Nigel Lythgoe dropped by Huffington Post to chat about the 7 Emmy nominations, including Outstanding Reality Competition and Outstanding Reality Host, that his critically acclaimed dance show, So You Think You Can Dance received.
But he also shared his feelings on being fired from his other show, American Idol.
At about the 11:28 mark, the interviewer asks Nigel to respond to something season 5 winner, Taylor Hicks who said he was very upset that Nigel and fellow producer, Ken Warwick were fired.
“It was tough,” said Nigel about the experience of being fired, “I’d be lying if I said, ‘oh, it was just one of those things.’ It was tough. I brought it here. I was the executive that created the show from a piece of paper. So, you feel as though it’s your show. But it has been dipping in the ratings. If the people who now own the show–cause it’s gone through many hands along the way. I said this before. If they feel the show is going to be better without Ken and I there as the executive producers, then fingers crossed that they’re right. Without that show, we’re going to be missing a great deal of talent that’s out there.”
“I don’t want to lose the show whatever happens to it,” he said. “I hope they find a set of judges that have chemistry.”
“That’s the biggest thing last year,” Nigel continued. “Those judges really, as great as they are as individuals, didn’t really gel as a team. I think people forgot that you really do need good chemistry for judges.”
Nigel went on to compliment rival, The Voice, “And that’s why The Voice, as well as having a cute little gimmick with the revolving chairs–with Blake Shelton and Adam Levine, there’s great chemistry and camaraderie there. And even when Usher and Shakira joined in, that chemistry was maintained.”
However, Nigel feels the drama ultimately did not overshadow the talent. He feels the team did their “utmost best” to focus on the contestants. Actually, I disagree with that. Mariah Carey and Nicki Minaj couldn’t resist throwing passive-aggressive shade at each other during the live shows. But, whatever Nigel.
For the record, the most aspect of being fired was his family having to read the gossip. “It wasn’t handled well,” Nigel said, “We all came out of it feeling a bit sick.”
He adds that the panel found some terrific talent in winner Candice Glover and runner-up, Kree Harrison. And he believes 3rd placer, Angie Miller is a “brilliant” songwriter.
Also, Nigel says Paula Abdul will return to So You Think You Can Dance! Also, he chats about being pals with the folks at Dancing with the Stars, and promotes the Dizzy Feet Foundation, an organization the promotes dance for underprivileged kids.
Watch the interview below.
