Has Producer Nigel Lythgoe Quit American Idol?

Nigel thought David Cook lacked personality. He thought this season was boring. A season which had one of the most diverse and talented Top 10′s I can remember. Nigel is a tool. I PRAY this is true. He was a “dancer” himself and should probably stick to SYTYCD – where he can be in the spot light since I think that is what he and his Andy Gibb hair-do really crave.

OMG, the photo they have of him is hideous! I love it!

It says he’s in a new venture with Simon Fuller….. interesting… what will they think of next? There’s already a reality TV about the top dog!!

I think that is what he and his Andy Gibb hair-do really crave.

*spews tea* OMG DL

Ohhhh how I will miss his before show interviews where he declares it to be the most shocking results ever.. *wipes a tear*

Seriously though, it is a bit scary in the fact that I still want the show to have a quality feel to it.

I think it would be good to have someone new producing the show, a fresh perspective and new ideas are good for a show that’s already ran for 7 years. I thought some of the things they did last year like the boxing thing at the finale were really weak and cringe-worthy, so I hope someone new can do a better job at that. I have never been able to get into SYTYCD though, but that’s no fault of Nigel – it’s that woman judge with the horrible voice, her cackling really set my nerves on edge I can’t bear to listen to her.

If they could replace Unca Nigel with someone who could resist going to any and all lengths to make sure his chosen one was elected, I would be forever grateful.

The only thing “old” about the past couple of seasons was the repeated efforts of TPTB to “help” us “choose” the “right” winner.

I hope they get someone with good ideas who appreciates what the audience sees in the contestants.

Interesting news. Could it be….?

If it’s true, I hope they’ve got someone terribly creative and intelligent set to take his place.

They’d better not screw up my American Idol!

And yeah…why the corpse picture?

At the very least, if this is true, I hope it means the death of the mosh pit.

oh…the horrid mosh pit must go!!!!

and the pimping

and the telling us “America got it wrong”

and telling us who will probably win before the fact (in radio interviews)

but I do agree this past year was excellent for the most part.

I actually like Nigel on SYTYCD, but fresh ideas for Idol would be a good thing.

Well, there’s a whole team of Idol producers, including Ken Warwick and Cecil Frot-Coutaz. I doubt that Nigel was calling all the shots. If Nigel is leaving, I hope a new producer from the outside is brought in to take his place, rather than just promoting from within. New blood would definitely be a good thing.

Oh Gawd yes, let him take the mosh pit with him. I HATE that.

How about mj as the producer? I’m sure you’d make a great producer! :)

Hoping it’s true. Clive demoted and Nigel gone would make my day!

Nigel became a big question mark to me this year when I read that he had proposed ‘Homeward Bound’ (the dirge-like Simon & Garfunkel tune from 35 years ago) as the duet for the Davids at the finale show. Could anyone be so clueless as to think this depressing, outdated tune was appropriate for these 2 fresh-faced kids to sing at what was supposed to be a celebratory event?
He’s far more accepting of new dance and music on SYTYCD, for some reason. And I think he’s a good dance judge (except for constant leering at both boys and girls, heh!).
He helped make AI great, so I wish him well. I like people who know when it’s time to go.

I am not on the Nigel must die bandwagon. I actually think that the show doesn’t need much treaking, just a little less “producing”. Nigel leaving won’t accomplish some of the things we want to see implemented.

Looks like it’s true.

It’ll be interesting to see what changes are made, if any.

Nigel probably wants to concentrate on SYTYCD – which is fine. New blood, new ideas can’t possibly hurt Idol – it needs a shot in the arm anyway. Get rid of the mosh pit, let the contestants sing more current music or even better, their own music. I think the initial intention of this show was to target the young. But thru the years there has not been any “tweaking” of music selection. Young people have left – from what I have read the demographic is much older now. The average age of viewers is 40! Lordy!

I’m thinking an AMERICAN perspective would probably be good.

There are many changes needed with the show and Nigel is lower down on the list. When PaulaGate happened warning flairs went up. TPTB needed to read every forum and news article. Replacing a judge would help. I suggested Randy. They need NEW blood on the show.

As mentioned, the Mosh Pit must go. Shorter audition time with qualified contestants is a must. Have one show dedicated to the worst. We have been down the road enough.

We know the pimping won’t go away, unfortunately.

The only good thing about Nashville Star is that it had that one show where the contestants got to sing one of their own songs. I would like to see something like that on Idol. Hopefully with Nigel gone, some steps will be taken to keep the show fresh.

Nigel is an excellent producer and he’s probably ready to do something different. The ratings really slipped this Season but rebound with the finale. As long as the judges have opinions, the “pimping” will continue. Looking back, the ones that got the major “pimpage” – Carrie, Daughtry and now Archie, have been quite worthy IMHO.

Yeah, what jpfan said. Catdog, I think that is the crux of idol dilemma. They want a younger denographic than the one they have, they want the youngsters…..maybe a younger producer with a fresh approach, I dunno. I know they must be allowed to do more current music. Whether Nigel leaving changes that has yet to be determined.

I agree on ditchin the DAWG keeper. Randy pretty much said crap last season that was worth listening or repeating. Heck Paula called the winner at least she has some clue. I’d love to see Randy replaced with someone new.

I always wondered why SYTYCD seemed more current than AI, and now I wonder if it’s cause it was more Nigel’s “baby” and he just didn’t care as much about AI. Of course it’s hard to tell what with his preference for cheesy groupsings and songs from the disco era.

I think AI’s established itself enough that it won’t totally lose the tone we’re used to just cause Nigel’s left. It will be interesting to see what *does* change though.

You know I used to hate on the moshpits but they’re not so bad per se…I realized it was the Swaybots I found obnoxious.

On the ratings slippage, didn’t ALL television shows slip in ratings due to the writers’ strike and AI’s decline wasn’t actually as bad as the average decline for all TV shows in general? Or is rational thought considered a big ole party pooper for all the ‘AI is circling the drain’ media types?

Considering the show that Nigel seems to have more of a hand in, SYTYCD, is the one that gets more praise for it’s format and style, I somehow don’t think Nigel is the biggest problem with the AI team. Maybe – hopefully – the pimping will be cut down a bit, but the judging issues, the favoritism, the theme and song selection issues, and the like are probably not all down to him.

I wonder if they will even bother to bring in another producer. No reason the two left can’t handle it. Not that I think it would be a good thing, but it is a possibility.

I do think that if they are smart enough to go for new blood they shouldn’t worry about the country of origin of the new producer. I’d rather the issue be getting someone interested in music, and how to make a good show with the artists than have them get some one who thinks they know how to make ‘good television.’

Whatever happens, count me among those interested in whether this effects the format of season 8.

here’s more confirmation!

http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20216860,00.html

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Looking back, the ones that got the major à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“pimpageà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  – Carrie, Daughtry and now Archie, have been quite worthy IMHO.

Didn’t they really pimp Tamyra and Ruben, too??