So You Think You Can Dance (UK)
Encyclopedia
So You Think You Can Dance is a televised dance competition and reality show that launched in the United Kingdom
in January 2010 and similar to the version of the program that has began airing in the USA
in 2005. The show is broadcast on BBC One
. The content of the show is similar premise to the Pop Idol
series of singing competitions. The judges travel the UK to find the next best British dancer. The show focuses not only on the dancers' talent, but also showcases new works by cutting edge choreographers, crafted specifically for the dancers and the show.
and Nigel Lythgoe
, who also created the American version
of the show. The host is Cat Deeley
; who has also hosted the US version since season 2.
In the initial televised audition phase of the show, contestants dance in front of the judges – currently Louie Spence, Janet Jackson
, Jason Derulo
and Alexandra Burke
– in the hope of getting through to the "choreography camp" round. After a further selection process, the judges decide who they would like to perform during the live finals of the competition, during which the public vote for their favourite act following a weekly live performance by a celebrity performer. The show does not have a specific type of dance, contestants can do what dance style they choose. However, they will be asked to learn other dances throughout the competition. The first dancer to win the title of "Britian's Favourite Dancer" was Charlie Bruce
, who won in 2010.
It was initially announced that season two would have Alexandra Burke
as a guest judge throughout the auditions and choreographer camp, to pull in more of the viewing audience. However, it was later announced that all four judges from season one would return as the main judges.
So You Think You Can Dance first premiered on 2 January 2010, beginning with one audition show, introducing the top 14 and others at audition. Five elimination rounds were followed by a final, with performances and results shown on the same night. The winner would receive a prize, and would earn the title of "Britain's Favourite Dancer". The winner received £
100,000 cash and a trip to Hollywood, where the winner performed in the US series finale.
, Manchester
, Birmingham
, Cardiff
and Belfast
. In order to find the next "British Favourite Dancer". However, a selection of auditions would only be shown on television. Judges will nominate whether they would like the contestant to continue in the competition. If three of the judges were to say "yes" and one judge to say "no" the contestant would go through. However, if two judges said "yes" and two judges said "no" you would not continue in the competition.
,who also judges on the American version
of the show, formed the original core judging panel with former Strictly Come Dancing
judge Arlene Phillips
. Lythgoe and Phillips were the only permanent judges in the audition process for series, but guest judges Sisco Gomez
and Louise Redknapp
remained on the panel as permanent judges in the live shows. During the second series, Alexandra Burke
featured as a guest judge throughout the auditions and Choreographer camp. John Barrowman
also appeared as a guest judge on one live show, in the absence of Lythgoe.
and TV presenter, Cat Deeley
, who also hosts the American original signed on to present the UK version in both series. The shows executive producers are former judge and creator Nigel Lythgoe and Claire Bridgham, and the producers of the show are Anna Meedows and Gareth Davies.
The first series of So You Think You Can Dance began on 2 January 2010 and was hosted by Cat Deeley
. The first episode showed the auditions from London
, Manchester
, choreography camp and the top 14 were revealed. Permanent judges at the start of the auditions were Nigel Lythgoe
and Arlene Phillips
, Audition guest judges were Priscilla Samuels, Sisco Gomez and Louise Redknapp
, Louise Redknapp
became a permanent judge at choreography camp.
The next 6 shows where the live shows, Sisco Gomez became a permanent judge at this stage of the competition. Every week 2 dancers (one boy and one girl were eliminated from the competition until there were 4 contestants left (2 boys and 2 girls).
The finale of the first series of So You Think You Can Dance was held on February 13, 2010. Robbie White was injured, and could not perform. Lizzie Gough finished third, Tommy Franzén was the season runner-up, but female jazz dancer Charlie Bruce
ended up as the winner. Judge Nigel Lythgoe said that Bruce absolutely was the best contestant of the season and to watch "small" dancers Bruce and Franzén grow across the series was fabulous.
as a guest judge during the auditions and choreography camp. On the second part of the choreography camp, after Burke left the panel, John Barrowman
was brought in as guest judge. Matt Flint was the winner of the series.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
in January 2010 and similar to the version of the program that has began airing in the USA
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
in 2005. The show is broadcast on BBC One
BBC One
BBC One is the flagship television channel of the British Broadcasting Corporation in the United Kingdom. It was launched on 2 November 1936 as the BBC Television Service, and was the world's first regular television service with a high level of image resolution...
. The content of the show is similar premise to the Pop Idol
Pop Idol
Pop Idol is a British television series which debuted on ITV on 6 October 2001. The show was a talent contest to decide the best new young pop singer in the United Kingdom, based on viewer voting and participation. Two series were broadcast - one in 2001-02 and a second in 2003...
series of singing competitions. The judges travel the UK to find the next best British dancer. The show focuses not only on the dancers' talent, but also showcases new works by cutting edge choreographers, crafted specifically for the dancers and the show.
Program history
So You Think You Can Dance was created by Simon FullerSimon Fuller
Simon Fuller is a British artist manager, television producer and creator of the Idol franchise, first seen as Pop Idol in the UK. Fuller is also the co-creator and executive producer of the Fox TV reality show So You Think You Can Dance and other U.S...
and Nigel Lythgoe
Nigel Lythgoe
Nigel Lythgoe is an English television and film director and producer, and former dancer in the Young Generation and choreographer. He is noted for being the producer of the shows Pop Idol and American Idol as well as being a creator, executive producer and a regular judge for So You Think You Can...
, who also created the American version
So You Think You Can Dance (U.S. TV series)
So You Think You Can Dance is an American dance competition and reality show that airs on Fox in the United States.The series first premiered on July 20, 2005, and was created by American Idol producers Simon Fuller and Nigel Lythgoe and is produced by 19 Entertainment and Dick Clark Productions...
of the show. The host is Cat Deeley
Cat Deeley
Catherine Elizabeth "Cat" Deeley is an English television presenter and model. Since 2006, Deeley has also been the host of So You Think You Can Dance in the United States, for which she received a nomination for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Host for a Reality or Reality-Competition...
; who has also hosted the US version since season 2.
In the initial televised audition phase of the show, contestants dance in front of the judges – currently Louie Spence, Janet Jackson
Janet Jackson
Janet Damita Jo Jackson is an American recording artist and actress. Known for a series of sonically innovative, socially conscious and sexually provocative records, as well as elaborate stage shows, television and film roles, she has been a prominent figure in popular culture for over 25 years...
, Jason Derulo
Jason Derulo
Jason Joel Desrouleaux , better known by his stage name Jason Derülo, is an American singer-songwriter, actor and dancer. After producing records for several artists and writing songs for Cash Money Records, co-founder of the label Birdman, Young Money Entertainment owner Lil Wayne and rapper...
and Alexandra Burke
Alexandra Burke
Alexandra Imelda Cecelia Ewen Burke is a British R&B and pop recording artist who rose to fame after winning the fifth series of British television series The X Factor in 2008...
– in the hope of getting through to the "choreography camp" round. After a further selection process, the judges decide who they would like to perform during the live finals of the competition, during which the public vote for their favourite act following a weekly live performance by a celebrity performer. The show does not have a specific type of dance, contestants can do what dance style they choose. However, they will be asked to learn other dances throughout the competition. The first dancer to win the title of "Britian's Favourite Dancer" was Charlie Bruce
Charlie Bruce
Charlotte "Charlie" Bruce , is a British jazz dancer from Cropston, Leicestershire, who won the first series of So You Think You Can Dance . She trained in dance at Tring Park School for the Performing Arts and both dance and musical theatre at Laine Theatre Arts, a performing arts college in...
, who won in 2010.
It was initially announced that season two would have Alexandra Burke
Alexandra Burke
Alexandra Imelda Cecelia Ewen Burke is a British R&B and pop recording artist who rose to fame after winning the fifth series of British television series The X Factor in 2008...
as a guest judge throughout the auditions and choreographer camp, to pull in more of the viewing audience. However, it was later announced that all four judges from season one would return as the main judges.
So You Think You Can Dance first premiered on 2 January 2010, beginning with one audition show, introducing the top 14 and others at audition. Five elimination rounds were followed by a final, with performances and results shown on the same night. The winner would receive a prize, and would earn the title of "Britain's Favourite Dancer". The winner received £
Pound sterling
The pound sterling , commonly called the pound, is the official currency of the United Kingdom, its Crown Dependencies and the British Overseas Territories of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, British Antarctic Territory and Tristan da Cunha. It is subdivided into 100 pence...
100,000 cash and a trip to Hollywood, where the winner performed in the US series finale.
Auditions
The contestants would be held at a "producers" audition before getting to the second round, which is known as the "judges auditions" this is to help limit the number of auditionees. During the second round dancers would auditions one by one in front of the panel of judges. This will make the judges decide if they would like to put the contestant through to the second round of the competition known as "choreography camp". The auditions are held around the UK in LondonLondon
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, Manchester
Manchester
Manchester is a city and metropolitan borough in Greater Manchester, England. According to the Office for National Statistics, the 2010 mid-year population estimate for Manchester was 498,800. Manchester lies within one of the UK's largest metropolitan areas, the metropolitan county of Greater...
, Birmingham
Birmingham
Birmingham is a city and metropolitan borough in the West Midlands of England. It is the most populous British city outside the capital London, with a population of 1,036,900 , and lies at the heart of the West Midlands conurbation, the second most populous urban area in the United Kingdom with a...
, Cardiff
Cardiff
Cardiff is the capital, largest city and most populous county of Wales and the 10th largest city in the United Kingdom. The city is Wales' chief commercial centre, the base for most national cultural and sporting institutions, the Welsh national media, and the seat of the National Assembly for...
and Belfast
Belfast
Belfast is the capital of and largest city in Northern Ireland. By population, it is the 14th biggest city in the United Kingdom and second biggest on the island of Ireland . It is the seat of the devolved government and legislative Northern Ireland Assembly...
. In order to find the next "British Favourite Dancer". However, a selection of auditions would only be shown on television. Judges will nominate whether they would like the contestant to continue in the competition. If three of the judges were to say "yes" and one judge to say "no" the contestant would go through. However, if two judges said "yes" and two judges said "no" you would not continue in the competition.
Choreography camp
The acts which the judges sent through to the next round would face "choreography camp". This part of the show would consist of whether the judges would like the contestant to continue in the show, to the live finals. The top 50 dancers are assigned to groups. Which they would be giving the time to spend and choreograph a type of performance the judges would ask for, (e.g. hip-hop, jazz, etc.). At the end of the which the choreographers and judges chose the top 16. This would consist of the performances they give for the judges. They would be told straight after their performance if they would continue in the show. This is usually done gradually over the course of the entire week, with many dancers being cut from the competition on the very first day, and several more being cut each day, as the contestants are put through many different rounds to test their dance skills as well as their adaptability, learning speed, and stamina. Most rounds consist of the entire group of remaining dancers being taught a dance in a specific style (hip-hop, Broadway, and ballroom are among the most frequently-seen styles), and then performing the dance in front of the judges, a handful of contestants at a time. Another round consists of group work, where randomly chosen groups of four to six dancers are given a CD with a different song on it. Each group's members must then work together to create a choreographed group number for that song, and dance to it the next morning for the judges. At the end of this week of auditions, the judges meet and discuss each remaining dancer, to determine who will be chosen for the audience-vote portion of the competition (generally referred to as that season's "Top 20").Live finals
During the live finals stage, each remaining contestant will perform a dance for the judges and the live audience, week after week. The public would get choose who they want to remain the competition by voting. The bottom two will perform again and then the judges will decide which act they would like to see again in the competition. The season finale consists of the top 4, and in addition to their solos, each also dances several other numbers, while being paired or grouped with the other finalists in such a way that "everyone dances with everyone." In addition, during the grand finale, contestants who were eliminated that season come back, and that season's favorite dances are showcased. At the end of the finale, the winner (the competitor with the highest number of audience votes from the night before) is revealed. From season three onwards the live finals were held at the ExCel London.Judges
Show maker Nigel LythgoeNigel Lythgoe
Nigel Lythgoe is an English television and film director and producer, and former dancer in the Young Generation and choreographer. He is noted for being the producer of the shows Pop Idol and American Idol as well as being a creator, executive producer and a regular judge for So You Think You Can...
,who also judges on the American version
So You Think You Can Dance (U.S. TV series)
So You Think You Can Dance is an American dance competition and reality show that airs on Fox in the United States.The series first premiered on July 20, 2005, and was created by American Idol producers Simon Fuller and Nigel Lythgoe and is produced by 19 Entertainment and Dick Clark Productions...
of the show, formed the original core judging panel with former Strictly Come Dancing
Strictly Come Dancing
Strictly Come Dancing is a British television show, featuring celebrities with professional dance partners competing in Ballroom and Latin dances. The title of the show suggests a continuation of the long-running series Come Dancing, with an allusion to the film Strictly Ballroom...
judge Arlene Phillips
Arlene Phillips
Arlene Phillips OBE is an English choreographer, theatre director, talent scout, TV presenter, TV judge and former dancer, who has worked in many fields of entertainment...
. Lythgoe and Phillips were the only permanent judges in the audition process for series, but guest judges Sisco Gomez
Sisco Gomez
Francisco Javier Gomez-Aspron , better known professionally as Sisco Gomez, is an English dancer and choreographer. He was awarded the Best New Choreographer award at the UK satellite version of The Carnival: Choreographer’s Ball in 2005.-Dancer:Sisco Gomez was born in 1985 and is of Afro-Colombian...
and Louise Redknapp
Louise Redknapp
Louise Elizabeth Redknapp is an English singer and media personality. She was a member of the girl group Eternal from 1992 to 1995, before becoming a solo singer . She has presented several television shows and served as a judge on the UK version of So You Think You Can Dance...
remained on the panel as permanent judges in the live shows. During the second series, Alexandra Burke
Alexandra Burke
Alexandra Imelda Cecelia Ewen Burke is a British R&B and pop recording artist who rose to fame after winning the fifth series of British television series The X Factor in 2008...
featured as a guest judge throughout the auditions and Choreographer camp. John Barrowman
John Barrowman
John Scot Barrowman is a Scottish-American singer, actor, dancer, musical theatre performer and media personality. Born in Glasgow yet growing up in Illinois after his family emigrated to the United States when he was eight years old, Barrowman was encouraged to further his love for music and...
also appeared as a guest judge on one live show, in the absence of Lythgoe.
Presenters and other personnel
Disc jockeyDisc jockey
A disc jockey, also known as DJ, is a person who selects and plays recorded music for an audience. Originally, "disc" referred to phonograph records, not the later Compact Discs. Today, the term includes all forms of music playback, no matter the medium.There are several types of disc jockeys...
and TV presenter, Cat Deeley
Cat Deeley
Catherine Elizabeth "Cat" Deeley is an English television presenter and model. Since 2006, Deeley has also been the host of So You Think You Can Dance in the United States, for which she received a nomination for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Host for a Reality or Reality-Competition...
, who also hosts the American original signed on to present the UK version in both series. The shows executive producers are former judge and creator Nigel Lythgoe and Claire Bridgham, and the producers of the show are Anna Meedows and Gareth Davies.
Finalists
| Season | Year(s) | Time | Winner | Finalists | Host | Judges | Guest judges | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 So You Think You Can Dance (UK) Series 1 The 1st series of So You Think You Can Dance premiered on 2 January 2010, beginning with one audition show which showed the auditions, choreography camp and introducing the top 14. Five elimination rounds were followed by a final, with performances and results shown on the same night... |
Winter 2010 | January–February | Charlie Bruce (jazz) |
Tommy Franzén (hip-hop) |
Lizzie Gough (hip-hop) |
Robbie White (contemporary) |
Cat Deeley Cat Deeley Catherine Elizabeth "Cat" Deeley is an English television presenter and model. Since 2006, Deeley has also been the host of So You Think You Can Dance in the United States, for which she received a nomination for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Host for a Reality or Reality-Competition... |
Nigel Lythgoe Nigel Lythgoe Nigel Lythgoe is an English television and film director and producer, and former dancer in the Young Generation and choreographer. He is noted for being the producer of the shows Pop Idol and American Idol as well as being a creator, executive producer and a regular judge for So You Think You Can... , Arlene Phillips Arlene Phillips Arlene Phillips OBE is an English choreographer, theatre director, talent scout, TV presenter, TV judge and former dancer, who has worked in many fields of entertainment... , Louise Redknapp Louise Redknapp Louise Elizabeth Redknapp is an English singer and media personality. She was a member of the girl group Eternal from 1992 to 1995, before becoming a solo singer . She has presented several television shows and served as a judge on the UK version of So You Think You Can Dance... , Sisco Gomez Sisco Gomez Francisco Javier Gomez-Aspron , better known professionally as Sisco Gomez, is an English dancer and choreographer. He was awarded the Best New Choreographer award at the UK satellite version of The Carnival: Choreographer’s Ball in 2005.-Dancer:Sisco Gomez was born in 1985 and is of Afro-Colombian... |
Priscilla Samuels |
| 2 So You Think You Can Dance (UK series 2) The 2nd series of So You Think You Can Dance began on 26 March 2011 and ended on 11 June 2011, the show hosted auditions in Manchester on 17 October 2010, Glasgow on 19 October 2010 and London on 21 and 22 of October, according to the BBC website, contestants could also audition in Cardiff and... |
Spring 2011 | March–June | Matt Flint (tap) |
Luke Jackson (contemporary) |
Katie Love (contemporary) |
Kirsty Swain (jazz) |
Alexandra Burke Alexandra Burke Alexandra Imelda Cecelia Ewen Burke is a British R&B and pop recording artist who rose to fame after winning the fifth series of British television series The X Factor in 2008... John Barrowman John Barrowman John Scot Barrowman is a Scottish-American singer, actor, dancer, musical theatre performer and media personality. Born in Glasgow yet growing up in Illinois after his family emigrated to the United States when he was eight years old, Barrowman was encouraged to further his love for music and... |
||
Series 1
The preliminary auditions for the first series of the show were held in major cities throughout the UK in October 2009. Participants for the show had to be aged between 18 and 35 and could be amateur dancers or professionals who are not currently engaged in a professional contract. The BBC promoted auditions for the show via its official website.The first series of So You Think You Can Dance began on 2 January 2010 and was hosted by Cat Deeley
Cat Deeley
Catherine Elizabeth "Cat" Deeley is an English television presenter and model. Since 2006, Deeley has also been the host of So You Think You Can Dance in the United States, for which she received a nomination for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Host for a Reality or Reality-Competition...
. The first episode showed the auditions from London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, Manchester
Manchester
Manchester is a city and metropolitan borough in Greater Manchester, England. According to the Office for National Statistics, the 2010 mid-year population estimate for Manchester was 498,800. Manchester lies within one of the UK's largest metropolitan areas, the metropolitan county of Greater...
, choreography camp and the top 14 were revealed. Permanent judges at the start of the auditions were Nigel Lythgoe
Nigel Lythgoe
Nigel Lythgoe is an English television and film director and producer, and former dancer in the Young Generation and choreographer. He is noted for being the producer of the shows Pop Idol and American Idol as well as being a creator, executive producer and a regular judge for So You Think You Can...
and Arlene Phillips
Arlene Phillips
Arlene Phillips OBE is an English choreographer, theatre director, talent scout, TV presenter, TV judge and former dancer, who has worked in many fields of entertainment...
, Audition guest judges were Priscilla Samuels, Sisco Gomez and Louise Redknapp
Louise Redknapp
Louise Elizabeth Redknapp is an English singer and media personality. She was a member of the girl group Eternal from 1992 to 1995, before becoming a solo singer . She has presented several television shows and served as a judge on the UK version of So You Think You Can Dance...
, Louise Redknapp
Louise Redknapp
Louise Elizabeth Redknapp is an English singer and media personality. She was a member of the girl group Eternal from 1992 to 1995, before becoming a solo singer . She has presented several television shows and served as a judge on the UK version of So You Think You Can Dance...
became a permanent judge at choreography camp.
The next 6 shows where the live shows, Sisco Gomez became a permanent judge at this stage of the competition. Every week 2 dancers (one boy and one girl were eliminated from the competition until there were 4 contestants left (2 boys and 2 girls).
The finale of the first series of So You Think You Can Dance was held on February 13, 2010. Robbie White was injured, and could not perform. Lizzie Gough finished third, Tommy Franzén was the season runner-up, but female jazz dancer Charlie Bruce
Charlie Bruce
Charlotte "Charlie" Bruce , is a British jazz dancer from Cropston, Leicestershire, who won the first series of So You Think You Can Dance . She trained in dance at Tring Park School for the Performing Arts and both dance and musical theatre at Laine Theatre Arts, a performing arts college in...
ended up as the winner. Judge Nigel Lythgoe said that Bruce absolutely was the best contestant of the season and to watch "small" dancers Bruce and Franzén grow across the series was fabulous.
Series 2
A second series was confirmed, the show hosted auditions in Manchester on 17 October 2010, Glasgow on 19 October 2010 and London on 21 and 22 of October, according to the website, contestants also auditioned in Cardiff and Belfast. Series two has Alexandra BurkeAlexandra Burke
Alexandra Imelda Cecelia Ewen Burke is a British R&B and pop recording artist who rose to fame after winning the fifth series of British television series The X Factor in 2008...
as a guest judge during the auditions and choreography camp. On the second part of the choreography camp, after Burke left the panel, John Barrowman
John Barrowman
John Scot Barrowman is a Scottish-American singer, actor, dancer, musical theatre performer and media personality. Born in Glasgow yet growing up in Illinois after his family emigrated to the United States when he was eight years old, Barrowman was encouraged to further his love for music and...
was brought in as guest judge. Matt Flint was the winner of the series.
External links
- Official home page - So You Think You Can Dance on bbc.co.uk