FOX Cancels So You Think You Can Dance season 17 due to Covid-19 Concerns
Bad news, but not surprising. FOX has canceled So You Think You Can Dance season 17 due to Covid-19 concerns. FOX released a statement late Thursday (June 18) night.
“Production on season 17 of So You Think You Can Dance will not be moving forward due to health and governmental restrictions in response to the COVID-19 pandemic,” Fox 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.”
Cat Deeley was set to return as host alongside judges Nigel Lythgoe, Mary Murphy and Laurieann Gibson.
FOX officially renewed the show back in February, with auditions originally scheduled in Miami for March 19 and 20, New York City for March 28 and 29 and Lost Angeles for April 4 and 4. Unfortunately for the series, the timing was terrible. Just as SYTYCD was ready to kick off auditions, film production across the country shut down due to coronavirus concerns.
SYTYCD Producer Were Hoping for an August Start
Executive producer Nigel Lythgoe attempted to put a positive spin on the situation, hopeful that filming would begin in August, after producers sifted though online auditions. However, FOX released summer and fall schedules that didn’t include the perennial summertime favorite. Cancellation seemed inevitable.
It’s too bad SYTYCD didn’t get an earlier start. But then again, it would have been a huge challenge to produce live shows while also keeping the dancers safe and healthy.
SYTYCD could return Summer 2021
In the meantime, NBC’s World of Dance managed to finish filming just under the wire before its June premiere. NBC films the entire season. Still, WOD filmed the finale in an empty studio due to the shutdown.
The good news is that FOX has not CANCELED SYTYCD. Only the current season is nixed. Here’s hoping FOX decides to bring it back next summer.
