In observance of tonight's So You Think You Can Dance finale, we rank this season's celebrity judges.
As the old adage goes, those who cannot do become celebrity judges. (That's how it goes, right?) At least when it comes to So You Think You Can Dance, being a celebrity judge is definitely easier than mastering a dance of any kind! All summer we've seen some really stellar youngsters bend their bones, contort their bodies, and generally defy gravity all for our viewing pleasure (and it has been a pleasure), so as the final four contestants sit back and wait for tonight's results, we thought we'd get a little revenge on their behalf and turn a judgmental eye toward the celebrities who've been hassling and/or praising them all summer.
We've evaluated the celebrity guest judges' merits based on their qualifications, level of criticism, and most importantly, the entertainment value they brought to the show (measured on the Mary Murphy Scale of WOO to WOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!). So here they are: Season 8's celebrity judges, ranked from worst to best.
#11. Katie Holmes
Day Job: Dramatic actress (Dawson's Creek, Don't Be Afraid of the Dark, unsettling home movies)Dance Experience: Unspecified
Typical Critique: "I thought your hustling was terrific."
Entertainment Value:
Our Verdict: We get it, Katie. Everyone looked beautiful and strong. Next time bring more than two vapid compliments (or at least a thesaurus).
#10. Carmen Electra
Day Job: UnclearDance Experience: Former Prince protégé and founding member of the Pussycat Dolls (before they sang).
Typical Critique: "Dang, girl. You were poppin' so hard."
Entertainment Value:
Our Verdict: Weirdly at a loss for words after most of the performances, Carmen Electra at least had the decency to skip out on the results show.
#9. Rob Marshall
Day Job: Film director (Chicago, Pirates of the Caribbean 4-eva)Dance Experience: Tony-nominated Broadway choreographer turned director.
Typical Critique: "You let go of the dance and you were an actress. Period. The end."
Entertainment Value:
Our Verdict: Though certainly knowledgeable, Rob Marshall's overly smooth and diplomatic critiques were just a big orange snoozefest.
#8. Christina Applegate
Day Job: Comedic actress (Anchorman, the upcoming NBC comedy Up All Night)Dance Experience: Childhood dance lessons; adulthood aerobics classes.
Typical Critique: "You are so beautiful and your body... (jealous sigh) Like, whatever with your body."
Entertainment Value:
Our Verdict: Applegate was pretty funny and unafraid to give negative criticisms, but she came off as mostly confused as to what she was even doing there. Fair enough!
#7. Kenny Ortega
Day Job: Film director (High School Musical, the upcoming Footloose remake), inventor of Zac EfronDance Experience: Ortega was a famous film choreographer (Xanadu, Dirty Dancing, Newsies) who also choreographed the world tours of some guy named Michael Jackson.
Typical Critique: "Guys, you did your job."
Entertainment Value:
Our Verdict: Very to-the-point and business-like. He'll get way more respect from us if he actually follows through with his promise to cast Melanie in that Dirty Dancing remake he's directing next.
#6. Debbie Reynolds
Day Job: Film actress (Singin' in the Rain, Mother)Dance Experience: Decades of performance in movie musicals.
Typical Critique: "You did freak me out, in a good way."
Entertainment Value:
Our Verdict: Whether or not Debbie Reynolds was sober that night is not important. What's important is that she is one hilarious old lady. (Betty White, call your lawyer.)
#5. Kristin Chenoweth
Day Job: Comedic actress (Pushing Daisies, Glee, ABC's upcoming G.C.B.)Dance Experience: Extensive Broadway credits include Wicked, most every other Broadway show
Typical Critique: "My whole life my dance teacher told me that I made too much noise for such a little girl. I never hear you make one sound. That is such a big feat, and I don't mean the ones on the bottom of your legs."
Entertainment Value:
Our Verdict: Tiny and chatty, Chenoweth seemed to have the right kind of knowledge and more importantly knew how to entertain a crowd.
#4. Jesse Tyler Ferguson
Day Job: Comedic actor (Modern Family, The Class)Dance Experience: Broadway experience; regular viewership of So You Think You Can Dance?
Typical Critique: "Literally goosebumps. It's like Braille on my arm right now and it's like, 'You are amazing.'"
Entertainment Value:
Our Verdict: Who needs thoughtful criticism when you can get a killer one-liner (or five)?
#3. Megan Mullally
Day Job: Comedic actress (Will & Grace, Childrens Hospital, Party Down)Dance Experience: Trained at a ballet academy.
Typical Critique: "Chills. Crying. As Oprah would say: 'Wow wow wow.'"
Entertainment Value:
Our Verdict: She's one of the more hilarious women working today, but Mullally still took her judging duties seriously by freely dispensing constructive criticisms. Funny yet thoughtful!
#2. Lady Gaga
Day Job: Pop starDance Experience: Seeing as her world tours and music videos are basically wall-to-wall choreography, Lady Gaga was one of the few judges who actually downplayed her dance knowledge.
Typical Critique: "You know what I loved so much? The lean back and the hello, I'm a star."
Entertainment Value:
Our Verdict: Few people understand the appeal of sheer spectacle like Lady Gaga, and this show would be nothing without visceral emotions and spontaneity. Lady Gaga was thoroughly ridiculous in all the best ways.
#1. Neil Patrick Harris
Day Job: Comedic actor (How I Met Your Mother) and semi-professional Awards Show Host (Tonys, Emmys)Dance Experience: He's hung out with tons of dancers?
Typical Critique: "You look like you're from the past, like from the '30s or '40s. You have this glow about you. And you dance like you're from the future."
Entertainment Value:
Our Verdict: While certainly not the most energetic or laugh-a-minute guest judge, Neil Patrick Harris brought a cerebral yet celebratory vibe to the proceedings that fit this show perfectly—at its best, So You Think You Can Dance is a weekly party for an astonishing art form and NPH's comments made us appreciate it all the more. Bring this guy back!
Who was your favorite celebrity judge this season?
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