While we might not all agree on our favorite dancers or power rankings or on Nigel's critique of Nathan, it seems we all agree on one front: the new So You Think You Can Dance stage sucks.

My piece lamenting the newfangled neon, ginormous, dancer swallowing stage has received the most comments of any So You Think You Can Dance piece this season and over 600 of you have voted in the poll. With 618 votes to date, 91% of you say you hate the new stage. 8% of you say you're ambivalent and only 1%, who I'm pretty sure work for FOX or are actually Nigel Lythgoe, say you love it.


And for those of you who have taken the time to comment on the piece, none of you have kind words. In fact, the stage seems to be universally hated. Here is what some of you had to say about the new stage:


pattiglasner: "Hate it, hate it, hate it. Hopefully we'll be heard before the end of this season. They can at least lose the background and neon lights. Some show of respect for the talent, please."

ladybugh: "I am so relieved that others hate it too. I think it is the worst move they have made. We've actually skipped a lot of this season's show because of the stage. It is cold, difficult to focus on dancers and is so out-dated. It looks like an old MTV set from the 80's. It seems like it also makes it much more difficult for the camera men to actually film the dancers well for TV. Perhaps it looks good if you are there in person but on TV it is terrible. The camera shooting is so bad that you get dizzy. The backgrounds are really crazy."

fifibooboo: "I haaaate the new stage! Why must they change something that works? The new stage takes away so much intimacy. I'm not even sure if the dancers this season aren't up to par or if it's simply the new stage that makes it seem so."

meggwtw: "I despise the new stage, and the most egregious example to date was the Starry Night routine, but not because of the choreography. Who could even watch the dancers or admire the choreography with the ridiculous graphics flashing behind the dancers?? I'm trying to imagine what it would've been like to watch Tyce DiOrio's contemporary dance about breast cancer with huge graphics behind it and I'm thinking it would've totally cheapened the impact of such a heart wrenching routine. Please scrap the horrendous lighting and allow us to just appreciate the dancing again, or I, for one, am going to tune out of this show."

okkris: "I thought it was just me! I'm relieved to know that others feel this way. Nothing about the new stage appeals to my senses. With all the hype about the talent on this season I have been underwhelmed by the performances and wondered why. Please do something!!!"

NomiPW: "Since the beginning of this season, I have had the most difficult time trying to watch the dancers - I am too distracted by the huge stage, neon lights, and the appalling pixelated background. Thank goodness for DVR because too often, I have had to go back again and again to try to keep focused on the dancers. Not once have I felt deeply moved by any dance this season, whereas in the previous seasons, it was a regular occurrence nearly ever Wednesday night. The intimacy and emotion have been lost. I want to see the dancers and the amazingly artistry they bring! This is why I watch SYTYCD, and why I have been a devoted fan since Season 2! How sad that the stage and distracting light show are swallowing them alive. :("

DanicaEnriquez2: "i hate the new stage so much. it's so enclosed. and watching them, it seems like they're so far away. and the background is soo distracting, as clever as it's being used. and there are no stairs to use in the dances. i miss the old stage. so much."

lovethedeep: "well not much else to say because it has all been said -- HATE the new stage -- so cold, grandiose and impersonal - the dancers are dwarfed no matter how hard or big they dance and it feels awkward and distant -- just awful with a capital AWF -- I feel like the dancers are not getting a fair shake on this one as the stage takes away from their performances - it would best suit a COMPANY dancing -- a whole troupe but not two people -- BIG THUMBS DOWN big is not always better."

Out of 56 comments there wasn't a single positive statement about the new stage. Head judge and executive producer Nigel Lythgoe says he's listening about the new stage, but it's time to do more than listen. It's time to change the stage before it ruins the rest of season 6 of So You Think You Can Dance and looses the show's dedicated fans for good.

If you're fed up with the stage, please continue to comment on the original post. Hopefully the louder we scream the more likely Nigel and FOX will listen!



--Abbey Simmons, BuddyTV Staff Writer
(Image Courtesy of FOX)