“So You Think You Can Dance”: New Format and New All-Star Cast

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In a move that will infuriate half of its watchers, and please the rest, FOX has announced a change in format to the popular reality show, So You Think You Can Dance. Instead of sticking with the Top 20 format that they have held for the past six seasons, the show will instead be choosing a Top 10. The top ten will consist of five girls and five guys, and each will be paired with an “All-Star” teammate from a previous season.  Instead of two dancers, one female and one male, being voted off each week, one person will be voted off each week until two are left for the finale.

There are positives and negatives about this. The first positive is that America will choose every week who goes home,  there won’t be episodes like last season where the judges choose who goes home early in the season. Although, the biggest positive will be that you will be able to see many of your favorites from previous seasons.  The negatives is that there will be less dancers to choose, and you will no longer have the pairing of couples within the current season of the cast.

I’m mixed here. The ratings for the show has been slipping of late, and that is mainly due to weak casts (much of what I hear is going on at American Idol as well). Except for a few standouts season 5 and 6 contestants were pretty boring. Compare that to Season 2, 3, or 4 which all had exceptional casts. We’ll see how this new format works out. As long as the show stays on the air I’ll be happy.

What do you think about the new format? Let us know in the comments!

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29 Comments

  • Reply
    Heather Taylor , June 4, 2010

    I think the new format sucks! The All Stars already had their chance now it’s someone elses turn. (Actually some of the returning contestants were not that entertaining the first time around) The show floundered last year when the stage, etc was changed. If something is not broken why try to “fix”

  • Reply
    Gini , June 10, 2010

    I agree – I love the show the way it was. We won’t get to see the couples improving together in their pairings which made it exciting. What was with last night. Hardly any dancing, last hour was really boring. If they want to kill the show they are doing a good job.

  • Reply
    Michelle , June 11, 2010

    I hate it. I want to see competition, not a variety show.

    Although I do like the judges not picking who goes home early on.

    And please, for the love of God, please hire someone who can not get us sea sick with the camera angles already!! Zoom out till the dancers are ants, zoom in until we can see nostrils, upskirt shots from the floor. They need a new stage design or better camerapeople.

  • Reply
    JP , June 11, 2010

    Totally agree. Hate the new format, especially the group numbers with no partnering. Really, what was the point of having half the group not be contestants? I’m a die-hard fan who could barely stand to watch that first episode.

  • Reply
    pj , June 12, 2010

    Can’t stand the new format! Used to be so excited to watch this. Now I don’t really care if I catch it or not. Does anyone know how one can get that message directly to the show producers?

  • Reply
    druickd , June 13, 2010

    I totally agree. The new format detracts from our ability to concentrate on and get to new (and support) the new dancers. Its becoming a ‘Greatest Hits’ package and not the amazing competition that we have come to love. Poor choices will not increase ratings. This show strength has always been in the relationship between the audience and the dancers which was built upon our ability to watch them work and grow. Great pity.

  • Reply
    rld22 , June 13, 2010

    What a huge shame. I thought the new format with old contestants sounded fair. People with experience wouldn’t take away from the actual contestant and we could focus on that one person. Why on earth are they doing it this way? I have a 52″ tv and I can’t tell who I’m looking at. If there are 2 medium length brunettes, I don’t which is new and which is old. Keep the camera pulled out so I can watch it all and maybe figure that out. I don’t think I’m going to watch, I fast-forwarded half of it.

  • Reply
    Amy , June 13, 2010

    I agree with everyone else!!! I am really dissapointed with the new format! I think what makes the show great is getting to know the couples and watching them grow together during the season!! I too can not even tell the new dancers from the AllStars and I am not a fan of the group numbers. This is sad because I really love this show and am not sure what this is going to do to the ratings.

  • Reply
    jen , June 14, 2010

    hate it as well, very confusing with costumes to even tell who is who….bad idea, I will watch, I love the show but…..

  • Reply
    Cat Lover , June 17, 2010

    I hate it as well. I don’t understand why they did this. Nigel seems to think it is going well according to his comments from last night.

  • Reply
    Jabel , June 17, 2010

    I agree — the new format stinks. It is boring and I hate watching the non-competing dancers paired with competing dancers.
    I prefered watching the dancers work on the routines and hearing the choreographers.
    Old format was way better — I ma atually have to stop watching this show.

  • Reply
    Lisa , June 17, 2010

    My husband and I have watched the show every season, and we are disappointed with the new format. We will not be able to watch the couples grow together, and that is a shame. Since we only get to vote for one dancer from the coupling, it can be frustrating. I found myself only watching the dancer I’d be voting on because I knew I wouldn’t have to vote for the other. That took away the pleasure I normally get from watching the show. The only two I truly enjoyed watching were Allison and Alex.

    It seems to me that “So You Think You Can Dance” is trying to compete with “Dancing with the Stars.” I think that is a HUGE mistake. My husband and I had more respect for “So You Think You Can Dance” because all the contestants are true dancers with passion, desire and a real love of dance. I hope you will reconsider the format for next season.

  • Reply
    CVB , June 17, 2010

    This new format is awful. I’ve already seen what former contestants can do. Also, this season had some of the strongest dancers we have seen on the show and instead of letting them compete – THEY CUT THEM. Like going to their homes would make it more exciting. IT DIDN’T. If I wanted to see the old dancers, I should be able to see them on broadway, in a Vegas show, in a dance company, etc. Someplace OTHER than SYTYCD. The “All Stars” have had their chance, why have them take up somebody else’s opportunity? I used to record the show and make certain that I watched each week. This has been a real disappointment and I refuse to watch this show anymore. If NIgel wants to keep in touch with the previous contestants, he needs to start a dance company and hire them, just not for SYTYCD.

  • Reply
    What?!? , June 21, 2010

    This format sucks. They should rename it to, “So You Think You’re a Choreographer?” Seems the point of the show now is to give choreographer’s and the old dancers jobs. The reason the ratings were down last year is because they started a new season right when the last one was done.

  • Reply
    Laura , June 23, 2010

    I can’t stand this new format. There’s nothing to help us, as viewers bond to the contestants. The heart of the show in previous seasons has been the bonding, learning, growing of the contestants as a couple and as part of the group. And, I hate that 10 other dancers lost their chance because of the all-stars.

  • Reply
    rachel , June 23, 2010

    I also used to be a die-hard SYTYCD fan, but like everyone else I really really hate this new format. There was something great about watching the partnerships grow every week, and I find the whole all-star thing awkward and unpleasant… almost no one seems comfortable, and pairing new-to-TV dancers with dancers who’ve been on the show before creates a bit of a disparity in performance levels that I find completely distracting. Sure, Alex did well last week, but he got a style he’s familiar with and he’s clearly one of the best if not the best dancer on the show. I can’t imagine the situation is going to improve much from week to week. SAD.

  • Reply
    Danica , June 25, 2010

    Not to mention that I think it’s totally UNFAIR to the new contestants to be constantly compared to the “allstars” who (let’s be honest) were just contestants themselves not long ago. Why add that belittling and intimidating element to a new dancer’s opportunity to shine? Ridiculous. I have always watched this show because it was NOT Dancing with the Stars, where contestants are compared to “professionals.” I am a die-hard fan, and this new format is stripping the honesty, the emotion and the joy from my favorite show.

  • Reply
    raydonia , June 26, 2010

    I’ve watched SYTYCD since the beginning and loved it… until now. Is this format trying to imitate “Dancing with the Stars?” Lousy idea. This is dreadful. I’m not watching this season… hope they get baco to the original format for next season… if there is one!

  • Reply
    Sunny , June 30, 2010

    The new format SUCKS. I used to race to watch the show, but now it is a total snoozefest. Why did they have to go and mess up a good thing?????

  • Reply
    cindy wuerdeman , July 1, 2010

    hate it hate hate it!

  • Reply
    alex , July 2, 2010

    i hate the new format – i wish they would change it back – i don’t enjoy watching the show – it seems they wanted to highlight the dancer from past season, if so, they should spin off a new show – I WANT THE OLD FORMAT BACK! don’t know if i’ll watch next season if it continues with new format

  • Reply
    Kat Woman , July 8, 2010

    They should change the name to “So you think you can choreograph.” It seems that the new format showcases the choreography/choreographers at the expense of the dancers. In fact, the dancers seem to be secondary. There is no real build up, no suspense, no competition because the so-called “all-stars” (and some do not deserve that title) detract from any real competitive spirit.

    I always used to care about the dancers and really felt emotional about who stayed and who got voted off. Now, I could care less. There is no opportunity to develop any interest in a favorite dancer. I wish I could vote the new show off, and vote back the old one. PLEASE CHANGE TO THE OLD FORMAT – THIS ONE IS HORRIBLE!!!

  • Reply
    cindylou , July 15, 2010

    I’m so stunned to hear how much everyone hates the new format – I absolutely LOVE it! I never enjoyed the odd pairings and particularly when they split up a GREAT couple after a few weeks. I’ve watched from the beginning as well and I think it’s a nice addition to the show.

    What I really hate is the new stage from last season. It’s too big, not intimate and the dancers get lost on it. Plus the camera work is HORRIBLE. I mean, really, really bad.

    And I never thought I’d say this but I wouldn’t mind hearing about a dancer being put on the hot tamale train. I kinda miss Mary and all her nuttiness! However, Mia is amazing in so many ways. I just hope she will choreograph again.

    I guess I’m alone on this one. I really enjoy seeing the other dancers on the show again and I think it enhances the quality of the dancing. I really do. Some AMAZING routines this year.

  • Reply
    Anna , July 17, 2010

    Miss the old format, miss the old stage that was more intimate with the audience, miss having 20 contestants and the opportunity to watch them grow and bond, and to choose favorites that really excite and move us; that make us care about watching each week. And, I miss Mary. I am fast-forwarding through most of the show this season, especially Mia Michaels’ comments and I think the show is in serious trouble. Bring back the old stage and 20 contestants. Changing up partners each week is not the problem; the all-stars are. Really confuses things and ruins the heart of the show. It needs to remain an even playing field. Love seeing the all-stars again, but why not move them to a spin off show?

  • Reply
    cindyw , July 19, 2010

    I hate the new format. This year is boring and half the time I can’t even tell which one is the one I am suppose to be watching. I don’t care who gets voted off. I am not calling in to vote for anyone. Maybe the arrogant producers and judges will admit they don’t know everything if we all just turn the channel! We don’t need you to enlighten us, we just want to be entertained and this new format ain’t doing that!

  • Reply
    DJ , July 23, 2010

    What a disappointment – I tried watching 2 or 3 episodes, made it half way through each time, turned it off and went to read. I had been recommending the show to friends that liked DWTS and explaining how STYCD was better because they didn’t have professionals (or semi-professionals) paired with contestants. What a shock to see they had changed it to be more like DWTS. I’ll tune in next season to see if they come to their senses and return to the old format (assuming it makes it back) but if not, I’m just writing the off the show. That would be a shame – how many young people have had their careers jump started just by dancing on this show.

  • Reply
    Maggie , July 26, 2010

    The show sucks. Where is Mary? The new format is ridiculous. We loved the show before and now get angry watching it!! Why change a good thing? This viewer has given up.

  • Reply
    Yvonne Lessmann , July 31, 2010

    I have watched this show from the beginning and am completely disgusted with the new format. I hope they hear our voices for the next season. I am sick of them having little girls up front screaming and yelling and it seems so slanted toward “cute boys” this season, even having more guys than girls to begin with. I miss Mary and hate Mia’s backhanded compliments. I also miss the relationships between the male and female dancers. They have made it an athletic competition rather than an artistic one and everyone is getting hurt.

  • Reply
    Realist , October 18, 2010

    Shut the hell up you whiney babies. The show is awesome.

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