
Season eight features the return of Mary Murphy and Nigel Lythgoe as permanent judges and Cat Deeley as host. Also returning is the selection of a Top 20 for the finals, in contrast to season 7's Top 11.

Dancers audition for the judges in New York and Salt Lake City.

The Top 20 dancers are paired up and get their first chance to perform. The judges eliminate two dancers as the show ends.

The remaining 18 dancers perform for a chance to impress the judges. Two more will be eliminated at the end of the episode.

The final 14 dancers are revealed as two more performers are eliminated.

The final 12 dancers are revealed as two more performers are eliminated.

Two more dancers are eliminated as the 10 finalists are revealed.

In Part 1 of the Season Finale, the final 6 dancers perform for America's vote in hopes of becoming America's Favorite Dancer.