Director and choreographer Adam Shankman (Hairspray), who has appeared on Fox’s So You Think You Can Dance as a guest judge in recent seasons, has been named a permanent member of the hit show. Beginning with the Top 20 performance show on Oct. 27, Shankman will sit alongside Mary Murphy and Nigel Lythgoe on the judges’ panel, according to a Fox statement.
Sep 16
2009
10:45 AM ET
Adam Shankman joins 'So You Think You Can Dance'
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So will they rotate a fourth judge in every episode, or are they doing away with the rotating judge all together?
I really hope they don’t do away with the rotating judges, because I love Lil C!
God I hope I never have to listen to Lil C say another word in my life. I hope they bring mia back from time to time though and I loved Debbie Allen this past season. When she called the blonde girl a “big woman” I couldn’t stop laughing.
I love the Shankman!! He is always honest and is hilarous
Yay! Great decision.
Good. His critiques are always constructive and uplifting. I listen to what he says rather than just rolling my eyes and hitting fast forward on my DVR.
They are rewarding him for his proven ability to tolerate sitting next to Mary Murphy and maintain his sanity.
Wouldn’t that be a punishment rather than a reward?
Love me some Shankman!!! Looking forward to it! He’s very funny and gives good critique. Take that Ellen!
I love how Adam is always genuine and articulate in his critiques… but I too wonder if this means there will always be 4 judges, or no more guest judges?
Great decision,I love Shankman. He is one of the few judges who is actually entertaining.
This is the best news ever. When he tears up and/or gives a standing ovation after a dance, you KNOW it’s good.
He’s great, but I really hope this doesn’t mean that they will no longer rotate judges in and out. I think that is what makes this judging panel so much more interesting and successful than AI
Great choice!
YEAH!!! It’s about time! I am very happy to see more of Adam! He brings a lot of life to the judges table.
Yay! I hope this means they do away with the rotating judge . . . I’m so tired of loquacious Lil C, that scary plastic-surgerized woman with the black hair and hats, and the babbling Debbie Allen.
Hooray! He’s my favorite. Nice guy, but gives his honest opinion – I loved when he said that Tony and Meredith’s (at least I think it was them) choreography was not enough for the finale and that people’s votes will partially depend on the choreography the dancers are given (flashiness, emotional content, etc). Normally the judges have a nightly lovefest with every single choreographer, so I was glad he pointed out that those two may have hurt the dancers’ chances to a certain extent. (I agreed with him!)
The canadian version of the show has 4 judges, and it is UNBEARABLE.
can we get that version in the states? or is it online?
Trust me, you don’t want to watch it. The judges are SO boring and have no chemistry and the host is a bimbo. Save yourself the trouble!
The Canadian version has other problems (like REALLY bad losers this season), but the 4-judge thing is one of its main faults – tho’ that might be because they’re too positive most of the time – no real critiques. One thing i do like though is the half-hour results show – no filler.
Back to the topic tho’, Adam’s a good choice is there has to be a 3rd permanent judge.
The Canadian dancers are pretty amazing – I did enjoy last season moreso than this one but there are definite standouts. Judging is not as worth watching but I appreciate that they all dance and choreograph for the show (and they are GOOD).
I do think the host can in no way match up to Kat Deely though. Her wardrobe is great but she looks plastic
Actually, I enjoy SYTYCD Canada, with some qualifications. Jean-Marc (the Nigel equivalent) still has trouble with his English – bad for a TV show in English. Luthor Brown is useless all the way around. And Leah Miller, the host, is TERRIBLE – annoying, fake, and screechy. I can for the life of me figure out why anyone would hire a host with a voice like nails on a chalkboard (and she’s not attractive, either). Ew. But the do have some really amazing choreographers, and the dancers are of a very high caliber.
Leah Miller was more revolting during the auditions (she was playing up the blond bimbo way too much), but you’re right, she has nowhere near the level of class that Cat Deeley does. I think Jean-Marc tries too hard to be a cross between Mary Murphy (ie, having trademark catch-phrases) and Nighel Lythgoe. He’s also too emotional. Luther is kinda like our Randy Jackson, but every now and then he does actually have something to say. Trey is all sorts of awesome-ness, though, and Blake is pretty good with his critiques, too. I love the diversity of dance styles we get with the Canadian version (which include dancehall, house, capoeira, and even go-go dancing!), and the dancers I find are more well-rounded, though not necessarily spectacular. And we also get many more Stacey Tookie routines, which is awesome. I don’t understand why Canadian producers are so enamoured with the 4-judge panel though (Canadian Idol has it too). it just takes up so much time.