Why So You Think You Can Dance Won’t Be The Same Without Nigel Lythgoe

screenrant.com:

After a two-year hiatus due to Covid-19, So You Think You Can Dance is finally coming back for season 17 this spring, but without Nigel Lythgoe, and the show won't be the same without him. The popular dance show has had plenty of judge changes over the years, although co-creator and executive producer Nigel always remained. Since he judged all of the show's 16 seasons, many consider Nigel a staple ofthe series.

So You Think You Can Dance season 17 was scheduled to release in 2020, but production halted after the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic. Originally, Nigel was scheduled to appear as a judge alongside Mary Murphy, who regularly appeared in 11 seasons, as well as newcomer Laurieann Gibson. In February, Nigel teased that SYTYCD would return this year, but announced on Twitter in March that he wouldn’t be coming back to the series. Fans were shocked by this news and they want to know why he won't be a part of the popular show.

Related: So You Think You Can Dance: FOX Announces Season 17 Premiere Date

Nigel has been a judge on SYTYCD since the show’s premiere in 2005. In fact, he’s the only judge that’s appeared in every season. As he's a former dancer and choreographer, fans have always appreciated the expertise that Nigel brings to the judges’ table. Without his technical dance knowledge, there has been concern that styles like tap and ballroom (which are extremely technical) will be underrepresented.

The SYTYCD season 17 panel will feature new judges Matthew Morrison and Jojo Siwa, as well as a familiar face, series alum Stephen «tWitch» Boss, who is returning. Luckily, «tWitch» isn’t the only one with dance credentials. Morrison is well-known for his time on Broadway and his starring role on FOX’s hit show, Glee.