So You Think You Can Dance: Season 5
Season 5 Lore Primer
Key plot threads, lore context, and character stakes you need to remember before diving into this season.
- Directly follows the overarching narrative developments of So You Think You Can Dance Season 4.
- Faction dynamics and core character alliances shift under escalating external stakes.
- Crucial mysteries introduced previously reach key turning points and narrative reckonings.
- Sets up serialized story arcs that build directly toward the climactic season finale.
Episode Guide
Season 5 Progress Shield
Auditions: Brooklyn and Denver
May 21, 2009
Dancers audition in Denver, Los Angeles, Memphis, Tenn., Miami, New York and Seattle.
Auditions: Miami and Memphis
May 27, 2009
Season five's second installment features auditions from Miami and Memphis.
Auditions: L.A. and Seattle
May 28, 2009
Los Angeles and Seattle are the sites for the rounds of auditions.
Vegas Callbacks 1
Jun 3, 2009
The contestants are called back in Las Vegas for the first time.
Top 20 Chosen
Jun 4, 2009
The second set of 20 dancers are brought back for a second audition in Las Vegas.
Top 20 Perform
Jun 10, 2009
The Top 20 dancers hit the stage for their first chance to compete.
2 of 20 Voted Off
Jun 11, 2009
Two of the top 20 dancers are eliminated from the competition. Rapper Sean Kingston performs.
Top 18 Perform
Jun 17, 2009
The remaining 18 dancers hit the stage again for this week's performances.
Two of 18 Voted Off
Jun 18, 2009
The final 18 dancers will be cut down to 16 at the end of the evening.
Two of 16 Voted Off
Jun 25, 2009
Two of the top 16 dancers are eliminated from the competition.
Two of 14 Voted Off
Jul 2, 2009
Two more of the remaining 14 dancers are voted off the show. A pas de deux is performed by dancers Desmond Richardson and Patricia Hachey.
Two of 12 Voted Off
Jul 9, 2009
Two more of the remaining 12 dancers are voted off the show. Singers Kelly Rowland and David Guetta perform.
Two of 10 Voted Off
Jul 16, 2009
The final 10 dancers await the elimination of 2 more contestants. Plus, a performance by the Black Eyed Peas.
Top Eight Perform
Jul 22, 2009
The remaining eight dancers will be paired with new partners for this week's performances. Guest Judges include comedian and talk-show host Ellen DeGeneres and Emmy Award-winning c
Two of Eight Voted Off
Jul 23, 2009
In the series 100th episode, Season 2 contestants Travis Wall and Heidi Groskreutz dance to a pair of Wade Robson's routines, and Season 3's Jaimie Goodwin and Hok Konishi perform
2 of 6 Voted Off
Jul 30, 2009
Two more dancers are eliminated and the final four dancers to perform in the finale are revealed. Sean Paul performs JabbaWockeeZ performs.
Top Four Perform
Aug 5, 2009
This is the first part of the season finale. Hoping to become America's Favorite Dancer the final four contestants will perform at the Kodak Theater in Hollywood.
Finale: Winner Announced
Aug 6, 2009
This two-hour season finale will air live from the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood, California. From the Top 4, America's Favorite Dancer will be revealed.