My Two Cents – So You Think You Can Dance Shakes Up Seventh Season

photo: fox

Did you hear the news? So You Think You Can Dance is changing up their format. Here’s the breakdown and what I think.

Instead of 20 finalists there will only be TEN. Instead of them dancing with each other, they will dance with former SYTYCD contestants. Each week, only one dancer will be eliminated.

So let’s start at the top, only ten finalists? After watching so many agonizing elimination rounds to bring it down to only ten seems like cruel and unusual punishment. That’s not to say that I don’t think that there are people who make it into the top 20 each season who don’t deserve it, but I can’t help but think of only last season when Russell won, would he have made a top ten list? I don’t think so. But I do think the stricter number will increase the level of talent seen in the finalists.

Dancing with former contestants? Well, on the one hand there are SYTYCD alums that I adore and want to watch all the time. I think having people who have been through it before and are dancing in their style will help the contestants do/look better instead of having the blind lead the blind like before. However, part of the fun of it is seeing people discover a style together, and occasionally rock it. Those are the best routines every time.

Only one contestant being eliminated each week? Well I actually kind of like this. I always hated that both a girl and a guy had to be eliminated. If two girls sucked that week they should both get eliminated that week! Maybe this way we’ll end up with the best/favorite dancer regardless of gender.

Final vote, I think it’s good for them to shake up the competition. I think we’re going to see amazing talent and amazing routines this season. Hopefully, if this format doesn’t work for a season they will switch it up to something else. Or if it does work, it’ll be fantastic!

SYTYCD returns to premiere on Thursday, May 27 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX. I’ll be watching! Will you? Leave your Two Cents here!

Rachel M – TwoCents Reviewer
rachelm@thetwocentscorp.com

1 Response to My Two Cents – So You Think You Can Dance Shakes Up Seventh Season

karenbelgrad says:

March 30, 2010 at 5:46 pm

I’m cautiously optimistic. I think this will help the show away from criticism that certain dancers (cough! Ashleigh! cough! Nathan! cough!) only make further based on their partner’s strength. Now all dancers will have the ability to be with a partner that helps them shine.