Nigel Lythgoe is returning to American Idol as Executive Producer, reports E News. Not surprised E broke the news, as Nigel’s show “Opening Act” airs on the cable channel.
After months of negotiations, Nigel Lythgoe will return as executive producer of American Idol next season, E! News exclusively confirms.
Due to the prolonged negotiation, a show source tells E! News that production is “way behind normal schedule,” and that the first thing on Nigel’s to-do list is to “lock in judges.”
Oh to be a fly on the wall during the negotiations. What could have been the hold up? And somehow, I think, FOX and Freemantle have probably locked in the judges on their own. E reports that an official announcement will be made soon.
With all the changes happening at Idol, they really need Nigel to stick around and make sure Idol is STILL IDOL when TPTB are done tinkering with it. I’m glad Nigel will be back.
As far as the judges’ announcements. I’m guessing official word will come down during premiere weed (September 12) just like it did when Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler were formerly introduced. Of course, we knew they would be judges weeks before that time.
VIA E News.
