Photo credit: Adam Rose/FOX.
As we put 2020 behind us, it's time to start looking toward 2021 and whether "So You Think You Can Dance" will be back on the FOX schedule. It's hard to tell how the network feels about the show because they picked it up at the last minute for season 17 only to turn around and cancel the show due to COVID-19. Will it return in summer 2021? That's the No.1 question we are being asked right now, so it's worth taking a closer look at how the network has felt about the show over the last few seasons.
The renewal of "So You Think You Can Dance" over the years has never been a sure thing — even if the network is a champion of the show. The ratings are no longer at the high of 10 million viewers like it was back in its heyday, but the show continues to draw praise from its dedicated viewers and recognition from the Television Academy.
The show has always had a cheerleader in Rob Wade, president of alternative entertainment and specials, FOX Entertainment. In 2019 after the season 16 renewal, he talked about the show's ability to "create the most incredible routines" and that he found the series "awe-inspiring." He always looked forward to introducing "a new crop of incredible, inspired and inspiring dance" each season.
That's a pretty good endorsement from a studio executive, but that's the last major word we heard from him about the show prior to season 16. Have his thoughts cooled a bit? It's no secret that Wade loves dance programming — after having worked on "Dancing With the Stars' for 23 seasons, he knows a strong dance show delivers ratings and happy viewers. With FOX expanding its alternative programming in the past few years, he's been looking for other dance shows to give them the same longevity as "So You Think You Can Dance."
In early January, he promised the press at the Television Critics Association that the pick-up of the now-canceled "Flirty Dancing" and the upcoming "Masked Dancer" would have no impact on the existence of "So You Think You Can Dance."
Photo credit: Adam Rose/FOX.
" 'The Masked Singer' and 'Dancer' feel like very different shows to the classic singing and dancing shows so there’s enough room in the schedule," he explained. "There are certain genres like singing, dancing and cooking where you can have lots of different types of formats.”
"So You Think You Can Dance" was picked up for a 17th season soon after that, but the pick-up order was short-lived. COVID-19 came in to change the entire face of the entertainment industry. The pandemic swept up season 17 in its collateral damage even though the production crew did everything they could to shift the in-person auditions to video auditions. The ax came down in June and broke the hearts of many dancers, who had just reached the age-eligible qualifications after graduating from high school.
An email sent to the cast and crew of the show by executive producer and judge Nigel Lythgoe seemed to indicate the show was canceled for good. "After numerous discussions and exceptionally creative ideas to keep the production on track during this COVID-19 pandemic," Lythgoe wrote. "FOX decided to cancel So You Think You Can Dance Season 17. It is obviously a bittersweet moment today to say goodbye to a show that just brought so much joy to such a vast audience."
While Lythgoe was not optimistic about the show's return, The Hollywood Reporter noted that the network might look into the possibility of a summer 2021 revival. There's been no word from FOX at this time, but there is a better understanding of COVID-19 guidelines in place to keep the cast and crew safe. FOX can also look at the success ABC had in producing a season of "Dancing With the Stars" this fall – even though dance is a contact sport, there are ways to make the show happen safely.
Another aspect working in "So You Think You Can Dance's" favor is timing — the series is traditionally broadcast during the summer and with COVID vaccines starting to come this month, there is an opportunity to bring the show back. While there would still be safety protocols of testing, masks and social distancing, things should begin to improve as we move from spring to summer, according to the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Dr. Fauci.
Photo credit: Adam Rose/FOX.
And, of course, we have to talk about the fans. While the viewership may be smaller in numbers than "Dancing With the Stars," the core audience is loyal and passionate about the show. A petition was started on Change.org to grab FOX's attention about finding a way for season 17 to come back in 2021.
FOX probably wouldn't mind a few more Emmy nominations or wins as well. The show has garnered 71 nominations over 16 seasons with wins often coming in the coveted Outstanding Choreography category for choreographers like Al Blackstone in 2020 and Mandy Moore in 2018. Travis Wall has also earned 10 consecutive nominations in the category and has represented "So You Think You Can Dance" nine times over that decade. It's hard to believe that the series will be completely shut out of the Emmys in 2021 because they didn't air a show this summer.
Season 17 in 2020 would have been the show's 15th anniversary as well. We can't imagine that FOX would want to send "So You Think You Can Dance" out with such a whimper. Without this series, we wouldn't know that there are two Mandy Moores in the entertainment industry, tWitch might not be standing next to Ellen DeGeneres on her show five days a week and Ariana DeBose wouldn't have had the opportunity to go home first in season 6, but go on to become a Broadway and film star.
Hopefully, FOX sees the value in a show that has introduced an entire generation of dancers and choreographers to mainstream audiences. We are ready to hear, "Cue music" on our televisions once again — but is FOX ready too?