Nigel Lythgoe, Executive Producer of American Idol speaks with TV Week’s Chuck Ross. You can download the podcast here. Or, read the interview transcript here.
Nigel tells Chuck Ross that there will be a major announcement to the press regarding Idol within the next couple of weeks.
Read highlights of the interview:
Mr. Ross: I first want to talk about the show that you directed. They had to whittle down 172 contestants [with] twice as many gals as guys. And right from the beginning of that show, Jory comes out and all six girls come out and I thought, “Well, they’re going to pick one or two,” and boom, bam, all six girls were out and that certainly set the tone.
Mr. Lythgoe: It did; it was murderous to watch. We sat there, and I was in truck directing, and I was just totally shocked because I thought there were at least two good ones there. But they knew that they had to get rid of a lot of girls that day, and they did.Mr. Ross: Just so sad. A couple of stories I just wanted to highlight, one that Simon himself thought would go all the way, which is Bailey Brown. She had forgotten her words and that seemed to be the end of it.
Mr. Lythgoe: I know. I’m rather hoping that Bailey will come back next year and remember her words, a little bit like Nick Gonzalez did.
That’s PEDRO Nigel, not Gonzalez….
Mr. Ross: Let’s jump over to the final 24 because that’s what’s on everybody’s minds going into the subsequent weeks here. We had a number of people, I think there were six or seven, that we barely, if ever, had seen before, which I thought was pretty interesting.
Mr. Lythgoe: Well I think that’s the same every year, I think at least now you’ve seen all of them. I remember Kelly Clarkson saying to me, “They never really saw me,” and it didn’t stop her winning. But it is amazing how people do get lost and unless there’s a major story there, it’s very difficult to feature them. People like Matt and the story with his mom takes a lot of air time and unfortunately we lose them, and although we invest in them, they’re gone.
What have we learned? Have a good backstory–or invent one.
Mr. Ross: That brings up a question that some of the fans have asked me and wondered if I could ask you, which is…speaking of Sundance and some of the choices they made last night…are a little more personality driven? If they’re going to give the edge to someone, maybe the personality’s going to throw them over if the singing’s not quite there one night.
Mr. Lythgoe: That’s absolutely a fact of life. You have to remember that this is a popularity competition just as much as it is a talent competition. An Idol has to have everything; an Idol has to have personality; an Idol has to be a star. I don’t particularly think, although she’s very good, Jennifer Lopez has the greatest voice of all time, but she’s a star. She has star quality and that is why people adore her. And [she has] a really good voice, not a great voice. And it’s the same with “American Idol.” Not always our best voices win every year, it’s up there with personality, and it’s up there with magnetism. And I think when you’re judging somebody, if they stand out in your head…you’re looking at 174 people and [have] got to figure out who your 24 are. So there must be something you can latch onto, and America does that when they vote.
Mr. Ross: One of the other things that the fans asked me to bring up, it’s been mentioned in a couple of the sites, is a little excitement building that maybe we’ll have an appearance with a man known for his glove, Mr. Michael Jackson. Anything you can tell us along those lines?
Mr. Lythgoe: No. It’s not true, is what I can say, just not true.Mr. Ross: So you’re saying we just won’t see him this year, or is that something that’s just up in the air still?
Mr. Lythgoe: No, we won’t be seeing him.
No Michael Jackson. Thank Finn. A Jackson appearance would generate a lot of press, but his reputation would take the focus off of the competition–not a good thing.
Mr. Ross: Anything you can tell us about the contest we’re doing and how that’s going?
Mr. Lythgoe: No, there’s nothing else that I can sort of fill you in at the moment with, but please, please look towards a major news announcement in the next couple of weeks.Mr. Ross: Ah ha! Regarding “Idol” and…what would it be? Give us one little more tease.
Mr. Lythgoe: It’s the biggest thing that’s happened to “Idol” in five years. But it does include “American Idol” and it does include America.
The biggest thing that’s happened to Idol in 5 years? What could it be? What do you think?
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Hi MJ. I’ve been reading your blog all through last season, but this is the first I’ve commented.
I think the “Big Thing” is the song writing competition for the song the winner will sing and record as their single. I’d put money on it.
I think it might be the dethroning of our current American Idol once and for all. They won’t anoint chris or kat, they’ll just leave it vacant until AI6 is decided.
Yeah, dave, that’ll happen…
My first thought is that the announcement is about the songwriting competition, but didn’t Ryan mention that during one of the audition shows… maybe LA or San Antonio?
I think the ‘Big Thing” that Nigel is hinting at for AI is a comeback performance by Whitney Houston.
Ok..since my first idea was shot down so quickly…I’ll try again.
If they really are doing a Beatles week…
Paul McCartney will be announced as the guest mentor along with Ringo Starr. They will also perform together on results night.
Oh my gaw paula must be leaving muhahah
It is NOT the songwriting competition. It is pretty big and we all will enjoy it.
I think “the biggest thing that’s happened to Idol in 5 years” is going to be bringing back 10 past finalists to perform the songwriting contest songs, aka the American Idol All-Star Edition.
http://www.zap2it.com/tv/news/zap-lythgoeidolallstars,0,1887063.story?coll=zap-tv-mainheadline
http://www.realitytvmagazine.com/blog/2007/02/who_should_make.html
I think dvls’ got it, though it would be nice to see Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr, or Whitney Houston…and you never know it could happen…I just know how they sometimes pump things up to be much greater than they actually end up being.
Squishy, do you have some inside information to share?? Does it involve Daughtry in some way?
This announcement may indeed be the songwriting competition with previous popular Idols singing various songs ie Tamyra, Ace, Constantine, Vonzell, etc.
But there is also something else that is big that is coming soon. I don’t know when they will announce it but it has been briefly discussed by Nigel.
You will all know about it soon. That is all I am going to say.
It can’t be the song writing competition..they already talked about that on air. I like Dave’s Beatles suggestion but am more inclined to agree with Cricket..Whitney Houston makes her comeback on Idol!
Hmmm, the only other rumor I have heard (which was announced a couple of months ago on a Washington D.C. radio station) is that the viewers are going to be able to vote a contestant from a previous season back onto the show. I do hope the “big announcement” is not about some big superstar(s) appearing on the show. I prefer American Idol remain a singing competition, not a showcase for people who are already stars.
AI All Stars?
Knowing that they got all excited about the mystery guest on last year’s finale (Prince) - it could very well be a special guest like Paul McCartney or Whitney Houston that they think is SUCH a major exciting piece of news. Meh, is all I can say if that is their news.
I like DVLS idea of voting about a past contestant and I wonder who they would put up for the vote? Jennifer Hudson comes to mind, but that’s kind of anti-climatic considering she has already won Clive’s approval and has a record contract. It would need to be a bunch of past contestants that are still floundering in order to make it worthy.
I think having a reunion show (2 hours at least) of past contestants including a bunch from season 5 would be fun whether they are singing the submitted songs or just other songs that would showcase their voices. Can you imagine the horror that someone would have to do a song like MY DESTINY or worse and have their potential career boost based on trying to make a song sound good?
This is Season 5 instead of 6 but I couldn’t reallly find anyplace suitable for this comment. Just wanted to let those who missed the debut of Bucky’s video on CMT’s Top 20 about how good it is. It was a really great video, with old folks sitting on the porches, and kids playing outside and drinking from a water hose and all the while Bucky is strolling down a sunlit path. You really need to see the “sunlit” shot of Bucky at the beginning of the video. He looks super-hot . I think CMT airs its Top 20 several times so you may be able to catch it today or tomorrow, if you are interested. It is shown about 40 minutes into the show.
Elvis is alive and will mentor the “kids”.
Actually, I think the news is Sir Paul McCartney will be a guest judge or mentor.
I’m not sure what the announcement is going to be but I don’t think it would be a big star showing up to perform because, since last year anyway, that’s going to be the new norm. I think we’re looking for a shake up in the whole system. Like maybe being able to bring back someone cut in Hollywood Week or maybe they will have to draw their songs from a hat like they do on “So You Think You Can Dance.” That would be interesting!! If the announcement is going to be made in a few weeks, that would put it close to the time that the final 12 are picked so I believe it would have something to do with that. Just my opinion.
I do not consider a show with former Idol non-winners a “Big Thing”. I don’t care which ones they are.
I do not consider any Idol show that showcases the cheezoid coronation song written by contest winners a “Big Thing.” In fact, I consider that a “Stupid Thing.”
I do not consider a show that lets voters bring back that “special idol” for another round of singing and being voted upon a “Big Thing.” In fact, any former Idol who would agree to this I consider a “Big Idiot.”
I do not consider ANY show that involves Michael Jackson a “Big Thing.” (And that rumor has been dispelled)
I do not consider a show with a comeback for Whitney (Hell to the No) Houston a “Big Thing.”
McCartney or McCartney and Starr or McCartney, Starr, and Ono might be a “Big Thing.” Not sure.
There are a few people I would love to see as guest performers/mentors but I would not consider any of them a “Big Thing.”
So, go on, Nigel. Wow me.
Believe me, Paul and Ringo will NOT be performing together on AI this year. That is a fact!
It will become “International Idol”
Rarely leave lurkdom anymore but doubt the precise wording of this is accidental
MOMster may have something there
has been an awful lot of U.S. “pimpage” of the British version’s winner this time
Neon, I’m with you about Paul McCartney. They’ve been trying to get him on the show for years and he has wanted to, but his schedule just hasn’t worked out. I bet they finally got him this year.
Maybe they’ll do some American Idol/Pop Idol crap. Make the show international. I don’t know how big it’ll be because no one in America cares about other country’s winners.
The big surprise? Leona Lewis! The brightest shimmering star in the Idol fermaMENT!
:crickets:
Well, they have a $10 Million contract with her to launch her international career, right?
Well since the interview stated that it will involve America, I don’t think it will just be a performance, be it by Whitney Houston or Paul McCartney. Which leads me to believe it is the songwriting contest.
Yep, re-reading Nigel’s words makes me think that Nigel is talking about the songwriting contest here since it “involves America”.
Dear Uncle Nigel,
Please let the surprise be that you are doing the early rounds without a backup band so we can hear if the contestants can actually, ya know, SING, and aren’t just a personality that you have manufactured.
Or Please, oh pretty please, let the big surprise be that you are bringing back the Wild Card Round. I heart the Wild Card Round.
Yours Truly, T2
I think its the songwriting contest. How is bring Ace and Constantine back to sing coronation songs “the biggest thing” ever to hit Idol? It sounds like the carpiest.
The Biggest Thing to Happen to Idol in Five Years?!?
AMERICA VOTES SIMON COWELL OFF THE ISLAND!
I surely hope that the big surprise is not the launching 0f Leona Lewis’ career in the US. They once brought Pop Idol to the first AI hoping a little of the glory would rub off on him. Guess what? It didn’t!
Biggest thing that’s ever happened to Idol will be Paula showing up sober for ONE WHOLE NIGHT! Now wouldn’t that be news-worthy? lol j/k j/k
In all truthfullness, I think the “big event” will be the song writing competition…either that or Paul McCartney on Idol.
angelia, like you said, I’d be extremely disappointed if the “big surprise” was Leona Lewis on Idol.
*** is marrying ODL Clive on finale night.
Last year’s top 10 gave Idol a lot of credibility.
Unfortunately, this year’s top 24 are a big step down, in both talent and style.
I can’t quite imagine Paul McCartney appearing with the likes of Antonella Barba and the 7 other cookie-cutter girls who look and sound exactly like her.
Maybe if he waits till the top 5…
If you have listened to Nigel in prior interviews, “tonight will shock the world when this person is eliminated”. Of course it does’nt.
And neither will his latest announcement be the biggest thing to hit AI. My guess its the Beattles theme night and Sir McCartney to appear.
I think they will bring back the past five season winners to compete with each other.
It will be BEATLES NIGHT with Sir Paul McCartney!
Top 10 Surprises could be…
1) Paula Abdul will sing “Rush, Rush” on stage.
2) Singers this year will compose their own songs.
3) There will be two winners from now on (male and female).
4) Winner will win a movie or broadway contract.
5) Simon decides to retire.
6) This year’s Idols will sing for the President.
7) All Top 12 Idols will get a contract no matter what.
8) A former AI winner or contestant will be a 4th judge.
9) There will be a Madonna week.
or
10) Viewers will choose what each contestant will sing.
I think it will be something along the lines of #10 on TRTW’s list. I think America will get the chance to choose what the contestants sing. Of course we will have to text our vote using cingular……..
I agree - it may be #10 since they did it with Australia Idol and it was a huge success!
It could also be the Beatles week with Sir Paul.
How about this one:
Voters will be allowed to vote ONLINE in addition to telephone and text. That could be the “big news”. Just thinking outside the box…
There are fans, and there are *FANS*. We all are *FANS*. The average person who watches the show and votes when they get the chance are fans. Nigel’s intention is to build up excitement in the minds of … fans. Why? Because the *FANS* already know what is going to happen, and what the announcement will be. Most fans don’t know anything about past contestants. They may have HEARD that Tamyra was great, or that Clay and K-Lo were powerhouses, etc… etc… but never seen them because they never saw season one or two. So, what would you think if Frenchie sang?
AI6 Nicole Tranquillo with Dice Raw, and the Roots at Carneige Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA April 17th, 7pm