So You Think You Can Dance always stands out as one of summer's best shows, and E! News is celebrating the brillance as part of a weeklong series of special segments taped behind the scenes at your favorite summer shows.
So what does Cat Deeley drink before each taping? Press play above to find out more about the backstage world of SYTYCD with the hostess with the mostess, executive producer Nigel Lythgoe and superduper choreographer Travis Wall:
For the record, Cat's drink is champagne. With five minutes to go before showtime, she told E! News: "The one thing I do have time for is one glass of champagne…Every time…I'm hard-core. You've got to be a bit rock 'n' roll with it." Cat, you rule.
For her part, guest judge Megan Mullally celebrates the immediacy of the series, telling us, "Live shows are great—because it's theater…I think [this show] gives people a sense of hope…'Wow, if these kids are capable of that, what am I capable of?' "
Meanwhile, Travis Wall, who was a SYTYCD runnerup in season two and is now back choreographing numbers himself, reveals to our cameras, "This show—it's the fastest thing in the world. We honestly have one and a half hours on the first day and three on the second, so in a total of four and a half hours we have to come up with a brilliant concept/routine, and they have to rehearse themselves, but we only get to use them for four hours for the two days because it's a competition and everything has to be fair…and then it's showtime. Really, it's like, wham, bam, thank you, ma'am."
Who are your favorite dancers this season on SYTYCD? Who are your faves of seasons past? Hit the comments!