‘So You Think You Can Dance’: Nigel Lythgoe Won’t Return for Season 17

So You Think You Can Dance co-creator and judge Nigel Lythgoe won’t be part of Season 17. He reportedly was not asked to be part of the judge’s panel for the new season.

Lythgoe, Mary Murphy, and Laurieann Gibson were set to return as judges when SYTYCD Season 17 was announced back in February 2020. After a two-year hiatus, the show’s comeback was confirmed on March 2. But Lythgoe revealed the news of his departure on Twitter on March 4.

“I am so thrilled that America’s young aspiring dance talent will get to work with some of our greatest creative choreographers,” he wrote. “On a personally sad note, I have not been asked to be on the judging panel this season. I don’t know who will be saying ‘Cue Music’ but I wish them well.”

Lythgoe is the only judge to appear in every season of Fox’s Emmy-winning competition series. It’s not clear if he is still an executive producer.

Jeff Thacker, Rosie Seitchik, Eli Holzman, and Aaron Saidman on behalf of 19 Entertainment are also executive producers. Seitchik also serves as showrunner. Other judges — and whether or not host Cat Deeley will return — have not been announced.

Fox abruptly canceled SYTYCD Season 17 in June 2020 “due to health and governmental restrictions in response to the COVID-19 pandemic,” the network 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.”

Season 17 will feature dancers ages 18-30 showcasing their skills in contemporary, tap, hip-hop, ballroom, animation, and breaking. All episodes of the series will be be available on Fox’s free streaming platform, Tubi, as well as Fox Now, Hulu, and On Demand. A season premiere date will be announced at a later time.

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