Fox’s So You Think You Can Dance is getting a new judge, but it’s probably not who you thought it might be.

Despite rampant speculation that former American Idol sweetheart Paula Abdul might be dancing her way onto the judges panel of SYTYCD, Fox has announced that film director and choreographer Adam Shankman will be joining the hit reality show as its new judge beginning October 27.

Shankman, who has been a guest judge on SYTYCD for the last three seasons of the program, expressed excitement about his new gig in a statement released by Fox.

“So You Think You Can Dance is one of the most important things to happen in the last decade for the art form,” said Shankman. “Choreography is how I found my way into this business, and I’m proud to be a part of the show. As a filmmaker, it’s an honor to be able to recognize choreographers and dancers, and to be able to bring all of this amazing work into America’s homes.”

Show producer Nigel Lythgoe, who frequently commented about Paula Abdul joining the program in recent weeks, is likewise excited about Shankman’s addition to television’s popular weekly dance-off competition.

“I am extremely happy that Adam has agreed to be a resident judge,” said Lythgoe in a statement. “We love bantering and bickering, and yet he still finds a way of capturing the sensitivity of every story told onstage.”

Shankman, who has choreographed music videos for Whitney Houston and the B-52’s, is best known more recently for helming the hit films 17 Again and Hairspray.

Originally published at Advocate.com. To read this post and more by Duane Wells at the Advocate, click here.