Nigel Lythgoe: No Longer "Idol" Wannabe

Posted Aug 4th 2008 11:00AM by TMZ Staff

Nigel LythgoeNigel Lythgoe is off "American Idol."

TMZ has learned Lythgoe, who has executive produced the show for seven seasons, has just taken himself off the program and will not return. No replacement has been named.

We're told Lythgoe felt it was time for someone else to step in. Sources say he's said privately he is "not passionate about it anymore." "A.I.'s" ratings slipped last season, and the show was getting a little boring.

We're also told Lythgoe is working on some kind of a joint venture with Simon Fuller, who created "Idol." Lythgoe wants to spend his time on "So You Think You Can Dance."

Filed under: American Idol

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1. AI has gotten boring but SYTYCD is awesome!

Posted at 9:59AM on Aug 4th 2008 by NotFamous

2. Why does this guy look like he just came out of a bathtub full of formaldehyde? Is that what AI will do to you?

Posted at 10:04AM on Aug 4th 2008 by Ehecatl

3. I sense an "Idol" shark jump...

Posted at 10:21AM on Aug 4th 2008 by Nicks

4. that is admirable. the rest of "holywood's finest" should follow lythgoe's lead.

Posted at 10:22AM on Aug 4th 2008 by shifty

5. He is an english older man andi think he is still hot. Why do aging people get so much bad things said about them as if we live like in the movie Logan's Run. If you have not seen the movie, I suggest you rent it. In the movie, people are killed when they reach the age of 34 so they don't age. I think anyone who is older and had not had plastic surgery are wise, compassionate and beautiful. Go see the movie, it's a classic then STFU about how older people look!!! if you live long enough you will look older too.

Posted at 10:25AM on Aug 4th 2008 by He is still hot

6. I have to agree with Nigel. The show has gotten terribly boring. They need some fresh ideas and maybe some new people picking the talent. Many of the singers have no personality at all.

Posted at 10:34AM on Aug 4th 2008 by Bird

7. Exclusive my AZZ! thedirty.com broke this story last night! Dirty Army for life! Nik u da man.

Posted at 10:40AM on Aug 4th 2008 by Dirty Ninja

8. I gotta agree, Idol has gotten sooo boring. I watch the auditions and the first few weeks of the competition but it is literally so boring I can't take it after that. SYTYCD, on the other hand, just gets more and more exciting as the weeks go on - and I was never a big dance fan LOL. I think Idol's on the way out, it has lost any legitimacy it may have held a few years ago.

Posted at 10:53AM on Aug 4th 2008 by Jen

9. Hopefully this is the beginning of the end of American Idol.

Posted at 11:11AM on Aug 4th 2008 by Vince W.

10. Fire Ryan off of the show and I am sure it would be better!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted at 11:15AM on Aug 4th 2008 by heyyouks

11. He's not the only one not passionate about it..Idol is really stinkin up Fox..

Posted at 11:20AM on Aug 4th 2008 by Alex McCarthy

12. He rocks on So you think you can dance. I love that he isn't afraid to call out the coreographers if they have done a lousy job. good Luck Nigel!!!

Posted at 11:25AM on Aug 4th 2008 by spindoc

13. I don't blame Nigel for jumping a sinking ship! This last season on "IDOL", was filled with nothing but ringers! I mean I thought that the shows ideas was supossed to be true singer "Wannabe's" singers that need molded, not mucicians whom are already in bands.. Heck Simon said his self that there too many ringers on the show, and the next year will be a different venue, but it's the same season after season..

Posted at 12:15PM on Aug 4th 2008 by BearTrak62

14. SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE, Is a CLASS show! Excellent! This year has been the best! The last 6 should all win!

Posted at 12:29PM on Aug 4th 2008 by AttitudeDude

15. If this is true, all I can say is "Hallelujah"! I may actually consider watching AI again with Lythgoe gone, if only other Hollywood folks would follow his example.

Posted at 1:01PM on Aug 4th 2008 by nur07

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