Jason and Jeanine on "So You Think You Can Dance?"

My wife and I have been watching “So You Think You Can Dance?” for the past two seasons and think it’s brilliant television. There are at least a couple of things that really set it apart from the other “reality shows”.

First, it isn’t sensationalistic. The contestants don’t become the whipping boys and girls of the judges, but are treated very respectfully with a constructive approach. This isn’t to say that it isn’t sensational, however. It is definitely that!

Second, the choreography and dance styles don’t pander to popular tastes, necessarily. Many dance styles are explored, from hip hop to ballet to ballroom to contemporary. The choreography is excellent for the most part and by the latter part of the season, the dancers really live up to it.

Tonight was a very memorable show, with Melissa and Ade doing a piece about a breast cancer survivor and her supportive, loving friend. Nigel, the most stuffy and unemotive of the judges, was nearly in tears at the end and the others were visibly weeping. The performance was exceptional and the piece was beautiful and heart rending. Amazing.

It will be agonizing to see any of these last eight leave the show, although I suspect that Evan will be one of them. I have no clue which of the women will be shown the door. I will hate seeing any of the dancers go.

How about you? Any of you out there fans? What draws you to the show?