December 14, 2011 Shoe-throwing, a bloody nose, tears and plenty of smooching on the judging panel – who would have thought this would be happening on So You Think You Can Dance? Season 8 of the Emmy-winning dance reality competition series returns to thrill audiences on AXN this January and as it appears, the entertainment notch has been turned way up, enough to raise a few eyebrows!

The gorgeous Emmy-nominated host Cat Deeley, resident judges Nigel Lythgoe and the ever-excitable Mary Murphy return to helm the show; along with an all-star alumni which includes popular favourites like Allison from Season 2, Pasha from Season 3, Comfort, tWitch (Step Up 3D) and Chelsie from Season 4 and Kathyrn from Season 6. The all-stars will pair with the top 10 contestants in challenging routines from hip-hop and samba to the Cha-Cha, where they not only have to outperform fellow contestants but also outshine their all-star partners!

Certainly, flanked by such capable competition, Season 8’s contestants are not leaving it to chance. Mary Murphy gives a thumbs up to the pool of talent this season after an especially enthralling performance, “You know magic is happening when an entire audience went dead silent. The hair went up on my arms from the very first lift… I will always remember this number and it will go down in my top 10 of great numbers in eight seasons.”

On the heels of a stellar last season which was nominated for eight Emmys and subsequently clinched ‘Outstanding Choreography’ for two dance routines (choreographed by Napoleon Dumo and Mia Michaels) and ‘Outstanding Lighting Direction’ – the celebrity factor has certainly been pumped up in the upcoming season. The star-studded panel of guest judges include Debbie Reynolds (who tap-danced with Gene Kelly in Singin’ in the Rain), Kristin Chenoweth (Pushing Daisies), Carmen Electra (Baywatch, Scary Movie), Jesse Tyler Ferguson (Modern Family), Neil Patrick Harris (How I Met Your Mother), Lil C, Katie Holmes, as well as the highly-anticipated appearance of fashion chameleon Lady Gaga!

True to form, Lady Gaga did not disappoint. Appearing in shades, an aqua-blue wig, a red Versace military outfit, paired with an equally blazing red military hat and 12-inch platform heels, Gaga stole the show. She was moved to tears by the beautiful performance of Filipino-born Marko Germar and all-star Allison Holier, when the former paid tribute to his mother. Later on, in another riveting performance by contestants Sasha Mallory and Melanie Moore, those same 12-inch platform heels were thrown onto the stage, with Gaga’s declaration that ‘everyone can pack up and go home, because that was the performance of the evening’. The heels were later autographed for the two performers as keepsakes. Lucky!

In another equally dramatic episode, contestants Marko Germar and Melanie Moore put up such an entrancing performance with an unforgettable smooch, that they induced the judges into a state of lip-locking hysteria. You heard right! First it was Nigel ambushing Mary, and then Kristin Chenoweth on Lil C, who was then pounced upon by Nigel again… which definitely caused mayhem all over the studio!

With such amazing talent, fabulously entertaining guest judges and their wild antics, doesn’t this sound like this might just be the best season of So You Think You Can Dance yet? What we do know for sure is, this is one season you will not want to miss!

So You Think You Can Dance Season 8 premieres on 20 Jan 2012
Every Friday at 10pm (SG, MY, HK) 9pm (JKT)

In the PH, SYTYCD S8 premieres on 16 Jan 2012 at 9.05pm
Airs twice a week from Jan 23, Every Mon & Tue at 9.05pm

First and Exclusively on AXN