SYTYCD 16 - [Long Delayed!] Encore Finale: This Season's Favorite Routines and America's Favorite Dancer!

Hello again, DanceFans. It has been a long while. Over the many years SYTYCD has been on the air, I grew increasingly superstitious about posting a final episode recap until I knew the show had been renewed for another season. So the Season 16 finale recap sat for a WHILE waiting for a Season 17 renewal. And it finally arrived! Season 17 was coming our way in the summer of 2020! At least it was supposed to be there for us. As we all know, COVID-19 took over the country just as auditions were about to get under way. What would happen to our Shot of Shows? Turns out, it took a loooong hiatus. Other dance competition shows came back over the following two years, but SYTYCD remained on the sidelines. I never fully gave up hope it would return, but I still kept this final Season 16 recap in drafts until I was sure it'd be back on our screens. And tonight, Season 17 finally premieres! There will be changes. Nigel, Mary,  Laurieann and D-Trix are all off the judging panel for a "refreshed" experience. At least we still have Cat hosting! I'm excited to see what this long delayed Season 17 will be, and how the new judges will bounce off of each other and connect with the dancers. But right now, let's wrap up Season 16. When we left off (roughly two years ago), 3 Contempos and 1 B-Boy remained in contention for the title. Who's gonna take the 16th crown as America's Favorite Dancer?

Cat kicks off the two-hour finale by welcoming the full top 10 back for a group number. Decked out in red, they bring the energy! It's a fun mix of partner work and solos. This was a group that had great chemistry together. I hope they have a lot of fun on tour together!

Cat introduces the judges one more 'gain and they all look fab for the occasion.  Nigel Lythgoe, Mary Murphy, Laurieann Gibson and Dominic “D-Trix” Sandoval. They judges will be selecting their favorite routines of the season for encore performances and the finalists will be choosing their favorites as well. Along the way there will be laughs, tears and surprises. Everything we love about this show!

Laurieann's Encore Choice #1: Mariah and Bailey - hip hop routine to Lizzo's "Tempo" with choreography by Luther Brown. It's even better than the first time and the first time was pretty dope. Bailey and Mariah were a great partnership this season. 

Nigel's Encore Choice #1: Ezra and Madison - jazz routine to “You Can Leave Your Hat On” by Joe Cocker, with choreography by Ray Leeper. This was a great moment for them on the show. Definitely worthy another look. These two dance with a great connection and clearly having a great time tonight.

Dominic's Encore Choice #1: Sophie and Eddie - contemporary routine to “When the Party’s Over” by Billie Eilish with choreography by Travis Wall. This was not my favorite routine during the season, but it was a good highlight for Eddie. Sophie's very strong. There's honestly nothing wrong with it, I just feel when compared to previous "mattress routines" in SYTYCD history this one doesn't stand out for me.  

Mariah's Choice: Contemporary with Bailey to “Slide” by James Bay, choreographed by Mandy Korpinen and Elizabeth Petrin. Up on the roof! I'm glad there was enough space backstage to store this set piece since Top 8 week. I'm still in love with the smoke coming out of the chimney. And also the dancing! Are they taking the roof on tour with them? Anyway, solid choice from Mariah. It's a great showcase for them and it's no surprise why it's so special to her.

Mary’s Encore Choice #1: Gino and Stephanie - jive routine to “Long Tall Sally” by Little Richard choreographed by Emma Slater and Sasha Farber. This routine is great fun. I can't believe it landed Stephanie in the bottom two and then eliminated! I wish we could've spent more time with her this season. It's great to see her back with Gino having a blast.

Encore Group Performance - “Enough” by Travis Wall featuring the Top 10. We are not seeing a lot of taped group numbers in this encore finale, which I appreciate, but I'm glad we got to see this one again. It's incredibly emotional and all the dancers just throw themselves into the movement. So beautiful. Great work, all.

Dominic's Encore Choice #2: Anna and Benjamin - Broadway routine to “I’ll Be Seeing You” by Tank and the Bangas choreographed by Aloe Blackstone. So smooth and great storytelling. Benjamin is another dancer I wish we had more time with this season. Can't we get a longer season? 

Mary's Encore Choice #2: Gino and All-Star Comfort - Hip Hop routine to “Get Up” by Ciara featuring Chamillionaire, choreographed by Luther Brown. Mary's choices are all Gino all the time! This is a fun routine with good synchronicity and Comfort never ceases to impress.

After a brief audition montage, Nigel brings out Phoebe Kochis. It's so much fun to see her onstage! I'm glad she got to fulfill her dream to perform on stage. She looks radiant!

Sophie’s Choice (!!!): Contemporary with Gino to “You Will Be Found” from Dear Evan Hansen, choreographed by KC Monnie. This was Sophie and Gino's first dance following the elimination of their other partners. These two definitely had a much stronger dance chemistry than they did with Eddie and Stephanie. In the end, Sophie is crying as is her Dad in the audience. Hang in there, Dad! We're almost at the end.

Next up the Top 10 are joined by all-stars and SYTYCD power couple Cyrus “Glitch” Spencer and Lauren Froderman. These two will join the Top 10 on tour and their powers combine for a powerful hip-hop routine choreographed by Luther Brown. Costumes, hair and makeup are all on point too. I hope these kids have fun traveling the country this fall!

Dominic's Encore Choice #2 - Top 3 Women - jazz routine  “I Can’t Stand the Rain” by Tina Turner choreographed by Ray Leeper. The encore is great, but before the routine, we get a clip of Dom's original audition for SYTYCD from roughly one million years ago. Mary's a brunette! Dominic's a baby! Nigel's got long hair! What a journey it's been for them! If we saw a clip of Cat, she'd look exactly the same.

Mary’s Encore Choice #3 - Bailey and All-Star Koine - Broadway routine to “Mambo Italiano” by Dean Martin, choreographed by Al Blackstone. Three picks for Mary? Okay! Bailey is a born entertainer. He lights up the stage and Koine shines so bright on her own. Two stars a'blazing! Bravo! They finish the dance and the crowd is chanting “Bailey! Bailey!” This dude has to win.

Laurieann’s Encore Choice #2 - Top 3 Men - Contemporary to “Amen” by Amber Run choreographed by Talia Favia. These three are so good together! This is definitely one of the best routines of the whole season and one that will stand out across the series. The staging and lighting are top level as well. The studio audience can't get enough of it.

Gino’s Choice: Jazz with Sophie to “T-R-O-U-B-L-E" by Elvis Presley choreographed by Jonathan Redavid. This is probably my personal favorite from the two of them. They're movement is smooth, Their looks are so polished. Chemistry is locked in. It's great fun. 

Bailey’s Choice: Jazz with Mariah to “Need You Tonight” by INXS choreographed by Ray Leeper. Leeper did some great routines this season! A SYTYCD power couple for the ages, Bailey and Mariah can do no wrong. I wish them the best for incredibly successful careers after the show.

It’s time for some results! Cat is ready to tell us who came in 4th out of these four incredible dancers. Fourth place is…Sophie! This is not a huge surprise. The only surprise here would've been if Bailey was in 4th. It's such a tight competition. Sophie's had an amazing journey this season! Congrats!

Nigel's Encore Choice #2: Gino and Bailey -  jazz routine to "Girl from Ipanema" by Al Blackstone. Before they begin, Nigel notes how short the competitive season was this year (for real!) and they have such incredible dancers, that next year he wants to drop the academy and have a Top 20. The audience cheers! I feel like he said something similar last year and we still had a Top 10 this year. But maybe things will change. Gino and Bailey have a great on stage rapport and this dance is wonderful the second time through.

Laurieann's Choice #3: Ezra with All-Star Gabby - contemporary routine to"Ne me quitte pas” by Jacques Brel, choreographed by Robert Roldan. It's so good! Ezra didn't make the final, but he should be really proud of his work in this piece and I'm glad it got the final slot.

Cat calls the Top 3 back to the stage for some more results. The difference between coming in second and third place was less than one percent! I believe it. But bronze medal status goes to Gino! In the end Bailey and Mariah were the couple that could not be beaten!

No more stalling! Crown the Season 16 champion! Cat opens her envelope and show's it to Bailey to read! He so sweetly and quietly reads his own name out loud. Congrats to the first B-Boy to ever win So You Think You Can Dance! The confetti cannons go off and his fellow contestants rush the stage swarming him with joyous hugs. Cat wraps it all up and as the final seconds of the season tick down, Bailey is hoisted into the air on the Benjamin and Ezra's shoulders in triumph.

It was a beautiful ending. COVID-19 may have cheated us out of our Show of Shows in 2020 AND 2021, but it's back tonight, DanceFans. Enjoy!