‘So You Think You Can Dance’: Nigel Lythgoe Won’t Return for Season 17
So You Think You Can Dance co-creator and judge Nigel Lythgoe won’t be part of Season 17. He reportedly was not asked to be part of the judge’s panel for the new season.
Lythgoe, Mary Murphy, and Laurieann Gibson were set to return as judges when SYTYCD Season 17 was announced back in February 2020. After a two-year hiatus, the show’s comeback was confirmed on March 2. But Lythgoe revealed the news of his departure on Twitter on March 4.
“I am so thrilled that America’s young aspiring dance talent will get to work with some of our greatest creative choreographers,” he wrote. “On a personally sad note, I have not been asked to be on the judging panel this season. I don’t know who will be saying ‘Cue Music’ but I wish them well.”
Lythgoe is the only judge to appear in every season of Fox’s Emmy-winning competition series. It’s not clear if he is still an executive producer.
Jeff Thacker, Rosie Seitchik, Eli Holzman, and Aaron Saidman on behalf of 19 Entertainment are also executive producers. Seitchik also serves as showrunner. Other judges — and whether or not host Cat Deeley will return — have not been announced.
Fox abruptly canceled SYTYCD Season 17 in June 2020 “due to health and governmental restrictions in response to the COVID-19 pandemic,” the network said in a statement. “As a result, while we were looking forward to its return this summer, we cannot meet the standards we’ve set for viewers and contestants in light of the show’s unique format, intricate production schedule, and limited time.”
Season 17 will feature dancers ages 18-30 showcasing their skills in contemporary, tap, hip-hop, ballroom, animation, and breaking. All episodes of the series will be be available on Fox’s free streaming platform, Tubi, as well as Fox Now, Hulu, and On Demand. A season premiere date will be announced at a later time.
Will you miss Lythgoe on the judging panel? Sound off in the comments below.
So You Think You Can Dance, Season 17, Summer 2022, Fox
Conversation57 Comments
Please read the TV Insider Community Guidelines.
Comments are closed on this story.
-
G
Yes he should definitely be on the judging panel. It will not be the same without him
34 2
-
C
This are messing up on this show so bad. First taking Tom off and now messing with the judges. I’m so DONE.
1
-
R
Tom Bergeron was never on So You Think You Can Dance.
1
-
-
-
O
Sytycd without Nigel is like agt without simon
28 1
-
G
Jojo is so annoying to listen to. Its only been 5 minutes and already I'm irritated. These new judges lack a level of expertise and knowledge of all genres of dance that previous judges like Nigel and Mary had. So disappointing.
22
-
G
I’m truly disappointed that Nigel won’t be a judge. Big mistake. You exects always make the mistake of thinking that replacing the older guys will bring younger viewers but what about the millions of loyal viewers. Nigel’s expertise and critiques helped the viewer see the dancing from a professional standpoint instead of just an entertaining one. He gave it an air of class that is now void. Smh Btw.. I’m glad they kept Cat She’s pure sunshine and wit..
20
-
B
Very disappointed with the new judges. Not the same. May not continue to watch. Miss the original judges.
17
-
G
Oh no! How can this be? Please bring Nigel back!! I've watched SYTYCD since the beginning and Nigel and Mary make the show. I won't be watching the season premiere without Nigel it won't be the same. It will be a no for me.
15
-
O
Don't know if I will watch it without Nigel.
15
-
O
I think that it won't be sytycd without him that really sucks because he's an amazing judge and mentor
13 2
-
B
why does every television exec feel that change is always an improvement. sometimes, if it ain't broke, it actually does not need fixing. even though nigel (and mary) could be a little over the top, they were the exact right fit for the job. I had faith in their critiques and learned from them. I know the new panel of judges mean well but they do not have the same heft, credibility or impact. change for the better ~ I endorse. change for change sake ~ it's just exhausting! And please, let's not talk about jojo's annoying yelling voice. Too much. Save us.
10
-
O
WHAT!? No Nigel ?? He made the show, he has knowledge and credibility. Mary was pretty good too, and lightened the show. Twitch will be ok, but Jojo is too cutesy/annoying, and sorry to say I've never heard of the other guy. Where's the new judge's knowledge base, where's the experience? What a mistake. So disappointed in these changes, I don't think ill be watching, the new judges are just too drastic a change.
7
-
B
Not sure I'm going to continue watching without Nigel or Mary on the Judges panel. From the start of season 17 this evening I wasn't sure if I was watching Damce Moms or Glee. Hitch is the only Judge who feels right sitting on the panel. I think Nigel and Mary should be asked back. Que my advise.
7
-
C
Don’t you mean Twitch?
3
-
-
G
It will not be the same. I think it is a huge mistake to not have Nigel and Mary
7
-
G
Bring Nigel back, and give him full reign on how this show is to be formatted. Those of you who are making the decisions at the top, know this. The show will be cancelled soon unless you bring back Nigel. Stop trying to reinvent the wheel.
5
-
O
PLEASE bring back Nigel and Mary! I can do without JoJo; how is she considered a dance expert exactly? She’s almost as annoying as when they had Vanessa Hutchins as a judge and she used the word “stupendous” WAY too much. Now we hear JoJo yell the whole time.
5
-
C
Nigel should definitely be on the panel. It won't be the same without him and not worth watching.
6 1
-
P
I missed Nigel so much on the first episode this season. Bring him back!
4
-
G
It was not very good. Not the same. They should have at least had Nigel. Big mistake not having him. I have been watching since the beginning but I have to say I might not watch the judge Jojo is very annoying. I think they sacrificed judges for money. Bad mistake.
4
-
B
Not happy. Nigel should be there. Jo jo is painfully annoying . Won't be the same without Nigel. Thank God Twitch is a judge
4
-
G
How can you have so you think you can dance without Nigel he created the show come on Fox get him back on the panel
4
-
C
It won’t be the same without him and his always constructive critiques.
5 1
-
O
After watching the first show...what a disappointment...will watch, however, until the first dances to see how much you changed that! Nigel is sooooo missed! Like Twitch and the judge from Glee...but JoJo is so annoying, loud, and too young! You probably put her on to gain the little girl age group that adore her. And....really miss the theme song!!! And what is up with the constant chatter amongst judges and then we hardly saw any auditions. I am afraid this is the last year for SYTYCD which is soooo sad. I am almost 70 and this was one of my favorite shows every year.. I am surely done, however, if you change the format of the routines, too. Nigel, Mary, and Twitch would be the perfect judges in my opinion. Good luck
4 1
-
O
I want Nigel back
3
-
O
SYTYCD is Nigel and Mary plus someone else. They are part and parcel of the show. 😭😭😭
3
-
O
What? Why would they do that? I’ve been watching since the beginning and it won’t be the same without the original judges!!
3
-
G
First show awful- too much inane chatter (4 full dances in one hour). Miss Nigel as a judge. I’ll give it one more week. So disappointed
3
-
O
Nigel IS SYTYCD
3
-
R
Facts!
2
-
-
O
Ridiculous, it’s Nigel’s show and he should be there.
3
-
G
The show is a no-go for me without Nigel and Mary Murphy. Sorry!
3
-
G
Replacing Nigel with Another professional is fine, but their replacements are mistakes. Mary’s credentials were questionable. Sometimes casting mistakes are obvious. It will be hard to watc
3
-
G
This absolutely sucks!!! Nigel IS "So You Think You Can Dance"!! There is NO show without him!! And if Cat is not there I definitely WILL NOT BE WATCHING!!! I am so disappointed!!
3
-
R
Yes he should be back. He helps make the show what it is! The show won’t be the same without him!
4 1
-
R
Yes, please bring Nigel and Mary back!! Can they guest host??
2
-
G
Terrible but Jojo Swia was asked (insert eye roll)
2
-
R
Probably not going to watch anymore. Very disappointed nigel and Mary not there. Who are these people? I know twitch but no idea who the others are. So sad
2
-
P
Awwwwwww, sad. That’s the end of sytycd.
2
-
R
Absolutely!!! I’ll still be watching, because I’ve been watching since the beginning. However, it will NOT be the same without Nigel & Mary!! Bring them back!!! Please!!
Jojo does not have even close to the experience needed to be a judge on this show. She’s too immature, simply doesn’t have the knowledge or experience to be a judge on this show! Having her critique a 25 year old dancer is just laughable. Add to that, my family and I find her annoying!
2
-
G
The show loses credibility without Nigel. As much as I love Jojo, she can be a bit overwhelming. I would like to see judges with more experience across different genres.
2
-
P
Why did they keep Cat???
JoJo needs to be replaced with Mia
2
-
G
The judges are ... except for Twitch... not gonna work. Sorry. Im out.
2
-
B
Nigel Lythgoe is SYTYCD. Bring him back now!!!!!!!!!!
2
-
O
Very disappointed that Nigel and Mary are not Judges. Love the show but Nigel and Mary’s critiques are worth so much. Twitch seems to be the only deserving judge to me. Definitely need a ballroom expert.
New Judges….twitch….Travis…Anya or Pasha
1
-
G
Except for Twitch, the judges are not professional dancers or choreographers. Exactly how are they qualified to judge?
1
-
G
I cannot believe Nigel wont be in Season 17 or in any moving forward. Like many people I have watched this show from Season 1 and Nigel has been one of the true reasons to watch this program, I fear it will be much weaker without him. Please bring him back, if not for this season, but in the next ... and forever if that's possible 🙂
1
-
G
It's a shame! Nigel help snakes the show unique!! You just lost my viewing!!!
1
-
G
I think he should definitely still judge!! I can do without Mary and please, no Kat Deeley, and for the love of God, no Vanessa Hudgens!! She made my head hurt with her stupid comments!! Nigel knows his stuff and I love that he’s encouraging, blunt, but yet still kind. Mary is way to freaking loud!!
2 1
-
R
Just found out that Nigel and Mary will not be judging this year. I'm sorry to lose them and their years of experience as dancers and judges. The younger generation cannot match this and the programme will suffer accordingly.
-
B
Sorry, I think that the absence of Nigel shows in the lowering of the talent. Everyone wants to give shining happy “You did great” comments as judges. Nigel wasn’t afraid of holding the standards and say something wasn’t hitting the mark. I am in no way able to judge dance performances, but I can see the lowering of performance quality. I have to think that this is due to Nigel not being there.
-
C
I’m utterly shocked to hear that a co-creator of this amazing show was not even given a reason for him not being asked to come back. I always look forward to his funny responses and his love 💕 for the show. Shame on the show’s producers!!
-
O
I really miss Nigel and Mary, too. I hope they bring at least one of them back in season 18. I'm sure it all came down to money. The judges this season are probably not getting the same paycheck Nigel would have gotten. And, the same with Cat Deely, too. I miss all 3 of them.
-
O
Oh hells no, sorry Nigel never been a fan!! But producers of the show you have made HUGE MISTAKES not bringing Mary Murphy back, putting "TWITCH" in...and only thing worse than both those other mistakes adding the UNBELIEVABLY ANNOYING JOJO WHATEVER her face. I'll never watch again. You guys are idiots. That show is over.
-
R
Meh. It's sad in the sense that he's been there every season, but his bias toward cutesy young female dancers gets old. I'm interested to see who replaces him, and mostly I'm just excited the show is coming back. I don't watch it for the judges.
1 1
-
R
They should replace him with Tyra Banks, cause that worked out so well for that other dancing show. 🙄
4 4
-
O
Nigel would often say the females were “sexy”’and calling some a “vixen” yet telling the males to get dressed or keep their shirts on. Hello! Didn’t he understand his audience?
1
Watchlist Easy access to only the shows you care about — all in one simple place
Alerts Only important notifications — when a show is returning, when it becomes available to stream, and more.
Special Offers Exclusive products we release related to your favorite shows and streaming services