Emmy Snub: So You Think You Can Dance

I try not to get too whiny when it comes to the Emmy nominations. After all, there are plenty of fantastic series on the air and even more excellent actors delivering stellar performances each season. We can’t expect all of our favorites to get the Emmy cred they deserve but I have a bone to pick with the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. Where’s the love for So You Think You Can Dance?

Why is it that Dancing with the Stars gets nominated in the “Outstanding Reality Series” category and the “Outstanding Host For a Reality Show” category and So You Think You Can Dance, which is a far superior competitive dance show is left out? (View the major categories for this year's Emmy nominations here).

For anyone who bothered to look at the full list of nominations, SYTYCD did receive some nominations. In fact, the series, which follows undiscovered dance talent in an American Idol-for-dance type competition took four of the six noms for “Outstanding Choreography” (detailed list for that category posted below), so it’s not like the Academy completely ignored the series. Then again, it’s entirely possible that the people who vote in the choreography category are all in the dance field, and thus, more inclined to recognize the brilliance in some of the routines featured on that series. All the same, I’m irritated that SYTYCD was left off the list.

What’s more, Cat Deeley is easily one of the best reality TV show hosts in the history of the genre. This isn’t fan-girl hysteria talking here. The woman is just really good at her job. Putting aside her good looks and adorable accent, she’s proven herself to be great on her feet, always coming up with clever things to say post-performance and, much like Ryan Seacrest, is there to offer a consoling hug to the recently eliminated contestants. The woman deserves a nomination for that as much as she does for her willingness to throw her arm over the shoulder of sweaty-dancer after sweaty dancer each week, never cringing as she initiates the judge/contestant dialogue that follows each performance. She’s charismatic, friendly and… outstanding. I think I’m more bent out of shape over Deeley’s snub than I am that the show itself wasn’t nominated.

What say you, readers? Should So You Think You Can Dance have been nominated for the two big reality-tv categories?

Below are the Emmy noms for Outstanding Choreography

81st Annual Academy Awards • Musicals Are Back • ABC • Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences
Rob Ashford, Choreographer

Dancing With The Stars • Jive / Great Balls of Fire • ABC • BBC Worldwide Productions
Derek Hough, Choreographer
Julianne Hough, Choreographer

So You Think You Can Dance • Bleeding Love • FOX • Dick Clark Productions and 19
Entertainment
Tabitha D'umo, Choreographer
Napoleon D'umo, Choreographer

So You Think You Can Dance • Mercy • FOX • Dick Clark Productions and 19 Entertainment
Mia Michaels, Choreographer

So You Think You Can Dance • Adam and Eve / Silence • FOX • Dick Clark Productions and 19 Entertainment
Tyce Diorio, Choreographer

So You Think You Can Dance • A Los Amigos • FOX • Dick Clark Productions and 19 Entertainment
Dmitry Chaplin, Choreographer