A Guide to So You Think You Can Dance Season 4 Judges

This year, at the beginning of each of episode of the reality show, So You Think You Can Dance, host Cat Deeley, encourages the audience to "Please welcome our...Catpauses with hand cupped cutely to her ear...judges!" Everyone chimes in on the word judges and then claps furiously. Most of the choreographers who work on the show take a turn at the judges table from which they offer a couple of "amazing" or " really good" type comments. A few however, stand out as much for their entertainment value as judges as they do for their choreography. Here's a look at the top five most entertaining judges for the Season 4.

Nigel Lythgoe, Head Judge, Executive Producer - "Nasty Nigel" as he was called during his stint as a judge on the popular London Weekend Television's (now ITV) reality show, Popstars, has been performing professionally since the age of nineteen. In 1969, Lythgoe joined the BBC dance troupe, Young Generation, working first as a dancer and then in 1971 as a choreographer. His work with television has spanned four decades and three continents and includes high points such as choreographing The Muppets. In addition to producing So You Think You Can Dance, he is currently president of 19 Television and Executive Producer of American Idol. He holds no awards for dance and is not known for any particular dance style.

Mary Murphy, Permanent Judge, Choreographer - Nicknamed the "Queen of Scream", Mary Murphy is one of those people you either love or despise. A recognized expert in the world of Ballroom, Murphy's bigger, and louder, than life personality has become a keystone of SYTYCD. Originally part of the pool of choreographers who takes an occasional seat at the judges table, she now has a permanent place on the panel. Her phenomenally loud laugh and signature scream has developed into not just a trademark but a goal for contestants. Each week, contestants hope for a shriek and a ride on her "hot tamale train", while audience members and the general public alike vie for the opportunity to experience Murphy's high octane scream. Since 1990 she has operated a dance studio in San Diego, California. She currently organizes and judges The Holiday Dance Classic competition in Las Vegas and also serves as a judge for various ballroom competitions around the country. Murphy is a former U.S. Open Professional 9-Dance Champion (1996) and also the Austrian National 10-Dance and Ballroom Champion (1990, 1991).

Mia Michaels, Guest Judge, Choreographer - Mia Michaels is often controversial and always outspoken, sometimes to the point of brutality. She grew up in the world of dance, learning jazz, tap, and ballet from her father Joe, who ran the Joe Michaels Miami Dance Studio. She also trained at the Miami Conservatory. Michaels has taught, performed, and choreographed all over the world, was on the faculty of The New World School of the Arts and the Harid Conservatory, and is founder of the dance company R.A.W. (Reality At Work). Her choreography on SYTYCD during Season 2 captured an Emmy in 2007 for her piece, "Calling You" performed by dancers Travis Wall and Heidi Groskreutz. She was also nominated for both an Emmy and an American Choreography Award (ACA) for her work with Celine Dion's "A New Day".

Lil' C (Christopher Toler), Guest Judge, Choreographer - Key word: Articulate. Period. The viewers who watched the July 16-17, 2008 shows that included Lil' C on the judges panel were singularly blessed. This young man is not only an amazing dancer and choreographer, but a wordsmith in the truest sense. No screaming, no vitriol or rudeness, just a complete and accurate critique of performance, style, artistry, and interpretation. This is what judging should be. A "street" dancer, krumper Lil' C gained fame and popularity through his work on the dance documentary, "Rize" in 2005. He choreographed krump routines for SYTYCD in Seasons 2 and 3, appeared in the films "Stomp the Yard" in 2007 and "Be Cool" in 2005, and is a featured dancer in David Michalek's exhibit "Slow Dancing". Raised in South Central Los Angeles and educated in private schools, Lil' C blends the best of refinement with raw.

Napoleon and Tabitha D'Umo, Guest Judges, Choreographers - New to the show this season, this pair of choreographers nicknamed "Nappy Tabs" brings an interesting mix to the judges' panel. In previous seasons, when a couple was used as a single judge, they tended to agree with each other. Not so with Napoleon and Tabitha. Lively debate can and does occasionally spring up between them, showing viewers that although they are a married couple, they are committed to their individuality and personal point of view, as well. They prefer to work as a couple and have created choreography for television, music tours and videos, professional sports teams, and Las Vegas casino shows. They currently teach hip-hop in Hollywood, CA at the Edge Performing Arts Center and Millennium Dance Complex. Nappy Tabs have been credited for developing the lyrical style of hip-hop.