Nigel Lythgoe
Nigel Lythgoe (born July 9, 1949 in the Wirral) is an English television and film director and producer. He is noted for being the producer of the shows American Idol and So You Think You Can Dance, as well as being a judge for So You Think You Can Dance.
Biography
Lythgoe aspired to be a professional dancer from childhood, against the wishes of his dockworker father. After professional training, he served as a choreographer for and performed as a dancer with the BBC's Young Generation dance troupe from 1969, and then as a choreographer for numerous shows, including The Muppet Show, where he later progressed to floor director from 1976.
After working his way through the television industry, Lythgoe held the post of Head of Entertainment and Comedy at London Weekend Television, where he commissioned and produced shows including Gladiators and Blind Date[1].
After being seconded from LWT to Bob Geldof's television company Planet 24 to executive produce the UK version of Survivor, Lythgoe joined Simon Fuller's 19 Entertainment group. Here he came to British public attention when he was a judge and executive produced the ITV1 show Popstars. The show spawned the ill-fated pop group Hear’Say, but most importantly led the way to a host of other singing contests such as Pop Idol. During the show, Lythgoe earned the nickname "Nasty Nigel" for being a tough audition judge.
Lythgoe is now President of 19 Television, where he has brought to screens in both Britain and America various "reality/talent" format of American Idol; and is producer/judge of So You Think You Can Dance, on the FOX television network.
Personal life
Until early 2007, Lythgoe was married to Bonnie Lythgoe, whom he met while he was choreographer for the BBC's Young Generation dance troupe. He employed her, but after three years together sacked her in 1971[2]. Bonnie was also an audition judge on the first and second seasons of So You Think You Can Dance along with Lythgoe. The couple had two sons together, Simon and Kristopher. Since their split in early 2007, Lythgoe has been dating Priscilla Presley
Producer Filmography (partial)
- So You Think You Can Dance
- All American Girl
- American Juniors
- American Idol
- Pop Idol
- The Brian Conley Show
Director Filmography
- All American Girl (2003)
- American Idol (2002)
- Survivor (2001)
- Animals Do The Funniest Things (1999)
- TV Weekly (1988)
- Gladiators (1992)
- The Brian Conley Show (Became producer from Series 3)
Awards
- 2006 Emmy: Outstanding Reality/Competition Program - Nominee
- 2005 Emmy: Outstanding Reality/Competition Program - Nominee
- 2004 Emmy: Outstanding Reality/Competition Program - Nominee
- 2003 Grammy: Album of the Year - Nominee