In an article in a major Detroit newspaper, the reporter states that during rehearsals Nygle Lythgoe (producer) takes notes on the contestants and tells Simon who to bash. If you notice, the judges have a piece of paper in front of them during the show- maybe these are the notes given by the producer?

The comments between Simon and Ryan are also scripted. I always knew that the producers had a lot of say, but didn't think that it actually went so far as scripting the judges' comments! Thoughts?
Last edited by rizstar : 25-03-2007 at 22:18

The comments between Simon and Ryan are obviously preplanned. Not sure what to make of the other point. Is it only Simon who supposedly is instructed by NL? What about the other two?

Dunno about the other two. I doubt Paula is given notes because half the time she can barely give a decent critique, and sometimes is not understandable.

True. What exactly is the point of her?

Of course it's all scripted - it has to be. Surely people are not that naive????

You can still enjoy it for what it is though and vote if you feel strongly enough.

Nasty Nigel is very much involved. Did you spot him in the audience this week during Sanjaya's song? Nigel looked very pleased indeed with his antics and the little girl crying.

Ah yes, Nasty Nigel, who famously told Kym Marsh she needed to lose weight. It seems the same standards don't apply in American Idol. I haven't heard any of those 'don't look like a pop star' jibes that anyone in the equivalent British shows gets if they are less than sylphlike and/or are no oil painting.

That's true, but the US audience is probably more tolerant for reasons not unconnected to their own attributes!

Lythgoe is apparently a major force on the programme, but I doubt most of it is preplanned. He probably points the judges in the direction he thinks would make good tv.

How can you be sure that's what the paper says? It could be the order of the contestants with some information on the song and stuff.

Everyone knows the Simon/Ryan banter is scripted but it's just meant to be lighthearted.

i never said that i am sure what the paper says... i said "maybe".

Hear it all (or most of it) from the man himself.

Nigel Lythgoe interviewed in Media Guardian

The most annoying thing at the moment is the amount of times Simon looks to the side of the stage and makes some sort of facial gesture, especially when he hears something he doesnt like or agree with.

I noticed that, not sure who he's looking at though.

denied by Lithgoe

http://www.tmz.com/2007/03/22/simon-...-nigels-bitch/