Former fashion model Cat Deeley was all smiles on Thursday, May 22, in the two-hour premiere of everyone's favorite reality dancing show, and she positively beamed through the camera when announcing: "Welcome to ... So You Think You Can Dance!"

And season four has officially begun! Like its predecessors, it began with a series of clips during the audition period. The audience watched the good, the bad, the ugly, and the astounding while the judges sorted through thousands of hopeful dancers. After the audition, the dancer had three possibilities. The judges either decided that they leave, stay for the choreography later in the day, or go straight to Las Vegas for the more serious auditions.

The premiere began in Los Angeles where dancers were lined up around the block and beyond the Orpheum Theater. The judges are Nigel Lythgoe, Mary Murphy, and the guest judge for these rounds was the talented (if strange) choreographer Mia Michaels. Get ready for some laughs, because when Mary and Mia get giggling, there is just no way to stop from joining them. Mary can never keep a straight face during the stranger or talentless auditions, which can either be seen as cruel and unprofessional or understandable and endearing. It depends on whether she won you over with her hot tamale train screams in the past.

There were clips of dozens of dancers, but usually only a few are highlighted within the show. First up was Devin, who got the wrong dance music and froze rather than improvise. The judges did not blame her, and her dance was emotional and a little wild so they put her through. Then Jonathan from Italy came on the screen. Excuse me, I need a bucket of ice, as I'm sure all the women watching needed once he came on. A beautiful man for certain but suffering from an attitude that would make Danny from last season appear humble. Mia made a hilarious freudian slip ("not sexful" rather than "not succesful" --mind out of the gutter!), which caused the entire crowd to roar along with Mary. He and his ego did not go past the choreography.

Sex is back. No, no, no, no. This man goes by the name of "Sex" and appears every year for the auditions. He has no dancing talent but believes he is the most talented dancer to ever grace the stage. He annoys the judges each time, and Nigel has steadily become crueler as time goes on in order to stop Sex from returning. This has obviously not worked. Also reappearing was the Gold Inferno, the 'superhero' of jump dancing. He just jumped around wildly on the stage. Sometimes they put him through to the choreographer for fun, but this year Nigel asked him to smile through the mask teasingly. Some people might find this mean, but if these people continue to show up each year without listening to the honest advice given them ... well. Schadenfreude.

Good dancers would be the return of Twitch, who was let down last season to make way for Hok instead. He was sent through! Erica Gee returned for the third year and usually is goofy to make an impression, but this year she decided to dance her heart out and it paid off. She went through to Vegas. A new dancer named Kherington is a soccer player and smiles like Miss America. She was also very good even though her mindless smile did not sync up well with the depressing audition song. Lauren Garcia was a visually impaired dancer. While her heart and commitment were beautiful, her dancing was simply not up to standard. Nigel became my hero when he refused to patronize her by sending her through based on her handicap and not her talent. She was encouraged to keep dancing and applauded for her bravery.

The last audition was for Robert Muraine, and this is a dancer everyone should look up videos of. He is a popper that seems capable of doing things that no human being should be capable of. The way he moves and the level of control he'd need over his joints and muscles to do his tricks is unbelievable. Nigel offered a ticket in slow motion, and Robert did a slow motion hug. It was adorable.

That was it for Los Angeles! One of the best things about this show is how warm an environment it shows. The dancers are friends and partners; they have to be to get by on this show. The choreographers, judges and dancers all show themselves to be an oddball family of sorts; supportive, encouraging, and critical when necessary.

A wonderful start to the season. Oh, how I wish I thought I could dance!

Story by Chelsea 'Dee' Doyle
Starpulse contributing writer