DRAMA

SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE'S...NIGEL LYTHGOE Simon Cowell's producer on American Idol, Lythgoe, 56, is now executive producer of FOX's So You Think You Can Dance. He tangos with PEOPLE's Monica Rizzo.

ARE DANCERS MORE COMPETITIVE THAN SINGER?

Yes, they are. Dancers bond very easily. But there's $100,000 at stake here. It's going to get mean.

SPEAKING OF BEING EMOTIONAL, HAS SIMON MELLOWED?

He's changed a little bit. He doesn't like to be as booed as much. He likes the love.

WHAT'S YOUR DANCE BACKGROUND?

I was the only person to dance, choreograph, produce and direct the Royal Variety Performance for the Queen of England. My other claim to fame was that I choreographed the Muppets.

DO YOU TAKE YOUR WIFE DANCING?

My wife [Bonnie] was a dancer, too. I had a heart attack two years ago, so I've got to take it easy. But we used to dance a lot.