Information about Nigel Lythgoe

Nigel Lythgoe
Nigel with Mary Murphy and Dan Karaty
Born	July 9 1949 (1949--) (age 58) The Wirral, England United Kingdom
Died
Spouse(s)	Bonnie Lythgoe (?–2007)

Nigel Lythgoe (born July 9, 1949 is an English television and film director and producer. He is noted for being the producer of the shows Pop Idol and American Idol as well as creating, executive producing and being a judge for So You Think You Can Dance.

Biography

Lythgoe aspired to be a professional dancer from childhood, against the wishes of his longshoreman father. After professional training, he served as a choreographer for and performed as a dancer with the BBC's Young Generation dance troupe from 1969 (to ?), and then as a choreographer for numerous shows, including The Muppet Show, where he later progressed to floor director from 1976.

After working his way through the television industry, Lythgoe held the post of Head of Entertainment and Comedy at London Weekend Television, where he commissioned and produced shows including Gladiators and Blind Date^[1].

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 a tough on the competitors. Most significantly, the show led the way to a host of other singing contests such as the Pop Idol franchise, the template for American Idol.

Lythgoe is now president of 19 Television, where he has brought to the screen, in both Britain and America various "reality/talent" format of Idol; and is producer/judge of So You Think You Can Dance, on the FOX television network.

Personal life

Until early 2007, Lythgoe was married to Bonnie Lythgoe, whom he met while he was choreographer for the BBC's Young Generation dance troupe. ^[2]. Bonnie was also an audition judge on the first and second seasons of So You Think You Can Dance. The couple have two sons together, Simon Lythgoe and Kristopher and a grandson called George.

Since their split in early 2007, Lythgoe has been dating Priscilla Presley.

Producer Filmography (partial)

• The Next Great American Band
• So You Think You Can Dance
• All American Girl
• American Juniors
• American Idol
• Pop Idol
• The Brian Conley Show

Director Filmography

• All American Girl (2003)
• American Idol (2002)
• Survivor (2001)
• Animals Do The Funniest Things (1999)
• TV Weekly (1988)
• Gladiators (1992)
• The Brian Conley Show (Became producer from Series 3)

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

References

External links

• Nigel Lythgoe at the Internet Movie Database
• So You Think You Can Dance profile
• 19 Television Limited

•  • [ e] So You Think You Can Dance
Seasons	1 2 3
Hosts	Cat Deeley Lauren Snchez
Judges	Nigel Lythgoe Mary Murphy
Choreographers	Alex Da Silva Brian Friedman Jean-Marc Genereux Dan Karaty Lil' C Tony Meredith Mia Michaels Toni Redpath Wade Robson Shane Sparks
Winners	Nick Lazzarini Benji Schwimmer Sabra Johnson
Runners-Up	Melody Lacayanga Travis Wall Danny Tidwell
Other	Season two finalists Season three finalists

Persondata
NAME	Nigel Lythgoe
ALTERNATIVE NAMES
SHORT DESCRIPTION	Executive producer and television director.
DATE OF BIRTH	9 July, 1949
PLACE OF BIRTH	England, United Kingdom
DATE OF DEATH
PLACE OF DEATH