'So You Think You Can Dance' promotes director Adam Shankman to permanent judge

By Korbi Ghosh

September 16, 2009 9:30 AM

I always said Adam Shankman was the best choreographer to grace the "So You Think You Can Dance" judging panel... and apparently E.P. Nigel Lythgoe agrees.

"So You Think" will welcome Shankman -- best known as a director of films such as "Hairspray" & "Step Up 3-D" -- as the third permanent judge when the 6th season debuts its Top 20 next month.

I got the chance to chat with Lythgoe about the addition of Shankman this week, a couple days before the news broke...

Check back for more of my one-on-one with Nigel next week.

But in the meantime, tell me what you think of A.S. upping his "So You Think You Can Dance" profile.

Is he the talker you would've added to the panel? Or do you prefer someone else?

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in FOX, Scoops, So You Think You Can Dance

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| Comments (45)

45 Comments

yes. paula. thats the only person who would make me watch this show.

yes | September 16, 2009 9:57 AM

WELL YOU ARE MISSING OUT BECAUSE This show is way better than anything Paula's judged on (no disrespect to Paula only to IDOL).

K | September 16, 2009 10:01 AM

I love this! Adam is great because he is so enthusiastic but not grating, like Mary, and gives constructive criticism without coming off creepy or snooty, like Nigel.

Does this mean no more rotating judges or will they have a 4th judge that rotates occasionally?

Erin | September 16, 2009 10:07 AM

Love and respect Adam Shankman! SYTYCD is the best reality show on TV!

veedee | September 16, 2009 10:41 AM

I love Shankers and I'm glad he's joining the panel, but I'm really going to miss having the rotating judge. I still want to see people like Mia, Debbie Allen, Sonya, etc., up there.

Ava | September 16, 2009 11:04 AM

I love Adam Shankman and am delighted with the change. It's better than listening to Mia's over-inflated ego every time she opens her mouth.

Becky | September 16, 2009 11:27 AM

so excited. Shank totally deserves it. Happy for him. It goes to show how genuine SYTYCD is as a reality show, unlike so many other train-wreck debacles on tv.

Rob C | September 16, 2009 11:28 AM

I like the idea of the non-competition top 20 show! Frankly, I've stopped tuning into the audition episodes because too much time is wasted on bad/joke dancers. While I respect everyone's right to show up at a SYTYCD audition, I don't want to invest my time watching them on TV. For every inspiring audition there seems to be at least five that are just awful. Maybe that format boosts ratings among the non-dance-aware audience, so maybe that's why it keeps continuing season after season (I also respect Nigel's drive to boost the ratings). The non-competition Top 20 show is a great solution in my opinion!

Belinda | September 16, 2009 11:33 AM

I love Adam's enthusiasm when commenting on the dancer's performances. He's really fun to watch and listen to. I hope they decide to keep a rotating judge, at least occasionally. I love Mia and Debbie Allen, but I could go without some like Little C or Ellen :-/ But congrats to Adam! Season 6 is gonna throw down!

Ashley | September 16, 2009 11:33 AM

I love Adam, but I really hope we can keep a rotating judge!

C. Dale | September 16, 2009 11:36 AM