We Don’t Want So You Think You Can Dance to End — But It Can’t Go On Like This
There’s a dance-based competition show currently airing Mondays at 9 pm. New episodes land on Fox. Cat Deeley’s the host.
And yet, despite those familiar trappings, or the title that runs across the screen at the start of each episode, I’m having trouble believing that the show in question is actually So You Think You Can Dance.
The announcement of Season 18 last December — after nearly two years off the air — came as a pleasant surprise, the kind with which fans of this series have become familiar. Even when Fox’s competition shows were at their buzziest in the mid-aughts, SYTYCD was always American Idol’s more niche, lower-rated younger sibling. As the years passed, its annual return to Fox’s lineup has become less and less of a sure thing; amid the COVID-19 pandemic, it seemed unlikely the show would ever come back at all, and Season 18 is only its second cycle to air in the last five years.
But what seemed at first like a fresh start for the ever-struggling series now feels like the last gasp of a former summer staple, unrecognizable in its current form — and if this is the So You Think You Can Dance we’re left with, perhaps it’s time for a curtain call.
Full disclosure: Even typing that sentence made me want to scroll down and leave an angry comment on my own piece of writing. So You Think You Can Dance has played a series-regular role in my own life as a TV fanatic: Years before I would ever write about the show professionally, Teen Rebecca would send what she felt were very important “recap” emails to her family members and like-minded Internet friends, who nicely indulged her snarky thoughts on each episode. I’ve spent hours down YouTube rabbit holes, rewatching favorite routines. (Just this week, Wade Robson’s “Ramalama” group number has gotten some play.) And it was one of the many TV series I watched and rewatched with my late mother, a fellow pop culture obsessive whose love of Joshua and Katee’s Season 4 Bollywood routine was unparalleled.
Plus, dance remains woefully underrepresented on mainstream competition series. Outside of Dancing With the Stars — which isn’t exactly an option for non-celebrity contestants — there aren’t many avenues for aspiring dance pros that come with this level of exposure and credibility. Shooing away one of TV’s only prominent dance-centric shows admittedly feels backwards.
But for many seasons now, in the name of creative reinvention and improving ratings, SYTYCD has kept moving away from the original essence that made it a hit. It was a platform for not only the country’s bright-eyed contestants, but for up-and-coming choreographers (Mandy Moore! Sonya Tayeh!) and dance styles that many of us had never heard of before. Asking contestants to perform duets in new and challenging styles each week was a compelling, accessible approach — one that has been replaced, at various times, by a lackluster “Stage vs. Street” theme (Season 12), a kid-centric Next Generation cycle (Season 13) and a heavy reliance on returning vets and All-Star dancers.
Season 18, though, has proven to be the most frustrating departure yet — and not only because it’s the second consecutive season to have a scandal at the judging panel. Rather, SYTYCD has seemed a shell of itself in its current cycle. I mean, the competition is so truncated that the Top 10 (!) had already been determined by the end of the audition rounds. What’s more, the entire season has been pre-taped — a Fox rep confirms for me that there will be zero live episodes, including the finale — and the weekly performances have morphed into complex, showbiz-themed challenges where only the judges decide who gets eliminated each week. (The contestants are also living in a house together, adding a misplaced Real World vibe to the proceedings.)
The reinvention makes sense on at least one level: SYTYCD struggles to notch even a million viewers these days. I can see why Fox is scaling back when so few seem to be watching. But if the network is going to continue bringing this show back, it ought to be done the right way, or not at all. Why continue renewing it, only to speed through the season so quickly, we hardly know who these dancers are? Only to entirely remove viewers’ agency in who stays and who goes? Only to scrap every element that made this show a blast in the first place?
It’s time to meaningfully invest in the show’s success, or free it from this slow, sad deflation.
I know, of course, that I’ll keep watching So You Think You Can Dance until it stops cueing music, whether that’s in a few weeks when Season 18 ends, or years from now. But the question in the show’s title has already been answered time and again: These people can dance, and quite beautifully. If they’re going to prove that to us year after year, they deserve an adequate stage.
That answers one question for me – how was Cat Deeley juggling host of this show with host of This Morning 3 or 4 days a week in the UK while her husband hosts The Late Late Show in Ireland on a Friday night with 2? small kids. It’s all taped!!!!
exactly!
I was so excited to watch this season, but I couldn’t even make it through the auditions. Makes me wanna cry because everyone involved deserves better. :(
Hallelujah! Review and commentary about the new season of “So Ypu Think You Can Dance” could not be more accurate. I don’t even know how well the top 10 dance because the snippets of them are so short. This was always my favorite show. The new format has ruined my enjoyment of watching each week. I will still watch as well but with a disappointed tear in my eye.
This is one of the few shows on TV where the contestants do it for the love of their art, not to be a mega-star. It is so sad what this once super-entertaining show has become. The network is getting what they wanted – stop investing in it, the ratings decline, lower the costs even more, the rating decline even more and viola! A reason to cancel it for once and for all.
But they didn’t need a reason to just let SYTYCD boogie off into the sunset…I thought it had and I was ok with it being what it was…but I am certainly not at all pleased as to what it has become. And I loved this show the best (and it was great when one year the tour came to town and I attended the show!) My little heart is broken as to what they have done with something so brilliant and entertaining.
I miss some of the OG judges/guest judges. Mary Murphy, Mia Michaels, Adam Shankman.
Though I do think it’s a bummer that Comfort was only available for audition rounds. I thought she had a better vibe with Maks and Allison than JoJo does.
I wonder if Comfort wasn’t available because she’ll be on Missy Elliott’s tour this summer and had rehearsals of her own? Maybe that’s just me selfishly hoping I get to see her.
I hate the new format, no chance to know the dancers. To much about the industry and not the growth of the Dancers. Not a fan of the judging panel at all. Love Mak but on Dancing With the Stars he doesn’t fit on this show.. And Allison has been on the show but something’s just not fitting for us. Me and my daughter saw So you think you can dance Live on tour it was Amazing that was like 7 years ago. Please fix this show it can be amazing again.
Are you Susan from Monsey?
I think they’re reading from a script and Allison is the weakest actor. If she could actually express her own thoughts, she’d seem genuine. I blame the producers, not her.
Oh, man… I couldn’t agree with you more. Watching the show now is watching a pale reflection of what was once GREAT television. Still, though, I am so invested in the music and the dancing that I will continue to watch, like you, hoping for yet another season.
I soooo agree. It has always been my favorite show even as it got watered down in recent seasons. But watching this weeks episode…realizing that many of the “finalists” are already professional dancers and having them make a video because “that’s what the industry is” …all made me pause and say this really has no resemblance anymore to the show I loved. Young dance amateurs learning new styles of dance and introducing up and coming choreographers…that’s what I enjoyed. Live shows and voting for “americas favorite dancer” was key to the essence of the show. And I too rewatch my fav routines on you tube regularly …Alison and Ivan “why” was my entry drug.
Just sad to see such a wonderful show limp to an unrecognizable end….
Ivan grew so much that season! I also loved Why.
People are supposed to tune in to television shows.
Ever since the first change from the original format, I’ve tuned in less and less to SYTYCD.
Maybe if the original show came back then viewers will too.
If they aren’t going to go back to the original format just end the show.
I find myself watching this and thinking, I remember when they’d go to cities for auditions. I remember when the choreography rounds lasted a couple weeks (and they were on twice a week). I remember when there were 20 contestants and they danced as couples. I remember… not this show. Not the way it is now. I won’t stop watching it, but I am so, so disappointed.
Ditto! I was always so excited for each new season, I still remember my favorite dancers and routines, I saw several of the live tours, and I just looked forward every year to seeing new contestants grow and blossom. This feels like a completely different show and I don’t know that Fox will ever let it become what it once was, even though the audience is still there.
I do too miss the old format. It was so moving to see the routines that made us feel. It has now become America’s Next Top Model format. It should have been named something else, Not SYTYCD.
YES, YES, YES!!! Everything you said and more! Imo it’s not even sytycd without the intro music! I don’t want to watch a job interview, I want to see some talent and entertainment.
I haven’t watched it in a long time, I think even when the format wasn’t totally ruined it had already started having serious issues (it’s always nice to remember I never have to see “NappyTabs” phone in a second number in a so-called “hiphop” style so watered down and cutesy it makes even the whitest person die inside) but yeah no, def never watching whatever trash it is now.
But it used to be AMAZING. It really did. I think it’s the only tv show that ever got me voting after an episode. It was wonderful and it clearly started a lot of careers. It’s a real shame. But yeah it needs to go.
The incomprehensible rage my body just reconjured in an instant, reading “NappyTabs”, reminded me of exactly why I stopped watching. It got sooooooo gimmicky. And it sounds like it just went from bad to worse after I stopped watching. SYTYCD was my #1 show for nearly a decade, the only reality show I’ve ever watched, and the only thing I’ve ever voted on besides politics. The old seasons will forever hold a special place in my heart. But I would honestly rather rewatch full episodes of the first 10 seasons than a single episode of the new one. Just let this show go with the little dignity it still has left at this point.
It’s already cancelled for me. If it does get renewed, I won’t be watching after this seasons debacle.
I watched this year and thought the whole series was awful. I remember Lyle saying at the end of the live show that “We need to go back to the original format”. Amen. Not all of your faithful viewers are hip hop, and related forms , fans. Nor are they Siwa fans. We loved the ballroom, Latin and other styles also. Doing the same thing over and over is boring. Please bring variety and a live audience back
I don’t want SYTYCD to go anywhere. When I hear the contestants talk about watching growing up and dreaming of being on the show, I know it needs to stay. After World of Dance was cancelled, this is the only dance competition show that’s legit for real, amazing dancers, that’s left!
But this version is not the best. I don’t mind the real life challenges with the music videos and stuff. I think it’s a good angle and good experience for them. But I want that along with the performances as pairs with the different choreographers and new styles to master. And I want the amazing group numbers at the beginning by Mia Michaels and others. What we got at the beginning this week was NOT that. I want Emmy worthy choreography like we used to get! And why are we wasting ANY airtime on them living together? Even if they chose to go that route behind the scenes, we don’t need to see it on TV.
I would prefer live shows and audience voting, but I don’t mind that as much as I mind the complete change in structure of the show. I expected a blend of the old and the new. This is not that. The dancing is still amazing and I’m shocked at who left already too. I was also not happy about Jaylin making the top 10. He does not have the technical training to warrant it. He couldn’t prove himself in choreography. But yeah, I hope it stays because it’s the only one left, but the restructuring needs to go back to what was. Perhaps it needs to move to Netflix or another platform too.
Thank you for saying everything I’m feeling. I’ll keep watching because I’ve watched since Season 1 but this season is tough and I keep asking myself, “Where is all the dancing?”
Remember when they used to make the contestants “Dance For Your Life” to prove they should go through to the next round when the judges weren’t sure if they warranted it? I feel like as much as I loved SYTYCD, this show needs to dance for ITS life. A shadow of its former glory, I won’t continue to watch if it’s like this again, even if it does get renewed.
The changes in format coupled with the continued scandals and rotating judging panel have been irking me for years. I’ve only ever missed one season (4- because I couldn’t afford a TiVo/DVR), and have continued to stick with it despite the changes. What you’ve just described here may actually drive me away. I’m very disappointed and no longer excited to start watching the new season.
I stopped watching after 3 episodes. Everything that made this show great was stripped away. It is a shell of what it once was. It should be cancelled–like watching a slow death of a loved one.
Totally agree, I was so excited to see it back but I’m really on the fence to whether I’ll even watch it anymore, really dislike what they’ve done with a favorite show of mine.
I too love SYTYCD and I too will keep watching it but it’s an entirely different show. First the panel needs to go back to a somewhat familiar group, Nygel Lythgow must be on the panel cause this is his show and IMO so should Mary Murphy. I think Max and Allison or Comfort should also be there. Please don’t kill this wonderfully entertaining show by doing otherwise.
I have no problem with the change of venue or changes to the judges panel. I have all kinds of trouble with the new format. I don’t care about the shared living house – it just seems like lots of same old reality tv drama waiting to happen. And I really miss dancers pairing up and dancing in different styles. There were so many magical dances I remember (and have rewatched online) — i.e. Sasha and Twitch’s “Misty Blue” or Pasha and Sara’s “Rockafella Skank.” We are getting none of that this season, and I really miss it.
Ramalama is still one of my all time favorite routines, but I went down the hole watching Neil routines after seeing him play King George in the national tour of Hamilton. So many great choreographers and dancers in the early seasons with a lot of routines to choose from.
Ramalama was a standout dance! And I liked Neil a lot too. I loved his Shoeless Joe dance with Kent.
I agree with this article 100%. The latest incarnation of SYTYCD bears little resemblance to the original show I enjoyed so much. The network should just cancel it and get it over with.
1. Put the show back in the summer where it belongs….and not on the same night as AGT.
2. Put back all the elements fans loved in the place. Multiple pairs challenged in various routines and dance styles. Live performances and voting. Cat’s on stage interactions with contestants.
3. Consider a mix of rotating judges from week to week made of a mix of popular choreographers and contestants from past seasons. 3 each week.
I miss the original format of SYTYCD when choreographers were the judges. New talent & live shows are best. I don’t like Allstars except in very secondary rolls. “Celebrity” judges like Vanessa Hudgens, and Jojo Siwa are a waste of my time. You can do so much better. I don’t watch all the time because of judges and other above issues.
THANK YOU, Rebecca, for posting this!!! I thought I was alone in my disappointment & sadness. I’ve watched from early on as a friend of a friend had made it through the auditions, and though that person didn’t continue, I was hooked! That’s the show I mourn. I will continue to watch, as I somehow can’t not watch, hoping that this season is just a brief aberration.
I truly miss the original concept, aspiring amateurs, in love with dance, eager to learn new dance styles from skilled choreographers. I miss the couples, their intensity, their evolving chemistry. I miss the chemistry of the original panel of judges. I miss the wise & challenging choreographers. I miss the progression over the seasons of finalists being given the chance & freedom to choreograph on their own, their growth. I miss seeing contestants moving on to DWTS as Ensemble dancers, then perhaps to pros. Jenna, Lindsey, etc. I miss the stage. I miss the live-ness. I miss the feeling of joy when a contestant not only Masters a new style, but excels in it.
I was so excited when S18 was announced, but now ….
Oh, and I hate the concept of Living Together. Sure, in the past I knew they lived somewhere, but didn’t really care as it’s a dance competition, not Big Brother. Worst idea of all!!!
I’m sure I’m “preaching the the choir” here, and certainly no disrespect to the current contestants (all terrific dancers), but please let this season be a bump in the road, with a return to the SYTYCD we all love 🕺💃💕
Other than the Next Generation season, I have watched every season of this show. I agree that it has been declining, and part of that has been for exactly the reason said. The magic was giving us time to get to know the dancers and care about them, along with wonderful choreography and various choreographers. I still get excited when I spot former contestants dancing on the Grammys or the Tonys or in a commercial. I even remember recently seeing Alex Wong on a television show where he either played the victim or the suspect, lol. But in my opinion, one of the biggest mistakes was putting this on in the fall. It has always done best in the summer and was a summer staple for many years. Even in its height, a couple years where they had both a summer and fall season, I’m positive the fall season didn’t bring as many viewers. Plus, taking live shows and live voting out of the equation means no one needs to be invested in the show anymore. So I agree with the author, as sad as I would be to see it go, I’m not sure I want it to continue at all if it’s in this current version.