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 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.

– Zap2it.com

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PILOTS: ASHLEY WILLIAMS AMONG “US,’ CBS FALLS FOR “ULTRA’

Ashley Williams, currently charming the lead character on CBS’ “How I Met Your Mother,” will join a rock star’s entourage in her next TV gig.

The former “Good Morning, Miami” star is the first cast member to sign onto “Him and Us,” an ABC comedy pilot executive produced by Elton John. Her casting leads a wave of pilot news that also includes orders for drama projects at CBS – including an adaptation of the comic book “Ultra” – and ABC.

“Him and Us” is a single-camera project about the relationship between an aging rock star, his manager and various other members of his retinue. Williams will play the manager’s assistant.

In addition to “How I Met Your Mother,” on which she has a recurring role as a love interest for Ted (Josh Radnor) and “Miami,” Williams is set to appear in several episodes of Showtime’s “Huff” later this year. She also guested on “E-Ring” earlier this season.

At CBS, “Joan of Arcadia” creator Barbara Hall will write and executive produce “Ultra,” the showbiz trade papers report. Based on the Image Comics title, it’s about a young woman whose search for the right guy is complicated by the fact that she’s a superhero. David Engel and David Alpert are co-exec producers.

The network has also ordered a pilot with supernatural overtones called “The Way.” Written by Adam Kulakow, the pilot follows a crime family that turns to witchcraft to keep its hold on power following the death of its matriarch. Feature-film producer Michael De Luca (“Zathura,” “Boogie Nights”) is executive producing.

ABC has also ordered two dramas to add to its already hefty slate. “Twenty Questions” centers on a young State Department employee who uncovers a conspiracy to subvert the government. Writer Thomas Hines (“Y2K”) will executive produce with Matt Gross, John Wirth and Michael Engler.

The network has also greenlit “A House Divided,” in which a spat between a small town in the Midwest and the feds threatens to escalate into civil war. Andrew David Chapman wrote the pilot and will executive produce with Mark Gordon (“Grey’s Anatomy”).

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(c) 2006, Zap2it.com.

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AP-NY-01-27-06 1621EST