FOX’s upcoming twelfth season of American Idol is sure to draw some curiosity with three new superstar judges whose backgrounds couldn’t be more different.

“It will be quite fun as you watch their different styles of judging and what they’re looking for,” executive producer Nigel Lythgoe, 63, told the audience during Wednesday’s premiere screening event in Los Angeles.

“Mariah [Carey], I think, is looking for that singer/songwriter, that’s a true star, Nicki Minaj is looking for somebody that isn’t just there for their voice, but there for their performance, their charisma and everything else. Keith Urban is looking for an authentic singer, someone who is credible. Randy Jackson, I’d say, is looking for someone who sings on pitch,” he continued.

Their backgrounds couldn’t be more diverse. Jackson, 56, the veteran Idol judge has been with the show since its debut season more than a decade ago. Carey is a power vocalist and arguably one of the most celebrated voices of our time. Thirty-year-old Minaj is a relatively new celebrity (compared to Carey). She’s a rapper and pop princess who likes to employ several personalities, sometimes simultaneously. And Urban is an Australian country singer. Each has different styles, different perspectives, and different ideas on what they’re looking for from this year’s hopefuls.

Jackson seems pretty confident about his formula for finding the right contestants. “There are three things that are really big characteristics for me,” the musician said. “They are uniqueness, unbelievable talent, and star power. Those are the three things a great artist needs and will give you a shot at a great career.”

On the other hand, Urban is a bit more emotional about what he’s looking for in contestants. “The reality is that we all react differently to different things and so I think for me, at the end of the day, it has to speak to me,” he said.

“If a person is creating art and saying something in a way that I’m captivated by that person and I can’t take my eyes off that person, that’s it for me.”

Minaj confirmed Lythgoe’s assertion that she’s looking for an all-around entertainer more than a standout vocalist saying, “I think that it’s something where you’ll know it when you’re in the same room with it.

“If you named the 10 biggest stars out right now, who would you say has a Whitney Houston voice? That’s just not where we are right now,” the hip-hop artist elaborated. “So, I think that because of this day and time, I’m looking for an overall entertainer. [I’m looking for] someone who is going to captivate people with or without music.”

Carey, 42, says she’s still learning what she wants in a contestant. And so far, her choices have spanned from favoring street performers to strong vocalists.

“To me it doesn’t matter, “ she said. “They can be unique in some way, different in another way. It’s a learning experience for me and what I’ve seen is that diversity plays into it in a deep way.”

American Idol returns to FOX on Wednesday at 8PM.

– Cortney Wills

The American Idol feud can’t possibly be a staged publicity stunt because it’s way too early in the season for a fake feud.

So says the producer of the hit Fox singing competition, amid rumors that dueling divas Nicki Minaj and Mariah Carey are faking their beef as a ratings ploy.

“I have no idea why I would be doing it [for ratings] five months before the show went out,” Nigel Lythgoe told TMZ. But that’s not to say he’s against pulling stunts for publicity. “They’ve got to realize I would only do anything for ratings a month before the show went out,” he admitted. “They’ve got my timing wrong.”

Now on the heels of the now infamous caught-on-camera face-off, are Minaj and Carey on the outs?

“They were amicable that afternoon,” Lythgoe said.

The bitter blowout in question exploded between the two new judges during Oct. 2 auditions in Charlotte, N.C. Carey, 42, and Minaj, 29, reportedly disagreed on an Idol hopeful’s performance, and things got so heated, Minaj lashed out at Carey, shouting, “I told them I’m not f***ing putting up with her f***ing highness over there.”

Later that week, Idol producers released a statement to assure fans that the show is under control, despite the profanity-filled fracas between Minaj and Carey. “This is one of the best, most passionate, dynamic and invested judging panels we’ve ever had,” the statement read. “Despite all the accusations and media speculation — much of which is inaccurate — production is going extremely well today and the judges are focused on finding the best talent.”

Many industry insiders and Idol alumni — including former finalist Jennifer Hudson, ex-judge Steven Tyler, and rival music competition show judge Cee Lo Green of NBC’s The Voice — have expressed skepticism about the feud, speculating that it’s all just another way for Idol to draw attention to itself.

As many close to the situation continue to chime in on the feud — from fellow judge Keith Urban to Idol host Ryan Seacrest, to Carey’s husband Nick Cannon — Lythgoe is encouraging viewers not to draw conclusions so soon. “I think before anybody makes any judgments,” he told TMZ, “they should see the show.”

American Idol executive producer Nigel Lythgoe has a lot to celebrate with an Emmy nomination for So You Think You Can Dance and three new A-list AI judges taking their seats – and all in one week.

The SYTYCD judge dished to Celebuzz on the Emmy red carpet about Mariah Carey, Nicki Minaj, and Keith Urban‘s first day on the judging panel.

“This was possibly the best first day I’ve ever had with any judges anywhere in the world,” Lythgoe gushed. “It was absolutely tremendous…with Keith who’s done The Voice in Australia, Mariah and Nicki who have watched American Idol for so many years they just know exactly what’s expected of them, they’re articulate, witty, they’ve got banter, it’s a good collision of creative girls.”

What AI changes can fans look forward to?

And despite Carey dismissing rumors of on-set drama with Minaj, the country crooner is stuck in the reality show middle, so to speak, Lythgoe joked.

“Keith is watching a tennis match because he’s in the middle of these two girls, but it’s exciting,” he said.

This season fans may see some changes, he added, but fundamentally the successful show will remain the same.

“We’ve got tweaks, but at the end of the day the format is get some talent, put it it front of judges and have America vote,” Lythgoe said. “As long as you get the right chemistry with the judges… and the right talent.”

Although SYTYCD lost tonight’s golden statue on TV’s biggest night, Lythgoe hopes American Idol – which has been a regular contender in the outstanding reality competition category before — will get recognized again, despite its absence from the nominees list this year.

“We’ve never had a opportunity of winning an Emmy… we do the Grammys on our finale in three days…it goes through so many changes, it deserves recognition for that,” he said.

So what does he think of the numerous singing competition shows hitting the small screen — The Voice, American Idol and The X Factor — all taking over at the same time?

“I’ve never been frightened of competition, I think that spurs everybody on and that’s a good thing,” he said. “But for the viewers it’s sad we’re on at the same time, with The Voice and X Factor on the same week it’s tough for us viewers to spend that long watching shows.”

But too much is never enough.

“There’s never too much singing for me and there certainly isn’t enough dancing on TV,” he admitted.

Nigel Lythgoe and Katie Holmes have been named in a million dollar lawsuit between a top Hollywood talent agent and So You Think You Can Dance judge Mary Murphy, Celebuzz has confirmed.

British-born Lythgoe, executive producer of American Idol and SYTYCD, was served with a subpoena during the Dizzy Feet Foundation event at downtown Los Angeles’ new Grand Park on July 28, according to a source with knowledge of the legal situation.

The subpoena — a copy of which Celebuzz has obtained — orders the SYTYCD judge to appear in person for a video-taped deposition in connection with a $1 million lawsuit filed by Murphy’s former manager, Michael Sanchez.

Lythgoe, 63, must also present documents that relate to fellow judge Murphy’s “erratic behavior,” according to the legal document.

Additionally, he must hand over materials that mention any involvement Murphy had with “current and/or former SYTYCD contestants” and “alcohol being requested and/or consumed by Murphy before, during and/or after show tapings and live shows.”

Holmes, 33, who filed for divorce from Tom Cruise on June 28, is linked to the suit by virtue of her connection to Lythgoe and the Dizzy Feet Foundation, a dance scholarship program she co-founded with him and Rock of Ages director Adam Shankman.

Lythgoe must present “all documents which evidence, refer to or relate to oral or written communications with Adam Shankman, Katie Holmes and/or any other Dizzy Feet personnel regarding Murphy’s involvement (or lack thereof) with the organization,” the subpoena said.

Sanchez is suing Murphy, 54, for over $1 million in unpaid commissions and damages, allegations which Murphy has denied. She is countersuing for $60,000 claiming Sanchez withheld commissions from an appearance on Broadway’s Burn The Floor, which Sanchez also denies.

Lythgoe did not return Celebuzz’s request for comment.

With news breaking Monday that Mariah Carey will join American Idol as a judge next season, producer Nigel Lythgoe isn’t giving up hope that Jennifer Lopez might return to the show after saying she’s 99 percent sure she’s leaving.

“I’m optimistic — about 1 percent,” Lythgoe told Celebuzz. “I always say, why would you say 99 percent if that’s not a negotiating tactic?”

With Lopez’s fate in question, Lythgoe also opened up about the show’s ratings, which have declined steadily over the last couple of seasons; the season 11 finale in May was the show’s lowest-rated finale to date, down about 30 percent from the previous year.

Still, even with the dip in ratings, Lythgoe isn’t worried about the show’s future just yet.

“It’s still the number-one show,” he said. “Eleven years, there’s no other program in the history of television that’s been number one for that period of time.”

Lythgoe went on to explain that while the show isn’t as popular as it once was, neither is television in general.

“We can see the falling ratings on everything,” he insisted. “They always said to me, if we lost 10 percent over the next five years, we’d still be the number-one program. What other programs can you say that about?”

Carey joined American Idol following high-profile exits from judges Steven Tyler and Lopez, who left the show after just two seasons.

If Lythgoe had it his way, he says he would change the judges every year. Case in point: When the show began in 2002, no one had ever heard of Randy Jackson or Simon Cowell, and Paula Abdul was on the verge of becoming a has-been.

“They became stars, and therefore, you have to replace them with stars nowadays,” he said. “And the bigger the star, the shorter period of time they spend with us.”

Lythgoe added that the secret to Idol’s success ultimately lies in the judges.

“It’s how they fit together as a team,” he emphasized. “We mustn’t look on them as individual artists. Randy, Paula and Simon showed that no matter who they are – if they’ve got good chemistry together, it’s a train wreck some weeks, it’s interesting some weeks, it’s homo-erotic banter other weeks – you’ve got something going that you’re interested in.”

American Idol executive producer Nigel Lythgoe admitted to Ryan Seacrest Monday morning that he is “really upset” about the recent departures of judges Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler, who announced they were leaving TV’s top-rated program late last week.

“I spoke to Jennifer last Friday. She called me just after she spoke to you, and I have to respect both Jennifer and Steven’s decisions,” he said Monday on On Air With Ryan Seacrest. “They’ve got a much bigger career than just sitting judging Idol. They’re both very talented people, and you have to respect their decision to carry on and do what they were doing before Idol. It breaks my heart, because I love them both dearly.”

With Lopez and Tyler now officially out, Lythgoe also admitted that replacing their seats on the judges’ table is going to be “tough.”

“At the end of the day, I think what we’ve seriously got to talk about is just using people for a year,” he said. “Because if we do want these big stars, and we do, you cannot take them away from what they do. That’s depriving the public of a star for a start, but also earning a lot of money.”

In the wake of Lopez and Tyler’s exits, a number of names have floated around as possible replacements for the judges, who departed after two seasons with the show. Among the many: Everyone from Mariah Carey to Katy Perry.

However, as of Monday, Lythgoe didn’t seem to indicate that any slots had been filled.

“I love so many people,” he said. “When names come by, you go: ‘Wouldn’t they be fantastic; wouldn’t they be great?’ But at the end of the day…it’s chemistry. No matter how good you are as an individual, it’s how you fit into a panel of other people as well. So we’ve got our work cut out for us. I’m sure nobody’s name will be mentioned at this time while we’re getting it together.”

In the meantime, no word yet on the future of Randy Jackson, who has been with the show since its incarnation in 2002.

In a statement Friday, Jackson, 56, offered his thoughts on Lopez and Tyler’s exits, saying: “Steven and Jennifer are truly two of the most talented and consummate professionals I’ve worked with. I was friends with them before we hopped on this crazy journey together, and I have no doubt our friendships will continue long after. I will love them for life.”

For more on the latest developments from the ongoing American Idol shakeup, click here.

Lopez confirmed her exit from Idol Friday morning after a long-winded interview with Seacrest, during which she admitted, “I honestly feel like that the time has come that I have to get back to doing the other things that I do that I’ve put, kind of, on hold, because I love Idol so much … You have a lot of other responsibilities and you have a lot of other things that you do, and you have to pay attention to that too.”

Tyler departed the show one day prior to focus on work with his band, Aerosmith.

Apparently, the sight of Kelly Osbourne shimmying around in her undies has no small amount of celebrity draw. Who knew?

Ozzy Osbourne‘s daughter expanded her résumé on Wednesday night at West Hollywood nightspot The Viper Room, making her debut with renowned burlesque troupe Pussycat Dolls. A small constellation of stars was in attendance for the event, including Kim Kardashian, Eva Longoria-Parker, Nigel Lythgoe, Howie Mandel and Glee‘s Mark Salling.

Click through the photo gallery to witness the spectacle of Kelly’s star-studded bump-and-grind revue.

It looks like this really might be happening!

Variety reports that So You Think You Can Dance honcho Nigel Lythgoe is in talks with Paula Abdul to bring her on board.

Lythgoe says he brought up the matter to Abdul on Thursday, the day after she announced her resignation from her American Idol judge position, and that they will resume the negotiations this weekend.

He also added that “there’s no question” that he’s interested in adding Abdul to the show, which had its season finale on Thursday night.

“I don’t know anybody thats had her experience of being a dancer, of being a choreographer and of being a judge,” Lythgoe says.

However, Lythgoe says that he’s not necessarily considering making her a permanent addition to the judge’s panel. Rather, he’s considering other options, such as including Abdul in the show’s third-judge rotation.

Also, he’s worried that Abdul’s departure from American Idol may be reversed. The decision seemed pretty final to us!

Speak up in the comments section: Do you think Paula would be a good addition to So You Think You Can Dance?

Don’t feel bad for Paula Abdul just yet.

The beloved American Idol Judge, who just announced that she would not be returning for the upcoming season of the show due to contract disputes, isn’t going to be pressed for dough.

Just two days after the announcement, some exciting things are coming through for the entertaining celeb.

Yesterday, Abdul flew to Peachtree City, Georgia, to finish shooting her upcoming cameo on the Lifetime dramedy Drop Dead Diva.

In addition, at least two mega-popular TV shows are interested in reserving a seat for the Idol judge: The View and Dancing With The Stars.

Rumor is that producers of The View would love to have Paula on board. “We love Paula,” a rep for the show tells E! “She was always welcome on the program in the past and always will be in the future.”

DWTS judge and executive producer Nigel Lythgoe, who has wanted to work with Paula in the past, also has high hopes for the star to join his show as a judge.

He told reporters, “Absolutely there’s no question about that. I don’t know anyone who’s had her experience. I’ve been trying to get her since season one. I spoke to her yesterday morning. We didn’t talk about the negotiations. That’s a private issue,” he said. “We’re going to Vegas for season six this weekend and she’s coming out to meet me and we’re going to talk about what opportunities are out there.”

Now, have your say in the comments section: What show do you want to see Paula Abdul on?

Could American Idol and So You Think You Can Dance finally be teaming up on something?

Rumors that Idol judge Paula Abdul would contribute something to the dancing show have been swirling around the Internet for a while, and it seems as though the tragic passing of Michael Jackson may finally bring the shows together.

Abdul got her start as a Laker Girl, where she was discovered by the Jackson family at one of their games. She was hired as the choreographer for the Jacksons’ Victory tour, as well as many of Janet Jackson‘s music videos back in her Control days.

On Friday afternoon, SYTYCD producer and judge Nigel Lythgoe tweeted, “People please use Twitter-Power. Ask @PaulaAbdul to choreograph a Michael Jackson tribute on SYTYCD.”

An avid twitter user, Paula saw and responded, “Have your people call my people and let’s do it lol.”

Would you like to see a tribute to the King Of Pop on SYTYCD? Can Paula do it? Let us know in the comments!

American Idol may be coming to an end tonight, but summer’s almost here and you know what that means: So You Think You Can Dance is here!

The two hour season premiere of the popular dance competition will be airing on FOX tomorrow night. Everyone’s favorite judges Nigel Lythgoe and Mary Murphy are back!

Check out the official website for more details.

Let us know in the comments: Are you stoked for the new season of So You Think You Can Dance?

American Idol exec producer and So You Think You Can Dance judge Nigel Lythgoe, 59, pairing up with the much younger Sophie Monk, 28, isn’t so shocking.

In fact, it seems kind of standard for Hollywood.

What is surprising is that Monk is Ryan Seacrest‘s ex. As in the Ryan Seacrest who hosts American Idol.

Maybe this friendship has something to do with the reason Lythgoe quit his gig on Idol earlier this month.

At any rate, the Brit-born/Australian-raised actress and her sugardaddy mature mentor were snapped as they flew off to Las Vegas for the weekend.

It should be mentioned that Lythgoe has a wife of 33 years.

But he and Sophie probably just had a low-key weekend playing nickel slots and staying in separate rooms. Because nothing trashy ever happens in Vegas.

Wanna put your tongue all over Kelly Clarkson? Or maybe big boy Ruben Studdard gets you salivating? Well, now American Idol is going postal, with a line of stamps as part of the charity effort for Idol Gives Back.

Some 100,000 20-stamp sheets are being made for each of the six Idols, plus this year’s winner. If all of them go, exec producer Nigel Lythgoe tells USA Today it would net Idol Gives Back about $7 million.

At this writing, the show has yet to top last year’s $76 million fundraising effort, but Lythgoe is aiming for $100 mil.

Don’t rush out to the post office just yet. The stamps are only available online through photostamps.com or the Idol Website. Kelly is the first stamp out, followed on successive Tuesdays by the next five and, finally, the season-seven winner in May.

Make that during May sweeps, ’cause nothing in Hollywood is coincidental.

TAGS
kelly clarkson, ruben studdard, american idol, nigel lythgoe, reality tv

LINK:  
 http://www.usatoday.com/life/lifestyle/2008-04-09-idol-stamps_N.htm