I watched in horror last night (almost throwing my remote at the screen)a show that is no longer about quality dancing for a TV audience. The overwhelming lighting, video billboard, ugly ever-present grid neon set and quick-cut camera work choices all showcase technicians other than the fantastic dancers who should be center stage. I wonder what the brilliant choreographers really think about their work being accented and overcome by a flash of light on a leap or orange background grid lines brighter than the human lines of an outstretched leg? In seasons past I used to be able to see and appreciate what the judges have seen. Shame on the producers for allowing the directors and designers to dominate in such a crass way.

I agree with u 100%! I didn't like to set when they showed it for the first time last season and I really hate it now! Go back to the old basics..

I'm with both of you! I HATE the new set. It is so distracting. The roundness of the design completely dwarfs the dancers and then the back ground screen it beyond obnoxious, I can hardly see the dancers at all and I no longer feel like I'm part of the magic that I've experienced in the past few years. PLEASE bring back the old stage because sometimes change is not good.

I thought it was just me.... Go back to the basics.

I'm joining in the chorus. The set is distracting from the dancers and the camera work has gotten outrageous. If a couple needs a big flashy background to convey the story of the dance they're doing something wrong. There doesn't need to be a Taj Mahal to tell me it's a Bollywood routine. Please and thank you!

The starry night Wade Robson routine drove it home for me. The background was so distracting that I had a hard time making out the dancers. I watch SYTYCD for the dancing - not to stare at pixelated graphics.

I had exactly the same reaction of watching the show the other night. It was distracting with all the props, lighting and smoke it took away from the dancers. The way the show was before they switched the stage and set was much more appealing to watch. I hope they will change it back since this is a show I look forward to watching.

I understand they're trying to bring the show up to an American Idol level, but the stage does not work for a dance show. It's too large and the neon lights are too distracting (it looks like they're dancing on a space ship). The old stage was much more intimate and showcased the dancer's talent, not the success of the show. I really hope they'll move back to the old stage, but I don't know if that will happen.

I feel the stage takes away from the simplicity and the movement of the dancers! It is overwhelmingly distacting, and I find it difficult with the camera veiws to see what is going on! Aside from the stage, I really feel like there is something missing this season! It has lost the feel, connection, and the warmth the previous seasons have offerd! I am very upset to say this, but if things do not change, I will no longer watching! Please fix these issues!

In total agreement. Everyone's covered the stage at this point. My other beef is the camera work. I get dizzy during the dancer intros. And the constant angle changes are distracting and take away from the dances and the dancers. I also don't like the flatness of the new stage. The raised section in the back and the stairs added choreographical opportunities that the current stage simply doesn't have. They took away the character of the stage and replaced it with glitz and lights. Has anyone noticed that during the intros the people out of the spotlight don't know where to be? Or that Cat seems oddly out of place during the solos?