Nigel Lythgoe has announced that he will be stepping down as executive producer of American Idol.
Nigel has been at the helm of the show for all its seven series, but has decided to stand down so he can concentrate on his other show, ‘So You Think You Cna Dance.’
“Due to the huge success of Dance, my summer will be taken up by travels to South Africa, Australia and Canada to work on local versions of the show,” Lythgoe explained in a statement. “I will step back from my day-to-day producing work on American Idol and will be devoting my time to a new venture with Simon Fuller.” Continue reading ‘Nigel Lythgoe leaves ‘American Idol’‘ »
Hilarious!! Simon Cowell was ambushed this week by his ‘first love’ on American Idol as she phoned in unexpectedly to ask if he still remembered their first kiss.
Whats the bets he calls her up this week and ‘catches up’…..
X Factor judge Simon Cowell has admitted that he has installed a telescope in his LA mansion so that he can spy on his rich and famous mansion.
Simon was inspired by the iconic seventies movie ‘10’, where Dudley Moore’s character did exactly the same thing.
He told The Mirror, “I saw that Dudley Moore film and it was great. Afterwards, I got a telescope installed in my kitchen so I can spy on people.
“I look out over the Hollywood Hills into my neighbours’ gardens. It’s an amazing view. It isn’t powerful enough to see into their homes - so you can’t see them in the shower - but you can see into their gardens.
“It’s great fun. I just like to keep an eye on what is happening.”
American Idol judge, Paula Abdul has revealed this week that she is constantly being asked by interviewers and fans, whether or not Simon Cowell is gay.
The former dancer who is currently starring in her own reality TV show told this week’s issue of Star magazine: “People say that all the time but no, he’s not!
“His brother always jokes and says that he’s gay but Simon has fun with it now. He’s very comfortable in his skin.”
American Idol prodcuer, Nigel Lythgoe (you’ll remember him as the man who told Kym Marsh she was fat on Popstars), has claimed that American Idol contestants are more talented than their UK counterparts.
Funnily enough, while watching the American Idol final 24 perform on ITV2 last night, my husband and I were saying the eaxt same thing. They have at least 5 girls who can sing as well as Leona Lewis, and none of their boys are as talentless as Leon Jackson!
Lythgoe commented:
“Each year I am surprised and gratified that the talent just keeps coming [to American Idol]. We’re a much smaller country in the UK and there is a smaller talent pool.
“Here it is topped up every year because you’re allowed to come at 16, and the sort of David Archuletas and the Alexandrea Lushingtons that have just joined us now, well they were nine when we started here, and ten.
“Now they’ve watched this show all the way through their little lives and finally come on it.”
“In the UK we really had to go out there and find it and put notices out there all the time to [say] please come, we’re auditioning. You kept your fingers crossed,” he said.
I don’t know about the rest of you, but I love American Idol. The people are way more talented than the dweebs we get on UK’s X Factor and the show just seems so much more interesting.
I just came across a great interview with Nigel Lythgoe, executive producer of the show, and he has revealed that big changes are in store for the next American Idol series, due to kick off in January.
Some of the changes the bosses are considering implementing are:
* changing the format to let singers show other musical talents, such as guitar playing.
* fewer celebrity “mentors,” like Diana Ross and Tony Bennett, who appeared every week last season and took attention away from the contestants.
* combining the annual “Idol” live tour with the “So You Think You Can Dance” tour - to create a show with both singing and dancing.
I think that fans of this show format, whether it be X Factor or American Idol, will be highly appreciative of the first two changes. It would be nice to get a picture of how talented a person really is, rather than being subjected to them singing cheesy covers week after week.
Also the weekly brown nosing of celebrities like Tony Bennett, who no one under 60 really gives a hoot about, was getting too nauseating for my liking. I think Nigel Lythgoe is onto a good one here, I just hope that these ideas make it as far as the live show and aren’t vetoed by Mr ‘big man’ Cowell.
Counrty singer Dolly Parton has reportedly turned down an offer to become one of the judges on American Idol.
Dolly Parton is convinced she wouldn’t be suited to the role, as she would be too nice to contestants, and wouldn’t want to tell them that they “suck.”
She has however agreed to have a night themed in her honour and to spend some time backstage with the finalists helping them learn her songs.
American Idol producers have decided to extend the format into the world of bands.
The Next Great American Band airs on Fox network beginning Oct. 19, the judges include Goo Goo Dolls singer John Rzeznik, percussionist Sheila E. and Australian TV personality Ian Dickson. ‘New Zealand Idol’ host Dominic Bowden serves as the host, E! News reported.
The show will have a similar format to Idol, with judges offering their critique on the performances, but the results will be ultimately based on the public vote.
