This week, Fox renewed its venerable reality talent show “So You Think You Can Dance” for a 17th season. Nigel Lythgoe, Mary Murphy and Laurieann Gibson will return as judges while Cat Deeley returns as host. Not returning is Season 3 breakdancing specialist and Season 16 judge Dominic “D-Trix” Sandoval.
The competition will kick off again this summer. Once again, it will feature contestants whose ages range from 18 to 30. Auditions will be held in Miami, New York and Los Angeles in March and April.
Last season the show made history by crowning a b-boy for the first time as America’s Favorite Dancer. At just 5-feet-tall, Bailey Munoz, 19, proved to be a whirling dervish who rarely made a misstep no matter what dance style he had to perform.
As he told Gold Derby in an exclusive post-win interview, “I felt like a superhero up there,” says the Filipino-American champ who is based in Las Vegas about winning season 16 of “So You Think You Can Dance.” “I was representing not only myself, but my family and all the people that were voting and rooting for me. I just wanted to make everyone proud.”
Munoz, who won a prize of $250,000 for his efforts, and his runner-up dance partner Mariah Russell both went on a 40-city tour with the rest of the top 10 contestants late last year.
Devoted fans of the dance contest should breathe a sigh of relief since “SYTYCD” averaged just under a 0.5 demo rating and 2.1 million viewers last summer, down nearly 25% from Season 15. The good news is that Nigel promised at the end of Season 16 that this year they would drop the grueling segments from the Academy part of the competition process. He also shared the news the news that he wants to expand the live shows by going back to including the Top 20 dancers rather than just 10.
Use the comments section below to let us know how you feel about the renewal and what changes should they make in the format from last year. And perhaps suggest who they should recruit as a new judge.
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So you think you can dance is my all time favourite TV show. I am so glad it will return to the top 20, as that really shows the growth of the dancers and gives us more time to connect. Top 10 just went too fast. I still watch clips of the old shows and miss the longer connect. Thanks for renewing. I think ratings will go up with a longer season.
I agree, it was too short with only 10. I agree there should be two winners, one male and one female. Maybe a different guest judge each week of previous contestants .
Love SYTYCD. Glad it’s going back to 20 instead of 10. I’d like to see more of previous winners.
Overjoyed to be able to “feast” on high quality dance 💃!!!! Love the update to 20 top “ten”! So grateful for this exquisite caliber dance program!
My favorite show from someone who cannot dance but loves to watch and feel the movements as if I could. What a lovely way to forget about yourself or world troubles for a while.
Absolutely love so you think you can dance it is my favorite show ever on TV I have a friend who had a heart surgery and she said if it wasn’t for that show she doesn’t know if she would have have made it through that. It’s a wonderful show and I love the format and I’m so thrilled that it’s coming back in 2020
With the Co-Vid regulations, what will happen to the show? Have been watching for probably 15 years and glad it’s coming back!
I am over the top happy to hear we will get to view the top 20 and be spared the academy rounds. Adding back judges from years past would be a plus for me. Loved Neil Patrick Harris, Adam Shankman, and Twitch to name a few of my favorites. Bravo Nigel! Greatest summer show for 16 seasons ♥️
This is my favorite program!
More ballroom, please.
I have watched SYTYCD for the last 16 seasons and it’s become my most favorite show. The dancers are amazing! So glad it’s coming back, it’s my most coveted show and everyone knows to leave me alone. When I was younger (a long time ago as I’m 70 now) all I wanted to do was be a dancer. Now I can live vicariously through these young dancers!
I love SYTYCD. Have watched every season. I think their should be a boy winner and a girl winner.
Love this show!!! I was thrilled when I heard Nigel say that they would be back this year. I would hope to see more tap try out. I miss seeing that now. Thanks, FOX, for allowing the show to come back this year.
Love this show!!! I was thrilled when I heard Nigel say that they would be back this year. I would hope to see more tap try out. I miss seeing that now. Thanks, FOX, for allowing the show to come back this year.
I have watched this since the very first show. The progression of talent gets better every year. Whatever changes Nigel deems necessary, is just fine with me. I agree about just top 10 seems so quick and dropping the academy segments, is a good choice. I am 71 years old and I am still dancing, twice a week (currently, the studio is closed because of Covid), but I am looking forward to going back soon.
Can’t wait for the 17th season!
So glad sytycd is coming back . My favorite dance show . I’ve been watching from the beginning and have followed the dancers that have been on the the show.cant for wait
I’ve watched SYTYCD from the 2nd season on. Like that you’re going back to the 20 dancers format and so enjoy seeing the past dancers with their maturing, excellent skills. I did like it when there were the 3 regular judges and a different one each week. Look forward to the coming season!!
Has anyone heard what the premiere date will be for season 17 – I can’t find it anywhere. Also, I used to be able to watch it on Hulu (with a google Chromecast – I don’t have cable) but I don’t think they have it anymore. Also, if Hulu doesn’t have it, does anyone know what streaming service/device I would need to watch it?
I love this show but would love to see less ballroom and hip hop and see some ballet please. I won’t miss the Academy part. I would love to see Twitch on the show more and Adam Shankman. I would love to see more Broadway too. This is my favorite break of the summer