Nigel Lythgoe to Produce Singing Competition for CBS

Now that he has no singing show to produce after being fired from American Idol, Nigel Lythgoe is putting together a pilot for CBS called In the Spotlight.

Nigel Lythgoe American IdolCBS is entering the music competition reality series space with In the Spotlight, executive produced by Nigel Lythgoe, the original executive producer of the first big US hit in the genre, Fox’s American Idol.

Also executive producing In the Spotlight, which has received a pilot order, is former CBS head of alternative Jennifer Bresnan in her first pilot since leaving her post in the summer. In the Spotlight is based on the Turkish paper format Keep Your Light Shining, which has undergone some changes.

CBS wouldn’t reveal details but, according to international Global Agency, which represents the original format, Keep Your Light Shining features 12 contestants on a dark circular stage with a moving spotlight, with them taking turns to sing as the spotlight shines each of them for 15-20 seconds. Each round, one contestant is eliminated by the audience, with the show also featuring a panel of celebrity judges. Executive producing with Lythgoe and Bresnan are Jeff Collins & Michael Hammond (Dance Moms).

Nigel has produced singing shows for cable, including, The Next Great American Band and CMT’s Next Superstar, neither of which stuck. This particular show doesn’t sound too promising either. At this point, the only thing new singing shows have going for them is outrageous gimmicks (Spotlight’s following singers around while viewers vote in real time? This sounds a lot like the Israeli show, Rising Star, ABC will air this summer.

Via Deadline

About mj santilli 34829 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!