The WORST episodes of So You Think You Can Dance
Every episode of So You Think You Can Dance ever, ranked from worst to best by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The worst episodes of So You Think You Can Dance!
The summer hit keeps viewers moving to a different beat as dancers skilled in everything from the “street” styles of Hip-Hop, Krumping, and Popping to Ballroom’s Salsa, Quickstep and Jive compete to be named the nation’s favorite. Hosted by Cat Deeley.
#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 - 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.
#4 - Top 6 Perform
Season 7 - Episode 16 - Aired 7/21/2010
#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 - The Final Cut
Season 17 - Episode 11 - Aired 8/3/2022
The remaining contestants hit the stage and perform two unique numbers before they head to the finals; first they dance together in pairs and then matched with one of the series beloved all-stars: Kiki Nyemchek, Audrey Case or Robert Green.
#13 - 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.
#14 - 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.
#15 - 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.
#16 - 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.
#17 - 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.
#18 - 2 of 16 Voted Off
Season 5 - Episode 11 - Aired 6/25/2009
Two of the top 16 dancers are eliminated from the competition.
#19 - 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.
#20 - 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.
#21 - 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.
#22 - The Season 17 Finale
Season 17 - Episode 12 - Aired 8/10/2022
The final two competitors must impress the judges and voting audience one last time before the winner is crowned; the two finalists must dance five performances each, before the audience decides who outperformed the other and wins the $100,000.
#23 - 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.
#24 - 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.
#25 - Top 18 Perform
Season 5 - Episode 8 - Aired 6/17/2009
The remaining 18 dancers hit the stage again for this week's performances.