Nigel Lythgoe answers questions about American Idol and So You Think You Can Dance

PopWrap has a great Q&A with Nigel Lythgoe regarding the upcoming season of So You Think You Can Dance. They also managed to get a few American Idol questions in.

Nigel addressed viewer accusations of “producer manipulation” and voting changes he wants on Idol. For SYTYCD, he still wants the All-Stars back, but since viewers didn’t like it so much, they are doing a little bit of both for this season. He also said that he considers Alex Wong, who had to leave the competition last season due to injury, is considered an ‘All-Star’.

From PopWrap:

PW: But the manipulation accusations extend further than James — especially with Haley. What do you say to that?
Nigel: I just don’t get it. Unless I’m really Machiavellian and I’m doing it from this reverse psychological method, which I don’t even know about because it’s my alter ego doing it. Haley has been one of the few that the judges have had harsh words for – but don’t forget that the judges know that her second song will be fantastic because they’ve watched the dress rehearsal. So I think maybe they know they can be tough on the first song because the second one is a wow moment. There’s something about that comeback she’s done the last two weeks that generates incredible votes. The fact is we’re much more, if you like, manipulative on “SYTYCD” than on “Idol,” because on “Dance” you give us the bottom three and we make the decision who goes home. Which is a format change I’d like to see on “Idol” to be quite frank with you.

PW: Which would have, theoretically, saved Pia.
Nigel: Right. And you don’t need the silly Judges Save. Although I was very grateful for it this year

PW: What about the format — will it return to a Top 20 or stick with the All-Stars?
Nigel: If it comes down to it, I want the All-Stars. A lot of people didn’t like the All-Stars last year, they wanted a Top 20 and to watch the chemistry develop – but later on they realized how great these returning dancers were. So I think you’ll see a bit of both — a Top 20 and when we get down to Top 10, bring in the All-Stars. They inspired the dancers and the choreographers. It lifted everyone’s game. But instead of putting together a troupe of All-Stars, we’ll invite complementary all-stars for each of the dancers.

PW: Last season also saw a fan favorite sidelined early on — does Alex Wong return?
Nigel: All I will say is that I class Alex as an All-Star