Nigel Lythgoe (Courtesy Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)

Nigel Lythgoe (born July 9, 1949 is an English television and film director and producer. He is noted for being the producer of the shows Pop Idol and American Idol as well as creating, executive producing and 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 longshoreman 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 (to ?), 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.

He moved from London Weekend Television to Bob Geldof's television company Planet 24 to executive produce the UK version of Survivor. Lythgoe then joined Simon Fuller's 19 Entertainment group. He came to UK public attention when he was a judge and an executive producer for the ill-fated ITV1 show Popstars. During the show, Lythgoe earned the nickname "Nasty Nigel" for being a tough on the competitors. Most significantly, the show led the way to a host of other singing contests such as the Pop Idol franchise, the template for American Idol.

Lythgoe is now president of 19 Television, where he has brought to the screen, in both Britain and America various "reality/talent" format of 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.. Bonnie was also an audition judge on the first and second seasons of So You Think You Can Dance. The couple has 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

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License.It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Nigel Lythgoe". Reality TV World is not responsible for any errors or omissions this article may contain.