As the judges liked to say, Thursday’s finale of “So You Think You Can Dance” was BUCK!

America loves inspiring underdogs and season No. 4 proved no exception to that rule as hip-hopper Joshua Allen beat fellow street dancer Twitch (Stephen Boss) to be crowned America’s Favorite Dancer on the final episode that brought back the very best of the show.

As fans saw in earlier episodes this summer and previous seasons, technical perfection doesn’t always outshine charm and charisma. The very polished Katee Shean — whom many expected to either win or at least be in the top two — was out before the two final male contestants.

From Joshua’s grin to his oft-noted backside, the stocky, sensitive hip-hopper (he could be the most teary dancer they’ve ever had on the show) charmed his way to the top. His partnership with Katee brought us some of the best routines of the season, even if he did seem a bit tired at times in Wednesday’s performance show.

This season arguably featured the strongest batch of dancers ever — both in personality and skill — making each week’s elimination tough to swallow. Thursday’s finale made viewers forget the sometimes questionable judging and the over-the-top love-fests that judges had with choreographers this year.

Fans relived the chills they got from the season’s best dance routines and were reunited with favorite choreographers Wade Robson (That’s him at right. He’s been busy doing Criss Angel’s new Las Vegas magic show “Believe”) and Shane Sparks (now a judge on “America’s Best Dance Crew“). Audiences also revisited poppers Robert Muraine and Phillip Chbeeb (see Muraine showcase his talent in an Ikea ad here). Long time viewers were also treated to appearances by Benji, Travis, Hok, Donyelle, Lauren, Lacey, Dominic, Ivan and many other past favorites.

But as fans from “Dance” suffer withdrawal the day after the show’s end, they will no doubt be arguing whether America got it right in picking Joshua as this seaon’s No. 1. After the stage lights have dimmed, who will forge a stronger career — the hip hoppers with street cred and loads of charm, or the girl with the technical ability and grace to match. Any thoughts?

The final competitive show on the fourth season of Fox TV’s “So You Think You Can Dance” was not the predictable love-in of year’s past. Wednesday night was the last time Courtney Galiano, Twitch (Stephen Laurel Boss), Katee Shean and Joshua Allen danced competitively and the judges left voters with a laundry list of the top four’s technical shortcomings. 

Courtney took the brunt of critiques, beginning with flashback footage of an audition in which choreographer Tyce Diorio commented on her lack of foot and leg extension. 

After Courtney’s solo, guest judge Mandy Moore — not to be confused with the pop singer and actress — told a teary Courtney to get into a dance class and work on defining her lines, while judge Nigel Lythgoe harped on her for not finishing every move after she danced a Diorio-choreographed Broadway routine

During Courtney’s jive number with Joshua, Lythgoe reprimanded the exhausted pair for a lack of energy and double bounce saying, “It was tough on you? Tough! Be better every single time.”

Even the highly-praised Katee was not immune as Moore encouraged her to continue taking ballet classes in order to work on her feet and artistry.

However, the absence of technique lead to a shower of superlatives for the top two guys as Lythgoe praised the hip-hop finalists for being an inspiration to untrained dancers everywhere. 

After performing a haunting Wade Robson contemporary routine with Katee, Lythgoe said Joshua had set a new standard on the show for street competitors, adding that America got it right when voters cast off Debbie Allen’s protégé Will Wingfield.

So the question now, for voters on the TV talent show is whether the final technique critiques will hurt the ladies’ chances of becoming “America’s Favorite Dancer” or can a lack of training work in favor for the top-two guys?

Millions of voters will have their say and on Thursday’s season finale, the results show.

(Reporting and writing by Ashleigh Patterson)