So You Think You Can Judge, Adam Shankman?

Regular guest judge takes up permanent residency with Nigel Lythgoe and Mary Murphy for new season of dancing reality hit

By Gina Serpe Sep 16, 2009 4:10 PMTags
So You think you can dance, Nigel Lythgoe, Mary Murphy, Adam ShankmanKelsey McNeal/FOX

American Idol's not the only reality show shaking up its judging ranks. It's just doing it with the most amount of fanfare.

Adam Shankman, choreographer, director and Miley Cyrus photo scandal fan-flamer, is moving from frequent to permanent fixture on the So You Think You Can Dance dais this season, filling out the judging trifecta alongside Mary Murphy and Nigel Lythgoe.

"So You Think You Can Dance is one of the most important things to happen in the last decade for the art form," Shankman, who's been a choreographer and regular guest judge on the Fox hit since 2007, said.

"Choreography is how I found my way into this business, and I'm proud to be a part of the show."

And the SYTYCD crew is proud to have him.

"I am extremely happy that Adam has agreed to be a resident judge," Lythgoe, the show's exec producer, cocreator and resident English Muffin, said. "We love bantering and bickering…plus, it must be remembered, it takes a slightly crazy person to work with me and Mary."

Hey, he said it.

Last week, when the new season kicked off, Shankman began tweeting about the difficulties of casting professional aspersions on young auditioners.

"Judging is vry hard & painful," he wrote. "Thr is nothing fun abt telling sum1 they arnt rt 4 the show."

We're sure it'll get easier with more time…and the fan adoration clearly makes things a bit more palatable.

"I dont know wht 2 say…Fans of SYTYCD thank U…You make me remember who i'm. Directing & producing is my job. Dancing is wht i'm."

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Not the hit dancing show you wanted to hear about? Tide yourself over till the next two-step by checking out our Dancing With the Stars couple gallery instead.

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