So You Think You Can Dance: New Changes for Next Season

Tired of Tea Party politics flavoring your reality dance competition? Don't worry because the latest search for America's Favorite Dancer is underway. Dream-chasing dancers and hip-hop hopefuls gathered at the Brooklyn Academy of Music on November 16 to audition for the upcoming season of So You Think You Can Dance. Fox's hit series returns next year with a new and improved format.

Last season, the producers played with the show's set up, featuring 11 finalists teamed with All-Stars from past seasons. Now the Top 20 will be back, with the All-Stars introduced after the pool is down to 10. Show co-creator and judge Nigel Lythgoe hopes the new format will give audiences the "best of both worlds."

"America doesn't necessarily like change to its programs." Lythgoe told TV Guide Magazine. "But as last season went on, people realized the All-Stars inspired the choreographers to do even better and inspired the dancers to be stronger. The dancers had partners that knew exactly what they were doing."

The other judges scoping out the New York talent were choreographer Jason Gilkinson and Mary Murphy, a permanent judge on the show during Seasons 3-6.  Murphy only appeared in a few episodes last season, and when asked about coming back full-time, her lips were sealed.

"I'm not at liberty to say at this second, but check back in January," she teased. Furthering speculation that Murphy could return full time? Mia Michaels, the choreographer who replaced Murphy as a judge, was nowhere to be seen at the Brooklyn auditions.

Do you think Murphy and her "Hot Tamale" screams will be back next season? How does the new format of the show sound to you? — Todd Kushigemachi

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