BANFF, Alta. — “American Idol” shouldn’t try to replace Simon Cowell now that the sharp-tongued judge has left to helm a new reality series, says former “Idol” producer and “So You Think You Can Dance” judge Nigel Lythgoe. The variety show guru, who worked on “Idol” until 2008, says the singing competition should stick with three judges and pay more attention to the music after a lacklustre season. “It’s never been my opinion that four judges work on that program because it should be about the talent,” Lythgoe said in a recent interview from New York before heading to Alberta for the Banff World Television Festival.

“The team took their eye off the ball a little bit and was more worried about the judges and what was happening with them than it was regarding the talent last year. It became about Kara (DioGuardi) joining and making the fourth judge, Paula (Abdul) leaving, Ellen (Degeneres) joining and Simon leaving and much more about them and concentrating on that than on the talent that they were finding.”

“It wasn’t a vintage year.”

“American Idol”‘s ninth season wrapped last month with its lowest-rated finale ever. Former paint salesman Lee DeWyze took the crown, but much of the attention was on Cowell’s final appearance as he prepares to launch a new reality show, “The X Factor,” on Fox and CTV.

Despite its shortcomings, Lythgoe complained that “American Idol” is lumped in with reality fare at the Emmys, when he says it should be considered a variety show.

“I don’t honestly see how ‘American Idol,’ with all of that intricacy of what that production involves — from going out to the football stadiums to finishing in the Nokia Theater with KISS exploding out of the woodwork and Prince walking on and all of that — can be compared with a bunch of people running around the world that wins every year,” says Lythgoe, referring to perennial reality champ, “The Amazing Race.”

“It’s frustrating.”

The Emmy nominations are set to be announced July 8.

Lythgoe heads to Banff to accept an award of excellence and deliver a keynote speech Monday. Others bound for the conference include Brit comic Ricky Gervais, Canadian icon William Shatner, and the creators and producers of “Dexter,” “The Big Bang Theory,” “The Good Wife” and “Breaking Bad.”

Lythgoe began his career as a dancer and choreographer in the U.K., going on to work with stars ranging from the Muppets to Gene Kelly, Shirley Bassey and Bing Crosby.

But it’s as a reality show titan that he really made his name, first in Britain as the man behind “Survivor,” “Popstars,” and “Gladiators” and later in North America with “So You Think You Can Dance.”

He says he’ll be rushing back to L.A. after his lunch-hour speech in Banff to prepare for this season’s first live broadcast Wednesday.

After six seasons of “So You Think You Can Dance,” Lythgoe says it was time to revamp the format with a streamlined competition of just 11 dancers, instead of 20. Only one dancer will go home every week, instead of two, and each hopeful will perform with a partner drawn from an all-star cast of former contenders.

If Lythgoe had his way, he says he’d love to try experimenting with new technology on the show.

“I’d love to do the first 3D dance on ‘So You Think You Can Dance’ this season,” says the 60-year-old series co-creator, director, and producer.

“I think the five people who have got 3D TV would enjoy it,” he adds laughing.

The sole Canadian in the bunch is Edmonton-born Alex Wong, a 23-year-old phenom who made the Top 20 in season five. He was forced to withdraw when the Miami City Ballet refused to let him out of his contract as principal soloist.

Lythgoe says Wong has a good shot at winning if he can “find a little more personality.”

“I’ve never yet seen the best technical dancer win,” says Lythgoe. “I’ve always seen the best dancer with an enormous personality and charisma win. And he certainly has to find that.”

A Canadian spinoff, “So You Think You Can Dance Canada” begins its third season Aug. 15 on CTV.

Lythgoe says he doesn’t think he’s ever been invited to appear on the Canadian show, although he notes that he’s been to versions in South Africa and Australia.

“Maybe they thought I’d say no, or maybe they just thought, ‘Well, we don’t want him! We’ve certainly got good enough judges here’ and you’ve certainly got good enough dancers there. I know Mary (Murphy) has been there, Mia (Michaels) has been there, Dan (Karaty) has been there.”

“Maybe after Banff, they’ll invite me,” he chuckled.

The executive producer of “So You Think You Can Dance Canada” says the show asked Lythgoe to be a guest judge on Season 1 through his then-assistant.

“Unfortunately, he was travelling so much it didn’t work out,” says Sandra Faire. “But we left it as an open invitation and he is always welcome.”

The Banff World Television Festival runs until Wednesday.

SOURCE: www.ctv.ca

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