So You Think You Can Dance is an American television dance competition that airs on the Fox network. The first season premiered on July 20, 2005, with Lauren Sánchez in her only season as host, Nigel Lythgoe as the main judge, and Mary Murphy, Dan Karaty, Mia Michaels and Brian Friedman as most frequent guest judges. Nick Lazzarini was crowned America's Favorite Dancer on October 5, 2005, with 37.7% of the votes. Auditions Locations The main auditions for this season were held in following cities: Format Auditioners had one minute to impress the judges. A contestant deemed to be not good enough was sent straight home, otherwise, they were sent to a choreography round. After that, the judges decided the fifty dancers that got through to the Hollywood week. Minimum age for contestants was 18; maximum was 30. Hollywood week Judges: Nigel Lythgoe, Mary Murphy, Dan Karaty, Mia Michaels, Brian Friedman, Alex Da Silva Hollywood week was held in Hollywood in Los Angeles, California. 25 females and 25 males were invited to participate in the callback auditions. This number was cut down to 8 females and 8 males, a total of 16 dancers that came through to the live shows. Hollywood week included the following rounds, cuts were made at the end: Finals Top 16 contestants Male contestants Canadian-born McGrath has since become lead choreographer and occasional third judge for So You Think You Can Dance Canada ; he is choreographer for those contestants who are sent to choreography. Female contestants Elimination chart Performance nights Week 1 (August 17, 2005) Judges: Brian Friedman, Mia Michaels, Nigel Lythgoe and Dan Karaty Couple dances: Bottom 3's solos: Eliminated: Sandra Colton Jonathan "Jonnis" Tannis Week 2 (August 24, 2005) Judges: Nigel Lythgoe, Mary Murphy, Dan Karaty and Brian Friedman Couple dances: Bottom 3's solos: Eliminated: Michelle Brooke Craig DeRosa Week 3 (August 31, 2005) Judges: Mia Michaels, Brian Friedman, Mary Murphy and Nigel Lythgoe Couple dances: Bottom 2's solos: Eliminated: Snejana "Snow" Urbin Allan Frias Week 4 (September 7, 2005) Judges: Brian Friedman, Mia Michaels, Nigel Lythgoe and Dan Karaty Couple dances: Bottom 2's solos: Eliminated: Destini Rogers Ryan Conferido Week 5 (September 14, 2005) Judges: Dan Karaty, Nigel Lythgoe, Mary Murphy and Brian Friedman Couple dances: Bottom 2's solos: Eliminated: Melisa Vella Artem Chigvintsev Week 6 (September 21, 2005) Judges: Mia Michaels, Nigel Lythgoe, Mary Murphy and Dan Karaty Couple dances: Top