Straight Up: Nigel Lythgoe Discusses Paula Abdul's Idol Exit
So there I was, backstage at the So You Think You Can Dance finale, marveling at the fancy footwork of Brandon, Kayla, Evan, and Jeanine, when during some between-routine downtime I whipped out my iPhone and, like all compulsive people of this modern age, checked my Twitter. And that when I was hit by this bombshell regarding SYTYCD's sister show, American Idol, tweeted by the one and only Paula Abdul:
"With sadness in my heart, I've decided not to return to #IDOL. I'll miss nurturing all the new talent, but most of all being a part of a show that I helped from day 1 become an international phenomenon. What I want to say most, is how much I appreciate the undying support and enormous love that you have showered upon me. It truly has been breathtaking, especially over the past month. I do without any doubt have the BEST fans in the entire world and I love you all."
I resisted the urge to spook everyone around me by letting rip an action-movie-tragedy-scene-style "NOOOOOOOO!!!" (you know, the kind where the camera pans out to an overhead aerial shot and frightened birds scatter in all directions). I stayed calm by remembering the silver lining here: that SYTYCD producer/judge Nigel Lythgoe had recently declared that Paula would be welcome as a judge on So You Think You Can Dance, if she didn't return to Idol season 9.
And I hoped that job offer still stood, since, let's face it: Reality TV, the Fox Network, and life as we all know it would cease to be as much fun if Paula Abdul was no longer on the air.
So naturally, after the SYTYCD finale taping, the first interview question I had for Nigel regarded this fascinating possibility. Here's what he had to say:
I sincerely hope that Paula takes Nigel up on his offer to be a SYTYCD guest judge and choreographer (and yes, I do think there's room on the judging panel for two lovably crazy ladies: her and Mary Murphy). Fingers crossed that Paula Abdul will soon be So You Think You Can Dance-ing like there's no tomorrow.
One of the main reasons that I like SYTYCD more than Idol is because the judges are soooo much better. Mary is forgiven for all her screaming because her critiques are sooo good and on point. If Paula was on, it would ruin the show for me if she was always there. I could barely tolerate her inane, useless comments and scattered thinking on Idol. Guest choreographer would be good - I can handle her for a few minutes, and she is a good choreographer, I'd like to see what she's still capable of. But not as a judge. Oh goodness no. Please, I beg of you all, please no...
can I say obvious first . . . everyone is entitled to do what they want, take/leave a job whatever, [insert ethereal sounds here] "follow your dreams." Let's talk about the more *obvious* elephant in the room. . .apparently, a gazillion dollars isn't enough money for Paula to return -- let alone be part of what it appears to be a great, cake job on AI. Doesn't anyone work at a job anymore where they make millions and millions of dollars, (notwithstanding, apparently being underpaid), but do it anyway, because, they "love" their job? What a silly concept.
How much money is ever enough for these people? Really? How much money can you actually spend in a lifetime? Eight figures not enough b/c Ryan and Simon command more money? Simon yes, Ryan, no. And wow, she apparently acknowledges and does not understate having had an impact on Idol which catapulted it to the stratosphere. [Otherwise known to some of us as, ahem, it's January, the holidays are over and March is a long way off, what's on t.v. tonight?]. Yawn. Okay, let's watch Idol.
I like Paula and the other judges. But, at a certain point, there's a disconnect for me at least between the ungodly amount of money they garner and their jobs. Sorry, her explanation notwithstanding, it will be hard to miss her. It sours me on the show, actually. It's so superficial.
SYTYCD is a much more professional, more talented show. It minimizes and exploits the less talented performances/contestants and leaves them, and it, in the auditions where it belongs. Once the real season performances kick-in the judges don't dumb-down the audience with the same adjectives week after week. SYTYCD gets serious when it needs to be and stays here. Paula made a career out of being a choreographer, she may be a better fit on SYTYCD, but, will the money be right(?) The h*ll with the music, the arts and entertainment which enriches our lives. Oh well, she can always go back to HSN selling her jewelry.
Anyway, bot- (back on topic..lol) . I feel that Paula was just looking for more money,didn't get it and chose to move on.
If SYTYCD is offering her some tv air time still, she should take it but ONLY as a guest and not a regular or a set choreographer maybe but NOT as one of the judges. They have enough women on that show doing that judging and are scatter brained seeming already, don't need another rambler on the air.
Going to see how/if that shortens the AI season show, I hope so. They need to be back to three judges on AI I feel now.
On a lighter note, I'd love to see her on SYTYCD. She is a MUCH better dancer/choreographer than she ever was a singer!
it will be cool to see paula on so you think you can dance.