In an interview with the New York Post’s Pop Wrap, Nigel Lythgoe addresses “viewer manipulation”:
I’m sorry to have lost James. He was one of my personal favorites. Any one of this Top 10 could have worked well in the Top 2. This season has been remarkable with talent. I would have loved to have seen Casey in there, Pia in there. And I keep reading these tweets saying I manipulated the show to lose James. You silly buggers. Why on earth would I want to lose James?!?!
Some fans believe the producers are throwing Haley under the bus. What about that?
I just don’t get it. Unless I’m really Machiavellian and I’m doing it from this reverse psychological method, which I don’t even know about because it’s my alter ego doing it. Haley has been one of the few that the judges have had harsh words for – but don’t forget that the judges know that her second song will be fantastic because they’ve watched the dress rehearsal. So I think maybe they know they can be tough on the first song because the second one is a wow moment. There’s something about that comeback she’s done the last two weeks that generates incredible votes. The fact is we’re much more, if you like, manipulative on “SYTYCD” than on “Idol, ” because on “Dance” you give us the bottom three and we make the decision who goes home. Which is a format change I’d like to see on “Idol” to be quite frank with you.
Hm. So Nigel claims messing around with Haley is merely good for pulling in more votes? Really? I guess the key is to have a FANTASTIC dress rehearsal, because that’s when the judges are paying attention? I’m surprised Nigel is admitting that the judges’ critiques are plotted out ahead of time (although it was pretty obvious).
And Nigel continues to advocate a SYTYCD format for Idol. If the judges choose who goes home, Nigel says, you can do away with the “silly judges save”. (I’m guessing the higher ups are saying No No No to the format change.)
And on Jimmy Iovine
I think he’s been absolutely superb. I haven’t always agreed with his comments, but that’s what he’s there for. He’s there to be contentious. He’s there to stimulate. He’s there to make people think. He’s the one out there selling records. Not us. We make TV shows. You have to listen to what he’s got to say. I don’t think the kids realize how powerful that man actually is [laughs]. I think he’s marvelous and in the spirit of a good recording executive, there’s no bulls*** with him. The bottom line is: “are you going to make me money?” This isn’t a charity, this is a business.
The rest of the interview covers the debut of So You Think You Can Dance, premiering on May 26. Because Adam Shankman will be busy directing Rock of Ages, the 3rd judges chair will rotate. Nigel and Mary Murphy will permanently fill the other seats. Also, the Top 20 will be back by viewer demand, with the All-Stars entering the mix at Top 10. Alex Wong may return as an All-Star, not a competitor (after his injury, Nigel invited him to try out again this season).
