I am legitimately saddened to blog that CTV has canceled So You Think You Can Dance Canada after four seasons.
The news comes two days after I attended the finale taping, which saw Jordan Clark of Tottenham, Ont. crowned Canada's favourite dancer.
While I've long given the show's on-air personalities a hard time for not being Cat Deeley, fans and critics have consistently praised the show for the dancing talent, as Canada's contestants really stood up and at times exceeded the talent on the original American show.
Money and ratings are being blamed for the cancellation. Though it averaged more than a million viewers per week this season, Sunday's season finale was down 30 per cent over last year. CTV similarly canceled Canadian Idol in 2008 after six seasons, with belief being the network was dedicating its finances to SYTYCDC.
Here's official word via the Toronto Star from Scott Henderson, vice-president, communications, Bell Media:
“The producers of So You Think You Can Dance Canada created four seasons of groundbreaking, high-quality television, delivering on a creative level everything you could ask for as broadcaster, and ending on a creative high note. After four seasons and 92 episodes, CTV has decided to pursue other program strategies. This decision was made after careful consideration, including viewership and economic factors. We remain extremely proud of the legacy of So You Think You Can Dance Canada, including raising the profile of dance in this country.”
And here's the reaction of SYTYCDC's talent. Note the jabs at CTV:
TRE ARMSTRONG, JUDGE:
“I’m really upset because this was a passion of mine, this was my life. Canada really deserves this show still, we really want it. We still need it. The dancers across Canada still need this platform to shine. It really is such a horrible shame that it’s gone so quickly. Too quickly. It was the second highest rated show. I really don’t understand what happened.”
JEAN-MARC GENEREUX, JUDGE:
“I have no regrets as far as what we produced. But (I have) a lot of questions in my head about why a network like CTV, an independent network, who always said they were going to do the best, the best, the best, which is what we were and we’re no longer apparently on air.
“At the end of the day, I don’t understand why a network would do this. Our production was responsible for the entire dance industry in Canada. (The show) was about one thing: culture and dance. I’m really, really sad, but dancing just lost its platform in Canada.”
BLAKE MCGRATH, CHOREOGRAPHER AND GUEST JUDGE:
“SYTYCDC has changed dance in our country forever. It’s unfortunate that it has been cancelled, even with high ratings, amazing production and incredible dancers. Sad that Canada will not be blessed to watch the younger generation of dancers. I am positive they will be given their time to shine elsewhere."