Nigel Lythgoe on ‘Idol’ Judge News: “It Feels a Bit Like a Kick in the Teeth”

On Tuesday, it was officially announced that the judging panel for "American Idol" Season 13 will be Jennifer Lopez, Harry Connick Jr., and Keith Urban. Ironically, this was actually the "dream team" suggested by longtime "Idol" producer Nigel Lythgoe, before he was fired from the showearlier this year. So Nigel got his way in the end — but it was all too little, too late.

On Tuesday evening backstage at his other Fox franchise, "So You Think You Can Dance," Nigel was candid when speaking about his reaction to that morning's "Idol" news. "Both [fellow ousted 'Idol' producer] Ken Warwick and myself asked for that team last year. It feels a bit like a kick in the teeth," he admitted. "But I'm thrilled for 'American Idol.' At least they've made one good decision this season!"