Nigel Lythgoe Says Don’t Replace Simon Cowell On ‘Idol’

Nigel Lythgoe’s advice is to not replace Simon Cowell on “American Idol” and just stay with three judges, adding that the show should focus more on the music. Lythgoe was a producer on “American Idol” until he left two years ago to devote his energy to “So You Think You Can Dance.” He says four judges don’t work on “Idol” “because it should be about the talent.” Lythgoe accuses “Idol” of taking “their eye off the ball.” He says “Idol” was “more worried about the judges and what was happening with them than it was with the talent” this season.