American Idol: Lythgoe 'annoyed' by Fox TV statement

Nigel Lythgoe has produced American Idol since it began in 2002.

American Idol executive producer Nigel Lythgoe says he is "very annoyed" at suggestions from TV network Fox that the talent show needs changes.

Fox entertainment president Kevin Reilly told reporters last week ratings had "dropped more than anticipated".

But Lythgoe <link> <caption>told TV Line</caption> <url href="http://tvline.com/2012/05/29/american-idol-nigel-lythgoe-season-11-exit-interview/" platform="highweb"/> </link> the drop was not unexpected, as rival shows X Factor and The Voice were "in the mix now".

Some 21.5 million viewers tuned into watch the finale of American Idol last week, down 32% from last year.

The show still remains the most watched programme on US television and, at its peak, more than 38 million viewers tuned into the watch the finale of the singing contest.

Nonetheless, this year's series suffered a slump. Average ratings for the season fell below 20 million viewers for the first time since 2003.

In an effort to "put some fresh energy in", Mr Reilly said the show would undergo "some creative tweaking" next season.

He added that, in retrospect, the changes should have been made this year.

Lythgoe said he was "very annoyed" by the remarks, adding: "When Kevin says we've got to do new things next year, what are the changes? The format is a very simple format - kids audition for us.

"Their talent is what brings people in to watch the show. Do we change the format? Maybe we should do it underwater while basket weaving?"

"I get very annoyed with people, especially executives that should know what they're talking about, making statements like that," he said.

Lythgoe has been the producer of American Idol since its first series in 2002.

He is best known in the UK as the lead judge on the first series of Popstars in 2000 - which led to him being branded "Nasty Nigel" in the tabloid press.

The British-born TV executive said American Idol's ratings decline had been inevitable after Fox picked up Simon Cowell's X Factor.

Broadcasting both shows on the same network, he added, was the equivalent of airing two series of American Idol back-to-back.

"I'm shocked that [Reilly] would say we didn't anticipate that," he said.

"We always stayed away from [airing] two seasons of American Idol [per calendar year], knowing that ratings would dip and the public would get tired."

He added: "There's just a lot more on offer today and kids don't always watch the television anymore. The world has changed in the 11 years that we've been doing this."