American Idol Producer Nigel Lythgoe Responds to Rosie O'Donnell  3/8/07

STATEMENT FROM ‘AMERICAN IDOL IN RESPONSE TO INSINUATIONS OF RACISM AND/OR WEIGHTISM

"Without wishing to add to the obvious self-promotion of Ms. O'Donnell, I feel as though I must refute her absurd and ridiculous claims that AMERICAN IDOL is racist and/or weightist. "Ms. O’Donnell has, once again, spoken without thought or knowledge. Viewers need only look at the show tonight to realize that AMERICAN IDOL constantly confirms to America that talent has nothing to do with weight or color." Nigel Lythgoe, Executive Producer, AMERICAN IDOL

Source: FOX Press Release