So You Think You Can Dance is the latest competition reality TV show to hit the networks. This show aired its two-hour premiere tonight on the Fox network, and comes from the same people that brought you the ever popular American Idol. Following the popularity of ABC’s Dancing with the Stars earlier this summer, another dance show is not a surprise.
Tonight, the show aired auditions in two major cities: New York and Chicago. Those that made it this far did so after a first round at dance schools and clubs in other cities. Those that make it past tonight will make it to Hollywood. The judges tonight consisted of Nigel and Bonnie Lythgoe and Jeff Thacker, the show's producers. The show is hosted by Lauren Sanchez.
The competition appears to be as follows: between the auditions in three cities, a pool of thousands will be narrowed to 25 and those 25 are sent to Hollywood. The dancers are not just looked at their own individual talent, but also how they perform with a partner.
Tonight consisted of three rounds in each of the cities. In the first round, the dancers performed their own choreography. The second round involved them learning choreography. The last round involved them dancing with a partner.
The competition seems fierce. So many showed up to dance, and yes, some only think they can dance. The three judges are looking for the entire package. They want skill, personality and looks. They watch these dancers through all of the rounds. The prize is a year on Broadway with expenses paid, so the judges are hard on those who audition.
The first hour followed the auditions in New York, and in my opinion, a full hour focusing on one city made this premiere drag just a little bit. We could tell who was going to make it past to the next level because the show paused to show an interview or an at-home segment.
In this city, we also had a huge amount of break dancers and belly dancers. Both styles are very unique, and you have to wonder if those performers can dance other styles. These dancers that move on past the first round sometimes falter in the next round. By the time the show headed off to the next city, I was more than ready.
Article comments
— go to most recent comments1 - Sterfish
To me, Nigel seems to be a bit ruder and meaner (and more honest) than Simon Cowell. I kind of sat there in shock when he made borderline homophobic comments to that one guy from the NY auditions. I did at least respect that he said numerous times that they were "casting" a show and that the best dancers wouldn't necessarily always make it. That's refreshing to hear considering how people always complain about how good singers, etc. never make it through these reality competitons.
I don't think this show is up to the level of American Idol. Laura Sanchez almost (almost) makes me wish for Ryan Seacrest. We will have to see if things get better later on.
And one more note...is Carrie Ann Inaba the only choreographer out there? First she did Dancing With The Stars and now she's a big part of this show. I never heard of her until I saw Dancing With The Stars. Am I missing something?
2 - Gina
I had real high hopes for this show after watching Dancing with the stars. I feel Nigel is a bit harsh, but I did appreciate the honesty about the casting aspect. To me that makes me feel they are looking for the best dance performer, and not the best dancer.
I'm not sure about the host. She annoyed me a bit much, and it is odd seeing Carrie Ann again here. I think she might be involved in only this part of the process, so maybe it was the show trying to gain the fans of Dancing with the Stars early on with a familiar face?
3 - Natalie Davis
No, I will not watch DWTS again. Didn't see the debut of SYTYCD, but I'll probably check it out once -- and try to ignore the presence of Inaba.
4 - dietdoc
Sarcasm - or an attempt at it - follows:
I am waiting for "So you think you can have sex?"
It's the only reality show I will watch. The rest is kitsch, in my ever so humble opinion.
Cheers, staggering away in 4-legged, rolling walker,
Ron
5 - Brent McKee
If I can state one thing about So You Think You Can Dance that I'm not overly crazy about (beyond the fact that it seemed to drag) it was Nigel's assertion that they weren't necessarily looking for the best dancers they were casting a TV show and that meant they'd be picking people on aspects other than dancing ability. Honest, yes, but what would a show like American Idol (of which Nigel is also a producer) be like if they weren't interested in the best singers but people who would make good television. Essentially they are telling the people who weren't the best dancers but got in anyway "you're in this to a fan favourite who will then lose."
6 - michelle
I watched the show last night for the first time and loved it. Nick, the one she guy, blew me away. Does anyone know what song he used?
7 - Monica
Did anyone find out the name of the song that Nick dance to?
8 - Monica
I found it. The song Nick Lazzarini danced to on his audition is "Storm" by Lifehouse.
9 - Christine
Does anyone know the name of that hip-hop song they keep playing, the one the really nervous girl danced to in the first episode and the girl who's facial expressions Nigel didn't like danced to?
10 - K.ROSS
I LOVE NICK LAZZARINI...
I WAS JUST AT THE EDGE(DANCE STUDIO)IN L.A. AND HE WAS THERE TAKING CLASS. HE IS SO FUNNY AND NOT TO MENTION BEAUTIFUL. HE REALLY AND TRULY IS AN AMAZING DANCER. I DO NOT KNOW HIM PERSONALLY BUT I HAVE SEEN HIM DANCE A FEW TIMES AND WHEN HE DOES IT IS HARD TO TAKE YOUR EYES OFF OF HIM..
11 - Hello
Does anyone know the audition song that Michelle (the girl who gave up Bejing to try out for So You Think You Can Dance) danced to?
12 - LaLa
whats the theme song for the show? they keep playin it all the time..
13 - ally
WHATS THE THEME SONG FOR THE SHOW?! I LOVE IT BUT I CANT FIND IT ANYWHERE:S!
14 - Stephanie Liu
I believe the name of girl who gave up Beijing for the show is Melissa (Vella), not Michelle.
15 - alexa
does anyone know the name of the song that the jazz coreographer used. It had violins in it. Its not the one everyone was crying to during the "freestyle" but the one they did the routine to.
16 - Mae
Where I can find the email of Nick, Please if you know something email me at [edited email]
Thanks
17 - amy
the song that melissa danced to is "Gone" by Kelly Clarkson
18 - kristen
Does anyone know the hip-hop song that two of the couples danced to on tonights show? Please let me know if anyone finds out!
19 - Gieselle
the hip hop song from tonight was Touch-Omarion
silly billy <3
20 - Jay
Does anybody know the song that Snow danced to tonight - August 17th? PLEASE let me kno if anyone finds out..thanks!
21 - LaLa
i finally know wat the theme song is!!! its:
Dum Diddly- Black Eyed Peas
enjoy =)
22 - Kristi
I was just wondering if anyone knows the name of the song that the lyrical dancers danced too...thanks =)
23 - LaLa
ok im tryna download the song but no luck...so if anyone has that song jus tell me..thx
24 - Alicia
does anyone know the song that Snow danced to tonight? if so please let me know!!!
25 - Derek
the dances were awesome tonight(well some of them were..) well if your tryin to get some music and feel lazy to download you can go to www.musicgalore.net good music site..but derno if all the songs would be in there..
..hope that helps