Nigel Lythgoe Addresses Idol Voting Conspiracy Theories (Plus S10 Charts on iTunes

In light of the recent “shocking” elimination of Pia Toscano, Nigel spoke out Tuesday at the HRTS Newsmakers Luncheon Series about Idol‘s voting system and why the exact number of votes each contestant receives is kept from viewers…

Nigel…went on to explain why viewers will never know the exact number of votes each contestant receives. “Let’s take the Carrie Underwood season. Carrie Underwood won every single week, ” he said. “You show the vote and the show is over. There’s no jeopardy if you’re watching somebody win every single week.”

So, instead of transparency, Nigel leaks info about which of the Idols are leading the pack to TMZ, while also minimizing Pia’s importance to the competition. As if that didn’t affect the competition.

“There are always conspiracy theories, but you know we are so careful, ” Nigel said. “[Voting is] done through AT&T and we get the results. It’s done so openly. We’ve got all the terrible things happening around the world with Libya, with Japan and what’s everyone talking about? ‘How did Pia get voted off?'”

Oh c’mon all this handwringing is good for the show. Thou Dost Protest Too Much Nigel.

Probably bored with dissing Simon Cowell’s X Factor, Nigel moves on to taking digs  at  NBC’s competitive reality show, The Voice:

“After the initial stage of that, the gag’s over, ” he said.  “I mean that’s it. Once you’ve chosen your people, you know what they look like and then it’s straight mentoring. I don’t know the program, but the concept is you choose the voice by not seeing them. So you can pick a Susan Boyle—Shrek’s older sister, you can pick the voice and then you mentor that person. So once that first initial week is over, then it becomes a normal mentoring show.”

Actually…I think Nigel’s got a point. The Voice is pimping itself on gimmick and star power (with Xtina, Cee Lo and Adam Levine on the judges’ panel). We’ll see if it can really deliver.

Speaking of transparency? Baby steps.   Idol is allowing iTunes to chart the sales of their weekly Idol iTunes compilations.  The Top 9 collection came in at #9 this week.

About mj santilli 34832 Articles
Founder and editor of mjsbigblog.com, home of the awesomest fan community on the net. I love cheesy singing shows of all kinds, whether reality or scripted. I adore American Idol, but also love The Voice, Glee, X Factor and more!