August 29th, 2010
07:12 PM ET
'Idol's' Nigel Lythgoe: We're looking for chemistrySo now that "Idol" has to replace not one, but two judges, executive producer Nigel Lythgoe told CNN that the top priority for him is finding personalities that will make the perfect, watchable mix. "There isn’t another Ellen DeGeneres or Simon Cowell," Lythgoe said, so "you’re looking for people that will have great chemistry." In the beginning, he pointed out, it was "that chemistry created that entire team." While Lythgoe said he had "no idea" what's going to happen with Kara DioGuardi, he did say that they're going to have to nail down who will fill those empty judges seats soon - in about three weeks, as a matter of fact. But one thing he's not worried about is former "Idol" judge Simon Cowell bringing "The X Factor" over to U.S. shores. According to Lythgoe, there's plenty of room on the DVR for a few different singing competitions. "That’s a bit like saying, do you mind another vampire drama on a network," Lythgoe said. "It’s just the same genre of shows, the public will decide if they like it or not." |
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I'm not sure what Nigel means by "chemistry", because he's making it sound like all that's important is that the judges get a long and interact, and there's interesting conversation? But within the context of a WORKING relationship, isn't the core need that the group has a sense of purpose and mission, each person has a defined role, and each is successful in contributing their part, both individually, and together either based on interactive communication amongst the bunch or based on the fact that they collectively dot all the i's and cross all the t's? For example, if Idol were to have gotten 3 country singers to fill the judging panel, chances are they'd all have chemistry because they have a lot in common. But would anybody actually care that they have chemistry if they have little to offer by way of marketing advice to a contestant who wants to do top 40 r&b dance? And what about the fact that so many people don't seem to be very excited about the prospect of Steven Tyler coming on board – if he has chemistry with J.Lo is that all that's going to matter and not the fact that he doesn't seem very articulate? I'd love to hear somebody ask Nigel what the heck he means by "chemistry", and how that guided their choice of who they ultimately wind up picking to be on the panel. I would have thought it more important to focus on a judge's ability to offer substantive feedback.
good riddance for Ellen.Didnt add anything to the show. Do anything but please ensure Kara doesn't come back but Randy can still stay on.He is cool!
Give it to Adam Lambert. Why not???? That would be an interesting show!
Kelly clarkson or Gwen stefani would be good judges!!
Kelly was funny as hell, put here between Kara and steven tyler!!
simon is irreplaceable.. dey should have britney spears as a judge... Hahaha, dat is ofcourse if they want to end american idol altogether!
Ellen sucked! I couldnt watch it with her on. BORING!!
they STILL air american idol? wow...
Simon was the show. Although sarcastic, he was very upfront with contestants. Either way we will watch the show next season. I just hope J-Lo is not involved. Now that would be a bust!
I liked Ellen, but she was terrible on idol. Thanks to DVR, I started fast forwarding thru her comments
STOP talking about Ellen like she was a big part of the show who's difficult to replace. Ellen was a BUST. Really, who they're looking for now is the second replacement for Paula, not a replacement for Ellen. And stop lumping Ellen together with Simon, just because they have both vacated their seats. Simon WAS the show; Ellen was an experiment gone VERY wrong. And the reason they STILL don't have a replacement for Simon, just a few weeks before the judges' auditions, and despite the fact that they've had since last January, is because Simon isn't hard to replace; he's IMPOSSIBLE to replace.
All caps, ugh.
You hit the nail on the head!