UPDATE: Mike Darnell, Fox's president of alternative entertainment, confirmed at a Television Critics Association event on Jan. 8 that "So You Think You Dance" will air in a two-hour format once a week, with the results layered into the episode. Darnell said it was not a ratings decision, but Fox execs believe viewers will be more responsive to the change, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
"I think it's a nice change of format ... we want to get a few more shows on in the summer," Kevin Reilly, the entertainment president of Fox, said during the TCA executive Q&A, according to THR. "I think it's going to make the show itself more exciting ... I think it's going to be a fun experiment."
Is this the end of the result show?
It looks like Fox is also sick of programming that lasts an hour or two, but only contains a minute of quality television. According to "So You Think You Can Dance" judge and executive producer Nigel Lythgoe via Twitter: "#FOX have cancelled the results show so I will have to change the format of #SYTYCD. At least we have another season at the end of MAY."
Lythgoe reassured fans of the formerly twice-a-week dancing competition series that Season 9, which will premiere in the summer of 2012, is still worth getting excited about. "I'm thrilled we have a new series. We'll do our best to find some great talent starting next week in Atlanta," he tweeted shortly thereafter his initial message on Jan. 1.
"So You Think You Can Dance" fans lashed out on Twitter, tagging their 140-character outcries with #keepthursdaysforsytycd. They also created multiple petitions and new Twitter account: @keepthursdays.
And furious fans weren't alone. Former contestants also expressed their dismay. Season 2 contestant-turned-choreographer Travis Wall tweeted, "I think it's so stupid that FOX cancelled The SYTYCD result show! Boo on their part!" Season 8 contestant Alexander Frost added, "im sure Nigel is thinking what 2 do this very moment lol.No matter what happens to the show.The talent will always be the same."
Frost's sentiment seems to be on target. Later on Jan. 1, Lythgoe tweeted that he and the president of alternative entertainment for Fox are already brainstorming. "I'm certainly not mad at FOX they have supported #SYTYCD FOR 9 seasons," he wrote. "With the help of Mike Darnell I think we have some great new ideas."
In October, Fox renewed "So You Think You Can Dance," which often ranked No. 1 in key demographics during its summer time slot. In its ninth season, however, ratings started to drop. Fox has yet to comment on Lythoge's claim about the result show cancellation.