'So You Think You Can Dance' season 16: Fans miss seeing talented dancers perform and want the old format back

Not in favor of this format, fans revealed that they miss the show's older format and wish 'So You Think You Can Dance' would bring it back.
PUBLISHED JUL 26, 2019

On Monday night when 'So You Think You Can Dance' season 16 aired, the series finished with its Academy Rounds and revealed the Top 20 contestants who were moving forward to the next round. While the season has already featured amazing dancers from ballroom, ballet, contemporary, hip-hop and tap, it was sad to say goodbye to most of them who made it through the auditions, but not the academy round. 

Previously the series was known for the less time it spent on its Academy episodes, but more on the live shows. But since season 13 the series changed its format. Prior to season 13's 'So You Think You Can Dance: The Next Generation', the series used to allow all the Top 20 contestants to go into the live shows. And fans got the chance to watch their favorites stick on the show for a longer time and even got a chance to vote for their favorite performances. 

Fans want the old format back so they get to see more of the contestants with screen time. (Adam Rose/FOX)

But later they changed the format, where the Top 20 contestants will be paired with the 'All-Star' mentors. They will then go on to compete in two Final Cut episodes. One with the Top 10 men and another with the Top 10 women. Post the performances, each episode will eliminate five contestants, and only the remaining Top 10 contestants will go on to the live shows. 

Not in favor of this format, because it is cutting short on the contestants and their performances, fans have been complaining that they miss that format and wish the series would bring it back, especially after Monday's episode. 

Taking to Twitter a fan wrote, "Argh!! Please bring back the top 20!! I’m tired of the “All Stars” and there are SO many talented dancers out there! #SYTYCD@dizzyfeet
@DANCEonFOX." Agreeing, another fan chimed in saying, "Agreed. They keep bringing the all stars back. I miss when they’d come during the finale, not through the entire show." 

With the earlier format fans got the chance to watch their favorites stick on the show for a longer time and even got a chance to vote for their favorite performances. (Adam Rose/FOX)

"Wait, #SYTYCD has been talking about top 20 this whole time, but are just doing top 10 for the live show?! I feel duped. Between that and the lack of diversity in the men’s group, I’m officially out, but for the final time. I’m tired of disappointment," wrote a fan. 

While another tweeted, "Has #SYTYCD excellerated the show cuz how are they going from the freshly picked top 20 to the top 10 in the next episode? Huhhh??" Adding to that another fan said, "Yay! All my faves made the top 20! What's up with only having a top 10 for the live shows though???? #SYTYCD." 

Fans share that they feel duped by this new format, and hope the series goes back to the old live show format. 

'So You Think You Can Dance' season 16 airs every Tuesday night on Fox. Check your local listings for more information. 

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