Nigel Lythgoe To Replace Simon, Or Should ‘Idol’ Be Rickrolled?
The Daily Star reports that in wake of Simon Cowell’s decision to end his run on ‘American Idol’ at the end of this season to transition to U.S. ‘The X Factor’ in 2011, execs at FOX are scrambling to replace Mr. Nasty and have targetted Nigel Lythgoe. “He is one of the producers on ‘American Idol’ so it’s no great leap to put him front of house rather than behind the cameras,” a network boss told the British tabloid. “He’s done ‘Pop Idol’ in the UK, so he knows what he’s talking about, and like Simon, he says what he thinks, which audiences love.” Read more.
Another frontrunner would be ‘America’s Got Talent’ judge Piers Morgan, while some top male British pop artists with the name ID to fill Cowell’s shoes could include Elton John, George Michael, Boy George, Paul McCartney, Sting or popdirt’s pick - Rick Astley.
Ellen DeGeneres Talks With Ryan Seacrest About ‘Idol’ Judging Job
September 13, 2009 - Ellen DeGeneres phoned in to Ryan Seacrest’s morning show on KIIS FM in Los Angeles after announcing she’d be the judge filling the spot of departed judge Paula Abdul on ‘American Idol’. The talk show host said she hopes Paula is “OK” with her signing on the hit FOX show. “I don’t want anyone to think I took her job away from her,” Ellen told Ryan.
As for those questioning her qualifications as a judge, Ellen pointed out that the winner is determined by regular folks watching at home, not industry experts, so she’ll be their voice. “People are the ones who choose the American Idol,” she explained. “Ultimately, it doesn’t come down to some expert in the music industry. It comes down to everybody at home who says, ‘That’s the person I relate to.’ I hope to be that voice.”
The interview audio at kiisfm.com has since been removed.
