The ‘So You Think You Can Dance’ judge says ‘Idol’ was more worried about the judges than the talent this year.
By Gil Kaufman – MTV News
Nigel Lythgoe doesn’t produce “American Idol” anymore, but that doesn’t mean the “So You Think You Can Dance” judge/ executive producer doesn’t have an opinion on the troubled ninth season of “Idol.”
Though it retained its title as the most popular show on television, Lythgoe told The Canadian Press that “Idol” show-runners lost a bit of their mojo this year.
“The team took their eye off the ball a little bit and was more worried about the judges and what was happening with them than it was regarding the talent last year,” he said. “It became about Kara (DioGuardi) joining and making the fourth judge; Paula (Abdul) leaving; Ellen (DeGeneres) joining and Simon leaving — and much more about them and concentrating on that than on the talent that they were finding.”
In general, Lythgoe said, he wasn’t much of a fan of the season, which ended with former paint salesman Lee DeWyze winning out over earthy Ohio single mom Crystal Bowersox in the lowest-rated “Idol” finale since season one.
“It wasn’t a vintage year,” he said, adding that he doesn’t believe departed lead judge Cowell should be replaced on the panel. “It’s never been my opinion that four judges work on that program because it should be about the talent,” said Lythgoe, who was one of the executive producers of “Idol” for the first seven seasons.
In other “Idol” news, the American Federation of Musicians sued the show’s producers on Friday, claiming that “Idol” has sold downloads and ringtones of songs performed on the show without paying the musicians who originally played on them, according to Variety. The suit seeks $500,000 in back pay for the union musicians who played the songs on the show.
While the “Idol” band members are paid for the initial performance on the show, AFM contracts call for additional payment for any “new use” of their music, including ringtones, which the union claims the musicians have not been paid for. The union is also seeking contributions to the union pension fund, interest, attorney fees and payments to the Film Musicians Secondary Markets Fund for “American Idol” video sales with song performances. According to a union spokesperson, the lawsuit was a final resort after the failure of settlement talks — in which “Idol” producers initially offered a settlement of less than 5 percent of the claim.
A spokesperson for “Idol” could not be reached for comment on Lythgoe’s statements or the lawsuit.
I want to hear more than a snippet of a song from the contestants. They barely have time to get the song going before they have to stop. And it’s great how the contestants can “make the song their own” but
the first and foremost prerequisite should be that they sing on key.
And I don’t really pay much attention to what the judges say. It’s about what I think and who I think I would pay money to see in concert and buy their music. And I wouldn’t vote for somebody just because they have a sob story. They gotta be the best singer period.
@ DrillerAA:
I understand what you mean Driller and I realize during the actual contestant singing, that they are given exactly one and a half minutes, but I think they had more time for group singing and guest singers in the past. Sure it would mean more commercials too. But It has become too much about the judges and how they feel, and now these kids are as confused as a termite in a yo-yo trying to follow way too much advice. It is having an obvious adverse affect on their psyche. The show needs to get away from so much artistry and what kind of star they want to be in the future and get back to a singing competition. Just let them wail their young hearts out. And may the best voice win!
I disagree with everybody. Contrariness is the word of the day. Nobody’s right when everybody’s wrong. Wait, that’s the wrong song.
I don’t want to see Idol get wrecked and cancelled. I hope the producers listen to Nigel’s advice and try to put the judges back into their original role: Three judges to critique the performances and audition first-round talent. No more and no less.
Amen, Lee. If it ain’t broke don’t screw with it.
@ Easy Rider:
Sorry Leeasy, but three judges only means more time for commercials and random dribble. The singers get 90 seconds per song. That will probably not ever change.
I think that Lythgoe is right on the money. If it ain’t broke don’t fix it. 3 judges means more time for singing, these kids get to much advice now. Ellen is nothing more then a pawn to incorporate the two shows giving idol more public exposure and advertising money. I like chocolate cake but not at every meal. I like Idol, but too much is too much, one show is plenty. Familiarity breeds boredom and contempt.
I don’t believe not paying those hard working musicians was a mere oversight. Greed, Greed, Greed! If 16 million dollars an episode ain’t enough money for everybody then no amount is.
I hope next season improves because I really like this phenomena we call American Idol.
Lythgoe needs to stay out of it…IMO. Also, I don’t agree with him. The judges have always been a big part of the show. I personally don’t care if they talk about/to the judges, as long as I get to hear the singing.
I like Lythgoe on SYTYCD, but he just always seems to be first in line to bash AI. Get over it, dude.