According to sources, Nigel Lythgoe, producer and judge of So You Think You Can Dance, could possibly return to American Idol as an executive producer after Simon Cowell‘s departure.

He helped begin the American Idol phenomenon in the U.S. and stuck with it for six years after the start of the show.

Lythgoe has revealed that if he were to become producer of the show, he would axe the current judging panel made up of Randy Jackson, Ellen Degeneres, and Kara DioGuardi. His celebrity judge wish list includes Usher, Paula Abdul, and Elton John. The former music mogul has been rumored to be joining the judging panel himself since Cowell’s departure was announced.

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All of this could become quite a problem considering that Randy Jackson still has a year left of his contract, and Ellen Degeneres is part of a multiyear deal with FOX which she is prepared to renew.

The good news is, DioGuardi can go. She has yet to be renewed for another year of the show.

This could be a smart move for the show because practically everything Lythgoe touches turns to television gold.

[image: WENN]