“American Idol” executive producer Nigel Lythgoe says don’t expect any major changes when the hit Fox TV show returns in January. Lythgoe returned as “Idol’s” executive producer last season to usher in the post-Simon Cowell era with new judges Steven Tyler and Jennifer Lopez and a new mentor for contestants, veteran music producer Jimmy Iovine. He says all of them are back for the new season.
Lythgoe says he’s “not sure” the show wants to make too many more tweaks this year. Lythgoe says the most significant change introduced last year was to allow the contestants to sing in their own styles. He says that opened the door for last season’s winner, teenage country singer Scotty McCreery.