Nigel Lythgoe drops 'American Idol' name on 'So You Think You Can Dance'

07/29/2010 by Corinne Heller

Nigel Lythgoe, who is reportedly in negotiations to possibly return as executive producer of American Idol and who has in the past suggested replacing all of its judges, dropped the name "American Idol" while critiquing a performance on his show So You Think You Can Dance.

"Nigel, two powerful women on stage. Did it work for you?" host Cat Deeley asked on Wednesday night's episode, after Lauren Froderman and Allison Holker danced to the song "Who's Got the Pain?" from the Broadway musical Damn Yankees.

"Yes, it certainly did and it's the first time we've ever see it on American Idol this season, as well," Lythgoe answered.

"Wrong show," Deeley said.

"On American Id- Oh, did I?" Lythgoe said, tapping the side of his head.

"Terrible slip of the tongue!" Deeley said.

"Freudian slip, there! Wonder what's on MY mind?" he said.

FOX and production company 19 Entertainment have not commented on a report that said Lythgoe is nearing a deal to return to American Idol, which he left two years ago as part of a shake-up by the companies to try and freshen the series.

The ratings for the American Idol season nine finale in May were the lowest recorded among its season ending episodes. General ratings for American Idol have more than tripled since the series debuted in 2002 but have declined slowly during the past few years. Peak ratings were recorded in about 2006, or the fifth season.

Lythgoe, a judge on So You Think You Can Dance had told the website Zap2it he would replace the entire judging panel, which currently consists of Randy Jackson, Kara DioGuardi and Ellen Degeneres.

"They don't have a great deal of chemistry at the moment. Ryan [Seacrest] and Simon have fallen out. It's uncomfortable to watch. Ellen hasn't worked out as well as we would have hoped," Lythgoe was quoted to have said, adding that his ideal judges panel would consist of Elton John, Usher and Paula Abdul, who left the show in 2009.

Meanwhile, Jessica Simpson is the latest celebrity said to be involved in talks to possibly replace Simon Cowell as a judge following his departure after the finale. Others said to have been courted include singers Chris Isaak and Harry Connick, Jr. Justin Timberlake and Elton John's representatives had earlier denied reports that the singers were involved in negotiations.

Auditions for American Idol's tenth season are underway. They began on July 17 in Nashville, Tennessee and took place in New Orleans on Monday. The minimum age eligibility of contestants has been lowered from 16 to 15, while the maximum age stands at 28. The last venue to audition for the show is in San Francisco on August 19 and the series is set to air in January.