Former ‘American Idol’ Producer Nigel Lythgoe Criticizes Season Nine

Filed under: American Idol,Ellen DeGeneres,Kara DioGuardi,Paula Abdul,Simon Cowell

The ‘So You Think You Can Dance’ judge says ‘Idol’ was more worried about the judges than the talent this year.

Nigel Lythgoe doesn’t produce “American Idol” anymore, but that doesn’t mean the “So You Think You Can Dance” judge/ executive producer doesn’t have an opinion on the troubled ninth season of “Idol.”

Though it retained its title as the most popular show on television, Lythgoe told The Canadian Press that “Idol” show-runners lost a bit of their mojo this year.

“The team took their eye off the ball a little bit and was more worried about the judges and what was happening with them than it was regarding the talent last year,”

he said.

“It became about Kara (DioGuardi) joining and making the fourth judge; Paula (Abdul) leaving; Ellen (DeGeneres) joining and Simon leaving — and much more about them and concentrating on that than on the talent that they were finding.”

In general, Lythgoe said, he wasn’t much of a fan of the season, which ended with former paint salesman Lee DeWyze winning out over earthy Ohio single mom Crystal Bowersox in the lowest-rated “Idol” finale since season one.

“It wasn’t a vintage year,”

he said, adding that he doesn’t believe departed lead judge Cowell should be replaced on the panel.

“It’s never been my opinion that four judges work on that program because it should be about the talent,”

said Lythgoe, who was one of the executive producers of “Idol” for the first seven seasons.

You know, Nigel is DEAD ON here!

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Stars To Judge Cinderella Search

Filed under: Kara DioGuardi,Neil Patrick Harris

Neil Patrick Harris, Kara Dioguardi and Hairspray director Adam Shankman are teaming up to find a new Cinderella in California’s shopping malls.

The producers of hit shows Footloose and The Wedding Singer have teamed up with bosses at Westfield Shopping Malls to stage a series of open talent calls to seek out an unknown who will star in El Portal Theatre’s Cinderella, A Modern Magical Musical Extravaganza this Christmas.

Shankman, DioGuardi and Harris will each judge three separate mall auditions next month.

The director will lead the panel at Westfield Topanga, American Idol judge DioGuardi will oversee the talent at Westfield Santa Anita and actor Harris will lead auditions at Westfield Culver City.

The overall winner of the star search will lead the cast in the traditional pantomime at North Hollywood’s El Portal Theatre. The show will be produced by Nigel and Bonnie Lythgoe, the couple responsible for TV talent shows So You Think You Can Dance, Dancing with the Stars and American Idol.

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‘Idol’ Judges to Guest Star on ‘Simpsons’ Finale

Filed under: American Idol,Ellen DeGeneres,Kara DioGuardi,Ryan Seacrest,Simon Cowell,TV News

The “American Idol” judges are getting animated on “The Simpsons” 21st season finale.

In the episode, “Judge Me Tender,” Moe discovers a talent for judging contests and is invited to appear on “American Idol” with host Ryan Seacrest and fellow judges Simon Cowell, Ellen DeGeneres, Kara DioGuardi and Randy Jackson, all guest-voicing as themselves. Rupert Murdoch also makes a guest voice appearance.

The episode airs Sunday, May 23 on FOX at 8:00 pm.

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Remember American Idol’s Bikini Girl?

Filed under: American Idol,Kara DioGuardi

The other day when I ran this PHOTO of Kara DioGuardi in a bikini it wasn’t long before I was getting tweeted and reminded of how the whole Kara Bikini deal came about.

American Idol’s Bikini Girl Katrina Darrell. Some of her fans contacted me and in the spirit of the continuing bikini wars demanded equal time for their girl. So here is her equal time.

I must say the blonde hair and new rack is really doing it for me. Love it!

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Kara DioGuardi In A Bikini – Nice!

Filed under: Eye Candy,Kara DioGuardi

Kara DioGuardi posing in a white bikini for an upcoming issue of Women’s Health Magazine.

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Kara DioGuardi Strips Down for Maxim

Filed under: Kara DioGuardi

Kara DioGuardi poses for the March issue of Maxim magazine.

Check out more photos and the story by clicking HERE.

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Howard Stern To Take Over For Simon On Idol?

Filed under: American Idol,Ellen DeGeneres,Howard Stern,Jamie Foxx,Kara DioGuardi,Ryan Seacrest,Simon Cowell

Shock jock Howard Stern is the latest big name rumored to be in the running to take over from Simon Cowell on American Idol.

Cowell has headed the U.S. talent show’s panel since its inception in 2002, but announced last month he will leave the program when his contract expires in May.

His departure has prompted speculation over who will take his place on the show, among the rumored replacements. Actor/singer Jamie Foxx and American Idol host Ryan Seacrest have also been linked to the post, but both denied rumors they are set to step into Cowell’s place.

Now controversial radio DJ Stern is rumored to be in talks with TV executives to join the judging panel alongside Ellen DeGeneres, Kara DioGuardi and Randy Jackson.

A source tells New York Post gossip column Page Six, “(American Idol) is one of the few shows that could compete with Stern’s $100 million-a-year Sirius contract, and Idol bosses think he’d be even nastier than Simon.”

Stern recently announced he is looking for work when his contract with Sirius Xm Radio expires next January, and during his radio show on Wednesday he hinted he has been approached by TV bosses about a new job.

He said, “Recently I was approached by a major TV network to take over a TV show and leave here and do that next year – and I did turn it down. Well, I didn’t turn it down. I started to entertain it and think about it, and then I probably think my demands are pretty heavy and they were attempting to negotiate and I said ‘you don’t have to’.”

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Neil Patrick Harris Goes Head-to-Head with Simon on Idol

Filed under: American Idol,Kara DioGuardi,Neil Patrick Harris,Simon Cowell

Things get a little heated between guest judge Neil Patrick Harris and Simon Cowell on Wednesday’s episode!

Dallas auditioner Kimberly Carver put the “How I Met Your Mother” star and tough judge against each other when she sang an original number.

“I don’t see anything current, anything interesting, anything interested in you as a performer. That’s why I have an issue,” Cowell told Carver.

Patrick responded, “I disagree with you Simon.” The actor continued, “I thought it was, really, quite great.”

Fellow judges DioGuardi and Randy Jackson also agreed with NPH and Cowell was the only judge who didn’t give Carver a “yes” for the Hollywood round.

Carver got the three votes she needed to continue on and announced to her ecstatic family,

“Simon hated me!” She continued, “But they totally overrode him and thank God for Neil Patrick Harris. I’m going to have to go back and watch “Doogie Howser” again!”

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Katy Perry & Kara DioGuardi Spar During Idol LA Auditions

Filed under: American Idol,Kara DioGuardi,Katy Perry,Simon Cowell

During the search for America’s next great singer, a new mini-Hollywood feud started to boil.

On Tuesday night’s “American Idol,” judge Kara DioGuardi and guest judge Katy Perry exchanged a few verbal jabs at each other from behind the judges’ table.

The two disagreed over several of the contestants during the Los Angeles auditions, but the claws came out when Kara began mocking Katy’s hit song “I Kissed A Girl.”

“Please stop before I throw my Coke in your face,” a seemingly un-amused Katy told Kara.

“We used to be friends!” Kara pleaded to one of the contestants over her exchange with Katy. “What happened to girl power?!”

The night’s final contestant – Chris Golightly, who shared his emotional story of a childhood spent in the foster care system, before performing “Stand By Me” for the judges – also caused a spat between the two newfound frenemies.

“You are one of my favorites today, if not my favorite,” Kara told the “Idol” hopeful. “You’re the kind of kid who has just enough talent and just enough of a story and pain and stuff that you’ve gone through in your life to really connect with it, and I think you’re only going to get better.”

However, the “Hot N Cold” pop diva had a different take on Chris’ audition and Kara’s evaluation.

“This is not a Lifetime movie, sweetheart,” she barbed. “You have to have talent.”

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It’s Confirmed Cowell Leaving American Idol

Filed under: American Idol,Kara DioGuardi,Simon Cowell

Simon Cowell, the acerbic Brit who has helped give “American Idol” some of its sharpest – and nastiest – moments, will leave the popular singing show after this season. The cantankerous judge said that “The X Factor,” a show he created and is a hit in Britain, will join Fox’s schedule next year. Cowell will be on “The X Factor.”

Cowell’s decision is the biggest threat yet to what has been the country’s most popular TV program and a true cultural force. This season, original host Paula Abdul has been replaced by Ellen DeGeneres.

But Cowell, with his caustic commentary, has long been seen as the big star of “Idol.”

He said it would have been difficult for him to do both shows. While he makes a reported $36 million a year to be on “American Idol,” he owns “The X Factor” and could make much more if the show takes off.

Cowell and top Fox executives made the announcement to reporters in Pasadena at a meeting of the Television Critics Association, saying they had reached an agreement only a few hours before.

“I was offered a lot of money to stay on,” Cowell said. “But that wasn’t the reason behind it. I wanted to do something different. I wanted a new challenge.”

Peter Price, chairman of the Fox Broadcasting Co., would not speculate on possible replacements for Cowell.

“We have to take our time on that,” Price said. “We have to make sure the chemistry of the judges is as good as it can be.”

Cowell said he didn’t want to leave “American Idol” at a time when it was fading in the ratings.

“You want to leave on a high,” he said. “I’m very proud of what the show has achieved.”

So there ya have it. Next year when American Idol debuts with Randy Jackson, Kara DioGuardi, Ellen DeGeneres and Piers Morgan, and X-Factor debuts with Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul (You know that’s a give me, they’ve already had meetings) and someone else which will you be watching? I’m betting X-Factor buries Idol. I said from day one Cowell was never down with replacing Abdul!

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