"I've always considered myself a poor man's Paula Abdul" says Kristen Johnston as she snags role on Ugly Betty

Following her departure from American Idol, it seemed like every show on TV was trying to secure Paula Abdul, if you believe the rumours. (Quite why anyone would want her is another matter, but anyway…)

The most persistent rumour seemed to be the one emanating from the Ugly Betty camp, where word was that Abdul was approached for the recurring role of Helen, new temp at Mode and essentially an older version of Amanda. For various reasons negotiations with Abdul broke down (with EW even suggesting that her demands for a private jet cost her the role) and now Kristen Johnston has seized the reins.

Johnston is probably best known to comedy fans for playing Sally in Third Rock From The Sun; she describes her Ugly Betty character as “Amanda in 10 years. She’s still trying to get into the right clubs, wearing tight dresses… tragic. I think [Helen] sees herself as Samantha from Sex and the City. Except, of course, she’s a temp.”

It should be fun to see Johnston working with Becki Newton; certainly far, far better than what we could have been seeing Johnston appear in – a US remake of Absolutely Fabulous. Thankfully Fox scrapped the idea, proving that (very occasionally) they make sensible choices.

Johnston will make her first appearance in the second half of Ugly Betty’s two-hour premiere on October 9th.