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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."

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61. american idol has so many commercials. at my house we just watch the last few minutes of each show and then go on line to hear our favorites performance. they really need to cut down on the commercials

Posted at 12:20PM on Aug 5th 2008 by corisu3

62. They played it too safe last year to avoid getting any Sanjaya's who might win idol with little talent. They need to pick amateurs this year, not people with prior record deals and so what if a popular no talent wins? Many of the supposedly talented one's lost their record deals already anyway.

Posted at 8:45PM on Aug 5th 2008 by Wendy

63. ai has too many commercials

Posted at 12:23PM on Aug 5th 2008 by corisu3

64. AI has run it's course I agree BUT a huge improvement would be...GET RID of PAULA! This chick can't sing and recently has cancelled being on the Today Show AGAIN...is it that she is afraid she can't sing LIVE? She would be more fit for the dance show since she is a choreographer.

Posted at 5:28PM on Aug 5th 2008 by TXHillcntry

65. Hopefully a new producer will bring on some "mentor singers" who are more current. The people who have been on to work with the contestants are certainly talented but are dated. Newer talent might improve the ratings!

Posted at 12:45PM on Aug 5th 2008 by ricky

66. congrats nigel! I love so you think u can dance!!! Mary & Mia rock too!

Posted at 1:01PM on Aug 5th 2008 by dianne

67. We have been watching the talent show with all of those teenagers singing..and those kids out sing, out perform AI contestants 10 out of 10 and the staffer's get these performances out of those kids without brow beating one of them...it is so fresh to hear these kids being treated like they are really cared about.....while I love Simon Cowell it does get rather old to hear his caustic remarks...Randy is probably the middle balancing judge 9 out of 10 times...poor Paula? I like her...

Posted at 12:54PM on Aug 5th 2008 by Zig

68. American Idol's format was changed so many that it's now very boring. If they went back to original format, it might stand a chance. So You Think You Can Dance should be renamed So You Think You Can Perform because as far as I'm concerned there's lil dancing in the routines and more acting and performing. Both shows have totally disappointed me this year and I'm finally over them. And Nygel is an old pervert, who makes me sick to my stomach when he checks out the young girls up and down. (young enough to be his daughter) I'm done ranting!!

Posted at 1:39PM on Aug 5th 2008 by Nightbird

69. this is the first year i began to watch SYTYCD. one can't even compare this show to AI in the same sentence. to see that the top contestants can come out of their preferred genre of dance and perform the choreography that is put on them by outstanding choreographers is truly amazing. these dancers will all receive many more "yes's" than "thank you for coming's" in future auditions. nigel made a good decision. good luck to him and the show.

Posted at 2:00PM on Aug 5th 2008 by maggie

70. From catterwalling and screeching, to flopping around on the floor like an epileptic siezure and calling it dancing. Neither are forms of entertainment that I am interested in. CLICK, the channel just got turned.

Posted at 2:09PM on Aug 5th 2008 by Spare me from the reality.

71. Nice that my comment did not appear. Nigel is not the reason AI has become boring. The most recent cast of characters was not up to any standard. David Archuleta should not have been allowed to compete. He's made the rounds of talent shows sunce he was a very young boy. AI needs new judges. Paula never really gives true construtive criticism. Randy needs a new vocabulary. Simon needs to stop thinking he's God. Also, there are times that they seem to hear something totally different than what the rest of us might.

Posted at 8:09AM on Aug 6th 2008 by GerriH

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