000 to the winner(s), as dance troupes and contestants of all ages are allowed into the competition.

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Among the highlights of Tuesday's premiere: Bev and Hap, 83- and 68-years old respectively, dancing to Moon River and Get Up Offa That Thing; Stone Fleshman dancing to Abdul's 1989 chart-topper, Forever Your Girl; and young couple Jill and Jacob.

VIDEO: Paula Abdul Gives Ellen DeGeneres Two Thumbs Up

Abdul left the hugely-successful American Idol franchise in August 2009, after reportedly rejecting an eight-figure deal that awarded her a 30 percent raise from her previous salary.