Former "American Idol" Producer Responds To Abdul's Stalker Claims

Former American Idol executive producer Nigel Lythgoe has responded to Paula Abdul's claims that the show's producers put her in an uncomfortable position by allowing her stalker to audition because of the encounter's "entertainment value." "[Paula Goodspeed] had been through an audition process with the producers, an audition process with the executive producers, and we were wheeling her in as a huge fan of Paula Abdul," Lythgoe said. "This is what we knew: She was a great fan, she was a lovely girl. And a great fan of Paula."

Goodspeed later committed suicide in front of Abdul's home following a string of threatening letters addressed to Abdul. As for whether Abdul asked producers not to let Goodspeed audition, "This is three years ago. I honestly say I can't remember the conversation. If Paula said, that's what she said, I believe her," Lythgoe said. "We've seen over 700,000 contestants. And one has made a terrible, terrible mistake. If you're an odds man, they are great odds," he added. Lythgoe left American Idol this past summer to concentrate on So You Think You Can Dance? and Superstars of Dance.

Related Stories:
• Paula Abdul Criticizes "American Idol" Producers For Allowing Stalker To Audition
• Paula Abdul Fan Found Dead Outside "American Idol" Judge's House
• Cowell, Abdul Send Condolences to Jennifer Hudson

• 
  MUSIC 100 Greatest Debut Albums
• 
  MOVIES 'Star Trek' Is Crazy Good
• 
  TV 10 Shows to Watch This Summer
• 
  POLITICS No Price Big Banks Can't Fix

Song Stories

“(We're Not) The Jet Set”

George Jones and Tammy Wynette | 1973

George Jones and Tammy Wynette were still married when they recorded the tongue-in-cheek "(We're Not) The Jet Set." The lyrics, written by Nashville songwriter Bobby Braddock, who also penned Wynette's "D-I-V-O-R-C-E" and Jones' "He Stopped Loving Her Today," make fun of the good life by declaring, "We're not the Jet Set/We're the old Chevrolet set." Braddock recalled that while writing the song, he needed the name of a city that evened out the rhyme he had with "Riviera" and "Missourah." “I got out a Rand McNally atlas," he said. "In the first part are the maps. The last part is an alphabetical listing of cities. I wanted a rustic, small-time sound. I went to the listing for Missouri. And I found 'Festus.' I loved the sound of it."

More Song Stories entries »

Twitter