Nigel Lythgoe (born July 9, 1949) is an English television and film director and producer, and former dancer and choreographer. 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.
Biography
Because of my training, I could adapt to any style quickly. I knew a little of everything, but I was a jack-of-all-trades, master of none.
Nigel Lythgoe, Dance Magazine, August 2007[1] |
Born in Wirral, England, to a dockworker father, Lythgoe got interested in dance at the age of 10.[2] 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.[2] Beginning in 1969, Lythgoe performed with and choreographed for the BBC Young Generation dance troupe.
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.[1] During the 1970s and into the 1980s, Lythgoe had the opportunity to perform with dancers from Cyd Charisse to Gene Kelly. He also choreographed for Ben Vereen, Shirley Bassey and (most famously) the Muppets.[2] 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."[3]
After working his way through the television industry, by 1996 Lythgoe held the post of Head of Entertainment and Comedy at London Weekend Television,[1] where he commissioned and produced shows including Gladiators and Blind Date[4].
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. The show led the way to a host of other singing contests such as the Pop Idol franchise. [1]
Lythgoe is now president of 19 Television, where he has brought to the screen, in both Britain and America various "reality/talent" formats 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.[5]
On August 4th, 2008, Lythgoe confirmed that he was leaving "American Idol" and decided to move on with "So You Think You Can Dance."[6]
Personal life
Lythgoe is married to Bonnie Lythgoe, whom he met while he was choreographer for the BBC's Young Generation dance troupe.[4] Bonnie was also an audition judge on the first and second seasons of So You Think You Can Dance and was a judge on the Australian version of So You Think You Can Dance. The couple have two sons together, Simon Lythgoe and Kristopher and a grandson, George.
Producer filmography (partial)
Director filmography
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
Footnotes
References
- Looseleaf, Victoria (August 2007), "A MAN, A PLAN, A WILDLY SUCCESSFUL TV SHOW". Dance Magazine. 81 (8):42-46
External links
Wikiquote has a collection of quotations related to:
| Persondata |
| NAME |
Nigel Lythgoe |
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES |
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| SHORT DESCRIPTION |
Executive producer and television director. |
| DATE OF BIRTH |
9 July, 1949 |
| PLACE OF BIRTH |
England, United Kingdom |
| DATE OF DEATH |
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| PLACE OF DEATH |
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