It’s Official! Nigel Lythgoe back with American Idol

Confirmed yesterday, Nigel Lythgoe is for sure coming back as Executive Producer of American Idol, joining forces with Simon Fuller, Cecile Frot-Coutaz and Ken Warwick.  Lythgoe reportedly would also like a way to bring back former Idol judge Paula Abdul, which may be a tough one to crack now being she has signed exclusively with CBS on a new dance show.  He hopes to have the new judging panel finalized by the end of this month as well.  He said he would be most happy with Randy Jackson, Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler, but would also like to make sure that the chemistry with the judging panel is there.

He also mentioned cutting down the “back story” packages of the contestants, saying that he has seen enough of the contestants and rough family life.  Instead, he would like the show to go back to it’s roots and focus on the singing.  He also plans on expanding “Idol Gives Back.”

All in all, Lythgoe is excited about re-joining the show, and hopes he can provide some “tweaks” as he calls them (rather than a major facelift) to bring the show back up where it should be.  What do you think?  Do you think the tweaks will help?  Will you watch?  Come talk about it in the FORUM.