“American Idol” is back, but ABC bosses are still looking for judges to join Katy Perry on the panel.
And we’re told that the Hoff is a contender.
Insiders say that reps for David Hasselhoff have been in talks with ABC and production company Fremantle about that possibility. The Hoff was a hit as a judge on “America’s Got Talent,” but lost his contract in 2010.
“David is interested in the role and his management have made contact with the show’s executives with a view to working out a deal,” says a source familiar with the situation.
Katy Perry is on board with a reported salary of $25 million. ABC is unsure if they need two or three more stars alongside her, with Ryan Seacrest back hosting.
“This is the type of show he does as much for his passion for this work as for the money,” we’re told. “He has always been vocal about his love for these live reality shows, and could never stop praising what he had achieved through ‘AGT.'”
We’re also told that Hasselhoff and Seacrest get along well.
“David goes in and out of favor in Hollywood, but at this moment he is red hot,” according to a separate TV source.
“He was in ‘Guardians 2’ and ‘Baywatch,’ his faux reality show is doing well in Europe and there is serious talk of a ‘Knight Rider’ comeback.”
Insiders say Perry is helping bosses with a recruiting drive, and is planning to reach out to stars when she hosts MTV’s “Video Music Awards” later this month.
Reports have claimed that Charlie Puth, Lionel Richie, Luke Bryan and Keith Urban are contenders too.
The Hoff is currently promoting his new movie “Killing Hasselhoff,” which sees him being hunted by a crazed club owner who stands to win millions if the “Baywatch” star dies.
Neither reps for ABC nor Hasselhoff responded to a request for comment.
With James Desborough
