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Dr. Phil Hooks Up Paula Abdul

Friday, January 27, 2006

10:52 AM PT

Apparently, being famous makes it hard to date. And since Lisa Loeb already has a reality show on E!, "American Idol" judge Paula Abdul had to go another direction in her search for love.

Enter Dr. Phil McGraw, who will offer his straight-up brand of help to the one-time chart-topper in his latest CBS prime-time special, "Love Smart." The hour-long show is scheduled to air Tuesday, Feb. 14 -- Valentine's Day.

In the special, McGraw and Abdul will "explore the life of an unmarried international celebrity who is looking for love." Abdul, who was cleared earlier this year of allegations she had an inappropriate physical relationship with ex-"Idol" contestant Corey Clark, will discuss her problems finding a guy who's comfortable with her level of success and busy schedule and who isn't "overwhelmed by her emotions."

McGraw, who recently teamed up with online dating giant Match.com, will also send Abdul on a blind date with one of 10 guys. Cameras will follow her and the guy, who won't know in advance he's meeting Abdul, and then McGraw will break down the film and offer advice to Abdul on finding that special guy. (Insert "Opposites Attract" joke here.)

As if that weren't enough, "Love Smart" will also feature a segment on one Rob Gray, a self-professed Casanova who says he's ready to have an actual relationship. Dr. Phil will either work with Rob or call bull on his desire to change, and also talk to some of the women Rob has dated and try to get them to see when a guy is playing them.