When it was announced on Thursday that American Idol executive producer, Per Blankens would be stepping down, our minds instantly went to former producer, Nigel Lythgoe as the obvious replacement to see the veteran show through it’s fifteenth and final season.
Why not? If the last season will be about not only finding the last great American Idol, but also revelling in its storied past, who better to oversee one last party than the man who was there from the beginning and helped make the show the powerhouse it became?
Read More: Executive Producer Per Blankens Exits American Idol
But ALAS, The Wrap is reporting that FremantleMedia president of entertainment programming for North America Trish Kihane will be serving as showrunner for season 15. ETA: Kihane is one of the EPs on American Idol 14. She was also involved with X Factor US during it’s tenure.
But doesn’t her executive position at Freemantle keep her busy? Surely she’ll need some help from a pro! I thought it was a good sign that Nigel was invited to the Idol finale, and appeared really happy to be there. Maybe he’ll come on board in some capacity, anyway. It would be nice to end American Idol the way it began, with the man who knows the show inside and out.
By the way, our Nigel pimping hasn’t gone unnoticed. A link to the first report was tweeted to Nigel and he replied with a thank you.
RT @LeftFeat: @dizzyfeet If you do not know, there’s a MAJOR love fest going on in your honor: … http://t.co/PHDpey59cT
— Nigel Lythgoe (@dizzyfeet) May 16, 2015
