Nigel Lythgoe Doesn't Know His Audience

Nigel Lythgoe, the creator of and a judge on So You Think You Can Dance, made some rather idiotic comments. E! Online reports:

GLAAD was on the warpath today after remarks made by show mastermind and judge Nigel Lythgoe toward same-sex dance duo Misha Belfer and Mitchel Kibel in last night's premiere.

"I think you probably alienate a lot of our audience," he said after the duo's samba. "I mean, we've always had the guys dance together on the show, but they've never really done it in each other's arms before.

"Do you know what? I'd like to see you both dancing with a girl."

Nigel continued his tirade online, saying, "The same-sex ballroom guys did remind me of Blades of Glory. However, I'm not a fan of Brokeback ballroom."

GLAAD and Nigel have only been escalating from there...

"It's unacceptable for this kind of blatant homophobia to occur," GLAAD President Neil G. Giuliano said in a statement. "Fox Entertainment and Nigel Lythgoe owe Misha, Mitchel and the whole LGBT community an apology."

Nigel responded via Twitter: "I am very sad the word 'homophobe' is being used. That is someone who hates homosexuals. I dislike effeminate dancing! Wake up and listen!"

I don't know a single heterosexual man who watches SYTYCD. I know I'm reinforcing stereotypes, here, but surely Lythgoe understands that the show might appeal to the "effeminate" gay men he's citing as harming the dancing industry. I think it's more likely gay men are what keep the dancing industry alive. If you're so inclined, I recommend following GLAAD's advice and firing of a letter or e-mail to Fox reitterating that this type of idiocy is not acceptable.