So You Think You Can Dance fans have every right to get excited following the confirmation that their beloved show will return for season 17 after a long hiatus. SYTYCD has a rich history and has been nominated for 68 Emmys, winning 17 of them, including Outstanding Lighting Design, Outstanding Choreography and Outstanding Costumes. Each season of the dance reality series sees several contestants battling it out in diverse dance styles, with the hope that one of them can become America's best dancer. However, it last aired in 2019, with Bailey Munoz winning SYTYCD season 16.
After SYTYCD season 16, FOX initially announced the season 17 pickup in February 2020. In its announcement, the TV network said the show's longtime award-winning host Cat Deeley would be returning in her position, while veterans Nigel Lythgoe, Mary Murphy and Laurieann Gibson would be the judges. However, the COVID-19 pandemic put a stop to plans for SYTYCD season 17, leading to a halt in production. With COVID-19 restrictions having eased in recent months, fans have been looking forward to the dance show's return. They had their hopes up earlier this month when executive producer and judge Nigel teased its return during a chat with Ryan Seacrest on the latter's radio show.
Nigel's teasing has turned to reality following news of SYTYCD's return to FOX. TVLine reported that the long-running competition show is set to return with season 17 this summer after a two-year absence. It was also confirmed that auditions for the new season will begin soon. Nigel also confirmed the show's return in a tweet. He wrote, "SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE is coming back to @DANCEonFOX I’m so happy. #DanceToTheBeatOfYourDreams #CueMusic." However, even though the dance show's return is confirmed, there was no word about the members of the judging panel that will come back or if Cat will remain the host.
Many fans reacted positively to Nigel's tweet. Some of them posted short dancing clips and GIFs to express their delight. One fan said the news of the show's return makes them happy because they had missed getting to know the dancers and choreographers, while another fan said they could not wait for the new season to begin. However, one fan had some advice for the show's producers ahead of the new season. The fan wrote, "Please go back to the old format!!! I love SYTYCD so much but found the last season unwatchable."
So You Think You Can Dance is one show that is beloved by many fans worldwide, and the positive responses that have greeted the news of its return is evidence of that. Those fans will now be waiting eagerly for news about when the show is expected to start airing. Also, contestants looking forward to showcasing their dancing skills will begin their efforts to make it to the auditions for a chance to be America's next best dancer. For now, there is no news about the makeup of the judging panel or the new season's host, but those details will surely be revealed in the coming weeks and months.
Sources: TVLine, Nigel Lythgoe/Twitter