Reality shows have become extremely popular in recent times because of the closeness that people feel to participants. They feel like what happens in these shows is part of everyday life and therefore they can relate to it. So you think you can dance is a new kind of reality show. It seeks to find the best and most versatile dancer from among thousands of people who show up for the audition call. It is a dance reality show. The show has so far been hosted by Cat Deeley and Lauren Sanchez.

The show that was originally cast in America is now also found in Canada and more recently in Australia. It is broadcast by the Fox Network in the US. The show is viewed all around the world from countries as far as Kenya, Italy, India and Japan. The show was created and is produced by Simon Fuller who came into the limelight because of yet another reality show; American Idol and Nigel Lythgoe who is originally from England. So you think you can dance first aired in American televisions on July 20. 2005.

Process

The first stage of the show is the audition stage. Hopefuls from around the country show up for the casting to try and get a chance to be part of the show and hopefully be crowned America's favorite dancer. Three things then happen during this stage. Dancers can make it through to the next round, they aren't convincing so they are given another chance to prove that they are good dancers or can't dance at all and are sent packing immediately.

The top 50 dancers are then placed in groups and they have to undergo week long training in dance styles. Those who make it through then undergo rigorous training in different styles of dance so as to measure the versatility of each dancer. The best twenty then get a chance to perform in front of a live audience and the show is broadcast live throughout the country. Their performances are choreographed by individuals who sometimes double as judges. Choreographers that have also been judges on the show include; Mary Murphy, Mia Michaels, Shane sparks, Dan Karaty, Brian Friedman among others. Each week, two contestants leave the show; a male and a female. The judges nominate the bottom three couples after the performances and the public then gets to vote. The couple with the least votes at the end of the voting process leaves the show.

The show has seen Nick Lazzarini, Benji schwimmer, Sabra Johnson and Joshua Allen crowned as America's favorite dancers in the four so you think you can dance seasons that have aired. The winners are given cash prizes as well as other prizes like a car, an apartment or participation in Celine Dion's Broadway show for a year. The show has seen a record of up to 16million votes cast in a finale show.

The auditions for the fifth season have been announced and are set to begin soon. In the summer of 2007, so you think you can dance finished as the number one show in America.