‘So You Think You Can Dance’ renewed for season 14; Paula Abdul not returning as judge

Let’s start this “So You Think You Can Dance” article with the great news: Fox has officially renewed the competition for a season 14 this summer! Also, it seems as though the network is finally listening to viewers who wanted a more traditional competition. The show is doing away with the misbegotten “Next Generation” twist from last year, and is bringing back a proper season featuring older performers and a format that is familiar to longtime viewers.

In a statement, head judge and executive producer Nigel Lythgoe had the following to say:

“This season is about giving our loyal fan base what they’ve been asking for … We’ve decided to go back to basics by bringing the best of our past formats together for an exciting new summer featuring accomplished adult competitors partnered with fan-favorite All-Star dancers. And, of course, as in past seasons, there will be new surprises which are sure to wow our viewers.”

Now, the bad news: Paula Abdul unfortunately will not be a part of the coming season due to her touring commitments, and there is no word on Jason Derulo’s involvement. If we had it our way, we’d probably pull for a return of Mary Murphy and Adam Shankman, possibly our favorite panel on the show (even though we also loved it when Wayne Brady and Lil C took part). We admit that we weren’t an early adopter of the Hot Tamale Train, but we were on board in the years before we last saw her on the show.

This new season will be airing this summer, and we presume that more news about auditions is going to be announced over the course of the weeks ahead. Stay tuned! The biggest thing that matters to us is that the dancers remain stellar, and that the show can bring on board wonderful choreographers to tell interesting, creative stories through dance.

For now, let us know what you think about this glorious news in the comments, and head over here in the event that you do want to get some further news right now when it comes to the ballroom competition. (Photo: Fox.)