Articles tagged with ‘Nigel Lythgoe’
The Lythgoe ‘Family’ Producers Bring Panto To LA LA Land… “Oh Yes They Are!”
Posted on October 30th, 2010 at 9:15 am by
No sooner had Oprah reunited the Von Trapp family on American television earlier in the week, this picture winged its way across my desk and made me giggle… Perfect! I thought… The Lythgoe’s could be described as the Von Trapp family ‘producers’. Though I’m sure Nigel Lythgoe can still tap his toe and hum a tune, producing seems to be more his forte these days.
Step forward Nigel’s very talented son, Kris Lythgoe (pictured top center). Kris, already an accomplished producer himself, working on shows such as So You Think You Can Dance and so on, has been very clever in spotting a gap in the market here in the land showbiz.
Young Lythgoe has decided to educate the Americans in the art of Panto, er, that’s Pantomime to you folk who’ve never heard the word. And to help you along here’s the dictionary definition: (pan·to·mime) n. Performing Arts / Theatre) Brit informal short for pantomime [1]). Get it?
It so happens that Kris, together with his mother Bonnie (pictured top right) have taken on the task of bringing the very British ‘pan·to·mime’ to California’s sunny shores.
Their first production is Cinderella, starring a quality cast of actors such as Harry Potter star Freddie Stroma as Prince Charming. Stroma can be seen playing Cormac McLaggen in the upcoming Potter installment – The Half Blood Prince. Other players include Jerry Mathers from Leave it to Beaver, Broadway sensation Jennifer Leigh Warren as The Fairy Godmother, with newcomer Veronica Dunne in the title role.
Of course the family appear to have pulled in a few favors too, by getting Dancing With The Stars ‘dancer’ Mark Ballas to choreograph the whole thing, with Bonnie [Lythgoe] directing. What a mix!
They’ve even named the cross-dressing ‘ugly sisters’ after American Idol’s Ryan Seacrest and Simon Cowell. Kris told Page Six: “I’ve deliberately spelled the sisters’ names differently. I hope Simon and Ryan get the joke.”
The curtain goes up at the El Portal Theatre November 27th, and runs till December 19th. Tickets are selling fast, so I’d order them pronto as this show promises to be one big ‘camp’ affair! ”Oh yes it will!”
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American Idol Panel To Be Picked From Scratch?
Posted on July 30th, 2010 at 3:27 pm by
‘Nasty’ Nigel Lythgoe might be able to add yet another string to his director/presenter/producer/dancer bow – psychic!
He told newspapers months ago that if he had his eay he’d completely overhaul the American Idol judging panel if he returned to the show as Executive Producer, and it looks like it’s going to come true.
Rumours are flying that judge Kara Dioguardi has been axed and with Ellen DeGeneres and Simon officially off, there’s a pretty gaping gap on each side of Randy Jackson!
TMZ is reporting that Nigel is officially BACK and now we just have to wait and see who ends up in the hotseat.
Currently everyone from J-Lo to Steven Tyler is being bandied about, but who would you like to see on the AI judging panel?
My dream team would be: Madonna, Dolly Parton, Jay-Z and Elton John – you know, nothing too intimidating for the upcoming wannabes!
Red Hot Car… Red Hot Cat…!
Posted on June 9th, 2010 at 10:47 am by
Wow, what a sexy couple Cat Deeley and Jack Huston make! Clearly this pair are still going strong, contrary to reports that have stated otherwise.
Cat and Jack where out and about in East London last night where they attended the launch of the new Mini Countryman at Mudchute City Farm on the Isle of Dogs.
The stunning So You Think You Can Dance host’s career is going from strength to strength here in the US, but it’s nice to see she’s still in demand back home too. It was as if she hadn’t even left, as she was mobbed by hordes of waiting paps upon arrival to last night’s event, proving Deeley hasn’t lost her touch in the UK.
Recent rumors swirling in the industry have suggested that the telly babe might become part of the American version of X Factor when it launches here next year, however, Cat remains tight-lipped on the subject. Nevertheless Deeley’s workload appears never ending and from what I’m hearing, new offers are flooding in daily. So either way her future looks … um, dare I say … red-hot!
Hope they gave her a free car, at least …
Cat Deeley: “I Haven’t Got The X Factor”
Posted on May 10th, 2010 at 6:57 am by Sean Borg
Dear ol’ Cat Deeley answered the question on everybody’s lips on Saturday night, as she revealed she didn’t have a job (as yet) judging the X Factor when it starts here in America next year.
The stunning telly host arrived at an event in Hollywood to celebrate her good friend Matthew Williamson, who was being named ‘Designer Of The Year’, as part of BritWeek.
All sorts of rumors have been flying around since Simon Cowell announced he was quitting American Idol to launch X Factor in the US, with former Girls Aloud singer Cheryl Cole apparently being one of Si’s favorites.
But singer Sinitta let slip recently that Cowell was considering a number of big names, including Mariah Carey. She said: “It’s amazing that so many people want to do it… it’s huge. Everybody is up for it, Mariah… ok I’m not saying anymore!”
But Cat certainly didn’t rule out the possibility of being part of the new show, she said: “You never know, providing I’m not chatting to someone else.” Oo-er, what could she mean by that?
Well, I think Cat DOES have the ‘X Factor ‘ and would make a great judge, but when you think that she’s up against the likes of Mariah, Gaga and even Madonna’s name has been whispered in my ear a few times, you can see why she might have her doubts…
However, Tinseltown has been kind to Deeley so far, so you NEVER know!
Other guests included, Jewelry designer Zeta Graff, Lord Frederick Windsor and Lady Sophia Windsor, actress Jacqueline Bisset… Oh, and me…
BritWeek is an annual celebration of British people and business’ contribution to the Californian economy.
No Summer Wedding For Si?
Posted on April 25th, 2010 at 9:11 am by
After weeks of keeping us guessing as to whether he was even engaged Simon Cowell is delaying his big day again and insists there’s to be no wedding to Mezghan Hussainy this year.
According to ‘Nasty’ Nigel Lythgoe, Si’s in no rush to get hitched and is concentrating on finding judges and talent for X-Factor, which starts in the US in 2011.
He told the News of the World: “Simon has a lot to do. He has to prepare himself for the American X Factor, to try to create the next biggest show there, and he’ll be fully focused.”
But he also hinted that it might be pre-wedding jitters that are holding up the big day.
“Maybe he’s just gearing himself up. He hasn’t really known Mezghan for that long. But she was my make-up artist for six years and she and Simon are a good fit. They can make fun of each other. “He knew Terri (Seymour) for an awful lot longer. It must have been hard enough to propose for him.”
I can’t believe saying anything is too hard for Simon – this is a man that can make grown men cry with just one scathing put-down.
Maybe Nigel’s just helping Simon keep things under wraps and it’s a double bluff. Maybe it’s all systems go and Mezghan will be Mrs Cowell by the end of the year.
Hope so, as I was so looking forward to getting my invite in the mail, er… Simon!
Flopstar to Opera-Star… Darius Defies His Critics!
Posted on April 14th, 2010 at 1:52 pm by
When Darius Danesh – woops I mean Darius CAMPBELL (he’s changed his name) told Nigel Lythgoe all those years ago, “I am going to be a big star, just you wait and see!” he really wasn’t kidding.
Who’d have thought ‘flopstar’ Daz would still have some kind of public persona almost 10 years later.
Danesh moved to Hollywood a few years ago and started dating sexy Species actress, Natasha Henstridge, until they recently split.
Now, after recently appearing ITV’s Popstar To Operastar series, Darius has reinvented himself yet again, to become a full-time opera singer.
Relentless Daruis, who first found fame on Popstars, bouncing back soon after to try his hand at Pop Idol, finishing in third place, will take the principal role of toreador Escamillo in the production of Carmen at London’s O2 Arena, the first ever opera at the Dome.
He said: ‘I thoroughly enjoyed my time on Popstar To Operastar and learning the discipline of opera was tough but hugely rewarding.
‘This opportunity, however, takes it to the next level and I cannot wait to get started.’
Gotta hand it to you Daz… A new name, a new career, wow, this dudes got way more lives than a cat!
Beauty Dates The Beast (Only joking Nige!)
Posted on January 10th, 2010 at 6:47 pm by
Former supermodel, Jerry Hall loves a bad boy, doesn’t she? She was married to notorious modeliser Mick Jagger for nine years and now the stunning 53-year-old model and actress is dating TV judge Nigel Lythgoe, 60, better known as ‘Nasty Nigel’.
Jerry and Nigel have been friends for a while but began dating in October after running into each other at events in London and despite Nige’s beastly reputation, the pair are supposed to be totally loved up.
“Both Jerry and Nigel have been unattached for some time,” says the source, “Neither of them were looking for love, but it found them anyway. They’re a great couple and gloriously happy.”
Nigel earned his nickname in 2000 when he was a judge on Popstars, the precursor to Pop Idol and American Idol. He’s currently a judge on So You Think You Can Dance, which after finding huge success in the states is now launching on the Beeb (BBC) in the UK.
