Image Credit: Stephen Lovekin/Getty ImagesUPDATED: Welcome back to American Idol, Nigel Lythgoe: Fox announced today that Lythgoe will once again serve as an executive producer – joining Simon Fuller, Cecile Frot-Coutaz and Ken Warwick – on the show for its 10th season that’ll premiere in January. Lythgoe will not replace any exisiting producers; he will act as a voice on behalf of 19 Entertainment, which shares rights to the show with FremantleMedia. The companies license the show to Fox.
Lythgoe, who first came to the United States from England in 2002 to produce Idol but left the show in 2008, released this statement: ““Since we launched the original Pop Idol in England, I’ve remained close with Simon Fuller. Working as executive producer on American idol for its first seven years not only was an inspirational journey into the heart of American pop culture, it opened my eyes to the untapped potential of the incredibly dynamic young people in this world. I have been able to continue discovering raw talent on So You Think You Can Dance, which I co-created with Simon,” said Lythgoe. “American Idol became a juggernaut of epic proportions, but to me it was always like home. I am elated and honored to be rejoining childhood friend and fellow executive producer Ken Warwick, and look forward to creating more magic.”
Late Wednesday, Lythgoe gave an interview to Variety in which he said he “still loves” Paula Abdul and that he wanted her back on Idol, even though she remains under contract with CBS for a new dance show. “I’d recommend we have her in a heartbeat,” he said. Lythgoe also acknowledged that Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler were in talks to join the show but would not confirm whether deals have closed. Randy Jackson appears to still have a place on the panel, however; Lythgoe told the Hollywood trade that he is the show’s “barnacle.”
Lythgoe went on to say that he didn’t think Idol needs a “face lift” – just more of a “spring cleaning.”
Meanwhile, a Los Angeles Times report revealed Wednesday that music producer Jimmy Iovine is expected to play a “significant role” in the show this season. He will likely serve as a mentor, not a judge.
As long as he’s not a judge I’m good.
Ahh…I think EW has mistaken us for people who care.
But like I said many times, as long as J-Low is not judge then I’m not complaining.
Barnacle-a person or thing that is difficult to get rid of. Just thought I would write that after reading that Lythgoe told the Hollywood trade that Randy is the show’s “barnacle”.
ITA. He and ScreamerMonkeyMary are the reasons I cannot bear to watch SYTYCD.
I thought Harry Connick was the one bright spot last season (well, Shania Twain, too). Bring him back as a judge, or at least a mentor!
Shania was almost as obnoxious as Avril Lavigne and Katy Perry. Who needs all that attitude and lack of talent?
Just cancel the show already.
Yea, cancel the number 1 rated show on TV, no one watches it anymore
Yeah. Nobody goes there anymore, it’s too crowded.
Bye Bye Kara.
HALLELUJAH PRAISE JESUS
as long he is not a judge and does not bring Tyler and Lopez in the show- I am fine-He really needs Victoria Beckham, Bret Michaels and Jessica Simpson-The words to describe this team would be Handsome, pretty, extremely talented, business- self made multi millionaires-real-funny-humorous and not afraid to be judges and tell the truth-Plus they remember where they came from amd are still real people……and the fans can relate to them and love these people…Important for those who the show is trying to capture-Lopez is too old and stuffy and full of herself-Tyler is too marbled with his talking and old in spirit
Jessica Simpson? Your entire paragraph should be disregarded based on that.
Agree Sarah D. I think Steven Tyler will do a good job.
Instead of Jessica Simpson, how about Deborah Gibson or Shania Twain? I also love Gareth Malone of “The Choir” fame. I think he’s matched Simon’s insight and honesty.
many moons ago they said deborah gibson would be on the show but ended up with “american juniors” eek. she started as a young performer, went through the rigors of fame, and WROTE HER OWN SONGS!! she is PERFECT for the show, plus she’s not a cougar or rambler. but i agree as long as nigel isn’t a judge, no problem. i for one, still watch the show for the contestants.
They need someone on the show who’s had a hit in this century.
@ jss
deborah gibson would be good, but she is to busy makeing bad movies on sifi channel(reufuse to use syfy)
Victoria Beckham and Jessica Simpson?? Seriously?? That has to be the most idiotic thing I’ve read on these boards in a long time.
Victoria Beckham?? Are you nuts? Just what did she add when she “guest” judged last season, besides her lovely Skeletor look? Let her judge Emaciated but Fashionable Idol.
The judges are not that important. The contestants are.
Anything that interferes with the bond between contestants and audience tuning in to enjoy them is worth considring eliminating.
1. Too many judges.
2. Judges who want to make the show all about them.
3. Camera loving MCs that similarly think that any amount of camera time or “entertaining contestant-judge time the MC can slip into is craved by the audience.
4. Any voting system that convinces 95% of the audience they have no say in who stays or goes is also a very, very bad thing!(tween and old lady fan fanatic power-text voting)
Right on! I really hope Nigel puts it back to 3 judges…they ruined the show after he left!
Yes! As long as unlimited texting plans and DialIdol make the average viewer’s vote worthless this show sill continue to produce cute but bland boy singers with no talent and poor eventual album sales.
The judges are just as important as the contestants. Who do you thing picks the contestants?
The prodicers pick the contestants first, then the judges get to pick the top whatever, then the audience chooses.
There needs to be an online voting method so votes can be cast and not be blocked by a busy signal.
What he really needs to bring are Justin Bieber, Taylor Swift, and one of those Jonas brothers and this show would be a hit.
It will be a hit, but it will also be horrible.
Wait, that’s how it is right now.
And yet–none of these people can sing. Bleah!!
Now THAT’S the demographic they are looking for…Young America texting and calling over & over & over again to inflate the numbers and bring in the advertisers!
Lythgoe’s back…Yes! Now…can we get rid of “The Save”, 4 judges, the hour result show, and ban a few songs. That will be all.
Throw in guest singers that have nothing to do with the show (Kei$ha, Justin Bieber) and those ridiculous group numbers, and I’m right there with you
Oh wow, that would be absolutely fantastic. I always want to SH** myself in agony when they get out there for the group numbers.
No way. I like the guest singers!
There are enough former Idol contestants to fill the role of guest singers. Why not promote the music of the show’s own?
Julz says ” As long as he’s not a judge I’m good.” Ditto for me.
Cancel the show .It’s dead.
Why do people keep saying it’s dead, it is the number 1 rated show on TV, can it at least slip to number 2 before we say it’s dead.
OMG! Let’s hear it for Lythgoe! I’m doing the HAPPY DANCE!!! I just wish he would replace Simon with HIMSELF, and I would feel like I died & went to Heaven! But PLEASE no Steven Tyler or Jessica Simpson! PLEASE!!!
Oops, I think I completely lost interest in AI just about the time I started to type this comment. *zzzzz*
They should just cancel the show. Its not going to be the same with out Simon. In all honestly he was only good thing about the show.
Now that he’s ruined SYTYCD, Idol can have him.
WHO has ruined SYTYCD? WHAT???
and I won’t miss Simon ONE BIT! And I won’t be watching his new show either! Idol isn’t about Simon or any other judge – it’s about the contestants who are woring their — off trying to make a living thru music!
I hate Nigel Lythgoe. But as long as he’s behind the camera I guess I’ll be ok.