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He was the first major member of the American idol team to depart the show. Now former executive producer Nigel Lythgoe is finalizing a deal to return for the upcoming 10th season as the top-rated reality series is looking to shake off a lackluster Season 9 and to prepare for its first season without Simon Cowell on the judging panel. Lythgoe is expected to serve as an executive producer alongside Ken Warwick, who has been running Idol for the past 2 years, creator Simon Fuller and Cecile Frot-Coutaz. Lythgoe’s surprise exit from the show in the summer of 2008 was followed by the departure of Paula Abdul last summer over a salary dispute and the recent exit of Cowell, who will be launching X Factor on Fox in fall 2011.
Lythgoe, who helped build Idol into a reality powerhouse, has stayed in the Idol family with a deal at 19 Entertainment, which co-produces Idol with FremantleMedia. He also serves as executive producer/judge on 19′s Fox series So You Think You Can Dance. Because of his long-time Idol experience and his Cowell-like role on SYTYCD as an acerbic British judge, there has been some speculation that CAA-repped Lythgoe would be considered for Cowell’s spot but I hear his deal is for his EP services only. As for the high-profile search for Cowell’s replacement, it is still going on, and the network may not be able to lock in the new judge by the time Fox brass meet TV critics and reporters at TCA on Aug. 2. After exploding in its summer 2002 debut, Idol grew for several years until starting to decline in the 2006-07 season. It continues to be the highest-rated show on TV.
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Finally, get back to what made you great in the first place. Nice move.
So Nigel once again has 2 jobs instead of 1. Great.
Honestly, I really don’t know what he can do creatively for season 10 to jump start the show. Frankly, I didn’t see a difference with him gone and Ken Warrick running the show alone. With Simon gone and talent diminishing, I don’t see how Idol can be a ratings superstar once again.
He’s obviously very good at his job but it’s hard to see what he will do to revive a show in its 10th season. It was in decline when he left. The Cowell replacement may spark some interest but I doubt it will last.
Fuller still has creative control anyway.
In decline, I suppose, but still a beast.
A lot of people like to knock it – but it still pulled 24 million viewers for the finale. So if he doesn’t end up taking the job… I’ll apply.
Idea- Take Ellen DeGeneres off of the ‘judges panel’ and have Ellen replace Ryan Seacrest as the host of the show. Remove Seacrest from the show permanently.
I say Uber producer David Foster is the perfect candidate to replace simon — he is painfully honest as shown in his Cowell produced show DUETS — and he has produced records and has found talented artists such as Michael Buble and Celine Dion.
I say bring back Paula Abdul as well.
mrbigidea, stick to playing WOW or whatever it is you do when Idol or Glee isn’t on. Seacrest despite his annoying self off the stage, is the best TV host in decades, bar none. He’s part of the reason the show is successful.
As for bringing back Nigel, if anyone can save this sinking ship it’s him. It’s a gutsy move and I sincerely hope it pays off for him.
I disagree… Seacrest is one of the MOST annoying things about the show! And one has to wonder if Ellen’s departure is related to Lythgoe’s apparent homphobia (just see the attitude and cr*p he threw at the 2 guys on So You Think You Can Dance, and other instances on the show… nauseating!)
I think Ellen would be a GREAT presenter, finally taking the annoyance value of Seacrest out of the picture. Almost make it worth watching again! Failing that, it’s goodbye Idol for me!
Personally I am happy that X-Factor is coming along… it will give me a good reason never to watch the train wreck that Lythgoe will throw at us, and rather watch what Simon Cowell will present instead!
I gave up on Idol when auduence homophobia stole the win from Adam Lambert. Am commenting here in hopes others who respect art over personal assassination and personal adjendas will win out over the disrespectful phony self promoting Mia Michaels. She is the lone sour mean spirited person on what is otherwise a great competitive dance show. I think a judge and or critic must have respect for performers and she has none. Her smirky smarmy comments ruin ruin ruin the efforts of so many others.
It’s cute how you attempted a segue from Adam Lambert’s stint on Idol to Mia Michaels on SYTYCD. I’m not at all sure what you’re trying to say, suggest, insinuate, connect or imply between (homo?) personal assassination and any supposed self promoting by Ms. Michaels.
Unless you can provide hardcore evidence that Lambert lost due to a subversive, homophobia conspiracy, I’d suggest you take your rants elsewhere. I hate to break it to ya…Lambert isn’t that talented. He wasn’t on the show and he isn’t now. Kris Allen, thus far, has outsold Lambert’s. I hope your long winded conspiracy won’t be attached to that as well. At this rate, I’m worried you’ll declare racism for Jennifer Hudson not winning the damn show. Hopefully you’ll pull your head out of the dirt long enough to see what Lythgoe does upon his return. He provided a necessary shake up on SYTYCD, which has proved a ratings success. Hopefully he can do the same on Idol.
As far as Mia goes…um, what? First of all, every judge on a reality show engages in some form of self-promoting (right, Seacrest?) I’m not sure how you find her comments mean spirited, especially when stacked to someone like Cowell. I have no problem with either judge. Sure, Mia’s curt in moments (most of the judges are, mind you), but she’s also full of praise. You know, it’d be hilariously ironic if you’re still bitter towards Ms. Michaels for some form of rejection she issued towards you at some point. Talk about personal assassination….
P.S. It’s spelled ‘audience’…with an ‘i’.
Barnes78, It’s cute that you think you have some kind of insight as to how these shows work. Also, check your post. You probably don’t want to be handing out advice on spelling and grammar. I’m just sayin’.
Hey Truthman,
Thanks for implying your grip on something as elusive as ‘truth’. By all means, share your truth, counter my points with details and prove me wrong. Let your truth set me free. Regardless of what strings producers pull during a reality show’s season (because, let’s face it, we know they do), it still doesn’t derive from the fact that Adam Lambert isn’t talented. When your image isn’t first rooted in the material you’re trying to flaunt, you’ll have a short shelf life. If you want to correct or critique my thoughts, don’t be so elusive about it.
Sorry for the typo in my post. I’ll assume you’ve never posted one on accident.
Hate to break it to you Barnes78, but YOUR head seems to be caught in your nether regions… dark up there is it? Adam Lambert has been in the charts consistently and Kris Allen has, well, let’s just say… NOT been. Take a look at this week’s Idol related album sales (showing totals too):
Carrie Underwood, Play On (10,000, -9%, 1.668 million/2,000 digital, -3%, 195,000 digital total) (#39 Billboard Top 200)
Daughtry, Leave This Town (5,000, +2%, 1.107 million) (#94 BB200)
Adam Lambert, For Your Entertainment (5,000, -5%, 691,000/92,000 digital total) (#105 BB200)
Daughtry, Daughtry (3,000, +3%, 4.705 million) (#194 BB200)
Carrie Underwood, Some Hearts (3,000, +4%, 7.004 million)
Carrie Underwood, Carnival Ride (2,000, -5%, 3.109 million)
Danny Gokey, My Best Days (1,000, +16%, 174,000)
Kellie Pickler, Kellie Pickler (1,000, +2%, 422,000)
Mandisa, Freedom (less than 1,000, -25%, 115,000)
Even Mandisa makes it in there while (crickets chirp) we wait to see Kris’ ratings…
So really just because you hate Adam Lambert (for whatever reason… did he kick your dog?), there is no need to trash him as talentless when you REALLY don’t know what you are talking about!
You are correct that Adam Lambert did not lose because of homophobia. Adam lost because of cheating in Arkansas that was assisted by AT&T. It is all documented in the book “American Idol Vote Scam” by Kerry Kolsch. As far as Kris outselling Adam on anything you are absolutely wrong. Adam has sold over a million albums and Kris barely broke 300,000. Adam is selling out his headlining tour and Kris can not fill small venues. The majority of the world disagrees with you about Adam’s talent. Vocally he is one of the most talented men of his generation. When you add his looks, charm, intelligence, and showmanship you see why he is a rising international star. kris will be back playing small clubs in Arkansas in no time.
Assuming the producers have some input on which contestants make it on air and into the voting, he might have some impact on the talent aspect of the show, which has been one of the biggest complaints about AI over the past 2 seasons. If he adds nothing but a better eye (and ear) for contestants, he’ll bring a lot back. Don’t know if that’s enough to address the ratings hit AI has taken, of course.
I think they need to ditch all three of the remaining judges and change the voting process. Now that performances are sold on iTunes each week, why not count actual sales as part of the voting? That’s a better indicator of popularity than 1000 phone calls from one 11 year old.
Speaking strictly from a viewer’s standpoint, who knows nothing about the business, if this is the guy who is behind all of the changes to this season’s SYTYCD, then American Idol is screwed. This year’s SYTYCD is terrible.
Jennifer is right. SYTYCD this season is a major disappointment. I don’t know if all the injuries to contestants is just a coincidence or due to some inherent problem with the practice regimen, but it’s really killed the suspense for three weeks. But worse is the All-Stars, who have taken away attention from the contestants, and the lack of quality female dancers, so that now there is only one left.
I hope Nigel Lythgoe can fix Idol. He didn’t like that they had 4 judges and I agree with him. America’s Got Talent, SYTYCD & Dancing with the Stars all have 3 judges, which I believe is enough. With 4 judges, Idol had barely enough time to comment plus they took too many commercial breaks. They also talked too much at the beginning of the show.
Nigel should bring along Cat Deeley to add some sexy spice to Idol…