Nigel Lythgoe
- Nigel Lythgoe
-
- Birth date: July 9, 1949
- Birth place: Wirral, England
- Marital status: Divorced
Biography
Nigel Lythgoe 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 regular judge for So You Think You Can Dance. He is also noted for his early career in dance and choreography.
Born in Wirral, England, to a dockworker father, Lythgoe got interested in dance at the age of 10. He studied tap and jazz, and European folk at the Hylton-Bromley School of Theatre Dance on Merseyside. He also trained in London under Joanne Steuer and Molly Molloy. Beginning in 1969, Lythgoe performed with and choreographed for the BBC Young Generation dance troupe; it was only then that his father told him he was proud of him.
Early in Lythgoe's career, he learned to use techniques (eg. multi-cameras) to film choreography well, a skill that would later lead to a TV career. During the 1970s and into the 1980s, Lythgoe had opportunity to perform with dancers from Cyd Charisse and Gene Kelly. He also choreographed for Ben Vereen, Shirley Bassey and (most famously) the Muppets. Lythgoe, in an interview with People said that he "was the only person to dance, choreograph, produce and direct the Royal Variety Performance for the Queen of England."
After working his way through the television industry, by 1996 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 tough on the competitors and frequently joked as a generic British judge like Simon Cowell. 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 (SYTYCD), on the FOX television network.
Lythgoe, and his production partner Ken Warwick, initially agree to produce the 2007 Emmys, but could not due to scheduling conflicts with SYTYCD.
More info
-Lythgoe's been thrice nominated for an Emmy (in 2004, 2005, and 2006).
-Currently the President of 19 Television, Nigel joined 19 Television as Chief Executive in 2001 from London Weekend Television, where he was controller of entertainment and comedy.
-Lythgoe is one of the U.K.'s most respected TV talents and has a host of major credits, including the U.K. series "Pop Idol," "Gladiators" and six Royal Variety Shows.
-He co-created and executive-produces the Emmy winning series SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE.
-His other executive-producer credits include all seven seasons of AMERICAN IDOL as well as "Next Great American Band," "American Juniors," "All American Girl" and the specials "An American Idol Christmas" and "World Idol."
-He was also nominated for a Grammy award in 2003, for Album of the Year.
-Lythgoe was formerly married to Bonnie Lythgoe, also an audition judge on the first and second seasons of So You Think You Can Dance.
-The couple have two sons together; Simon Lythgoe and Kristopher and a grandson called George.
Occupation
-Permanent Judge on So You Think You Can Dance
-TV Producer
-President of 19 Television
