What Do Former American Idol Stars Think About The Show Ending? Paula Abdul, Nigel Lythgoe, & Brian Dunkleman Weigh In HERE!

American Idol is coming to an end, and everyone is weighing in!
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Former exec producer Nigel Lythgoe believes the time was right to pull the plug. He said:

“I’m grateful they decided to pull it. I’m likening it to a heavyweight boxer. You have to know when to quit. You don’t want all these young kids coming along and knocking you out and taking all the credit. When you have been such a heavy puncher.”

Nigel left the show to create So You Think You Can Dance, which this season adds former Idol judge Paula Abdul to its ranks!
So what does Paula think about the end of an era? She said:

“It’s just a sign of something that changed the world, and actually changed people’s lives, and legitimized their dreams, has run its course. I’m fortunate to have been a part of it from day one.”

Aww, we love how gracious she’s being.
Meanwhile Brian Dunkleman — you know, the Pete Best of American Idol who used to co-host with Ryan Seacrest — decided to have fun with it.
He tweeted: