Just a few days after the Season 4 So You Think You Can Dance Canada premier, fans all over the country are geared up to embark on this year’s journey to find Canada’s next favourite dancer. Following a number of young hopefuls during the ups and downs of a difficult on air dancing competition, the new season and its judges promise to be bigger and better than any season prior. As judge Tré Armstrong reveals, viewers will be treated to sexy dancing and a lot of talent as early on as the first three minutes of the season.

“I’m anxious and nervous and excited and overwhelmed at the same time to see the show tonight,” Armstrong told andPOP on Monday, a mere few hours before the premier. “[It’s the] best season yet for sure.”

However, it’s definitely not all fun and games for the contestants. As every other season, this time around each competitor who the judges are unconvinced should proceed to Finals Week in Toronto must come face to face with their worst nightmare – a little thing called “Blake Boot Camp.”

“It’s definitely the first moment where their eyes really kind of start to bulge out of their heads and say wow, okay, I didn’t know how hard this is going to be,” says Armstrong’s co-judge and choreographer, Blake McGrath. “We do that to prepare them for the shows. It’s a really gruelling process.” The experience, which McGrath titles interesting, fun, and crazy, definitely takes its toll on the contestants’ nerves. “I think people throw up this year, actually,” the judge reveals.

First up on the audition list? T-Dot. Having been the first audition episode to air, the show’s two-hour slot was full of amazing and horrible auditions alike, a handful of familiar faces, and siblings of contestants past. “They murdered the floor,” says Armstrong of the Toronto auditions. “Each year everyone says Toronto is the north Hollywood. Then we get to Toronto, and for some reason we have really good dancers, which last year proved because Denys won. [And] this season? Phenomenal dancers. I think that’s why Toronto’s the first episode.”

From what we got to see in the season premier, it seems that majority of the auditions were just that – phenomenal. Not only did the contestants dominate their auditions, but the ones who were sent to boot camp passed with flying colours – a task extremely difficult to accomplish when it comes to the choreography and wrath of McGrath.

Not all auditions are fun and games, however. The judges reveal that as every past season, this one will have its fair share of bad auditions where they must tell a contestant that dancing is not their calling. “You can usually tell who is there for the gimmicks or they’re honestly really into it,” admits McGrath. “If you know that they’re just there for the shits and giggles, you’re going to shit and giggle with them.”

“Sometimes you have to let a person breath,” adds Armstrong. “They might not be the best but it’s okay, let them live. Maybe they just wanted an opportunity to express themselves, and you have to be willing and able as a judge to see the difference. But those who come back to do it just for show and to laugh at us, no. This is professional, this is real. We won’t allow that. So we’ll tell you about yourself very quickly.”

Returning contestants are not always a bad thing, though, reveals Armstrong. The judge, who has been a main presence in the show from Season 1, admits it has happened that a not-so-amazing-dancer from a previous season has returned to audition and surprise the judges at how much they have improved. “You see some returns where you go really, you came back? And then you might just go wow, thank you for coming back! And then there’s a few you might go, oh goodie, but then you might go, erks – what happened?! That’s what I like about the show, it’s very surprising this year,” says Armstrong.

With all the amazing talent they get to witness at each of the five audition stops, it is challenging for the judges not to pick favourites among the contestants, even from such an early stage in the competition. “We usually have a good feeling about who will make top forty,” reveals McGrath. “We have those few stars that you know are going to go a long way.” However, McGrath makes a point to note that although the judges might have their favourites, it is up to the Canadian public in the end to decide who they think should be crowned winner. Leaving it in the hands of the people, however, doesn’t seem to worry Armstrong. “Our viewers get it,” she says confidently.

Following the premier episode, it seems that Canada is prepared for the challenge that lies ahead. With 1.1 million viewers having tuned in on Monday night, the show’s up an impressive 11% over last year’s premier, winning the slot of the number one program of the night.  The question is, who will be Canada’s favourite this year, and will they be able to vote the right person through to the end once again?

Toronto-native Denys Drozdyuk, 25, having taken home the dancing crown in the season three finale along with his prize of $100,000 and a 2010 Mazda2, Armstrong says she is ready for a girl to win this time around. While there’s a possibility she is slightly biased in her aspirations – a fault she admits to – McGrath backs up his fellow judge, ensuring that the girls this season are truly amazing.

As a veteran of the show – McGrath was a finalist in the first season of the American So You Think You Can Dance back in 2005 – the judge can undoubtedly understand what it means to be in the contestants’ shoes. “It’s nice that I can lend a hand and be an inspiration for the kids,” he says. “They know I’ve been in their position and I think it’s nice for them to be able to look up to and I can just really help them out in that way that I’ve been through it and know that.”

“As judges, we’ve been given a responsibility to actually develop and invest into our dancers,” adds Armstrong. “Our job not only is to just see the surface; we have to look inside and see if there’s anything to pull. But we only have how many hours in a day to get there so we need those competitors to also step up and help us do that for them.”

With such a tough judging panel, the contestants definitely have their work cut out for them in putting together performances that leave the judges speechless. Yet Armstrong and McGrath have complete faith that this year’s contestants will produce no less.

“They have to let everything go, and just be real and honest with the work and the art,” says McGrath. “It’s not like a high school talent show; it’s something much more deep than that. Especially with the choreographers that they’re working with, we expect the best; they are the best, and so we want the kids to be the best as well.”

While the contestants put hours on end of hard work into every episode, the judges admit that all they must bring to the table each week is themselves, along with their outstanding knowledge and expertise. “We’ve done a lot of our own work, that’s why we’re here,” says Armstrong. “Because we’ve come up as dancers ourselves, it’s like we get it now. Now we just need to show up and be focused, but have fun and laugh a little. Dance shouldn’t always have to be so serious – enjoy it.”

When it comes to the remaining auditions, Armstrong has just one piece of advice that comes in the form of a saying which that rings true for everything in life – “Given the choice to choose, always choose not to lose.”

“Not everyone can afford the big designer clothes,” says Armstrong, “and its stance or struggle to get there. If you have a t-shirt with some little itty bitty jogging pants, wear it proudly, but make sure that your style and the way you put it together is coiffed and finished. Make the right choice. This is an audition. You can’t just come in your PJs and think you’re going to catch our attention just by dancing. You’re dancing will carry you, but you’re style and your confidence and your supernova – that inner star – bring that out. That’s what differentiates you. Be a personality and a person, not just someone in the in the street.”

So You Think You Can Dance Canada airs Monday at 8/7 C on CTV.

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Almost every major broadcaster in the U.S. has it’s own reality dance show. ABC airs “Dancing with the Stars,” MTV has “America’s Best Dance Crew,” FOX shows “So You Think You Can Dance” and Paula Abdul is the star of an upcoming CBS reality dance show.

But it’s not just a mere coincidence. The reason is simple: audiences are craving them. “So You Think You Can Dance Canada” is proof of this north of the boarder. Premiering in 2008, the Canadian reality show became an instant hit. The following year it ended season two with 11 per cent more viewers and an average audience of 1.43 million viewers.

“So You Think You Can Dance Canada has discovered some amazing talent over the past two seasons,” said CTV’s Susanne Boyce. “Show alumni are performing with Janet Jackson, Katy Perry, Alicia Keys, Ke$ha, and Adam Lambert, among others, making a statement about Canadian dance around the world.”

The third season kicked off Sunday at 9 p.m. EST. Performer and choreographer Blake McGrath — who’s a judge on the show — thinks this will be their biggest season yet. “I think it’s gonna be a stronger season for sure all around, from the choreography to the contestants,” he shared. “I’m really excited for it.”

For dancers hoping to make it onto the show, McGrath says the first step is training. Having confidence is a close second.

The reality show kicks off with Toronto auditions. Fans can catch weekly highlights and behind the scenes footage on demand at CTV.ca.

Keep track of the season three audition episodes with the list below:

·         Sunday, August 15 at 9 p.m. ET (two hour premiere) – Toronto Auditions
·         Monday, August 16 at 9 p.m. ET (two hours) – Calgary and Halifax Auditions
·         Tuesday, August 17 at 8 p.m. ET (one hour) – Vancouver Auditions
·         Wednesday, August 18 at 9 p.m. ET (two hours) – Montreal Auditions
·         Thursday, August 19 at 9 p.m. ET (two hours) – Finals Week
·         Sunday, August 22 at 9 p.m. ET (one hour) – Top 20 Reveal

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Eight seasons running. A cult in Canadian pop culture. Winners of the Gemini, Teen Choice and Directors Guild of Canada Awards.

And now Degrassi: The Next Generation finally boasts its first red-carpet TV movie.

But known as a “show of the people”, the season 8 finale Paradise City: Degrassi Goes Hollywood premiere last Wednesday night at Toronto’s Bloor Cinema, allowed tons of lucky special-bracelet-wearing fans bask in Degrassi glory. A free-for-all for snagging autographs and pictures from their favorite cast members, and what’s more- the opportunity to enjoy the movie side-by-side with them too.

And the word got out not only to lucky fans. Among a packed-to-the-brim theatre audience was Camp Rock 2 stars Jordan Francis and Matthew “Mdot” Finley, So You Think You Can Dance Canada winner Nico Archambault, MuchMusic VJ Devon Soltendieck and MTV Live‘s Nicole Holness.

Fresh off of an SUV limo, former Degrassi mean-girl star Lauren Collins (Paige), 23, seemed ecstatic by the outcome.

“I’m so used to just walking around in the area, and just grabbing a pita or something,” a smiling Toronto native Collins tells andPOP. “But all of a sudden you’re just showing up in a limo with cameras and fans, it’s bizarre- not really used to it.”

“But I’m so happy everyone came out.”

Collins represents the previous generation of Degrassi members who have left the show to move on in their respected acting careers: Jake Epstein (Craig) is currently the lead in the touring Tony-Award winning musical Spring Awakening, Nina Dobrev (Mia) is set to star in the hyped fall CTV series The Vampire Diaries, Aubrey Graham (Jimmy) is gearing up for his Hip/Hop debut as Drake- signing with Lil’ Wayne’s record label, and Shenae Grimes (Darcy) is shooting her second season of 90210 in Los Angeles.

This time around in Paradise City, old meets the new, as the Degrassi alumnus share the screen with the show’s newest characters. The bunch make the cross-continent trek from Toronto to Tinseltown where they try their fare share at making it big in the industry.

Jason Mewes plays himself as a director, who’s holding auditions for his new movie “Mewesical High”- which causes a stir among the students at school. Paige, who’s been living in Hollywood to become a fashion designer, hasn’t had the best of luck- finding herself rather working as an assistant to a reality star. But when her sudden audition catches the eye of Robbie (Dan Levy), a studio producer,  she lands the lead role and invites old friends Marco (Adamo Ruggiero) and Ellie (Stacey Farber) down to come along for the ride.

This also causes Manny (Cassie Steele) to carve out her own journey to L.A. -along with Jay Hogart (Mike Lobel) and Degrassi rock band Stüdz- to claim that lead role which she believes is rightfully hers.

“It was amazing,” says Steele, 19, “you know, hanging with Mike Lobel and all the crew, good times laughing.”

But now what would Degrassi be without a little bit of Drama, eh? Well from Paige letting the celebrity life get to her head, to Ellie running into Craig, a former flame who’s been living out west in Los Angeles, clean from his season six coke addiction-  the four-part season 8 finale has a healthy balance of everything on the checklist.

Directed by the series’ very own alumni Stefan Brogren (Snake), the movie was shot both in Toronto and Los Angeles. And it’s obvious that “going Hollywood” requires a few celebrity cameos -which the film delivered, sprinkled throughout the story- including Pete Wentz of Fall Out Boy, Mewes and Kevin Smith (Jay and Silent Bob), Vivica A. Fox, and celebrity blogger Perez Hilton.

“Obviously having Kevin and Jason was so exciting,” recalls Collins. “And also Dan levy and then the L.A. people, I can’t pick one, it was just such a fun experience.”

Known to be avid fans of the show, Smith and Mewes made appearances on seasons 4 and 5, and an on-the-carpet Mewes was in high-spirits about the latest experience.

“It was great,” says Mewes, 35, known for playing the drug dealer Jay, in Jay and Silent Bob. “Those guys were great to have called me, and shooting with all of the cast was awesome.”

Degrassi’s latest Queen-Bee Charlotte Arnold (Holly J.), who was featured only in a brief scene, had nothing but praise toward her fellow cast-mates.

“For me this was exciting,” says the 20-year-old former Naturally, Sadie star, “because I had never seen the movie before, and truthfully, I hadn’t even read the script. So this was brand new, and what they did was incredible, so proud of everyone.”

And for Arnold and the rest of the cast, the fall season is just around the corner, which means back to school at Degrassi Community School for the next two months for season 9 filming. A 22-year-old franchise known to just keep on teaching the lessons of life, but the latest advice now: to catch Paradise City: Degrassi Goes Hollywood,  on CTV on Sunday, August 30 at 8 pm ET.

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Get your dancing shoes ready — “So You Think You Can Dance Canada” is back.

The reality competition has been given the official go-ahead for a second season on CTV.

Audition details will be announced soon.

The show, based on a U.S. series in which viewers vote for their favourite dancer, attracted about 2,500 hopefuls during the cross-country audition tour in its first season.

Montreal’s Nico Archambault eventually won the title of Canada’s favourite dancer.

The first season was considered a ratings success, averaging 1.4 million viewers per week.

The Top 10 contestants are currently in the middle of a 15-city Canadian tour that wraps up in Kingston, Ont., on Feb. 21.

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Leah Miller will be the host of the new Canadian show, “So You Think You Can Dance Canada” airing on CTV later this year.

“Leah’s vibrant charm, previous hosting experience and knowledge of dance makes her an ideal host for this exciting new series. Fun, smart and quick on her feet, viewers and competitors will fall in love with her,” said Susanne Boyce, president, creative, content and Channels of CTV.

Miller is the current host of Muchmusic’s program Much on Demand.

“I cried my eyes out when I found out – I am ecstatic! I have such respect for what dancers are capable of and I am a huge fan of the format. Hosting the homegrown edition of So You Think You Can Dance is such a privilege for me,” Miller said.

Auditions for the show kick off Monday in Vancouver and continue across the country until June.

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