Season 5

2009 · 23 episodes

Season five sees Nigel Lythgoe and Mary Murphy returning as permanent judges and Cat Deeley returning to host. This is the first season to move the show a new stage and last season to be in CBS Studios.

1Auditions: Brooklyn and DenverDancers audition in Denver, Los Angeles, Memphis, Tenn., Miami, New York and Seattle.
2Auditions: Miami and MemphisSeason five's second installment features auditions from Miami and Memphis.
3Auditions: L.A. and SeattleLos Angeles and Seattle are the sites for the rounds of auditions.
4Vegas Callbacks 1The contestants are called back in Las Vegas for the first time.
5Top 20 ChosenThe second set of 20 dancers are brought back for a second audition in Las Vegas.
6Top 20 PerformThe Top 20 dancers hit the stage for their first chance to compete.
72 of 20 Voted OffTwo of the top 20 dancers are eliminated from the competition. Rapper Sean Kingston performs.
8Top 18 PerformThe remaining 18 dancers hit the stage again for this week's performances.
9Two of 18 Voted OffThe final 18 dancers will be cut down to 16 at the end of the evening.
10Top 16 PerformThe top 16 dancers perform.
11Two of 16 Voted OffTwo of the top 16 dancers are eliminated from the competition.
12Top 14 PerformThe top 14 dancers perform.
13Two of 14 Voted OffTwo more of the remaining 14 dancers are voted off the show. A pas de deux is performed by dancers Desmond Richardson and Patricia Hachey.
14Top 12 PerformThe top 12 dancers perform.
15Two of 12 Voted OffTwo more of the remaining 12 dancers are voted off the show. Singers Kelly Rowland and David Guetta perform.
16Top 10 PerformThe top 10 dancers perform.
17Two of 10 Voted OffThe final 10 dancers await the elimination of 2 more contestants. Plus, a performance by the Black Eyed Peas.
18Top Eight PerformThe remaining eight dancers will be paired with new partners for this week's performances. Guest Judges include comedian and talk-show host Ellen DeGeneres and Emmy Award-winning choreographer Mia Michaels.
19Two of Eight Voted OffIn the series 100th episode, Season 2 contestants Travis Wall and Heidi Groskreutz dance to a pair of Wade Robson's routines, and Season 3's Jaimie Goodwin and Hok Konishi perform Mia Michael's "The Bench." Lastly, 2 of the final 8 dancers are eliminated.
20Top Six PerformIn this two-hour episode, the remaining 6 dancers perform.
212 of 6 Voted OffTwo more dancers are eliminated and the final four dancers to perform in the finale are revealed. Sean Paul performs JabbaWockeeZ performs.
22Top Four PerformThis is the first part of the season finale. Hoping to become America's Favorite Dancer the final four contestants will perform at the Kodak Theater in Hollywood.
23Finale: Winner AnnouncedThis two-hour season finale will air live from the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood, California. From the Top 4, America's Favorite Dancer will be revealed.

Episodes