So You Think You Can Dance (American TV series) season 17 explained

Module1:
Host:Cat Deeley
Judges:
Winner:Alexis Warr
Runner Up:Keaton Kermode
Network:Fox

So You Think You Can Dance is an American dance competition reality show, which returned for its seventeenth season on May 18, 2022.[1]

A 17th season of So You Think You Can Dance had originally been set to air in the summer of 2020, with a judging panel composed of series creator Nigel Lythgoe (his seventeenth consecutive season as judge), Mary Murphy and Laurieann Gibson. However, in June 2020 the show was postponed indefinitely due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[2] The season was finally produced in the summer of 2022, now with an entirely different set of judges: freestyle hip-hop dancer Stephen "tWitch" Boss, who had been a Season 4 runner-up and Season 15 judge; entertainer and YouTube celebrity JoJo Siwa; and actor Matthew Morrison.[3] Cat Deeley returned to her role as host for a sixteenth consecutive season.

In May 2022, Morrison was fired from the show, after having sent direct messages on social media to a female contestant that were deemed by producers to be inappropriate.[4] [5] He was replaced by actress Leah Remini, starting with the season's fifth episode.[6]

On August 10, 2022, Alexis Warr was crowned "America's Favorite Dancer", making her the first ballroom dancer to win the show. (While Season 2 winner Benji Schwimmer was also a partner dancer, his specialty, West Coast Swing, is generally not considered a ballroom dance).

This was the final season to feature Stephen "tWitch" Boss, prior to his death in December 2022.[7]

Auditions

Initial auditions, for dancers ages 18 to 30, were due to begin in March 2020 but were postponed amid in the beginning of COVID-19 pandemic. Auditions would likely be continued for this season during the delay. Those who were originally submitted in 2020 and could be getting an extended age limit to 32. Production was rescheduled for March 2022 including the start of auditions.[8]

Choreography Round

This season, the Callbacks/Academy Round was renamed the Choreography Round and took place over the course of one day, as opposed to one week like past seasons. The Choreography Round consisted of three rounds led by creative producer/choreographer, Mandy Moore. The first round had the contestants dancing in their own style, the second round focused on partner work and the third round was a group routine. 42 contestants made it to the choreography round and contestants were eliminated after each round until 12 remained to advance to the studio shows.

Contestants

Top 12 Contestants

Female contestants

ContestantAgeHome TownDance StyleElimination datePlacement
Alexis Warr21Orem, UtahLatin BallroomN/AWinner
Essence Wilmington20Davenport, IowaHip HopAugust 3, 2022Top 3
Ralyn Johnson18Walker, LouisianaContemporaryJuly 27, 2022Top 6
Anna Miller18San Ramon, CaliforniaContemporaryJuly 13, 2022Top 8
Jordan Betscher24Cincinnati, OhioJazzJune 29, 2022Top 10
Virginia Crouse21Hammond, LouisianaContemporaryJune 22, 2022Top 12

Male contestants

ContestantAgeHome TownDance StyleElimination datePlacement
Keaton Kermode20Fairland, IndianaContemporaryAugust 10, 2022Runner-Up
Beau Harmon23Kennesaw, GeorgiaMusical TheaterJuly 27, 2022Top 6
Carter Williams20Sandy, UtahLatin BallroomJuly 27, 2022Top 6
Waverly Fredericks20Washington Heights, New YorkContemporaryJuly 13, 2022Top 8
Thiago Pacheco18Boston, MassachusettsContemporaryJune 29, 2022Top 10
James "Lord Finn" Thomas26Chicago, IllinoisHip HopJune 22, 2022Top 12

Elimination chart

Contestants are listed in chronological order of elimination.

- + Legend - Female Male Bottom 3/4 contestants Eliminated
Result show date:6/156/226/297/137/207/278/38/10
ContestantResults
Alexis WarrBtm 4Btm 3Winner
Keaton KermodeRunner-Up
Essence WilmingtonBtm 4Elim
Beau HarmonBtm 4Btm 3Elim
Carter WilliamsBtm 4Btm 4
Ralyn JohnsonBtm 4Btm 3
Anna MillerElim
Waverly FredericksBtm 4
Jordan BetscherBtm 4Elim
Thiago PachecoBtm 4
James "Lord Finn" ThomasElim
Virginia CrouseBtm 4

Studio shows

Once again, the Bottom 2 vote-getters of each gender will face elimination & the judges vote, with one male & one female leaving each round. However, for the first time this series only the studio audience can vote for which dancer should stay in the competition.

Top 12 Perform Part 1 – The Dancers Dozen (June 15, 2022)

In this round, each pair danced a routine in the Main Style of the Male Partner. This is the 300th episode of the show. No elimination took place this week.

DancersStyleMusicChoreographer(s)Results
Virginia CrouseHip Hop"Drop It Like It's Hot" — Snoop Dogg ft. Pharrell WilliamsLuther BrownBottom 4
James "Lord Finn" ThomasSafe
Jordan BetscherContemporary"Bob in the Rain and the Lizard of Hope" — Tom RosenthalMandy Korpinen & Elizabeth PetrinSafe
Waverly Fredericks
Anna MillerBroadway"Dancing in the Dark" — Frank SinatraAl BlackstoneSafe
Beau Harmon
Essence WilmingtonContemporary"No More 'I Love You's'" — Annie LenoxTessandra ChavezBottom 4
Thiago Pacheco
Ralyn JohnsonJive"I'm Still Standing" — Elton JohnAlan BerstenSafe
Carter WilliamsBottom 4
Alexis WarrContemporary"Rome" — Dermot KennedyTalia FaviaSafe
Keaton Kermode

Top 12 Perform Part 2 – Girl's Night Out (June 22, 2022)

Each pair will now dance the main style of the Female Partner. Two dancers (one girl & one boy) will go home at the end of the show

DancersStyleMusicChoreographer(s)Results
Ralyn JohnsonContemporary"Mindless Town" — Roman LewisTeddy ForanceSafe
Carter Williams
Alexis WarrCha Cha"I Like It Like That (Uproot Andy Remix)" — Pete RodriguezPasha Pashkov & Daniella KaragachSafe
Keaton Kermode
Virginia CrouseContemporary"Eight" — Sleeping At LastJaci RoyalEliminated
James "Lord Finn" Thomas
Jordan BetscherJazz"Can't Buy Me Love" — Michael BubléDominique KelleyBottom 4
Waverly Fredericks
Anna MillerContemporary"exile" — Taylor Swift ft. Bon IverTalia FaviaSafe
Beau Harmon
Essence WilmingtonHip Hop"The One" — Mary J. Blige ft. DrakeMel CharlotSafe
Thiago Pacheco

Top 10 Perform – Around the World (June 29, 2022)

This week, the Top 10 were assigned new partners & danced styles originating from different countries around the world

DancersStyleCountry of OriginMusicChoreographer(s)Results
Anna MillerSalsaHavana, Cuba"Don't Go Yet" — Camila CabelloJonathan & Oksana PlateroSafe
Carter WilliamsBottom 4
Essence WilmingtonBollywoodMumbai, India"Chikni Chameli" — Agneepath (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)Achinta S. McDanielSafe
Waverly Fredericks
Jordan BetscherViennese WaltzVienna, Austria"Fall On Me" — Andrea Bocelli & Matteo BocelliSasha Farber & Emma SlaterEliminated
Beau HarmonSafe
Ralyn JohnsonAfrican JazzNairobi, Kenya"Into The Light" — District 78 & Sean CheesmanSean CheesmanSafe
Keaton Kermode
Alexis WarrBroadwayNew York City, United States"City Lights" — Liza MinelliAl BlackstoneBottom 4
Thiago PachecoEliminated

Top 8 Perform – Turn Back Time (July 13, 2022)

The dancers were once again given new partners & performed a routine inspired by a previous decade, as well as a solo in their own style

Duets

DancersStyleDecadeMusicChoreographer(s)Results
Ralyn JohnsonJazz1950's"I Want You To Be My Baby" — Georgia GibbsJonathan RedavidBottom 4
Beau Harmon
Essence WilmingtonDisco1970's"Boogie Wonderland" — Earth, Wind, & FireDoriana SanchezSafe
Keaton Kermode
Waverly FredericksPop-Jazz1980's"Straight Up" — Paula AbdulSean CheesmanEliminated
Anna Miller
Alexis WarrContemporary1990's"I Have Nothing" — Whitney HoustonRobert RoldanSafe
Carter Williams

Solos

DancersStyleMusic
Waverly FredericksContemporary"Throne" — ASADI
Anna Miller"Me and Bobbie McGee" — Janis Joplin
Carter WilliamsLatin Ballroom"Bailar" — Deorro ft. Elvis Crespo
Alexis Warr"Sax" — Fleur East
Beau HarmonMusical Theater"Big Spender" — Shirley Bassey
Ralyn JohnsonContemporary"Nicest Thing" — Kate Nash
Keaton Kermode"I've Been Loving You Too Long" — Otis Redding
Essence WilmingtonHip Hop"Look At Me Now" — Chris Brown ft. Busta Rhymes & Lil Wayne

Top 6 Perform – Starry Starry Night (July 20, 2022)

Since the judges could not reach a decision, no contestant was eliminated this week.

DancersStyleMusicChoreographer(s)Results
Carter Williams
Bailey Munoz
Hip Hop"Alive" — Lil Jon, Offset & 2 ChainzGabe de GuzmanSafe
Alexis Warr
Amy Yakima
Jazz"Escalate" — Tsar BEllenore ScottBottom 3
Keaton Kermode
Ezra Sosa
Jive"King Creole (Viva Mix)" — Elvis PresleySasha Farber & Emma SlaterSafe
Essence Wilmington
Koine Iwasaki
Contemporary"Slow Me Down" — Emmy RossumJaci RoyalSafe
Beau Harmon
Lex Ishimoto
Contemporary"Say I'm Sober" — Billy LockettTalia FaviaBottom 3
Ralyn Johnson
Comfort Fedoke
Hip Hop"Blick Blick" — Coi Leray & Nicki MinajLuther BrownBottom 3

Top 6 Perform Part 2 – Head 2 Head (July 27, 2022)

Head to Head Solos

New to the series, each dancer was paired against each other in a head to head dance off. The loser of each pair is eliminated. There were no judge's saves this week.

Round 1
DancersStyleMusicResults
Carter WilliamsJive"Proud Mary" — Tina TurnerEliminated
Alexis WarrCha Cha/Paso Doble"Do It To It" — Acraze ft. CherishSafe
Round 2
DancersStyleMusicResults
Essence WilmingtonHip Hop"Dior" — Pop SmokeSafe
Ralyn JohnsonContemporary"We Don't Eat" — James Vincent McMorrowEliminated
Round 3
DancersStyleMusicResults
Beau HarmonMusical Theater"That's Life" — Frank SinatraEliminated
Keaton KermodeContemporary"At This Moment" — Billy Vera and the BeatersSafe

Top 3 Perform – The Final Cut (August 3, 2022)

Each dancer performed a duet with their fellow contestants as well as a duet in their own style with an All Star.

DancersStyleMusicChoreographer(s)Results
Alexis WarrBollywood
(w/ Keaton Kermode)
"Jai Jai Siva Sankaraa" — Benny Dayal & Nakash AzizNakul Dev MahajanSafe
Contemporary
(w/ Essence Wilmington)
"Hero" — Mariah CareyChase Haley Bowden
Argentine Tango
(w/ Kiki Nyemchek)
"Obertura" — Forever TangoLeonardo Barrionuevo & Miriam Larici
Essence WilmingtonContemporary
(w/ Alexis Warr)
"Hero" — Mariah CareyChase Haley BowdenEliminated
Hip Hop
(w/ Robert Green)
"Wipe Me Down" — Lil Boosie ft. Foxx & WebbieMel Charlot
Jazz
(w/ Keaton Kermode)
"Vibe Check" — District 78 & Leah LeviEllenore Scott
Keaton KermodeBollywood
(w/ Alexis Warr)
"Jai Jai Siva Sankaraa" — Benny Dayal & Nakash AzizNakul Dev MahajanSafe
Contemporary
(w/ Audrey Case)
"A Song For You" — Donny HathawayRobert Roldan
Jazz
(w/ Essence Wilmington)
"Vibe Check" — District 78 & Leah LeviEllenore Scott

The Season 17 Finale (August 10, 2022)

Each of the finalists performed four times: a duet with a fellow Top 12 finalist of their choice, a duet outside of their style with an All Star, a solo and in a duet with each other.

!Dancers!Style!Music!Choreographer(s)!Results
Alexis WarrSamba
(w/ Carter Williams)
Samba — Gloria EstefanSasha Farber & Emma SlaterWinner
Contemporary
(w/ Jason Glover)
"The End." — November UltraRobert Roldan
Jazz
(w/ Keaton Kermode)
"Snake" — Rony Rex feat. Nani CastleBrian Friedman
Keaton KermodeContemporary
(w/ Anna Miller)
"Stayaway (Recorded at Electric Lady Studios NYC)" — MUNATalia FaviaRunner-Up
Hip Hop
(w/ Lex Ishimoto)
"Going Bad" — Meek Mill feat. DrakeNika Kljun
Jazz
(w/ Alexis Warr)
"Snake" — Rony Rex feat. Nani CastleBrian Friedman

Solos

!Dancers!Style!Music!Results
Alexis WarrSamba"Machika" — J Balvin, Jeon & AnittaWinner
Keaton KermodeContemporary"Love On The Brain" — Noah GuthrieRunner-Up

Ratings

U.S. Nielsen ratings

ShowEpisodeFirst Air DateRating
(18–49)
Share
(18–49)
Viewers
(millions)
Rank
(timeslot)
Rank
(night)
1Dance is Back! Auditions Show 10.332.07[9] 38
2Auditions Show 20.321.26[10] 3 (tied)8 (tied)
3Auditions Show 30.331.60[11] 49 (tied)
4The Big Cut – Choreography Round0.321.40[12] 312 (tied)
5The Dancers Dozen0.331.74[13] 29 (tied)
6Girls Night Out0.331.54[14] 412
7Around the World0.331.51[15] 412
8Turn Back Time0.331.55[16] 36
9Starry Starry Night0.331.40[17] 4 (tied)9 (tied)
10Head 2 Head0.331.54[18] 37
11The Final Cut0.221.49[19] 413
12The Season 17 Finale0.331.46[20] 310

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Rosario . Alexandra Del . April 5, 2022 . Fox Sets Summer Premiere Dates For 'So You Think You Can Dance', 'MasterChef', 'Lego Masters', 'Fantasy Island' & More . April 5, 2022 . Deadline Hollywood . en-US.
  2. Web site: Fox Not Moving Forward With Production On 'So You Think You Can Dance' Due To COVID-19. Deadline Hollywood. June 18, 2020.
  3. Web site: 'So You Think You Can Dance': Matthew Morrison & JoJo Siwa Join As Judges Alongside Stephen 'tWitch' Boss As Cat Deeley Also Returns. Deadline Hollywood. White. Peter. April 4, 2022. April 23, 2022.
  4. Web site: Matthew Morrison Out as 'So You Think You Can Dance' Judge After Not Following 'Competition Production Protocols'. Variety. Shafer. Ellise. May 27, 2022. May 28, 2022.
  5. Web site: Matthew Morrison Fired from SYTYCD for 'Flirty' Messages That Made Contestant 'Uncomfortable': Source. People. June 1, 2022. May 31, 2022.
  6. Emmy Award Winner Leah Remini to Join Stephen "tWitch" Boss and JoJo Siwa on the "So You Think You Can Dance" Judging Panel. Fox. The Futon Critic. June 10, 2022. June 10, 2022.
  7. Web site: Stephen 'tWitch' Boss, Former Ellen DeGeneres Show DJ and SYTYCD All-Star, Dead at 40. People. Dory. Jackson. Melody. Chiu. December 14, 2022. December 14, 2022.
  8. Web site: Emmy Award-Winning "So You Think You Can Dance" Returns For 17th Season on FOX. The Futon Critic. February 20, 2020.
  9. Web site: Wednesday 5.18.2022 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals. Showbuzz Daily. Mitch Metcalf. May 19, 2022. May 19, 2022.
  10. Web site: Wednesday 5.25.2022 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals. Showbuzz Daily. Mitch Salem. May 26, 2022. May 26, 2022.
  11. Web site: Wednesday 6.1.2022 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals. Showbuzz Daily. Mitch Salem. June 2, 2022. June 3, 2022.
  12. Web site: Wednesday 6.8.2022 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals. Showbuzz Daily. Mitch Metcalf. June 9, 2022. June 9, 2022.
  13. Web site: Wednesday 6.15.2022 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals. Showbuzz Daily. Mitch Salem. June 16, 2022. June 16, 2022.
  14. Web site: Wednesday 6.22.2022 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals. Showbuzz Daily. Mitch Metcalf. June 23, 2022. June 23, 2022.
  15. Web site: Wednesday 6.29.2022 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals. Showbuzz Daily. Mitch Salem. June 30, 2022. June 30, 2022.
  16. Web site: Wednesday 7.13.2022 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals. Showbuzz Daily. Mitch Salem. July 14, 2022. July 14, 2022.
  17. Web site: Wednesday 7.20.2022 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals. Showbuzz Daily. Mitch Metcalf. July 21, 2022. July 21, 2022.
  18. Web site: Wednesday 7.27.2022 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals. Showbuzz Daily. Mitch Salem. July 28, 2022. July 28, 2022.
  19. Web site: Wednesday 8.3.2022 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals. Showbuzz Daily. Mitch Salem. August 4, 2022. August 4, 2022.
  20. Web site: Wednesday 8.10.2022 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals. Showbuzz Daily. Mitch Metcalf. August 11, 2022. August 11, 2022.