That "Everything at Once" song they played when they were trying to advertise some new Windows tablet (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sB2MBop0cLo) always comes to mind when thinking about upcoming Season 11.
It's important to drive the point home that ratings are basically the one and only priority for the producers this season. FOX will consider renewing shows while SYTYCD is still running, which means that having a large viewership for the first few episodes is crucial to the future of the show. In fewer words - watch the show. Tell your friends to watch the show. Turn on every TV in your house.
Here's some enormous changes coming this season;
1. THE CREWS
Everyone's flipping out about this but it's really not a huge deal. All they're doing is showcasing two "crew" groups during the audition episodes, and then you vote via Twitter which one you want in the finale (so they're not technically in the competition). For the crews, it's exposure, for the show, it's bringing in a larger viewership. Win-win.
2. THE BIEBS
As a Canadian, it makes me want to slit my wrists because of the reputation this guy has given us. Them bringing in the Biebs is an obvious last-ditch effort to get the ratings up. Justin Bieber's whole shtick this year is to, along with his main choreographer, introduce (???) the crews. Surely our beloved Cat Deeley can introduce these crews in a far more charismatic fashion? Whatever - although I can't imagine their plan of upping the ratings will work in their desired demographic. The tweens are the ones watching SYTYCD already, who is basically who would turn on the show once they heard Bieber was making an appearance. In order for the show to make a huge comeback like it needs, and enter in the "Mean Girls" clique of talent-search Reality TV (X Factor, the Voice, America's Got Talent), it needs to up its credibility with the 18-49 demographic. I guess we'll see how it goes.
3. THE WAY IT ALWAYS SHOULD HAVE BEEN
FINALLY my prayers have been answered and there will again be one winner this year. I know I'm such a primadonna about this issue but I think it's SO important to have a focused format again. Even Cat Deeley's been quoted as saying that she found it awkward to have two people winning (she said something along the lines of "It's awkward because it's like "you win! and you win too!"") So thank JESUS, America's Favourite dancer will truly win this year.
I think that's about it - tune in tomorrow at 8 (check your local listings!) on FOX/CTV for the Philly and Chicago auditions. I'll have the recap up as soon as possible.
Comments, questions about SYTYCD? Anything you'd like to see this year? Email me at sytycdfansblog@gmail.com
I'll have your comment published on the blog with some commentary xx
