Nigel Lythgoe spoke to reporters last night at the 3rd annual Critics Choice Television Awards in Los Angeles about his “embarrassing” dismissal as executive producer from American Idol.
Nigel broke the news over the weekend via twitter that he’d been fired from American Idol. On Monday he released a statement to the press. But he still has more to say about parting ways with the show he helped make a world-wide phenomenon.
Nigel stresses the importance of screen testing:
“I believe in getting people together, testing their chemistry which is what I did with Randy, Paula and Simon,” he explained. “After that whoever you bring in is a risk because we’ve saw it happen before. Its one of those things, you don’t know how anybody’s going to be as a judge. You could be the greatest singer in the world that doesn’t necessarily mean you’re going to be a good judge.”
When asked if FOX should try to bring together the 3 original judges, he answered, “maybe they should!”
“I suppose both Ken [Warwick] and myself, we created the production that then went worldwide and certainly created the results show, which was never in anybody’s thoughts until we came to America. And it feels like that’s the template for many other reality shows now. So then to be asked to leave, it’s then like, ‘Oh wow.'”
“It was embarrassing for everybody.”
Whatever happens, he hopes FOX finds a way to “recharge the batteries” and if it means a change in leadership, then so be it.
“The big thing for me is to keep that platform for the talent. If the ratings keep going down the program is going to be canceled and the platform’s gonna go. And you won’t get the Kelly Clarksons and Carrie Underwoods.”
Via E News
