They may not have judges yet, but Fox finally got its executive producer back.
Nigel Lythgoe is returning to "American Idol" as an executive producer after a three year absence. He left to worked another show that he co-created, "So You Think You Can Dance."
Lythgoe will join executive producers Simon Fuller, Cecile Frot-Coutaz and Ken Warwick for the upcoming 10th anniversary season of "Idol."
His return to the show which he worked on and helped define for seven years after Fuller created it 10 years ago, has been rumored for a while.
"Since we launched to original "Pop Idol' in England, I've remained close with Simon Fuller," Lythgoe said in a statement. "American Idol became a juggernaut of epic proportions, but to me it was always like home. I am elated and honored to be rejoining childhood friend and fellow executive producer Ken Warwick, and look forward to creating more magic."
Fuller, in a statement, said, "I am so happy to be welcoming Nigel back to the 'Idol' family. Nigel helped defiine the show I created almost 10 years ago, mentoring our judging panel and nurturing our talent. His unbridled passion has been missed."
Fuller said he felt it was an important time "to collaborate with Nigel once again to help redefine 'American Idol' and take us through the next incarnation of the show."
Clearly, Lythgoe's input will be needed with the entire judging team on the show up in the air. With the show's clear star, Simon Cowell gone, and Ellen DeGeneres gone, and Kara DioGuardi also reportedly departed, there has been much speculation as to whether there will continue to be a four-member judge panel or a three-member panel, and who those new judges might be.
In April, Lythgoe told Zap2it that if it were his decision, he "would replace the entire judging panel." He went on to say, "I don't think it really works replacing one person. They don't have a great deal of chemistry at the moment."
It has been widely reported that one will be Jennifer Lopez and the other Steven Tyler, but Fox has said that no deals have been signed as of yet.
Lythgoe is co-founder of Big Red 2 Entertainment, which he set up with Fuller and CKX. He is also co-creator and executive producer of "So You Think You Can Dance," where he also serves and an on-air judge on the show. He is expected to continue with his involvement in "So You Think You Can Dance."
