The WORST episodes of So You Think You Can Dance

#1 - The Top 4 Perform

Season 4 - Episode 22 - Aired 8/6/2008

It was the first part of the two-night finale on "So You Think You Can Dance?" and host Cat Deeley threw a curve ball at us from the start. In an effort to change things up -- and perhaps to stretch another episode into two hours! -- each of the remaining dancers would perform with every other dancer. That meant the two girls would dance with each other, as would the two guys. Suddenly, those rumors of Lance Bass pairing up with another dude on "Dancing with the Stars" don't seem so special, huh? During the introduction, there was no immediately mention of the reports that Twitch and Joshua were rushed to the hospital earlier in the week after suffering from dehydration during rehearsals. Guest judge Mandy Moore joined regulars Mary Murphy and Nigel Lythgoe and Cat got the action started quickly, introducing the first dance from Courtney and Twitch.

#2 - New York Auditions

Season 3 - Episode 1 - Aired 5/24/2007

The season premiere starts with auditions in New York.

#3 - Top 6 Perform

Season 7 - Episode 16 - Aired 7/21/2010

#4 - Turn Back Time

Season 17 - Episode 8 - Aired 7/13/2022

And then there were eight! The Top Four dancers from last week will pick their partners and dance in random genres. Then, all eight dancers will showcase their talents in solo rounds to win over the audience and our expert panel of judges. Two dancers will face elimination and only six will remain.

#5 - Auditions #4: Chicago

Season 2 - Episode 3 - Aired 6/1/2006

The final stop in this round of auditions: the famous Chicago Theater. As before, the dancers get to dance for 1 min. before a decision is made, then each contestant is given either a "Yes," which was accompanied by a ticket to Vegas, a "No," which means to go home, or a "Stick Around," which means that they are to stay for extra choreography before the judges decide their fate. This year, the winning dancer will be awarded bigger than last. He/She will receive a one year contract for Celine Dion's Vegas show, a brand new car and $100K cash.

#6 - Auditions #1: New Orleans / Chicago

Season 11 - Episode 1 - Aired 5/28/2014

So You Think You Can Dance soars into its 11th season this May with a two-hour premiere event showcasing America's most talented dancers during the audition rounds. In Season 11, producers travel across the country in search of dancers who represent the best America has to offer. Those who shine during auditions will be given a ticket to callbacks in Los Angeles, where they work with top choreographers to learn and then be judged on multiple styles of dance. Some dancers wow the judges, while others leave them speechless. See who struts into the judges' hearts and who trips up.

#7 - 2 of 18 Voted Off

Season 8 - Episode 9 - Aired 6/23/2011

Two of the final 18 dancers are sent home.

#8 - Dance Is Back! Auditions Show 1

Season 17 - Episode 1 - Aired 5/18/2022

The first round of auditions begins.

#9 - Top 8 Results

Season 2 - Episode 19 - Aired 7/27/2006

The remaining 8 dancers performed an opening number choreographed by Tyce Di Orio and set to "Cell Block Tango." Then, Cat showed a recap of last week's dances and backstage clips from last week. Next, Cat revealed the bottom 2 male and female dancers. For the females, Natalie and Allison were in the bottom 2. And, for the males Ryan and Travis were in the bottom 2. Each dancer in the bottom 2 performed a solo and then Busta Rhymes performed live. Cat announced which dancers were sent home and those 2 dancers each performed another solo.

#10 - Top Twenty Chosen

Season 3 - Episode 5 - Aired 6/7/2007

Talented dancers who spark the judges' interest during auditions are invited to call-backs in Las Vegas! This is where they work with top choreographers. During the call-back week, the judges choose the Top 20 dancers who will continue in the competition. The Las Vegas Round will air Wednesday, June 6 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) and Thursday, June 7 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT), when the top 20 finalists 10 males and 10 females will be announced.

#11 - 2 of 20 Voted Off

Season 5 - Episode 7 - Aired 6/11/2009

Two of the top 20 dancers are eliminated from the competition. Rapper Sean Kingston performs.

#12 - Top 6 Perform

Season 15 - Episode 12 - Aired 8/27/2018

After the Top 6 compete for the nation's vote, 2 dancers must head home.

#13 - Top 8

Season 2 - Episode 18 - Aired 7/26/2006

This week, Cat introduced us to Nigel Lithgoe, Mary Murphy and Dan Karaty as our judges. Then, the dance performances started. Donyelle and Travis performed a hip-hop routine, Allison and Ivan danced the Argentine Tango, Natalie and Ryan danced a disco routine, and Heidi and Benji danced broadway. For the second round, Donyelle and Travis performed a quick step, Allison and Ivan danced hip-hop, Natalie and Ryan danced a contemporary routine, and Heidi and Benji closed the show and performed a mambo. Afterwards, voting was opened up to the audience.

#14 - Vegas Callbacks 20 Chosen

Season 4 - Episode 5 - Aired 6/5/2008

Auditions in six cities brought more than 200 dancers to Las Vegas for the callbacks on "So You Think You Can Dance?" By the end of the two-hour episode, that group would be hacked to the 20 finalists -- 10 guys and 10 girls -- that will compete for the top prize this season. Host Cat Deeley promised the most competitive Vegas week ever, with the dancers being challenged each day in a different types of choreography. The six-judge panel included husband-and-wife choreography team Tabitha and Napoleon, Mia Michaels and Debbie Allen, who joined regular judges Mary Murphy and Nigel Lythgoe.

#15 - Vegas Callbacks 2

Season 5 - Episode 5 - Aired 6/4/2009

The second set of 20 dancers are brought back for a second audition in Las Vegas.

#16 - 2 of 16 Voted Off

Season 5 - Episode 11 - Aired 6/25/2009

Two of the top 16 dancers are eliminated from the competition.

#17 - Top 10

Season 2 - Episode 16 - Aired 7/19/2006

This week, Cat introduced us to Nigel Lithgoe, Cicley and Olisa, and Jean-Marc Genereux as our judges. This week, pairs were randomly drawn. Each pair danced twice and each dancer performed a solo. Ivan and Martha performed a hip-hop routine, then Donyelle performed her solo. Travis and Heidi danced the Paso Doble, Ryan and Allison danced a contemporary routine, and the next batch of solos included Martha and Ivan. Next, Dmitry and Donyelle danced the lindy hop, Benji and Natalie performed a jazz routine, and Heidi's solo came next. Ivan and Martha danced a smooth waltz and then Travis performed his solo. Ryan and Allison danced broadway style, and Natalie performed her solo with Benji following-up. Donyelle and Dmitry performed a samba, Travis and Heidi danced a contemporary piece, and Allison performed a solo. Next, Benji and Natalie danced hip hop and Ryan's solo finished the night. Afterwards, voting was opened up to the audience.

#18 - 2 of 18 Voted Off

Season 5 - Episode 9 - Aired 6/18/2009

The final 18 dancers will be cut down to 16 at the end of the evening.

#19 - 2 of 12 Voted Off

Season 5 - Episode 15 - Aired 7/9/2009

Two more of the remaining 12 dancers are voted off the show. Singers Kelly Rowland and David Guetta perform.

#20 - Head 2 Head

Season 17 - Episode 10 - Aired 7/27/2022

The top six take the stage once again to impress the judges and voting audience, dancing three performances each; the dreaded eliminations return.

#21 - Results - Top Twenty

Season 3 - Episode 7 - Aired 6/14/2007

The first LIVE results show revealing America's vote will air, and one male and one female performer will be sent home. Special guest Lloyd performs "Get it Shawty". Nigel Lythgoe, Mary Murphy, and Dan Karaty were on the judging panel.

#22 - 2 of 14 Voted Off

Season 5 - Episode 13 - Aired 7/2/2009

Two more of the remaining 14 dancers are voted off the show. A pas de deux is performed by dancers Desmond Richardson and Patricia Hachey.

#23 - Top 18 Perform

Season 5 - Episode 8 - Aired 6/17/2009

The remaining 18 dancers hit the stage again for this week's performances.

#24 - Top 14

Season 2 - Episode 12 - Aired 7/5/2006

The episode began with never-before-seen audition clips. Then, Cat introduced us to this week's judges: Nigel Lithgoe, Mary Murphy and Dan Karaty, and we saw Lil' perform with his crew.This week's pairs danced together:Ryan and Heidi danced hip-hop, Travis and Martha performed a salsa routine, Dmitry and Ashlee performed contemporary, Musa and Natalie danced a disco routine, Benji and Donyelle performed the Vienesse Waltz, Ivan and Allison danced the West Coast Swing and Jaymz and Jessica danced hip-hop.Afterwards, voting was opened up to the audience.

#25 - Top 10

Season 1 - Episode 8 - Aired 9/7/2005

At the beginning of the episode, 2 dancers from last week are cut. At that point, the competition continues in the same format as last week, except this week reveals a new twist; when the females pick their partner, the males pick two dance styles. Each pair will dance twice, each time to a different style. This week, Brian, Mia, Nigel and Dan are the judges. Mary will take part in the choreography. The 10 dancers complete round 1 in the following pairs: Melissa and Artem (pop and quick step), Kamilah and Nick (tango and pop), Melody and Ryan (lyrical and fox trot), Destini and Jamile (quick step and hip hop) and Ashle and Blake (samba and lyrical). In round 2, 2 couples are put up for elimination. These couples then dance as individuals and the audience votes for who to save at the end of the show.