So You Think You Can Dance Season 17. Image Source: TV Insider
Leah Remini talks about taking over the seat as a judge on So You Think You Can Dance Season 17, along with the crew who shares about the milestone.
Leah Remini, who was recently announced as the new judge for So You Think You Can Dance as she will be replacing ex-judge Matthew Morrison, spoke with ET’s Denny Directo about her new role and So You Think You Can Dance reaching a milestone with 300 episodes.
The actress said that when she first received the call, she thought that she loves dancing, dancers, and dance shows, so it made a lot of sense to her that she would be on board to judge the contestants of a dance reality show. She said that she loves artists and she has a dance studio where she dances every day, but it’s not something she is trying to portray to the audience that she should be a judge because she is a dancer, but she is a fan of the show and she loves to dance.
Leah Remini, who appeared on Dancing With the Stars season 17, is excited to take on the seat of a judge at So You Think You Can Dance and join Stephen "tWitch" Boss and JoJo Siwa. The host of the show, Cat Deeley, who has been with the show since its inception, is thrilled to have Leah Remini on the show as a judge and appreciated her addition, stating that she’s able to evaluate the dancer’s performances from an everyday perspective.
Cat added that Leah is brilliant straight away, and it is one of those things that the show needed someone who sits on the couch at home. The host added that she loved their dances and should not be taken out of context, but she is not a dancer and they needed someone like Leah who could break it down for them and be that person that sits on the couch at home and thinks that maybe this did not ring true for me and then they can have open conversations about why it did not work.
Jojo Siwa called Leah Remini hilarious and amazing and said that she is an amazing artist and brought such good energy with her. Fellow judge Stephen "tWitch" Boss added that she offers honesty and said that there is nothing wrong with someone saying that they are not aware of the technical aspect of the dance but mentioned that how one feels like a fellow artist and how one makes them feel and information that they can pass on to them helps in dialing in more. Stephen added that the panel of judges at the show is not just to tell people how good or how bad they are, but about what they can do more to continue to be more phenomena than they already are. The judges are going to help the contestants to grow and grow.
The crew also discussed reaching the magical 300-episode mark, with Cat remarking that it's strange since they feel like they've been doing the show for a long time because everyone who has worked on it has become part of a huge family. She noted that several of the cast members were unmarried when they first started the program and that some of them are now married and have children after 17 seasons. Stephen tWitch Boss, who met his wife Allison Holker on the program and now has children, is the ideal illustration of how much individuals have developed with the show, according to Cat. She went on to say that it's strange because it feels like time has passed but then it feels as if you closed your eyes and we're back, but she believes that everyone appreciates it now a little bit more.
Cat went on to say that she enjoys every moment of her time on the program and that she never dreamed dance could be that strong and magnificent. The host stated that she enjoys traveling to America and bringing her sons over, that the program has earned 17 Emmy nominations, that they all went to the White House and danced with Michelle Obama, and that Lady Gaga performed for the first time on the show, and that everyone is extremely proud.
Stephen said that it's important to remember that dance is a skill, an art, and a sport, and that this program has given them a platform to call dancers by name and have us recognize them. While they were talking about it, Stephen applauded JoJo Siwa, saying that she's not just a great dancer and artist, but she's also developed a brand. Shows like this and others assist to provide dancers with a platform where they can do more than simply dance. The legacy of this is the ability to construct a product around oneself. He believes it helps to clarify all of the possible excursions and expansions for dancers.
When questioned about the milestone episode, Jojo Siwa responded, "tWitch has taken on that." She went on to say that there was never a leader on the panel, which was obvious from the start, but that tWitch was the leader from the start, and properly so. This is his domain. She clarified that she'd be like, 'Yo,' if one appears on 'Dance Moms.' But this is his turf, and she wishes to be respectful of that. However, she regards tWitch as a big brother, and she has stated that she will listen to tWitch's opinions, not just to jade but also to verify her perspective. Alternatively, you may prove me incorrect or be the polar opposite. That's something she does all the time.
So You Think You Can Dance season 17 airs Wednesdays on Fox.
