We still don’t have an update on the judging panel that will greet contestants for the upcoming 10th season of “American Idol.” But now that former executive producer Nigel Lythgoe has confirmed that he’s returning to the show, the witty Brit and “So You Think You Can Dance” judge has hinted about some of the changes he wants to make.
One of his first ideas is to bring back one of the show’s most beloved judges: Paula Abdul. Lythgoe told Daily Variety that despite her commitment to headline a new dancing show on CBS, he’d love to get Abdul back in the “Idol” fold. “I still love Paula,” he said. “She’s signed to CBS, probably exclusively, but I’d recommend we have her in a heartbeat.”
Lythgoe would not discuss the rumored imminent deals to bring in Jennifer Lopez and Aerosmith singer Steven Tyler as replacements for Ellen DeGeneres and Simon Cowell, but Variety reported that he gave a “thumbs up” to both. “They can knock her film career, but (audiences) know she’s a good actress,” he said of Lopez, who has struggled at the box office of late with a string of duds. “And as J-Lo, she has had some great pop records. If she joins, I’m happy.” » Read more: Nigel Lythgoe Wants Paula Abdul Back On ‘American Idol’ Producer talks about his plans to refresh the show in season 10.
