So You Think You Can Dance is Back!

I'm honestly not a huge reality fan, especially shows like American Idol or Dancing with the Stars, however, for some reason, a combination of those two shows, is my favorite summer event! I love watching these aspiring dancers work their way through the auditions to the finals and you can bet there'll be more than one post about this wonderful show as the summer progresses.

For those who haven't seen it before, the show is the creation of Nigel Lythgoe and Simon Fuller, who also created Pop Idol in England and American Idol here. Nigel, a former dancer himself is one of 2 regular judges who are joined each week by one of the show's professional choreographers. Auditions are held across the country and those who make it to the next stage head to Las Vegas for an intensive audition similar to American Idol. Once the final 20 are named they are broken up into partners and each week draw a different type of dance by lottery. Everything from hiphop and krunk to foxtrot and waltz. America votes and the bottom two "dance for their lives", with the judges making the final decision. About halfway through, the partnerships begin changing weekly as well.

Yesterday was the first episode of auditions, featuring New York and Denver. One of the best things about this show is that the judges are rarely if ever mean. Even the young woman who showed up dressed like a lion and dancing with lightsabers was treated well and with as much respect as could be mustered by the judges. While the inspiring young woman with a shortened spine blew them away with their courage.

This is a truly wonderful and inspiring show I'm looking forward to following for the rest of the season! If you watched it, I'd love to see your comments!