So You Think You Can Dance

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Season 1
  • Network: FOX
  • Series Premiere Date: Jul 20, 2005
Season #: 18, 17, 16, 15, 14, 13, 12, 11, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1
Metascore
31

Generally unfavorable reviews - based on 8 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1 out of 8
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 8
  3. Negative: 5 out of 8

Critic Reviews

  1. People Weekly
    Reviewed by: Tom Gliatto
    Jun 28, 2013
    75
    It's always good to see dancing that's dancing and not a montage of repositioned limbs.
  2. Los Angeles Times
    Reviewed by: Lewis Segal
    Jul 17, 2013
    60
    Though the voice-over narration could have been more informative, the biggest drawback in the first two episodes was producer Nigel Lythgoe functioning as the Donald Trump of dance by firing dancers right and left. [30 Jul 2005]
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  3. Variety
    Reviewed by: Laura Fries
    Jul 17, 2013
    40
    As a director, Nigel Lythgoe works the judge's reaction shots, often forgetting wallflowers enjoy watching the dancers, not other wallflowers. [22 Jul 2005]
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  5. RedEye
    Reviewed by: Megan Waitkoff
    Jul 17, 2013
    25
    The show had all of the potential of "Idol," but Fox blew it by forgetting these words of wisdom: If it ain't broke, don't fix it. [15 Aug 2005]
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  6. The New York Times
    Reviewed by: Virginia Heffernan
    Jul 17, 2013
    20
    This show, so far, cannot match 'Dancing With the Stars'; it's dour, lead-footed, mean, downbeat. [22 Jul 2005]
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  7. The Globe and Mail (Toronto)
    Reviewed by: Andrew Ryan
    Jul 17, 2013
    10
    I'm not sure who's watching this dreary dance competition, and less sure why. ... So You Think You Can Dance is Fox's failed attempt to attach American Idol-esque importance to the dance genre. It tries for glittery glamour but is dragged down in procedure. Dancing with the Stars made dancing look fun, which I've always thought was the idea. [17 Aug 2005]
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  8. Salon
    Reviewed by: Heather Havrilesky
    Jul 17, 2013
    0
    Easily takes the crown as the current Worst Show on Television. ... Like 'American Idol,' 'SYTYCD' is self-important, flashy and deeply stupid.
  9. Washington Post
    Reviewed by: Tom Shales
    Jul 17, 2013
    0
    Ineptitude haunted "Dance" from the very beginning, when the host made it sound as though various rounds of competition had already been completed and that what we were watching was a documentary about "So You Think You Can Dance," not the show itself. Camerawork was so poor that dancers occasionally vanished out of the frame, and Lythgoe was featured in so many reaction shots that it was sometimes hard to remember who was onstage. [21 Jul 2005]
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Awards & Rankings

67
#67 Best TV Season of 2005
62
#62 Most Discussed TV Season of 2005
22
#22 Most Shared TV Season of 2005

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
5.8

Mixed or average reviews- based on 13 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 13
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 13
  3. Negative: 5 out of 13
  1. Gutrend
    Jun 3, 2016
    1
    They have taken what has been a generally great Summer viewing experience and ruined it by changing the audition guidelines and judges to theThey have taken what has been a generally great Summer viewing experience and ruined it by changing the audition guidelines and judges to the point that the show is no longer what it was when viewers enjoyed it the most. Complete disaster this season, first episode rendered unwatchable.… Full Review »
  2. Wimpkid
    Oct 3, 2014
    0
    Really bad, I mean it is real bad. It is bad because it lacks a lot of judging, I man the judges don't care how their routine is or how thereReally bad, I mean it is real bad. It is bad because it lacks a lot of judging, I man the judges don't care how their routine is or how there skills is at dancing. They just shout to the dancers and say GREAT,BEST ONE,or AMAZING.… Full Review »
  3. chymero
    Aug 7, 2017
    10
    The talent is astounding. The choreography is original and brilliant. This is the best dance show on TV, and has uncovered superstars thatThe talent is astounding. The choreography is original and brilliant. This is the best dance show on TV, and has uncovered superstars that have gone on to dance for Beyonce and Lady Gaga as well as major Broadway shows. This program has deservedly won Emmys. I LOVE IT… Full Review »
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