Kristen Johnston will replace former American Idol judge Paula Abdul in the recurring role of Helen, Mode Magazine’s new thirty-something office temp, on the third season of Ugly Betty.

The former star of NBC’s 3rd Rock From The Sun landed the role after contract negotiations between Paula Abdul and Betty producers fell through earlier this month.

“I’ve always considered myself a poor man’s Paula Abdul,” Kristen tell Entertainment Weekly.

“[Helen is] Amanda in 10 years,” she says. “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.”

Kristen Johnson makes her Ugly Betty debut on the show’s two-hour season opener, airing Oct. 9 on ABC.