Nigel Lythgoe Confirms American Idol Ouster: 'They Feel The Show Needs New Leadership'
Confirming a recent report and surprising nobody, Nigel Lythgoe on Saturday confirmed that his reign as an American Idol executive producer has come to an end.
Lythgoe shared and qualified his ouster in a Twitter message to fans, while also assuring So You Think You Can Dance viewers that he's not stepping away from that Fox gig.
just had 10 days in the Bahamas, rain everyday. I get back to the States and get fired. Sad! Monday we choose our top 20. I'll smile again.
— Nigel Lythgoe OBE (@dizzyfeet) June 8, 2013
Yes, don't worry I'm on #SYTYCD. FOX still loves me. It's not a personal thing they just feel IDOL needs new leadership after 12 Seasons.
— Nigel Lythgoe OBE (@dizzyfeet) June 8, 2013
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Earlier this month, it was reported that Lythgoe and Ken Warwick were exiting Fox's long-running singing competition amid sagging ratings and a planned overhaul of the program during its current off-season that got underway when Season 12 judges Mariah Carey and Nicki Minaj, like Randy Jackson shortly before them, announced they wouldn't return for the next cycle.
Season 12 premiered to 18 million viewers — Idol's least-watched opener since Season 1 (which aired during the summer) — and closed with 14.3 mil, down 33 percent versus Season 11 and the first time a coronation ceremony drew below 20 million viewers.
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Rumors persist that Fox is planning a panel comprised entirely of former Idol contestants, including Jennifer Hudson, Kelly Clarkson and either Adam Lambert or Clay Aiken. With a new person — News Corp. TV executive David Hill — replacing reality-TV vet Mike Darnell in the role of overseeing Idol, expect Season 13 plans, judging panel included, to firm up in the coming months.