The first cut is the deepest. So You Think You Can Dance, Fox network’s dance competition reality series, switched up its elimination process this season, and a lot of critics are perplexed by the bizarre change.
Eonline compared the new elimination format to “getting punched directly in the face and then being told you have to go about your day like nothing happened.”
The show decided to announce who was cut from the competition in the beginning of the show, meaning contestants who were given the boot had to get on stage and continue dancing as if their hearts were not just broken by America. This week, the first victims were Carlos Garland and Brittany Cherry.
SYTYCD producer Nigel Lythgoe couldn’t help but admit that he wasn’t sure whether the show would keep the new format because of it seemed really harsh.
“It’s the first time that we’ve cut them at the top of the show,” said the director. “And we don’t know if we’ve got it right yet, because it’s horrible having to do the results in the show.”
It appears fan outrage got to Lythgoe, so much so, he had to hit up Twitter last night and this morning to pacify viewers frantic about the top-of-show eliminations.
“America’s vote is based on the week before, not the present week, therefore our judging has to be based on that week. Dancers are resilient as Carlos and Britney so admirably proved,” he tweeted. “I prefer ending the show on an up rather than last season’s down. The fact is we do not have a result show and 2 dancers have to go home. Whether at the top or the end of the show, it’s uncomfortable. Ok I hear your disappointment in the format. We will certainly address that for next week. However, who gets cut will always be subjective!”
Ending on a bad note may not be ideal, but starting out on one may be even worse. Most reality show competitions without elimination episodes boot contestants at the end of the show. Audiences have become used to that, so why change it?
