The two-hour premiere of the fifth season of So You Think You Can Dance? promised you'd laugh, cry and worry about the health of a guy who threw himself off the front of the audition stage. So, you think you can handle it?Start spreading the news...: The first set of auditions took place in Brooklyn, where judges Nigel Lythgoe and Mary Murphy were joined by hip hop choreographers, Tabitha and Napoleon. Host Cat Deeley explained that the best dancers would get a ticket to the next round in Las Vegas, borderline dancers would get a chance in the group choreography, and the rest would go home. Gabi Rojas, who was born into the circus, suffered from rheumatoid arthritis and gave her heart and soul into her audition. The rest of the dancers in the crowd rose to their feet after her stirring modern dance before Nigel said, If you are not in this year's Top 20, I'll be surprised. He called it one of the best auditions he's seen in five years. Eight minutes into the season, Gabi's dance ...

For the first time in four years, So You Think You Can Dance? returned to the spicy city of Miami to see what the dancers there had to offer. It was another two-hour audition night, so it was time to settle in with Will Smith's requisite Welcome to Miami.Choreographer Tyce DiOrio joined regular judges Nigel Lythgoe and Mary MurphyTony Riendeau got the night started with what he called The Tony Style, promising a rubber band-like, kinky dance routine. We should've known we were in trouble when he started dancing to Kenny Loggins' Footloose. The performance ended with a cartwheel gone awry, and there wasn't much for the judges to say after that. Tony, who'd promised he could dance all night, nearly lost consciousness. He was fine later.Priscilla Marrero of Miami showed off some precision contemporary dancing. She got a little self-righteous when she introduced herself to the judges by saying, I'm Priscilla, I'm a dancer. That's who I am. The judges all fawned over her and she ...

The final audition week for So You Think You Can Dance began in Los Angeles. Host Cat Deeley acted like an idiot outside the theater and we were ready to go.Along with Nigel Lythgoe and Mary Murphy, choreographer Adam Shankman helped with the judging in L.A.We began with Bianca Revels, who just missed out on the top-20 for Season 4. Her mother was in from Detroit to watch her dance which brought tears of joy from Revels. Revels, 20, tap-dances sans music and the judges swooned. All three give her a standing ovation and Revels was straight through to Vegas.Next up was the creepy hand-holding sister and brother team of Brynelle and Xavier Blanton. They moved around the stage in a disorganized manner. Mary didn't think either had enough dance base. Adam criticized Brynelle's form and Nigel called her child-like. A big fat 'no' for both.29-year-old Debra Lawson is, um, quite a bit larger than most dancers on shows like this. More importantly for these purposes, she seemed to have ...

After auditions in six cities, the best of the best made it to Las Vegas for the next round of the competition to determine the Top 20 dancers in America on So You Think You Can Dance?There were 172 dancers at the start of the night, but host Cat Deeley promised the challenges would get tougher and the judges would be harsher in their quest to find their finalists for Season 5.They pulled out all the stops even at the judges' table, where Mia Michaels, Lil C, Adam Shankman and Debbie Allen all joined regular judges Nigel Lythgoe and Mary Murphy.Each dancer would perform a solo to start the Vegas round, and Alex Wong from the Miami auditions went first, offering a contemporary style with a bit of a martial arts twist at times. Mia looked on adoringly and gave a notable Wow as she watched. The judges would give no comments after the solos.Tony Bellissimo made his mark, bringing along various portraits of Nigel during a gimmick-heavy dance in which he dressed as a businessman ...

The judges had made their decisions on who would be the Top 20 for the fifth season of So You Think You Can Dance? But Thursday night was about revealing those choices -- over the course of 60 minutes.Just 32 dancers remained and 12 of those would go home.First to find out her fate was Janette Manrara, who spiced up the auditions in Miami with an impressive backflip during a salsa routine with a partner. Janette said she could use some good news because since the Miami auditions, she'd been in a car accident and been dumped by her boyfriend. The good news came. She's in the Top 20.Diana Vrdem brought a lucky monkey with her, but Debbie Allen told her she didn't make the cut. Lil C poured some salt on the wound by telling her that sometimes it's important to just embrace the fact that I wasn't good enough.Vitolio Jeune dropped a little too much information, saying he was so stressed it was a diarrhea moment. He talked about growing up in Haiti without his mom, who died when he ...

It's the Top 20 on So You Think You Can Dance? and we're finally in the studio to watch the 10 couples go at it on the dance floor.They came out for their first formal, first-name-only introductions (per SYTYCD? rules, they're no longer allowed to have last names): Ashley, Ade, Asuka, Brandon, Caitlin, Evan, Janette, Jason, Jeanine, Jonathan, Karla, Kupono, Kayla, Max, Melissa, Phillip, Paris, Tony, Randi, and Vitolio.And we're off, as the final stretch of the competition for $250,000 and the title of 'America's Favorite Dancer,' host Cat Deeley. Choreographer Adam Shankman joined regular judges Mary Murphy and Nigel Lythgoe. Quick plug for Adam's movie, Step Up 3-D, which includes Katee, Joshua, Ivan and Twitch from previous SYTYCD? seasons.A reminder on the process: The couples picked their dances out of a hat and were given choreography by the show's roster of choreographers and on Thursday night, the three couples with the lowest votes will be announced and each of those...

Thursday night brought the first elimination of the fifth season of So You Think You Can Dance? and host Cat Deeley said it wouldn't be easy. While the pack is fairly impressive this season, it probably won't be too difficult to cut the 19th- and 20th-place finishers of the season. Stay tuned.The finalists performed an opening hip-hop routine to Black Eyed Peas' Boom Boom Pow. After an opening time-waster -- er, insightful feature about how the couples worked together -- we got to some quick results. The bottom three couples would be announced and each of those dancers would have to perform a solo before the judges decided which guy and which girl would go home.First up were Kayla and Max, Randi and Evan and Jeanine and Phillip. After quick recaps of their performances, Cat announced Kayla and Max were safe. After the vote, Randi and Evan were safe. Phillip and Jeanine were also safe, sending Jeanine into a squealing fit.The next group included Caitlin and Jason, which were immediately told ...

A week after saying goodbye to Paris and Tony, the remaining 18 contestants took to the floor on So You Think You Can Dance in hopes of making it through another week and maintaining a shot at the $250,000 grand prize.Crumper Lil C joined regular judges Mary Murphy and Nigel Lythgoe.Randi and Evan: Evan talked about how Randi cares for her dog like it's a person, and calls it on the phone. Randi said Evan is a total gear-head, and loves anything to do with cars. They drew jive out of the hat for this week's routine. Choreographer Louis Van Amstel introduced them to the style. Lil C said they came out the box with a bang. He suggested Evan be a little more explosive with his dancing, and called Randi a firecracker. Mary said Evan and Randi were built for the jive, and said it really wasn't that bad, but it came a little short and she was just a little disappointed. Still, she called it a great start to the show. Nigel agreed with Mary in that the dancers were built for the ...

It was Thursday night, which meant it was time to eliminate two more dancers -- one guy and one girl -- on So You Think You Can Dance.After a little montage making fun of the fact that Lil C has a wide vocabulary, host Cat Deeley got right to some results by welcoming the first three couples to the stage.First up were Melissa and Ade, who drew rave reviews from the judges. Lil C said Ade was the main competition among the guys, and Mary Murphy said it was tough to think of anything she didn't love about it. America loved it, too. They were safe.Caitlin and Jason got a little bit of help from Nigel, who gave them credit for adapting to a new style of hip hop, but Lil C and Mary didn't like it at all, with Lil C calling it a nightmare.Before getting the results, we had to see a recap of Jeanine and Phillip's performance. Lil C had said Phillip lacked confidence and Mary thought Jeanine did a great job. Nigel said it wasn't good, technically, but it was great entertainment.Down to ...

It was down to eight couples on So You Think You Can Dance on Wednesday night. Guest judge Toni Basil joined regular judges Nigel Lythgoe and Mary Murphy.Toni quickly got a chance to let us know she is on the verge of receiving a Living Legend of Hip Hop award. Mary and Nigel both said they aren't totally sure what to expect from the remaining dancers, and Nigel said it was tough to say who will end up in the Top 10.This week the dancers were asked what they'd do with their lives if they weren't dancing.Karla and Jonathan: Karla said if she wasn't dancing, she'd be a journalist. Jonathan said he'd want to be an acrobat for Cirque du Soleil. The couple was served up with a Dave Scott hip-hop routine. Karla had the hip-hop swagger down in rehearsals, but Jonathan struggled a bit. How would they pull it off on stage? Nigel said there was no excitement in the routine. He said the chemistry the couple had last week wasn't there this week. Nigel wanted to take bets from the crowd that Karla...

Another Thursday means another guy and another girl would go home on So You Think You Can Dance.The night started with a spicy Latin-style group number choreographed by Dmitry Chaplin, Tabitha and Napoleon that was almost too hot for TV.After an explanation of the rules for the night, host Cat Deeley introduced the judges and Nigel quickly took a moment to acknowledge the passing of Ed McMahon, Farrah Fawcett and Michael Jackson.I don't know where you even begin to describe a global superstar like Michael Jackson, Nigel said. He changed the face of music and dance in the world -- not just in this country, but in the world.He extended his wishes and prayers to Jackson's family, but said, I hope their grieving is only short, because this is a life to celebrate. This is a life that remains inspirational to anybody who listens to music, anybody who wants to dance. Everyone, I think, we've had on this show has said, 'I started dancing because of Michael Jackson.'With that, they ...

The top 14 dancers on So You Think You Can Dance set out on Wednesday to stay in the competition, but first they'd have to get by the judges, and notorious choreographer Mia Michaels was the one who joined the regulars this week.Mia jumped right into the spotlight immediately, showering herself with attention after she was asked immediately after her introduction whether her opinion of any dancers has changed since the audition rounds. Remember, she famously ripped Brandon, saying she didn't know what the other judges, Nigel Lythgoe and Mary Murphy, saw in him. She said her opinion had changed for the better, but without naming names, although everyone knew exactly who she was talking about.This week, the dancers talked about their highs and lows throughout the competition, thus far. It really turned into the dancers just cataloging their dances to this point.Janette and Brandon: Speaking of Brandon, he and partner Janette were up first. They were doing a cha cha cha with Jean ...

It was going to be an extra long holiday weekend for one guy and one girl on So You Think You Can Dance as another Thursday night brought about another round of eliminations.After a picture perfect (sorry, couldn't resist) opening dance routine in which all the dancers emerged as characters in a painting who came to life after the art gallery closed, host Cat Deeley brought out the first two couples: Karla and Vitolio and Randi and Evan. Cat promised us that one of them was safe and the other was in the bottom three. Randi and Evan were safe, meaning Karla and Vitolio were in the bottom three.Nigel said the couple were no strangers to the bottom three, and said they would cope with it OK. We'd find out with their solos later in the evening.Among the next three couples to the stage were Janette and Brandon, who sent the judges into a tizzy with their cha cha cha. They'll ride the Hot Tamale Train all the way to at least next week.Kayla and Kupono and Melissa and Ade remained on stage awaiting ...

With just 12 dancers remaining and the same two hours to kill as always, it was time to make the dancers take to the stage twice.Guest judge Tyce DiOrio joined regulars Mary Murphy and Nigel Lythgoe as we rolled right into the action.Melissa and Ade: Doriana Sanchez put together a disco routine for Melissa and Ade, who struggled to pick up the style from the outset. It was a high intensity, fast-paced routine that was held together -- featuring some high-flying splits by Melissa -- until she slipped at the very end. But she propped herself right back up. Nigel loved it, saying it was a great start to the night. Mary asked for an Amen from the disco gods. Tyce said it was friggin' great.Kayla and Kupono: Mia Michaels choreographed a contemporary dance about addiction, which proved to be a challenge for Kupono, who talked about his own family and friend's struggle with drug addiction. Nigel said it was a very powerful piece of choreography, but said he wanted to see Kayla's passion more...

So You Think You Can Dance finally got down to the Top 10, but not before an exhilarating group performance to The White Stripes' Seven-Nation Army.It was Nigel Lythgoe's 60th birthday, but there was one gift the judge and executive producer was missing. Nigel explained that there were plans for a big Michael Jackson tribute performance with various choreographers pitching in with multiple dance styles to be performed to several of Jacko's tunes. But the rights to use the music on the show were denied, so there was no such dance.Judge Mary Murphy said it will be tough when, starting next week, the judges no longer have any say in who stays and who goes.The first two couples to the stage were Caitlin and Jason and Jeanette and Brandon. The first couple in the bottom three was Jason and Caitlin, for the third time. Mary said the couple hadn't recaptured the magic they had in their first piece on the show, the Bollywood dance.Up next were Randi and Evan and Jeanine and Phillip. The next couple...

The Top 10 are set, which meant Wednesday was the beginning of a whole new competition on So You Think You Can Dance. The judges no longer hold any sway when it comes to determining who stays and who goes as the decision is now left entirely to the voters. Another wrinkle starting this week is that voters are dialing in for their favorite individuals, rather than couples.The dancers now have to pick their partners from a hat, as well as their dances, throwing a whole new set of variables into the mix -- including the potential for some mismatched dancers, in terms of size.Guest judge Debbie Allen joined regular panelists Mary Murphy and Nigel Lythgoe this week, and she said three of her top guys and three of her top girls are still in the competition.Up first was a Bollywood routine by the top five girls, choreographed by Nakul Dev Mahajan. NIgel said the fivesome was one of the most beautiful groups of girls he's seen work together in the show's history. He said all five of them ...

The top 10 dancers stormed the stage in a Japanese inspired number choreographed by Wade and Amanda Robson on So You Think You Can Dance. The producers were in a mood for celebrating on Thursday after receiving word that four choreographers -- Mia Michaels, Tyce DiOrio, Tabitha and Napoleon Dumo, and former Dance contestant Dmitry Chaplin -- received Emmy nominations that morning.Guest host Debbie Allen was seated at the judges' table alongside regular Mary Murphy, but Nigel Lythgoe was missing from the panel because he was out receiving an honorary doctorate of arts from the University of Bedfordshire in England. That sounds made up. I'm just saying.It didn't matter, though, because the judges were pure window dressing on Thursday as they no longer had a say in who stayed or who left. The vote, for the first time all season, was entirely in the hands of the voters.To the results: The five girls came on to the stage to learn their fate. First up was Jeanette, who got the news that ...

It was a special night on So You Think You Can Dance Wednesday as the show marked its 99th episode with special guest judge Ellen Degeneres. Host Cat Deeley also welcomed back Dr. Nigel Lythgoe to the show. The executive producer and judge received an honorary doctorate degree last week and missed the results show because he was back at University of Bedfordshire in England for the ceremony.Emmy-nominated choreographer Mia Michaels was on the panel for the big show, which was padded with two dance styles from each couple, a solo from each dancer, and a big group number choreographed by Season 2's Travis Wall to start the night.Jeanette and Evan: A Sonya Tayeh contemporary routine was ordered up for Jeanette and Evan, forcing Evan into a style with which he isn't very comfortable. Nigel told Evan he was finally getting more of what he's been asking for all season. Ellen said she could do that, then described the wine spritzer she drank before the show, calling it rich and full-bodied, ...

There was an hour-long night in store for the special marking of the 100th episode of So You Think You Can Dance on Thursday night.Despite all the pomp and pageantry, which would include some trips down memory to relive some of the show's greatest moments in its five-year history and a special performance by Katie Holmes, another couple of dancers would be heading home once the results were known.Mia Michaels said that in looking back on 100 episodes, she most appreciated the professionalism around the show. Mary Murphy got a bit emotional about her time on the show and as she looked back at the faces of many past Dance finalists who were in the crowd. Nigel Lythgoe remarked at what kind of special moments the show could provide, including Wednesday night's Tyce DiOrio dancing tribute to breast cancer survivors.A highlight (and lowlight) reel showed some of the memorable moments in the show's history.To the results: Cat Deeley brought the final four girls to the stage for the ...

Down to six dancers on So You Think You Can Dance, they vied for just four spots in next week's finale in which the results will determine America's favorite dancer and that person will receive the $250,000 prize.Head judge Nigel Lythgoe nailed it, saying that the final six now have to bring some real personality.This is probably our best top 20, but it's been a little equal standard, he said. But I haven't seen anybody, sort of, pop like Twitch did last year, or Joshua, or Katee, or Courtney. ... They've got to come through now and stand out. At the moment, I think, we're often voting on the choreography and the great routines and people are voting for that.The dancers would perform four times each -- twice as couples, once in a solo, and once in a group number. Choreographer Sonya Tayeh put together the group routine for the three final guys. The fellas looked liked futuristic oompa loompas in what Sonya called a Willy Wonka-inspired routine. It was powerful.Guest judge Lil ...

The final four contestants on So You Think You Can Dance were revealed during Thursday night's results show, but not before an hour's worth of music and dance.The night began with a somber group performance to Send in the Clowns, choreographed by Tyce DiOrio.To the results: The final three girls were brought on stage pretty quickly and after going over the recaps of the judges' comments on each of the dancers, host Cat Deeley announced that the first dancer sent through to next week's finale was Jeanine. And the crowd went wild.Lil C said her place in the finals was worthy, indeed.More results: Cat brought the top three guys to center stage to find out which of them would take the second of four spots in the finale. The first guy's spot in the finale went to Brandon. The crowd erupted.Judge Mary Murphy stood and she cheered for him and couldn't imagine that Mia Michaels and Lil C initially didn't think he deserved a spot in the Top 20.Memory lane: Jessica and Will from last ...

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There are 3,500 screaming fans in the Kodak Theater, Cat tells us. (The screaming part we can tell for ourselves).All 20 dancers return for A Brand New Day from The Wiz. The crowd goes nuts as Diana Ross sings on the recording for a rousing number that involves funky jazz, some couples work and one very large picture frame.Kitty Cat returns, to highlight the top four - Kayla, Evan, Jeanine and Brandon. She tells us there were a record breaking 21.6 million votes after last night's performance. She promises highlights from the season and points out the judges: Lil' C, Mia Michaels, Tyce Diorio, Adam Shankman, Debbie Allen, Mary Murphy, Nigel Lithgoe.Recap fun begins -- back to the audition cities we go. Kids on the street, backflips, some bad splits, a few stage dives, the there's nothing like a naughty ballerina comment and lots of Mary screaming, Natalie going home, crying, the selection of the top 20, guest judge Ellen DeGeneres saying Are you two carpenters? Because you ...