As the co-creator of Pop Idol and American Idol, Nigel Lythgoe is never short on opinions, and as a panelist on his self-created show So You Think You Can Dance, Lythgoe's deadpan candor is his trademark. Still, the 60-year-old former dancer reached a new level of unfiltered commentary when he was asked to open up about Idol's current season, laying into Simon Cowell, Ryan Seacrest, and most of all, Ellen DeGeneres.
"I would replace the entire judging panel," Lythgoe told Zap2it. "I don't think it really works replacing one person. They don't have a great deal of chemistry at the moment. Ryan and Simon have fallen out. It's uncomfortable to watch. Ellen hasn't worked out as well as we would have hoped."
As for who should replace the current panel, Lythgoe offers three believable alternatives: "Elton John, Usher and Paula Abdul."
Well. I guess he doesn't really care for Kara DioGuardi's incisive monologues.