Nigel Lythgoe issues apology.

Yesterday afternoon, AfterElton.com received the following from Fox concerning Nigel Lythgoe's comments during Thursday night's episode of So You Think You Can Dance. (GLAAD also received the same apology.)

I sincerely regret the fact that I have upset people with the poor word choices and comments I made both during the taping of the "So You Think You Can Dance" audition and on my personal status update. I am not homophobic and it was extremely upsetting for me to be classed as such.

I have been forthright and consistent with my opinion, as a judge, that professional male dancers should move with strength and agility -- like Gene Kelly and Rudolph Nureyev. I now realize how this could be misconstrued.

I have been a dancer, and involved in the dance world, for nearly 50 years. Professionally and personally, I believe the sexual orientation of an auditioner or contestant is irrelevant. All that said, the fact that I have unintentionally upset people is distressing to me and it is obvious I have made mistakes that I must learn from. I trust that my humor will be more sensitive and mindful moving forward.

Nigel Lythgoe, judge and executive producer, SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE

As far as apologies go, it's not as godawful as Fox's non-apology apology, but like Fox's first statement, Lythgoe doesn't seem particularly sorry for what he said, but just for upsetting people. He also swears he isn't a homophobe (because most homophobic people are so upfront about that, no?) But he does say he made mistakes that he must learn from. Hopefully, that does indicate some true awareness that his attitudes are not okay.

[Editor's update: After reading some of the comments below, I re-read and reconsidered Lythgoe's statemement and don't think I gave him enough credit for his apology. My apologies for that.]

What's your reaction?