Nigel Lythgoe



Nigel Lythgoe (born July 9, 1949) is an English television and film director and producer. He is noted for being the producer of the shows Pop Idol and American Idol as well as creating, executive producing and being a regular judge for So You Think You Can Dance.

Sourced

 * [Hip-hop dancers] are stunning in what they can do. What's happening is they're starting to go to class; they're actually starting to get some professional lessons. And that, for me, is very exciting because we've always discussed fusing the different styles. And to see them take it on board now and to do different things, even ballroom, is terrific, because nobody can do what they can do. So, if they then start doing what other people can do, wow. They're going to be very dangerous contestants.
 * It saddens me a great deal that, you know, so many kids turn around and say, 'My dad doesn't want me doing this.' It's this terrible image that some people have got of 'My son's going to dance' and 'Oh, my God, is he gay?' No. 1, if he is gay, then still be proud of him. What's wrong with being gay in this day and age? But No. 2, don't just associate dance with being gay. It's just so wrong, you know?"


 * The minute you take away somebody the public's voting for, you're screwing with the program. There's no logic to it.
 * On accusations that American Idol is rigged.
 * Keveney, Bill (June 18, 2002), "Viewers 'Idol'-ize this saucy search for a superstar". USA Today :Life,01d


 * Dance teachers should be certified in this country.
 * On why he is annoyed when mediocre dancers teach, and the damage they can do to their students
 * Rasminsky, Abigail (May/Jun2007), "Q & A with NIGEL & DAN". Dance Spirit. 11 (5):25


 * In my day everything wasn't so PC.
 * On his comments on overweight and effeminate dancers
 * Looseleaf, Victoria (August 2007), "A MAN, A PLAN, A WILDLY SUCCESSFUL TV SHOW". Dance Magazine. 81 (8):46


 * I would make a fool of myself...They are so much better than I was.
 * On why he never dances on So You Think You Can Dance
 * Looseleaf, Victoria (August 2007), "A MAN, A PLAN, A WILDLY SUCCESSFUL TV SHOW". Dance Magazine. 81 (8):46