SYTYCD Shakeup: Cancellation Would've Been Better Than Tween Dancers, Jason Derulo's Return

Tuesday is Groundhog Day, and this So You Think You Can Dance fan has a dream.

Whether or not Punxsutawney Phil sees his shadow, Fox executives must retreat to the nearest conference room, blast audio of Mary Murphy’s “Hot Tamale Train” battle cry on repeat loop, and not emerge until they’ve sent their blueprint for Season 13 through a cross-cut shredder.


The show’s tweaked title — So You Think You Can Dance: The Next Generation — seems studiously designed to trick longtime viewers into thinking it’ll be business as usual when the summer reality staple returns May 30 at 8/7c. (“Hey, it’s just the next generation of gals and guys who’ll have to respectively deal with Nigel Lythgoe’s ‘you’re hot!’ and ‘be more masculine!’ critiques.) But don’t be fooled. Gone is the show’s “18 or older” age requirement — replaced by a new edict to spotlight dancers between the ages of 8-13.