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Jeanine Mason: Hollywood here I come!

2009-08-16T04:46:00.000-07:00

Ashton Kutcher's new partner? Jeanine Mason, 'So You Think You Can Dance' winner.

By Olivia Smith DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER
Tuesday, August 11th 2009, 10:59 AM

Ashton Kutcher on "Dancing with the Stars?"
The A-lister, currently promoting his movie "Spread," probably won't be putting on his ballroom shoes anytime soon.
But if he ever decides to pursue a dance career, his partnering skills aren't too shabby. On "Live with Regis and Kelly" on Monday, the actor gamely took "So You Think You Can Dance" winner Jeanine Mason on a spin. Here's the video:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ydl6qfBMKJw
After performing the solo that helped her twirl her way to victory last Thursday, the 18-year-old Florida native straddled Kutcher's neck, and he stood up to his full height with the young dancer on his shoulders, legs shooting out past his face.
Mr. Demi Moore then pretended to fall to the ground, resulting a tangle of his head with Mason’s bare legs as they rolled around on the floor together.
The Twitter-prone actor later Tweeted to his followers, "So much fun on Regis and Kelly. What a blast I'll comeback anytime."
We wonder if Demi, who arrived with him for his appearance on the show, feels the same.
Moments before their duet, Kutcher grilled Mason about the steamy kiss she shared with fellow contestant Jason on the hit reality show.
Mason first made it clear that the two "are very good friends, and that's it, though. So we'll clear that up right now."
But Travis Wall, who choreographed the romantic routine that ended in the steamy liplock, had told the dancers to make it real, and maybe they got a little carried away.
"You should know this Ashton, being an actor, things happen," Mason teased him.
"It looked real to me," Kutcher said.
So less than a week after her win, Mason is chumming around with a major star and maybe even jumpstarting her second career (or will it be her first?): acting.

SYTYCD: THE END OF SEASON V AND THE BEGINNING OF SEASON VI. IT'S A SHORT WITHDRAWAL THIS TIME AROUND

2009-08-06T20:43:00.000-07:00

The Gallery comes to life when the lights dim and that first choreography of the top 20 Season 5 dancers brightens up the stage. In feathers, shorts and colorful makeup the dancers have coordinated fun and showmanship. Good job, boys and girls!
Terpsichore Cat, beautiful as usual, leads us through clips of the season, not without letting us know first that the prize will be $250K and the title “America’s Favorite Dancer” in front of 3,500 people in the theater (good host this gal, she is).
At the jidges table we find the designated upper tier choreographers and judges Lil’ C’, Mia Michaels, Tyce Diorio, Debbie Allen, Adam Shankman, Mary Murphy and Nigel Lythgoe. The audience includes all the others, in strategic spots, ready to raise their hand and smile when called upon. Cat starts going down the jidges’ table in search of replays for the favorites. First we get Adam’s top number, “Mad” with Phillip and Jeanine (one of my own tops), then Nigel claims the Tango by Brandon and Jeanette (I must say also a favorite of mine, but I did not place it in my links). Miss Allen goes all romantic with Vitolio and Asuka’s waltz, not in my list, and Mary screams out that her favorite is Travis’ heart on a chain routine by Jeanine and Jason which they perform beautifully and—they kiss again! Cat calls on Mia’s favorite and Mia claims her favorite is another Louis Van Amstel choreography, a samba with Kayla and Maks, a boring long routine which I did not like then and I don’t like now.
After the obligatory plug for Fame (ok, so it looks like it could be a cool movie, I hope it is), Debbie Allen (who was in the original Fame) gets a chance to redeem herself by choosing a group number and selects that hot and steamy top 16 “calle ocho” choreographed by Dimitri, Tabitha and Napoleon, where Jeanine and Janette stand out, Brandon gets in front of it all, and Kayla (placed in the front also) nearly stumbles.
We get to see in a break of the action the winner of Australia’s SYTYCD, Talia Fowler, who is amazing, has the most beautiful feet and extensions, as well as technique.
Lil’ C’s scripted bucc favorite is Caitlin and Jason’s Jai Ho! That first show’s outstanding number, crowd pleasing Bollywood in Hollywood! (and Jason gets kissed once again! What is it with this boy?).
In the first report of results, Cat delivers the news to Kayla. Logic prevails and this telegraphs good news for Jeanine (I think). Kayla is a beautiful dancer. Her long legs will become a long memory that can make us forget a bit of her shortcoming in technique issues. But definitely there were better dancers in the show, and apparently at least one that was more popular, despite his own, greater, shortcomings.
Adam is required to request another routine and he calls for the butt dance! That was a good dance by Randi and Evan, one of my listed favorites (see link to the side) and probably the only number that Evan performed that could not have been better danced by anyone else. Another Louis Van Amstel number gets selected, this time by Mary, and with good reason—Jeanine and Brandon’s Paso Doble from last night, a matrix revolution all and into itself. Love this one!!!!
Let’s do some scoring right now: out of the judges’ favorites, three Jeannine, two Brandon and one each for Evan and Kayla (one less than Jason for each). A pattern seems to emerge. Nigel seems to notice and gets that great choreography, Mia’s Addiction, danced barely fairly by Kupono and Kayla. This is a tour filler routine danced that way, that I would rather pay to see performed by Mark Kamemura and Jeanine, to truly make the number addictive to all who see it. Then Tyce calls it in, and gets Brandon and Jeanette’s high energy and kick*** disco number on the floor! So, Brandon and Jeanine are tied now, three a piece in the jidges favorites! (and Jeanette, Jason and Kayla are tied at two each, Evan only one—but Katie Holmes has had no votes). Mia gets the final choice of the favorite routines, and she chooses that heartbreaking routine choreographed by Tyce and danced so well by Melissa and Ade: the breast cancer homage.
Just before the end, the judges come out from behind mirrors for their own moment in the limelight. Reflections on the season, puffed as peacocks, they revel in the applause by the audience at the theater, satisfied to the end of a well executed season and TV show (yet I can’t help but think I know that this was taped—after all that is what my spoiler sources said, and I don’t mean Spoiler Sal).
The joy of Jeanine as Cat announces her as the winner is contagious. I am happy with her win, just as I would have been with Brandon. She is a talented and smart girl that carefully played the game and strategically positioned herself to get where she got. Yay Jeanine! You are a great role model! Hope this win leads to many more accomplishments in your future. The best won this time around on SYTYCD.

Is it a Disco Ball? Is it a Golden Statuette? Is it $$$$$$$? Tonight, the final 4 battle it out in SYTYCD Season 5 and I don't even know the prize!

2009-08-05T20:28:00.001-07:00

Is it a Disco Ball? Is it a Golden Statuette? Is it $$$$$$$? Is it a spot in Cirque Du Soleil? What is it? Tonight, the Final Four battle it out in SYTYCD Season 5 and I just realized that I don’t even know what the prize is this time around, do you?!?

Hollywood’s Kodak Theater, home to the Oscars, has more than 3,000 people plus four cool dancers tonight, and they are called out by Cat, cavorting, tumbling and smiling to a cheering crowd. I do not quite understand what Cat’s wearing, but well I’ll just have to look at it some more. Adam (as I posted in my spoilers) is back, and he quickly implies that he expected Brandon (obviously) and Kayla (former assistant to Brian Friedman and Tyce Diorio at several conventions) to get this far, but not Evan and Jeanine, clear crowd pleasers and vote getters with their winning ways.

As the dancing starts, in a funny(?) group number choreographed by Wade Robson, the girls outdo the boys, but it seems a little slow (lame, almost?) for an opening number with the top 4 (don’t you think?). Despite the visual jokes, it is not a demanding or discriminating dance. I could perhaps say that it seems that Jeanine was a little better than the rest, but maybe that was just because I saw more of her. I guess these dancers really do not care about cheerleading. With some clips regarding season six auditions and after the dancing big belly jelly (Ok, I am gonna have a hard time getting THAT picture out of my head) we go to a brake and return to…

Jeanine kicking Evan’s butt! I have to agree with Mia’s way of saying things sometimes: That number was sick! Actually, to be precise, I must say that Sonya is sick! IT WAS GREAT CHOREOGRAPHY! Too bad that the dancing lacked energy. Jeanine was the better of the two, literally carrying Evan’s weight. Oh, how much I would have like to see this number danced by Jeanine and Brandon instead! Part of the problem was, as Nigel does point out, that the stage is big. So far, the dancers have not been as big as the stage that they are on now. We’ll see as the night plays out what happens.
(Ok, maybe Cat’s outfit is a fancy pajama top with a matching mini…)

So, Brandon’s solo is strong, athletic and dynamic but, a bit all over the place! One trick to the next, a move here, a move there. A bit more cohesiveness and choreography would have been welcome. His surfer dude board costume also, well… can’t quite imagine him in that crowd.

Tyce’s choreography for Brandon and Kayla allows Brandon to showcase Kayla: He is such a good partner! Kayla dances awesome with him! This is the last number from All That Jazz where the choreographer/dancer dies (see the movie, it is great!). They do fill the stage with this dance, as Nigel says, but I just have to imagine the difference between a great partner and two great dancers! Seeing Brandon here with Kayla doing D’Orio’s cookie makes me just wonder the missed possibilities of that Wonder Sonya’s choreography with Brandon and Jeanine instead of Brandon and Kayla. That would have been such a sick sickening number! No question about it, but I guess we will see how those pairings do in a few minutes. By the way, Nigel, if you like those legs over your attacked heart, why don’t you put a ring on it!

Travis raves over Jeanine’s solo and with reason! Just the pirouettes are amazing, but the fast moves combined with the slow ones perhaps will make you understand what I meant when I said that Brandon’s solo seemed to have no choreography. The right combination of simple and complex moves make it a great showcase for her skill and personality! (Is Adam going to revert from his old ways for Jeanine? You almost would have thought so after he gushes and compliments her beauty, her body and her smile but then he says “girrrl drop that flower” with such gusto, that I guess not—then we see why! As he gets that flower from her mouth and shares a bite of it with the jidges).

Evan and Brandon’s number by Laurieann has aggressive moves and tries to be nasty, depicting a danced-off street fight with stereotyped costuming out of a James Dean 50’s movie. This number shows that Evan deserves to be in the top twenty, maybe that he has grown enough to deserve to be in the top ten… now… (he has grown despite what Nigel said last week)… but it also clearly shows that he did not deserve to be in the top four. No way! Brandon, however, is sharp, clean and self assured in his dancing. He was the better of the two no question about it.

Mia choreographs a contemporary piece for Jeanine and Kayla that is as close to a strip tease as you can get on a show like this. Nigel is, of course, excited, but Adam defines it as, well, the world’s biggest wardrobe malfunction. I do not quite understand where Mia was coming from, first moving the dancers like chickens shedding feathers and then ending in an emotional heart grabbing gesture. Perhaps one day I will not have mixed feelings about Mia’s choreographies, but this was not the day. Let us hope that strip teasing does not become a permanent fixture of SYTYCD (though perhaps Nigel will try hard to do so) as randomly as Bollywood and Russian Folk Dance have become a permanent “style” (oh, and since we’re at it, how about cheerleading also becoming one of the “classics” for contestants to draw out of the hat?). All I can say is that Jeanine was smoother in her moves and jumps than Kayla, and, again, seemingly more self assured.

In the next solo Evan’s butt sticks out a little too much, in what almost seems a caricature of the Gene Kelly style of dancing (maybe this is the Laurel & Hardy version of it?). Is it perhaps a modern take? I don’t think so… he is a nice guy, he has some good moves, and if he wins it could only be because of his lost puppy eyes. In the end this is a show looking for America’s Favorite Dancer, after all, is it not? I would be disappointed a bit, though, if the winner was not Brandon or Jeanine whom I think are nice guys with amazing moves, charming smiles and looks—and are also great dancers!

OK, at this point, I am forced to, but do not want to comment on the Evan/Kayla Jive routine. Was it comedy? I truly did not like this number, which did (as Adam said) not seem to be a Show Finale kind of routine. But the dancing! Kayla seems genetically incapable of turning out, which makes her be in the wrong spot for each next move, making her lose smoothness; Evan’s kicks were sadly unenergetic… maybe he was tired?… Kayla was lucky however, because Evan was not up to par and she over-danced him. Brandon helped her with her partnering; Evan, because he was dim next to her. She has a chance with the voting public! When she does her solo, next, it shows her technique deficiencies once again. She has charm, but her technique falters. Ok, so she has long legs (and long feet)…

Then comes the final competition number of the night, a Paso (Louis Van Amstel’s) with Brandon and Jeanine. Expectations fulfilled, this is the best number of the night!!!!! This Paso a la The Matrix was really, rreeally, rreeaaalllyyyy gooooood!!!!! Ok, so maybe these guys are my favorites, but it made Nigel scream a la Mary! Nigel talks about how in the Paso Brandon does what he wants with that woman and he wants to do it too! That was really creepy, Nigel. Maybe you really should put a ring on it!

With the dancing done, Cat (in that outfit that I can’t decide how to describe) puts the judges on the spot, and the two ladies in the panel cannot bring themselves to fess up as to who they like best. Nigel says that he thinks that the winner will be either Jeanine or Brandon (if logic prevailed, no shocker here)—which will probably make Evan’s and Kayla’s fans twitch hard tonight! It is up for grabs. My favorite—you know it—is Jeanine, but all I can say now is that it is time to let my fingers do the talking.

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LINKS TO TONIGHT'S SHOW RELATED VIDEOS:

All That Jazz - Bye Bye Life
Gene Kelly's Singing in the Rain
More Gene Kelly
Usher Tribute to Gene Kelly's Singin' in the Rain

SYTYCD Thursday July 30, 2009: Super Night Tonight – Now it’s the Fantastic Four!

2009-07-30T19:50:00.000-07:00

Lizardly tonight, Cat slithers in green sequin scales as she invites us to see tonight’s So You Think You can Dance! But first out, there are scary sad Pierrots cavorting in an odd number to a “Little Night Music” that I am not sure I truly like. Costumes get in the way and dancers are all about. I find only the last moment to be truly together and poignant as Evan (who I think will remain tonight) stays out of the box, teary faced.

Down to business, Cat gets the girls in an evicted honeymoon disco ball tension and—Jeanine goes to the final! Worthy savage and formidable and fittest dedicated, hungriest appetite, epitome of it all, I believe that this is the ticket to the top for her.

The Emmy nominated routine danced by Will and Jessica enthralls us once again with its hypnotic seductive moves, as a silence falls across our room and all eyes stare at the image on the screen. Perhaps shocking? Definitely mesmerizing.

Ade with his symbol pick and Evan with his signature tie remain standing, as Brandon is sent to the safe side just before that Door gets between Twitch and Katee, in a modified version of that original Emmy nominated routine (Was it modified, or was it not rehearsed? Hard to tell). When we return from the break, we see Chelsie with season 4 winner Joshua do the Tango that spun her legs all over the place, quickly followed by Jabbawockeez, the winners of America’s Best Dance Crew. Their number is, what can I say, very together? But I find it unemotional, detached, just as the stare of the blank masks they use as props. Well executed cold fish dancing, lacking empathy and emotional connection. Not like the Bleeding Love number that comes next! That Mark and Chelsie number really deserves the Emmy that its going to win. Simple and perfect, it has a great connection and chemistry, no need for props (perhaps except a briefcase). This time the choreography does not seemed changed, as the other featured ones had. And I know Mark and Chelsie have been rehearsing like crazy! Well done!

As if the pace of the show is not jam-packed already, Sean Paul comes out with a raucous hip hop song, and jumping and hopping girls background dancing (well, calling that dancing is giving it more credit than it deserves). As a fill-in, this number seemed too much stuffing for the show, especially those dancers! Talk about filler, pu-lleezz! A terrible group that looked as if it had just been recruited from yesterday's want ads.
Finally, jidgement moment—and Kayla is safe (as predicted). And then… Evan! Once again as predicted in our blog yesterday.

The results tonight make me give my early final prediction: Jeanine will take home the prize!

SYTYCD Top 3 Couples: The semifinals. July 29, 2009

2009-07-29T20:49:00.000-07:00

CAVEAT: Inspired by Lil’ C, my weblog is rhetorical tonight. I apologize if it is too thesaurical for many of you, but my superhero strength was not enough to restrain myself from going this route.

Cat’s effortless super outfit tonight is of the color of royalty, and she welcomes the judges, starting with Lil’C, who gives out some imponderably, unintelligible at times, frequently enlightened wisdom. Mary, expressing her shock at Janette’s leaving, joins Nigel at encouraging people to vote for the dancer, not the choreography—that puts the burden on the dancer to stand out, to be prominent.

The guys: Sonya’s jazz routine for the trio of guys is a qualified one. Brandon stands out while Evan lacks appropriateness, with a couple of missteps and misflips. The judges are like breakfast oatmeal, all warm n’ sweet, but basically rank the guys Brandon 1, Ade 2 and Evan 3.

The rehearsal for Ade and Jeanine does not look that hot, but when they come out to perform they alter the temperature up hundreds of degrees! I am indecisive to call it a Samba; Lois Van Amstel’s choreography seemed to gravitate in a wavering space where samba, rumba, waltz and disco float around, touch and coexist. In this irresolute Samba, however, Jeanine still managed to standout; Ade not so much and that is reflected in the judges’ comments (except Mary, who neglects to mention anything about Jeanine). Lil’ C (who motivated this wordy blog tonight) regales us with his expectation of an appreciation of explosions of excellence as universes smash, but somehow he thinks that it was not down enough—I guess that means it fizzled for him (or at least that’s what I think he said).

Kayla’s solo is different and dissimilar this week, though it seems a little bit all over the place, turning here, on the floor there. It shows off her limberness, but not that much technique.

Broadway for Melissa and Evan. My mind wonders if Melissa lies as she says how excited she is to partner with Evan. With a Broadway routine out of My Fair Lady, choreographed by Tyce, this is a number tailor-made for Evan. The costuming is odd, both in their undies. As the Fair Lady would have said “not me cup'o tee.”

A strong enough solo performance by Ade, he shows off some of the strengths that have gotten him in this sextet (i.e., trio of doubles).

Kayla’s and Brandon’s first piece was a vast lyrical contemporary number choreographed by Tookey. Brandon stood tall adjacent to Kayla, great lifts that complemented their differences. Kayla did very well and, as Lil’C says, she held her own and showed herself off with Brandon. Definitely these are all dancers that merit and deserve to be where they are.

Melissa’s solo is a competent while not extraordinary contemporary ballet improv that showers of technique and charm. Is it sufficient? Is her Pointe trademark helping or hindering her by now?

Hip-Hop for Ade and Jeanine - Eviction theme – NappyTabs. Not my favorite number, despite the rave reviews. A bit on the silly side, to be honest. It seemed more about the props than about the dance. Comments will get them lots of votes, but truly it was not that commendable. Oh, and within all the randomness that came out of Nigel’s mouth tonight we found out that he is (or was) in the midst of a divorce, and that his wife’s lawyer was apparently very good!

Then, Brandon’s solo is phenomenal, with sharp moves, and clean execution. His athleticism shines and his dancer’s grace and winning smile takes over the audience and the judges, all of whom give him a standing ovation. Well deserved! As you know, I’ve been openly and without apologies cheering for Brandon from the beginning of this season (actually, since Season 4!).

Melissa and Evan Quickstep: Another number tailor-made for Evan. Is that fair? Melissa’s dress is pretty and cute, but she seems to stumble upon the dance, her posterior sticking out a little too much too many times. Evan does well, despite his velvety jacket. Altogether, however, this and their previous number seem catered to doing everything possible to keep Evan in the show, at the cost of throwing Melissa under the bus.

Jeanine’s solo is what she does, and does so well! She doesn’t disappoint. Jeanine's my favorite girl (no apologies here either!). I wonder how long is she going to stay at UCLA before she's grabbed by the real Hollywood (CA) ---that, if she even starts UCLA, after the tour and contracts and who knows what else! She has the qualities in her to make it far!

Evan’s solo is very Broadway. Not my cup of tea, so it’s hard for me to comment. If I were somebody who likes this style, then I would say that it was like pizza well done and strong condimenting, his best yet. But since I do not particularly care for this style I have not much more to say. I can add, however, that he was very confident, a lot more than last week, and that between this solo and his two made-to-order routines, I think that Ade is in trouble tomorrow.

Brandon and Kayla’s Disco: Amazingly shiny moving fast speed disco routine, I think even Lil’C was totally unintelligible to himself. If I understood him correctly, dark pockets are coming out someone’s ears as they see the dance through these. Mary needs to be restrained as she doth protest too much that she is not crazy, but she’s totally outdone by Nigel’s unprecedented outburst of jumping on one skilled legged joyfulness--who new what Disco could do? Kayla and Brandon will be in the finale which, I guess, leaves Melissa out and, possibly, Ade. By the way, I loved this Disco number!

Last, but not least, the Trio of Super Heroines! Buttercup Power Puff, Storm X, and Wonder Woman get together Super K, Super M and Super J, strike an Angel pose at the end of a sharp choreography by Sonja. I adored these costumes and makeup full of ATTITUDE! They all worked incredibly well together, but Lil’C wanted somehow for them to go against each other to stand out (?) and be more than amazing (?). I think I understand, Lil’ C: they should have been Astonishing! Astounding! Marvelous! Boom! Pow! Wow!!!!

My Prediction: Ade and Melissa will be out tonight. And Nigel is going to marry a cute young little thing trophy wife very soon. If I were his ex-wife’s attorney, I’ll be getting ready to help the new Mrs. with the pre-nup!

SYTYCD Results Show July 23, 2009: Judgment Night Once Again, and 100 shows to boot!

2009-07-23T20:09:00.000-07:00

Leopard faced, Cat’s outfit roars tonight!
In a chorus line of pure white top hats the top eight of America’s favorite dancers show us what the anguish of corps dancers on Broadway is all about: a smile to the audience and a smashed mirror behind, reflecting back to them the broken dreams after all their hard work. Kudos for Mia’s choreography!
The 100 shows’ clips show us the impact of dance: the fun, the drama, the tears, the spills… and Mary’s screams! As Nigel says: it is great that they have had 100 shows, and that the show has just gotten a greater and greater audience—to the extent that they will have a season 6, almost just as this one ends. That means something, doesn’t it? A great portion of America has embraced dance in its entertaining form and in its athletic demands. A portion of America that would have never been exposed to dance in all these forms if it weren't for this show. So, let's give them the credit that they deserve! Kudos! This show, along with “Dancing with the Stars,” has brought back a sprightly step to America, a quick step that had been lost when the likes of Gene Kelly and Fred Astaire moved on—please check out some of their great dances on You Tube or the occasional movie on AMC!
Cat, in inquisitive mode, goes down the judges table, reflecting on the shows past. Mia feels like a “Mamma” after all these years, as she talks about her dancing brood. Get credit for the 100th show!
When the felinized Cat gets down to business, I am wrong again! Melissa is safe! What does this mean for Kayla? Bottom two! Jeanine is safe, as Jeanette debuts in the bottom.
The Emmy winning Wade Robson choreography of the Humming Bird and the Flower by Jamie and Hok enthralls us once again, as we wait for the boys to come out (although I think Brandon already did). Cat comes on to the guys and starts with Ade and Jason, to let us know that Jason is on the bottom two. Brandon is too! That is the problem of being the “favorite” voters free ride, thinking that someone else will vote for the one they like, after all it is “obvious” that if he is so good, many people will vote for him—Not! If you do not vote, your choice loses!
Travis and Heidi make it on a bench, once again, showing us a great Emmy winning piece. It seems that Heidi danced a little more than I remembered…don’t you think? but the camera focuses so much on Travis anyway that, Heidi is overshadowed. Travis was amazing!
And then we saw Ramalama once again, and it was really enjoyable. Loved to see Wade dancing with them!
http://www.dizzyfeetfoundation.org/
Katie Holmes thinks she can dance and sing, but she does not quite get that lip-synch thing… Ashlee Simpson could have done better… and her dancing, cannot fool anybody... especially this audience! No way. She may like singing and dancing, but Ellen likes dancing too and we’re glad that she did not actually take the stage (by the way, where was she tonight? I was expecting to see her @judges-table tonight). KH's was an OK number, entertaining and brave on her part, but... a dancer she ain't!!! She deserves Kudos for what she’s doing with her foundation, but as homage to Judy Garland this was odd. Judy Garland would have being better served with a real dance with real dancers and singers. I am conflicted about this number, a publicity stunt for KH, who probably should really be the one voted out after her performance!! But… in fact the purpose of the foundation is commendable. What gets me really excited about the foundation's mission is the idea of accreditation of studios, to certify that they actually teach dance, instead of exploiting delusional dancer moms. There always will be Dolly Dinkle studios, but at least there should be some way of differentiating them from the ones that are really trying to be responsible about the promise they make to the kids and parents that show up to their door really thinking that they can dance—and would like to learn. Accreditation by an independent body would be a step in the right direction.
But back to the show… I am surprised and disappointed by Janette leaving us tonight. Don’t get me wrong, Kayla is an entrancing dancer, but in terms of all around-ness, personality and that I-don’t-know-what, I thought Jeanette was a better bet for staying with us tonight.
Next, come the guys. And I’m thinking: If Brandon is out, I’m blind. Jason seems to have a nice personality, and is a qualified dancer, but his technique and body control doesn’t even scratch the surface of that of Brandon’s. The result is fair in that sense. I’m glad that at least we still have our Brandon!
Odd show. Inspirational first, with the memories and video showcase; odd with the KH’s participation; sad for those who left; and... MIA*: Ellen (?).

*MIA= We mean Missing in Action…nothing to do with Mia Michaels...

SYTYCD July 22, The Top 8: On Crying, Screaming, Joking and Nailing it was all that’s good and bad about So You Think You Can Dance

2009-07-22T21:27:00.000-07:00

Cat’s drapey beautiful golden lamé excuse for barely a cover up is almost distracting as she introduces the top eight dancers of season five. The panel of judges includes two novelties: Ellen DeGeneres who was not trained to dance by Eduardo in a lonely single enclosed street of a gated community, and DOCTOR Nigel Lythgoe. What can we say, well deserved?

Travis’ group number opens the dancing on the show and it rocks and rides, no question about it. He's a great choreographer! The camera work, however, is terrible as it unsuccessfully tries to see all the dancers doing their own thing, just not showing it. Ellen’s costume design is right on the spot, as Nigel says, very Lady Gaga. Let’s just hope that she really will light up the stage tomorrow—in combination with Mia! (for all those out there that are wondering if I’m that gullible… I know she was joking… but how much I wish it were true and Mia and Ellen will actually coordinate their outfits tomorrow!)

The tour is announced! October 22nd in Miami, tickets on sale this Saturday!

The Random Couplings:

First up are Evan and Janette, in a Jazz routine by Sonya that seems a little on the slow side (it lacked Attitude?). At some point, Nigel (that English muffin) gets inspired by the dance and covers Mary’s mouth as she rambles on in her usual shrill. Mia calls Janette her favorite dancer of the season. This is not a number that is inspirational, however. In their second number of the night (Rumba by Tony & Melanie) the inner Latino stallion of Evando (Cat’s nickname creation was a really good one!) does not really come out. A dark stage does not let us see for real what is going on, as the slow sensual rumba is danced with gusto and sparkle by Janette, but Evando… the low lights may favor his style because he is hidden in the shadows, but... He does not shine as a partner, and that has been a constant throughout the show. It seems to me that he has done more solos than partnering (the latter mostly with his brother, maybe). There was a bit of rustiness when he danced with Janette, what can I say? Mia apparently agrees, and thinks that Evando is no sex-pot (!!), but can still pull it off Zoolander style! I guess they had better seats than me on this one.

Next in the lineup, Brandon randomly chooses Jeanine (the choices this week do seem random, by the way). This should be a good combination, and they start off with a smooth waltz. The graceful lines required by this dance are hard for Jeanine to master, however, as her contemporary moves are rougher than those required by this slow, delicate dance—even her turnout was off. Brandon was a strong partner, holding up the number for the both of them and keeping it from being terrible. The judges kind of disagree and agree at he same time, but mostly I would say it was 3 to 1 that the number was not well executed. Their second number is a Pop Jazz (?) routine choreographed by Laurieann. An aggressive looking performance, this is a strong dance that wakes up Nigel with effusive praise for both. Ellen calls it da-a-a-a-ancing and Mary screams her head off. Mia, just as Nigel, says that it was great how Jeanine kept up with Brandon’s powerful dancing. All in all, in this pairing Brandon seems to have overshadowed Jeanine.

Melissa and Ade are reunited with a Cha Cha, but will Mary choo choo them? I guess not… Melissa dances Latin like a gringa ballerina, and the chemistry lacks altogether, as Ade is not much of a Latin dancer either. Ellen, however, recycles the carpenter nail joke (she was funny and I like her but she kind of recycled two jokes the whole night: the “carpenter” joke and the “I can do that” joke). Mia’s vocabulary is also lacking when she describes Ade, saying that he does that ehhnn (or something like that) that gets her unnhhd (or something like that). Melissa and Ade's second piece is a moving homage dance that Tyce builds around the idea of the suffering of a woman afflicted by breast cancer that truly brings out the emotion from every judge. The look of frailty by Melissa and the strong support by Ade gave this poignant dance a completeness that deserves the positive comments, and justifies the “it’s not about the dance steps, but about the message in the dance” that was clumsily tried to be explained at first. The twitter crowd still is not happy with Melissa, but well, it is really hard to force those that would rather be blind to see what is in front of them. Despite the judge’s comments, Melissa is probably in danger tonight.

Jason and Kayla’s first number was perfect Broadway, perhaps a little too much. It shows off Kayla, better than Jason, and it is a very classically put together piece. A couple of stumbles by both (Kayla seems to be struggling in dance shoes) but still, Mary brings out a conductor whistle and shows us that she really can’t blow, even with all that wind she carries around. Actually, let’s hope she uses this whistle a bit more because it is actually quieter than her own screams! Mia’s remarks to Jason regarding his open chest are right on the mark. He needs to open up in order to dance better. He tends to slouch causing his jumps to fall short and his lines to look sloppy. Jason and Kayla’s second number is a hip hop routine by Shane Sparks which is, perhaps, scary in more than one way. Well executed, an interesting choreography that I thought would end with an off-camera loud Vincent Price creepy laugh. I am not convinced though about what Nigel said: that all hip hop so far this season has been lame. Is he suggesting that NappiTabs needs to get their act together? Is there some hidden agenda here? Or was he talking specifically about Shane’s own previous work this season (there, I’ll agree). The dance was OK and fun, but I don’t know if it deserved such high praise and that underhanded putdown of prior works in the show.

We have to recognize that sometimes some people are more honest than they should be, Mia agrees with many of Ellen’s comments, despite the fact that Ellen tries hard to convince us that she does not know what she is talking about. Who should we be listening to, Ellen or Mia? And what sort of chemistry is developing here?

The Quickie Solos:
Kayla shows us once again her long and graceful dance moves—she has her solo routine down pat and plays it safe.
Jason’s solo is ok, and that is all I have to say.
Janette’s solo is different this time, more contemporary lyrical than Latin salsa, but she does do that “Miami Wiggle” at the end. However, that dress! It hid her from us most of the time and it kind of reminded me of a big Piñata.
Ade’s solo is electrifyingly and weirdly springy. He seems to have eaten rubber bands all wound up and then released them in short bursts as he bounced around the stage. Pretty impressive, but perhaps weird, as it was almost more of a gymnastics floor routine than a true dance.
Melissa’s solo seems a bit uninspired, not really moving, showing flexibility mostly—but we know she has that anyway, right?
Evan’s solo is well executed, even entertaining, but totally Broadway—which is good, yet probably not so much regarding votes in this show. By now, Evan seems to be preparing his audition pieces for his Broadway career, as tonight could be his last night performing for votes on the show.
With some moves that we had seen before and some new ones, Jeanine’s solo does in fact look like a dance, as opposed to some of the other semi-warm-up pieces from the other dancers.
Brandon’s solo, shirtless and athletic, showcases him as the strong dancer that he is. It is complete and good to watch. He’s so good that sometimes you miss him (as in the Waltz) because he’s flawless.

My predictions: If I can still attempt to guess anything in this show, I’ll say Melissa and Evan will leave tonight, but I’ve been so wrong so far!

Tonight is SYTYCD 100th Episode and there's a lot going on, including Katie Holmes so much talked about tap dancing. Should be a good show. And Ellen of course will be back in the panel. Will she recycle the same jokes again, or will she come up with some new material? Stay tuned.

SYTYCD Elimination Day 7/16/09: And Then There Were 5, 6, 7, Eight!

2009-07-16T19:18:00.001-07:00

Cat seems to be wearing a design inspired by a cobalt blue enameled ashtray present for mother’s day, though smokin’ hot its NOT. At least it shows off her legs…
Wade Robson’s oriental rice paddy peasants come out with a pulsating White Black and Red girl rhythm. A good group number, by Wade assisted by Travis, opens the show on a dramatic note, promising surprises. The first one of the night is that, from now on, Nigel is DR. NIGEL, honorary doctorate of the arts from a University all the way back in England. Then we are pleasantly surprised as SYTCD Emmy nominees are announced, including our favorites: Bleeding Love, The Door, that Tango number with Jason and Chelsie, and that Adam/Eve number. Then comes the Cat, with her dreaded envelopes to tell us about the girls:
Janette hypnosis carries on, with her zombie moves and swaying hips making people pick up the phone for her.
Randi gets to sit on the stool of danger, as she is one of the bottom two.
Jeanine performance muted Mary, but not America’s phones as they rang for her and she is safe!
With Kayla and Melissa standing at the end, the blue enameled Cat quasi-surprises us when she says that Melissa will sit next to Randi. As I think about it that hippie number was not that cool, after all. It could be that when I said last night that this was a killer routine, I was not SOO far off. We’ll see in just a few minutes—after the break!
And now for the boys:
Jason is glad that Mary is not allowed to pinch his cheeks, butt America apparently wants to do so too! (despite the golden shoes… and why are Jason and Ade wearing the same shoes?)
Evan (contrary to my expectations) is safe, while Kupono is not (I expected Kupono to be safe based on my tween-teen radar, not on dancing abilities; I was trusting more what the tween-teen Twittersphere was telling me than my own lying eyes). Based on the same, I expect that Ade will be safe (which means that Brandon is not). But surprises are in store tonight! Brandon IS safe (which probably means that so will Melissa be)! The golden shoes did not do it for Ade. Seriously folks, between Ade and Kupono? How hard could it be to figure it out. Lets see after the solos if America gets it right this time…
After Randi’s solo, Debbie confesses (amidst her long exposition) that she wears extensions. The Kupono solo is the same as last night, except for the costume! What a difference a day makes… this time his solo looked rather jerky and with those feathers it reminded me a bit of a chicken dance. I am sorry, Mr. K, but for your benefit the show tonight did not get you out of the gate. Melissa’s solo is as good as it was last night, as is Ade’s. Not much to say, except to wait until (Fergie) The Black Eyed Peas finish their number.
As expected, we are sorry to see Randi leave and, after the two boys come out all ethnic each one of them, America finally gets it right and (as the final surprise of the night for me) Kupono leaves the competition tonight. I guess I should start believing my lying eyes a bit more… I was calling Kupono out since week one… since the auditions even… It took some time for America to finally get it right... After they convinced me that Kupono wasn't that bad after all!... Now, I'm so confused! Maybe the fact that the jidges in the end could not save him also made him be done tonight (me and my conspiracy theories). Until next week when, of course, Henry the Horse will dance the Waltz.

SYTYCD The Top Ten Compete: Season Five and Bollywood. Afro Picks and Travis. Plus missing Phillip, grass skirts, peace signs and daisies

2009-07-15T20:24:00.000-07:00

A Green Herve Leger is what Cat dazzles us with tonight. As if wrapped with leaves from a tropical plant, she presents the top ten, after the clips of Mary screaming, and Lil’ C commiserating (as Nigel covers his ears). Debbie Allen is the guest judge, despite no control from the judges over the final outcome, as we are repeatedly reminded. Yet, given their comments, I guess it’s better that they do not get to jidge anymore. After Mary’s bling distracting exposition on the randomness of pairings and dances (which I have my own conspiratorial theories about… or, how come everybody picks names out of a hat, till the very last couple? …shouldn’t the last one be a given? …and how’s it possible that no couple is ever a repeat? …random…ummm... will create repeats... ummm… ) Debbie talks about the last standing dancer. Debbie seems to wax philosophical all night long, as her comments stand way out there all throughout.

We start the dynamics of the show with a girl’s group Bollywood number choreographed by Nakul. They use a “mutka (?) which reminds us of the magical hat that is mysteriously used to select styles in the show. It is a compelling number that really showcases them all, but it seems to me that Melissa stands out. With a spicy look in his eye, Nigel calls the harem clad girls a plate of bangers and mash or even one of hot tandori! Oh, Nigel, can you handle your big group of women? I don’t think so, Nigel!

After the girls’ group number, the couples and solos first start with Kayla and Evan doing a Viennese Waltz choreographed by Tony and Melanie. This waltz is danced to a great song by Seal and it has a challenging and tricky compensation of height issue. The lifts were great, and I am not sure what Mary is talking about when she says he is not flexing his knees. It sure looked like it to me!

Ade and Janette get Nappitabs and she is funked up by the afro pick. WTFork? I really do not understand what’s the meaning of the afro pick? Afro pick, nappytabs, nappy hair, black power? Is there something here that I really cannot grasp? ???? Back to the dance: Janette can swing her booty and Ade can shake that comb! It was a little rusty at times, but good at others. In the end, I think I liked the number, but it is not my favorite by Nappitabs. As far as the jidges comments go, I am not sure if Nigel promises or threatens Mary to hypnotize her out of her clothes, and I am not sure if Mary looks forward to it or is shocked by the idea. Mesmer the hypnotist is referenced over and over again, including as Debbie tells Ade to stay away from her daughter! WTFork?

Jeanine gets Jason and Travis Wall’s contemporary routine. Awesome! Just having Travis choreographing for the show is already great! The dance is sexy, almost dirty?, but relies too much on a hearty gimmick. The heart on a chain going back and forth was a bit distracting and seemed forced (isn’t dance supposed to seem effortless?) but in the end the whole number did get pulled together. In the predictable jidges comments, I do not understand why Nigel had to underhandedly slam Phillip when he says that Jeanine finally got a partner that can keep up with her. Debbie has an evangelical epiphany about dance shows and their influence upon the world. I think that I may have to see this number again.

By the way, a side note here, people on Twitter came up with a drinking game that I found quite amusing… Debbie Allen’s new drinking game: take a shot every time Debbie Allen says "honey," "child," or "girl" or "my school."

Randi and Kupono do a Paso. Randi’s hair has transformed to that of a Decepticon eluding an Autobot. The execution was not as good. Kupono’s lifts were weak, even scary. Poor Randi! This dance seemed soo looong to me! And I’m sure it was longer to her, not knowing when Kupono was going to drop her nose first to the floor! And finnaly he did! When the jidges comment on trust issues it was so understandable that Randi was concerned… after all, he almost dropped her at the start, in the middle, and finally did drop her at the end!

Looking forward to the mathematical obvious pairing of Melissa and Brandon, they are given a killer routine – Broadway choreographed by Tyce. Fortunately, it is a piece from Hair! 1967 for those checking out there (and Nigel does, correcting the 70’s reference). Let’s see if they can do better than that awful West Side Story number by Kupono and Kayla. And they do! These are hippies with Attitude, extensions and jazz hands. And what were they smokin’ at the end? Beautiful flower child Melissa is a stand out.

The Solos:
When Brandon does his solo, he shows what training and technique can do to an improvised routine. He seems comfortable and perhaps a little too cocky.
Randi’s solo shows off her beautiful smile, but not much more. It is unfortunately not very original, with some poses, some tricks, lots of floor and an awful dress.
Kupono’s solo makes me reconsider him as a dancer! He does well, showcasing a style that defines him, all raggedy and quasi-sinister.
Melissa does her contemporary ballet solo, with great technique and only on the floor at the end. She has that level that defines her as a dancer but, can she be “America’s Favorite Dancer”?
Evan makes good in a solo that makes me think that he took to heart the Gene Kelly comment by Debbie Allen. His costume is out of place with the actual choreography, which makes the whole thing contrast with itself. Is that a good thing? I don’t think so. I think instead that the old-fashioned bits outweighed the contemporary parts.
Kayla does well, looking pretty and with some well executed air tricks, demonstrating good extensions and a pretty presence. She makes me think that ALL of these dancers ARE good, and deserve to be where they are. It is sad to think that there is only one winner, but oh well, what is that phone number again Cat?
Ade’s solo is athletic and impressive. Lots of tricks = lots of audience cheers = lots of votes.
Stunning Jeannine jumps to some scorpions and stays upright all seconds long. She does very well. And her vote number is…?
Jason’s solo is truly unimpressive. After seeing the athleticism, technique and originality of the others, I must say that he is the weakest of the boys, closely behind Evan.
Jeannete shakes her Miami moves and shows what Latino ballroom looks like! But, was it original? Can it grab that vote from the tweens out there? Among the girls, I would think that she and Randi are competing for the bottom.
To end of the show we get grass skirts after all! The boys do an African Dance routine tat I am tooooo tired to comment upon. It looked generally good, almost as punchy as the “Single Ladies” choreography performed by Beyonce. Perhaps a little more masculine.
My predictions for tomorrow: Randi and Evan out.

SYTYCD - Results July 9 - Phillip is out... and I'm not happy...

2009-07-09T19:31:00.000-07:00

Nappytabs group number is pulsating with anticipation, as it builds up the expectation to… Cat’s Dress Tonight! An odd Southwest or Mexican inspired Turquoise number that gets mixed reviews, as she congratulates the ancient judge on his B-Day. His own elegance does not shine through as he underhandedly shows his anger at the MJ estate and Sony for not allowing SYTYCD to play up commercially for ratings the tragic death of MJ.
As the first pair of couples comes up for elimination night, I think it’s obvious that Jason and Caitlin will be bottom threed, as the other couple is Brandon and Jeannette. As predicted in our blog last night, J&C are in the bottom and this is bad news for Jason, I think.
As Evan and Randi are voted safe (that Russian Dance was a real vote killer, I guess) instead of Phillip and Jeannine, Nigel goes into a solo of his own, talking about how everyone in this show anyway will be on the tour (as they need a couple of swing dancers after all). He rambles on the weight of votes, of trajectory, of the judges’ opinions and on other ways of altering the final results. He seems to say, “ok, so we rig it, but it is just a show after all… isn’t it? And now I’m really afraid for Phillip, since my prediction last night is already off, as I had assumed Evan would be off. Are they really going to kick Phillip out for the rest of the show, but keep him for the tour? So, I love Brandon and I’m okay with Ade, but is that going to be it? What’s the thrill of watching the show then? I suffer through every Kupono dance. And I never really liked Evan (who comes across as amateurish at best). Jason is alright, but not extraordinary. OK, so I’m getting producer-philosophical here and I almost miss it when Melissa & Ade as well as Kupono & Kayla come up. Unfortunately (although I expected it this way in my prediction blog) Kupono and Kayla are the safe pair.
Half of the dancers are in the bottom three, and I expect that means lots of disappointed fans (about 50%). But seriously, lets look at the TOP three: Brandon and Jeannete, Evan and Randi, and Kayla and Kupono! Are you serious? B&J I can see, but E&R and K&K over Melissa & Ade and Phillip & Jeannine? Let’s see the solos…
[I close the eyes in my mind, as the eyes in my head see that none of these guys should be out tonight—but it is a competition and we all knew the rules of the game. I feel for Jason but among these three, it would be the logical outcome. Among the girls I almost feel the same way about Caitlin, the one girl with the most beautiful bare-feet pointe ever!!]
The singer sings, the backup dancers dance, the commercials numb the mind and when the show starts once again, long haired and legged Cat welcomes back the jidges who quickly ratify my foreboding but predictable thoughts as they kick out Caitlin. When Phillip is kicked out I am upset! But Nigel quickly tells all not to worry as he and Caitlin will be on the tour anyhow. Phillip was my “exception,” the first time I’m really a fan of an untrained dancer. He has worked so hard over the last two to three years to get where he is at. He seemed humble and honest and very creative. Someone who could really push the envelope. I am sad, and a little bit of my heart goes out with him. Phillip I am your fan!

July 8, 2009: 5-6 SYTYCD on 7-8-9, 6 pairs will lead to the top 10!

2009-07-08T20:19:00.000-07:00

Cat comes out in a 50ish 60ish fashion, moving like a new age Marilyn down the stage. Warm and fuzzy diamond dancers are her best friends tonight (but she is wearing that little black dress). Too bad the tour is decided tonight and two dancers will be exiled to the cold waters of Niagara (will they itch and scratch for seven years?). Well, not really, since the SYTYCD tradition is that dancers eleven and twelve go on the tour as understudies. So, America, these are your tour dancers! So you think they ALL can dance? I have doubts about ONO or two…
By the way, Cat’s hair—is she getting tips from Nigel’s hair stylist? But let’s leave the despair of defeated dancers back in the drawer and start enjoying their final performances.

Melissa and Ade do Disco from Dorianna – Melissa has some trouble at the beginning but gets to show that she can actually shake some ballet booty. Wild and crazy lifts dominate the number and at the end she gets all the way down to the floor on an unscheduled bump that ouch! will be black and blue tomorrow. Tyce’s first time on the j-panel (really?) includes the F (frigging) word, though he is the only one that actually mentions Ade’s performance. Man, he lifted that girl! In their second number they do a contemporary ballet variation of the Waltz which, while Ron Montez does his best with, is still green at the stage. It “nearly” was good… with a little more practice it could have been beautifully done, despite what the judges said… Still, I believe this couple will be safe tomorrow. It will all depend on how many blind followers Kayla and Kupono do have.

Kayla and Kupono now are up to a Contemporary by Mia Michaels. Remember, this style was picked out of the hat by this couple! No favoritism here. Not AT ALL! Asphyxiation and kicks seem to be the drivers in this chorography. The make-up-less Kayla is not in the favored light, but still her expression comes out. Kupono mostly grabs and doesn’t let go, glaring at his partner and the audience. Not much from him except for acting, but wait is it not called SYTYCD? –not So You Think You Can Act! Kupono has a weirdness about him, as he says that he will miss Kayla’s sweat (?). The West Side number choreographed by Joey Dowling is killed a horrible death as it seems more satirical burlesque than stylized Broadway… did they think it was Gypsy Rose (off-off-off Seventh Avenue?) Nigel truly seems to ramble at first, but he finally gets to the point and tells him they did not do well. Mary and Tyce are off, I think, truly this was not good. Terrible enough however to overcome the fact that love is blind? (I mean, the love of Kaypono’s fans?) Not sure. My wild guess is that Kaypono will be safe tomorrow, although, in my opinion, they shouldn’t be.

The quick pace of the show almost makes me miss what is going on as I write. Fortunately Jason and Caitlyn’s F Trot slows things down. Not exactly a vote grabber but Nigel offers champagne for C! is she even 21? As she shows off her cigarette holder move, I check for her age… not enough to make me believe that they are truly legal. Fortunately they have a second chance, with Mandy Moore choreographing them in their second number, a contemporary piece that definitely makes me think that it sooo unjustifiable that Jason will be kicked off before Kupono. The scripted “no chemistry” remarks by the jidges seemed to be so out of place and simply out there in order to influence the jury pool. These two will be bottom-threed, no matter what they did. I really liked this number, though.

Nelzine and Babenko (am I correct? Are these the Russian choreographers’ names?) trill a “famous” children’s tune. Famous perhaps within a few blocks of Moscow! When we see this Russian Folk Dance… well, Bollywood it ain’t! Phillip does a difficult twirling floor move, but reaaally do the producers want these guys out? At this point we wonder what were the producers thinking? And, Nigel, please, wasn’t this your idea to begin with? Tyce actually helps them out, definitely burying this style for the show as he ignores it completely and says that the dancers did the best they could with what was given to them. Perhaps Nigel will reconsider that idea of Hula in Grass skirts that he had in mind for a future show. When P&J are up for their second number, a type of American Folk Dancin’ we can all relate more to—the Jive, I have hopes that it works out better… and it does 1-888-FAN-FRIGGIN’-STASTIC says Tyce as the (almost) top couple of the night eats hot tamales dished out by Mary.

Randi apparently was shaking and showing her booty too much to Evan under Mia’s guidance, so Nappytabs come to the conclusion that she must have gotten pregnant! Good choreography, but a bit too much N/T formula! We’ve seen the moves before, they are good and the dancers execute them well. Not exactly urban, as Nigel says, but satisfactory—not quite movin’. Randi was the better of the two. Pasha and Anya (Seasons 3) try to teach a Samba to them and, while seeing it, I really would have liked seeing Pasha and Anya do this one instead! Evandi got the moves, but in a scale of hotness this barely was tepid… a slow sizzle is what Mary calls it, trying to compliment it. Evan will likely be kicked out tomorrow, although he did a better job that I can imagine other dancers that will not get kicked out could have done (I have ono dancer in mind in particular) in this number.

Brandon and Jeannette’s Tango! I am so glad that Mia is not judging tonight because when she were to say tomorrow that ANY OTHER NUMBER was the best of the night my head would have spinned so bad that the sprain would have stayed for weeks! The strength of Brandon and the moves of Jeannette combined to make this a great dance number. This was precise! By the way, did anyone understand what Tyce said? Was he trying to pull a Lil’C impression? OK, so he likes orange juice… In B&J’s second number Wade Robson sets them out in a cartoonish video game type routine, and they simply floor the competition tonight. They reminded me of that burger burglar from Mickey Dee’s coming to life and stealing the show!!

My prediction for tomorrow is bottom three: Evandi, Caison and… Melade… Out: Evan and Caitlin.

SYTYCD Tonight, July 2 2009: Are these results the real deal?

2009-07-02T19:31:00.000-07:00

Cat shows off her long legs with a short silver top, but her hair is not as good as last night, as a Brand New Day (choreographed by Tyce) frames the dancers popping out of a golden frame. I liked the number, given what we have seen before. It was an underhanded homage to Michael Jackson, but probably should have been a little more overt—some moonwalkin’ or something… And talking about dancing:
Vitolio and Carla & Evan and Randi are up first on dreaded judgment night. I expect in this comparison V & C to sail on by, and in this case we are wrong! Randi and Evan are safe. The Quick-Step Kiss of Death curse may be back!
Next Brandon & Jeanette get choo chooed with a tamale by Cat—when K and K are up against Melissa and Ade’ it seems that it is an almost unfair comparison. Indeed Melissa and Ade’ are safe, and I think that… well, I’ve got one out of two so far… and that Kupono will be out, but then along comes Mia, slamming, with her hidden anti-ballet agenda, saying that the choice of the US dancing fans is crock, saying that they are all idiots, that THAT was the BEST performance of last night! RUK’ding me?!? The BEST?!/! No Way, Mia! No Way!
I guess if Kupono or Kayla are in the bottom tonight, a divided vote it will be…
The last pair is obvious, I think, between Jason and Caitlyn & Phillip and Jeannine, as the REAL best number comes up for results (P & J, just if you’ve a doubt), and Phillip and Jeannine are obviously safe. However, the aliens DID phone home and Jason and Caitlin are not bottom threed! Perhaps, I need to believe in conspiracy theories again… after all, P & J could use some showcasing.
The solos are, whatever… Karla and Kayla are thumbs down for me, Vitolio’s is pretty good! Then Kupono comes in with his ragged Bermudas and love beads and, what can I say—I hope I don’t have to see him again???
Kupono’s solo was amateurish, to say the least…
Finally we see Jeannine showing off and demonstrating why she is top ten material and even higher! She is not fairly in the group of three and then—Phillip comes out to show us that he may be spineless and boneless but he sure can put on a number! He is top Top TOP! Why he is bottom three is a TV-show-producer’s-conspiration mystery, but I am sure he will not be at the bottom one. Mia will say whatever and maybe Kupono will stay and Vitolio leave, but do you think that would be fair? If that happens I can only say… read my previous blogs re Mia and her ethnic preferences…
The not so shocking end: Sarah and Lisa are happy that Jeannine is safe!!! (Great to see you guys again in the audience… I really envy you enjoying it all in L.A.) --- Karla is gone, and amazingly (and explainable by many other reasons except for dancing) so is Vitolio!

Contrition, Forgiveness and Redemption: SYTYCD No Matter How Nice, You’re Still not Sugar, Spice!

2009-07-01T19:57:00.000-07:00

Top 14, Wed. July 1, 2009
Carmina Burana’s dramatic notes mark the start of the show, and after the top 14 do their thang, Cat Deeley, fresh from the prom in a beautiful fuchsia dress, quizzes guest judge Mia Michaels about her feelings. Mia, with a coy Attitude—or perhaps recognizing her past sins—suggests that she has changed her opinion regarding some unnamed dancer… but Nigel, pulling some teeth, gets her to admit that it is a short, male dancer. No matter how much contrition, Mia, I still believe that your true colors will show again, just as your tattoo peeks out of the sleeve of your dress!
And talking about Brandon: Up come Janette and Brandon in the first slot, challenged by a Jean Marc & France Generaux Cha Cha. Danc/gerous it is, as J falls and B is kicked near the b’s in rehearsal. Though at first it seems tentative it gets better after the first minute or so, going on really dangerously. It lacks however a je-ne-se-quois overall, but in the last two thirds they really get into it: bump and all. Cat wants to get into the moves, so (after kneeling a bit to overcome height differences) she bumps Brandon (she IS a host with the most!). This dance was hot but perhaps not steamy (I guess that was the je-ne-se-quois). After the dance, Nigel and Mary really overflow in praise, perhaps to needle Mia into saying what she said to Brandon: “you’re amazing—but you will love me and hate me in this journey.” Ok, so she publicly repented of her past sins, but let’s see if she internally makes amends.
Kupono and Kayla do contemporary by Sonya (my favorite) – a very suggestive dark pas that, I believe, will put them in the danger zone tomorrow. It was complicated, and full of tricks, so much so that emotion gets thrown out the window. Despite Mary’s comments, I do not believe that the technique was flawless, with arms flailing, and shaky legs. Mia plays nice, but she probably knows that it is bottom three again for these two.
Next, Evan and Randi do a Joey Dowling’s Broadway. Tall and spiked heel, Joey tries to whip them into shape and Mia compliments her for it. Randi does not seem to be used to dancing in shoes so she seems off balance all the time. Evan is better, but she was so bad, it was hard to watch. I did not like this number, despite Nigel’s excuses about the underlying homage to Fosse and Liza. Mia actually was the only sincere one this time, sugar coating her criticisms, but at least not saying “it was the best I’ve seen of…” that M 'n N have kept on doing all night.
Jason and Caitlin – let’s see if Brian Freedman can do something that is not in the bottom three this week. Dangerous Aliens! However BF’s idea of how an alien woman should seduce the last man on earth is STRANGGGGE! What does that say or mean about him, I do not know or want to go there. (However, not original either, since there are sooo many cult movies about this topic – Amazon Women of Outer Space and so on and so on…) The dancing, however, was overcome by the costuming, the idea and the music. It was hard to tell if they danced well or not, but Mia says she has been on that ride (abduction?). Perhaps live at the studio it looked better, but if this dance gets many votes it probably will be from the populous extraterrestrial crowd.

Phillip and Jeanine do NappiTabs! Chained together they dance to one of my favorite songs: Locked Down by Kanye W! The chain restricts but lets them do moves! Phillip pops, and Jeanine jumps. Why should Phillip have given J the key at the end makes no sense to me: They are bound together to make it very far in season five, despite Mia’s jealous stabs to NappiTabs chainography. A shout out to Lisa and Sarah Ponczek with that great sign rooting for Jeanine!

Melissa and Ade’ do a classical ballet with a Prokofiev’s R&J pas, a first in many ways. Even though Jessica Fernandez in season two did her last solo in Pointe shoes before getting kicked off, at this time I am elated that this style is shown shamelessly in this show. I have not lost total hope in the dancing public, so I’m sure that this number is not going to be bottom threed. One question though: could any other dancer besides Melissa have done this choreography as dreamily? Perhaps that tells us something about the “versatility” of other dance styles… after all Melissa has kicked some doing hip hop/jazz, contemporary and rumba. One of our twitter (Prosemonkey) followers does pose an interesting question: how come the only ballerina in the bunch pulled the ballet pas de deux out of the hat? Is that not a happy coincidence?
Katie Holmes, DizzyFeet, blah, blah, blah… this type of “special announcements” make my eyes glaze over.
Karla and Vitolio do Quick Step, a difficult and toughly dangerous move with a hat on, clicking heels at the Ritz. Statuesquely starting from a podium Vitiolio does good, ending with Karla at the same starting point. It was well executed, but not tour material (except perhaps for that eye popping costume change).

Okay: My predictions for bottom three are Evan and Randi, Jason and Caitlin, and Kupono and Kayla. Who do I think will be out? Caitlin, although I do not think she’s the worst of the three. But I think that’s where the show is going. About the guys, I’m not sure but I would like to see Kupono leave.

I'm live blogging on Twitter

2009-07-01T17:52:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone. Just a reminder that I'm live blogging at: www.twitter.com/ttitude.
For replies, write to me @ttitude

So You Think You Can Dance: Top Eight Couples – June 24, 2009

2009-06-24T20:21:00.000-07:00

Butt They Dance, Don’t They…
Sorry, fans, but I set priorities tonight and enjoying dinner while watching SYTYCD with the daughter won over writing a proper blog. Hence, I’m going to be very brief tonight. Hopefully, I’ll get some complaints, which will tell me that some people really read my blog!?! Or Not! Maybe, if I were to go away, would some people really miss me?
Anyhow, my favorites tonight were: Brandon and Jeanette’s Hip Hop; Jeanine and Phillip’s feathers dance; Randi and Evan (Mia Michael’s BUTT choreography); and Melissa and Ade’s Rumba. I really enjoyed Melissa’s performance. Actually, I think she’s one of the best Season 5 dancers. But Brandon, Jeanette, Ade, Randi and Evan were pretty good also. And I was kind of upset with the “simple” comments from Nigel. These dances weren’t simple, Nigel. The dancers were CLEAN, which makes a big difference, making them look simple/easy and almost effortless. They were not simple; they were well executed. I dare you to watch them again and see how NOT EASY or SIMPLE they were. Randi and Evan in particular looked simple but, if that choreography was not danced properly it could so easily look so very sloppy! That was a great Mia Michael’s choreography, by the way.
Also great were Caitlin and Jason. I love them as dancers; but this was NOT one of my favorite dances tonight. But I still think that Caitlin is among the best dancers this season.
So, I guess we can already predict the TOP TEN for SEASON 5: Melissa, Caitlin, Jeanine, Janette, Randi, Brandon, Ade, Randi, Evan and Philip.
Bottom Three: Karla and Jonathan; Asuka and Vitolio; Kayla and Kupono. Out should be Asuka and Kupono, especially considering that they both do not seem to be able to dance for their lives, even if their lives were in actual danger.
And, briefly, just some random comments: Tony Basil was definitely wearing Bloch’s little girls’ ruffle backpack over her head (this is an insider’s joke, and a shout out just for our friend Jimmy). Did Tony Basil spill the beans when she said that Mia Michaels had been observing Evan and Randi and creating choreography FOR THEM. Did you mean for them in particular? So, do you mean that Mia picks who she wants to choreograph for? No! Really? So: It isn’t picked from a hat? And, about the “what would they be doing if they weren’t dancing” theme: Doesn’t the whole thing make you think that those career options are their actual career goals? Like, looking into the Crystal Ball: Jewelry making, elementary school teacher, aspiring actress, studio owner… Not that hard to see that in their futures… Oh, and of course I cannot leave you tonight without mentioning Randi’s and Phillip’s Butts overexposure (only the last one was an accident). Well, I guess I wasn’t that brief after all… BUTT I wasn’t thorough, I know!

SYTYCD: Results Show June 18, 2009

2009-06-18T19:42:00.000-07:00

The show starts with a Mia Choreography. Liked it!
A montage of Philosopher King Lil’ C. I’m so sorry that I wasn’t recording the show tonight! I would have loved to write down each and every word of that montage!
Rushing into the first round of results. Melliser (Cat’s loving pronunciation) and Ade are safe, as expected. Philip and Jeanine’s Tango gets them … safe! Caitlin and Jason are bottom three-d. I had not done that, so my blog from last night is totally off, however it was a dance that turned me off. I contradict myself sometimes, what can I say, accelerated writing and reactions sometimes…
Brandon and Janette are safe, even after that tough choice. I’m glad.
Karla and Jonathan are buck in Lil’C’s eyes and the US! Shane Sparks is in hot water as two of his choreographies are in the bottom (even as Kupono is disguised as Brian Friedman). To be honest, I didn’t like Shane’s choreographies either (see my Twitts-www.twitter.com/ttitude). However, I wrongly assumed that America will vote for them. I guess I should give America and myself more credit next time!
Evan and Randy are safe with their fun number. Asuka and Vitolio’s Waltz overcomes the woman killer choreography of Brian. Is it odd that the renowned Sparks and Friedman are the choreographers in the bottom two?
Again, not to justify it, but out of “respect” for the status quo I wasn’t as harsh as I wanted to be about these two last night. But I’m actually glad that America got it right. My predictions were wrong because I assumed that the audience will go for the Friedman/Sparks’ choreographies. Next week, I’ll try to believe in myself a bit more!
And then we have a “Bollywood” dancer whose name occupied the whole screen from left to right and I couldn’t capture. As I see her. I remember when I used to see the American Indian PowWows out West as those jingling anklets and bracelets are a common accessory for both these ethnic-like dances. Loved it!
The solos, what can I say? The most pathetic is Kupono’s, disguised as a poor dancer’s version of Brian Friedman, but Ashley’s isn’t exactly uplifting either. Caitlin is still one of my favorites this season, and as I expect to see her to be part of the top ten, I assume she’ll stay. Kayla’s solo is okay, nothing exceptional.
Maks’ solo is a blur of moving legs that make him definitely safe in my eyes. The show needs a ballroom dancer, and he’s definitely a professional that can pick choreography.
After the Britney-Spears-Has-been-Lip-Synching-Wannabee performs, we find out the jidges decision (not unanimous says Nigel). Ashley is out, after the robot routine and Shane’s shadow. Amazingly, in a STOOPID decision, Maksim is out! This guy’s soo muuch bbetterr than Kupono! RUKM! This decision is a joke!
Are they going to pull out one of their trick later on, ala Thayne, and bring him back when someone else gets injured or whatever and they need a professional dancer… Maybe… I hope so…!!!
Well, I cannot understand this decision. Voting off Maks instead of Kupono?!?!? Am I SOO out of it? P***d off does not begin to describe my feelings about this result. I do not understand: between K and M the clear choice was M—even when seeking TV ratings! Maybe I AM out of it after all…
I’m not happy right now! Bye. Until next week.

So You Think You Can Dance Slow, Fast, Faster!

2009-06-18T04:17:00.001-07:00

The second week gets us off to a great start. Two new choreographers, the return of Shane and Brian, and Lil’ C more obfuscating than usual. An entertaining episode tonight for SYTYCD, D, D…
Let’s start by saying that Cat’s big ketchup dress is… well let me talk about the dancers instead.
Louis Van Amstel from DWTS (where Lacey and satin Chelsie have gigs) in a counter cross-breeding dance-show pollination shows up to choreograph in SYTCD. Fortunately we have Cat here as host, instead of Lisa Rinna… as somebody’s partner or in any other fashion. Louis choreographs Jive jitters with a fun clock meter to start the night, as the judges give Randy and Evan a bit of a dressing down. I thought it was fun, certainly hi-energy. The tricks well executed, the butt grabbing a bit surprising… after all is this not a show about entertainment? Lil’ C suggests in fact that Evan is too smooth and polished and he needs to get rougher! But Mary and Nigel slam on the technique side. So I don’t know what they are looking for, and much less do cannon fodder dancers such as this charming couple.
For the second number Ade and Melissa are choreographed by: Sonya!!! I love her. Cirque-de-Soleil-ish beginning this is modern jazz not contemporary or Hip-hop-lite. Sonya does an incredible choreography, highlighting the contrast and complimenting the strengths, using the white arms over the black chest in a great graphic composition that the dancers absoluutleee nailed! Ade demonstrates what a male dancer does, enhancing the partner, but showing his movements and his strength. Melissa was awesome! She danced! She pointed!, She extended! Great number, great dancers. Nigel is an idiot! (see my twitter).
Shane Sparks’ hip hop for Caitlin and Jason relies on chemistry, and maybe a little glue and tape. What can I say… there was not real originality in the dance, just formula steps one after the other. She was better than he, who really was all hip hop clichés. Not top notch. This is what I meant by Hip-hop-lite. For once, I am not disgusted by the judge’s comments.
Brandon and Janette, the Miami couple, are really in the dog house. Last week F**x Trot, and this week Disco? Somebody out there (Mia?) does not seem to like them. They actually do incredibly well in an incredibly fast motion number choreographed by Dorianna. The Philosopher King Lil ‘C is so shocked that esta fumao as they say in Miami, rambling weirdly (or more so than usual). These dancers can eat three Whoppers and a couple of milkshakes and still burn all the calories off! Amazing that Janette actually trusted Brandon’s strength and stamina all the way to the end, to pick her up in that final move and not drop her! They must have spent enough Miami energy to light the stage over and over and over!
Vitolio and Asuka, are choreographed by Louis in a waltz (wow they really do not like Miami dancers, do they?!—all they give them is low-vote dance styles!). The routine to boot was boring from our vantage point, outside that studio, not top trick material that makes people pick up the phone. Mary’s tears do not make me think that the votes will be there; yes it was beautiful, but will it get votes? On TV it is not the same as in person, so I really think that bottom three is probably in the very near future for these two.
Brian Friedman gives us Maks and Kayla in a poorly/distractingly costumed misogynistic confrontation. Really, the dancing was good, but did he really have to snap her neck at the end? Mixed feelings with this one: good medium, poor message.
Jonathan and Karla do a Stacey Tookey (Canadian SYTYCD import) contemporary routine that is sentimental and, perhaps, even good. It is hard to figure out if it was easy or if it just looked that way. It had some really cool moves but that somehow we have already seen, haven’t we? Was it a standout performance in an entertainment show? Hard to tell. Even with all the praise by the judges, I still believe they will be bottom three-d.
Boy, Cat’s red dress is distracting… And did you notice that Sonya also had a one shoulder dress? (The other shoulder). But I still love her. Oh, and did you notice that Caitlin’s top seemed to have been made with Cat’s right shoulder?
Philip and Jeanine do a Tango by Tony Meredith that gets Philip kicked in the nuts as Jeanine flies and shakes to overpower him substantially. I understand the judges’ critique, but I don’t think this two will be in trouble tomorrow. They’re popular and attractive and, even though they were quite outside their comfort zone, they did a good job. Even the choreographer said so!
For the final number, Ashley and Kupono do a shadow Sparks’ dance were he is not as stuck to the dark presence of her as he should. I still think the judges were harsher with them than they deserved, as it was an interesting routine well executed.
As I twitted to my followers (make me more paranoid at @ttitude), I think that bottom three will be Karla & Jonathan, Asuka & Vitolio, and Randi & Evan. Still not clear cut for the final ones out. I’m really guessing here but I think it will be Vitolio for the guys and Karla for the girls. Then again, maybe I am biased and would just like Asuka to stay (although she hasn’t shown much to redeem her). We’ll see….

I'm experimenting with Twitter tonight!

2009-06-17T16:54:00.001-07:00

I'm twitting along tonight. If you want to follow me as I watch the show, my name is TTITUDE (replies to @attitude). Follow me and re-twitt!

So You Think You Can Dance: Results Show - Week 1

2009-06-11T19:41:00.000-07:00

Tonight, I was late arriving home from work, so I missed the first five minutes of SYTYCD live results show. In those five minutes, apparently many things happened including a group hip hop dance to Boom Boom Pow by the Black Eyed Peas. My friends tell me that it was cool. I’ll have to watch it on Youtube.
Okay. So I think I did kind of okay with my predictions last night, although I was completely wrong about the actual bottom two. I was certain that Karla and Jonathan will be part of the bottom three (and I was correct), but then I had doubts between four other couples. I included Paris and Tony and Asuka and Vitolio among them, however, so I guess I was right that way. But I thought Karla and John will be the ones out, and I was wrong.
Do the judges really take the solos into account? Apparently so, if based on tonight’s episode. Because, seriously, after watching tonight’s solos I also thought that Tony was terrible! And, if you see my previous blogs, you’ll see that I thought it was kind of a joke that Tony got into the show to begin with (after his chair act in Vegas? come on!). However, after last night, I thought they might give Tony another week, just to keep another hip hopper in the show. Anyhow, I won’t miss Tony.
About the girls, I thought Asuka’s solo was not good but, honestly, none of the girls’ solos really impressed me. But Asuka’s been so much better than that solo! It looked like she was completely out of steam and didn’t know what to do. However, I’m glad they kept her. About Paris, I think there is only room for one tutu in this show and that is Melissa’s (although tonight Melissa was wearing just 1/8 of it!).
Well, going against my conspiracy theorist best instincts, tonight I thought that the judges were very fair! I almost like if I were watching top chef!
Okay, no major surprises tonight on So You Think You Can Dance, not much to say about Cat’s outfit, just a mellow results show. Next week, the competition continues… and we may have spoilers early on in the week (Monday night) if we get our sources at the taping to give us any hints: who dances what with whom, etc., etc., etc…..

So You Think You Can Dance: The Competition Begins At Last!

2009-06-10T19:44:00.000-07:00

Finally, it’s the first night of competition for SYTYCD. Cat is in Spidey/White Mermaid/Piano Key looking dress (see my side bar about Cat’s Fashion), tangling us in a web of dance, dance, dance... Adam Shankman is the guest judge, and he’s being so, so prince charming (!?!?!?). It doesn’t matter that he seems to be a little bit fake, somehow... As they showcase the top twenty, I start pointing out my favorites so far: Asuka, Brandon, Caitlin, Janette…

Philip the Popper is paired with Jeanine, choreographed by the stellar NappyTabs. Right up their ally, as she is a competition baby and he is a popper street guy. Mad, Ne-Yo’s song is adequately danced to, not especially up to expectations. The surprise is Philip, as he is highlighted in this choreography over Jeanine. The sum of the parts for me was not really more than the parts. She seems to be getting set up by the judges “slipped through the net” says Nigel, not done much before, no experience in Hip-hop, etc., etc., etc… They will be safe this week, however, as this number is a winner no matter what...

We hear that Asuka did classical ballet until she went to college, setting up the training for the amazing dancer we see now. Hot Honey Rag in an amusing Broadway routine choreographed by Tyce, she is much greater than he (Vitolio). Lots of hand jazz waving, stiff limbs, and forced smiles make this not exactly my favorite routine. Lots of work ahead for Asuka, maybe not so much for Vitolio (he will be gone before her). I really like Asuka, but this number was kind of blah.

To the song Poker Faced by Lady Gaga (one of those favorites of mine), Karla and John’s routine by Tony is cha-cha mechanics, looks more like filler than a routine that wanted to be in this show. Shankman’s comment that he needs to dance more like a man than a boy seems the only sincere comment from the poker faced judges.

Randi and Evan (the brother), do a Tyce Diorio number, I Only Have Eyes For You, that is the best one of the night so far, though not as great as it could’ve been, perhaps because it is early in the season, perhaps because Evan's dance is kind of heavy. The back story of the brothers in the audience, and the husband that is not there, is getting a bit annoying. This was a good dance, however. Not a great dance. but a good dance. This pair will be safe this week.

Paris and Tony do NappyTabs to Let the Beat Rock by Black Eyed Peas. Not exactly hard core, it is more of a sugar coated hip hop routine well executed, sharp and disciplined—mechanical technique overkill. It's hard to figure out what the audience will make of this number. My take is that some people are going to really like it, and they will like these two and vote for them. As a dancing number, I'm ?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?

Caitlin and Jason bring Bollywood energy to the floor: Jai Ho from Slumdog Millionaire. This is a number that no matter what and who, it won’t be bottom three tomorrow. The song, the style, the kiss… I like Caitlin, and there is something about Jason too. It seems kind of unfair, however, with other people such as Janette and Brandon (see below) who seem to have gotten the short stick while Caitlin and Jason got a number that no matter what, it won’t fail to enchant the audience. Caitlin is one of my favorites anyhow, so I’m glad that she will be staying.

Brandon and Janette are given a tall order with a Fox Trot… after Bollywood? Are you kiding me? For heaven’s sake! Could they have made it more difficult for them! Fox Trot, the kiss of dead, on week one and after Bollywood! Come Fly With Me by Michael Buble. Borderline on the voting category, it is very well done. Brandon’s personality comes through, perhaps not in the most favorable light.
Felt Mountain by Goldfrapp (another favorite of mine) is the backdrop for a Wade Robson choreography for Ashley and Kupono. The doggie robot was cute, as well as the dancer robots. I wonder, however, how much difference would it have made if the dancer robots where actual robot dolls? I found this number interesting, but I don’t know how good of dancers it really required…???

Melissa and Ade, the naughty, buffed, “seasoned” ballerina. I kind of discovered Melissa tonight! Before, she didn't seem to me to me anything more than the tired act of the fake tutued "ballerina" among the contemporary dancers. Actually. I found her to be quite a moving dancer. Clean and expresive. Mandy Moore choreography showcased them both, and they reached to the level! Ade, in a routine way out of his style (and out of his league?) did his part. I cannot avoid wondering how wonderful this number would have been with Brandon and Melissa as a pair! In any case, I enjoyed it and liked Melissa’s dancing a lot. She’s now one of my favorites too!

Next, Max and Kayla Max did a samba, hot and moving. Great piece, but now my conspiracies begin to brew… Why did they give them a number that was obviously so totally within their comfort zone! This number, write it down, will be in the top 10 tour. I think Max is great. I liked him since the auditions. But he’s obviously one of the professionals that will be on the tour no matter what… Oh my, how much I love a conspiracy!!!

Okay. After the show, my favorites are: Caitlin, Asuka, Brandon, Melissa and Max.

My prediction for bottom three are: Karla and John and Brandon and Janette for sure. About the third couple, I debate between Asuka and Vitolio, Paris and Tony, or Ashley and Kupono? Hard to tell. I think Ashley and Kupono. In any case, I think Karla and John will be the ones to go bye, bye,

SYTYCD: The Top 20 Revelation at Last

2009-06-05T06:08:00.000-07:00

So You Think You Can Dance: The Top 20 Revelation
As I anxiously await for SYTYCD to start I am shocked when I sit down, ready to write my blog, and “Bones” comes on. Another hour till the start of the show! When finally the final cut starts, I am ready. Unfortunately, my expectations are dashed because this is not the greatest TV entertainment out there, with the prolonged low level tension dragging out slowly as the 32 are whittled down to the 20. Some highlights from a low show:
We learn that hot and spicy Janette Manrara breaks up with her boyfriend, moved back with mom but goes on to LA. In an interview with the LA Times, Nigel had said that that is what they were looking for in Miami, and she’s got it (plus abs!).
Dianna is kicked out of the jungle, monkey and all. Tony the bird makes it to LA. Jeanine Mason (another South Florida girl!) goes to LA too. Kapono chair dancing from Seattle’s actually makes it also! Another five or six dancers make it to top 20 in a quick sequence that suggests that they are mostly cannon fodder for the upcoming first weeks of the live show.
When Brandon comes up, I have to wonder, what’s wrong with Mia? Why the drama around Brandon? Why is she calling him cocky and arrogant? Is there something about him that threatens her? I wonder because, honestly, Brandon Bryant and Alex Wong have been the best of this show so far (oh, and Asuka), so I don’t understand Mia’s reaction. Is there a pattern here? We have seen her spew out similarly against other great dancers such as Danny (Season 3) and Will (Season 4). They all had in common that they were great dancers, with classical training, and African Americans. And I think that what Mia doesn’t like about them is two out of these three issues (and it is not that they are “great dancers”). Okay? Whatever, Brandon is too good for the show to pass on, and he will make it! And he does. No matter if Mia is being bleeped out in her venomous tirade against him.
Alex Wong (who I've loved from the early auditions) is torn by his desire to “dance expressively” in a show vying for popular votes, and his contract as a professional dancer with Miami City Ballet (one of the most successful, creative, and forward looking ballet companies out there!). Whhaaatt? Nigel says that Eddie Villela does not want to let him go, although after what was said tonight, who knows? MCB is a company that does classical ballet in the most American style: George Balanchine and Jerome Robbins. And they also do modern and contemporary with Twyla Tharp and other modern choreographers. It is a company that explores dance in its purest forms. Alex should be glad to have a contract with such a forward company when so many other great dancers are currently out of work. And what does he mean by being “trapped” in Ballet? What a silly pre-conception! And why did you give that satisfaction to Mia, Alex, to typecast Ballet as a “trap”! Like if Ballet meant a one-dimensional form of expression! Well, if he’s let go from MCB and returns to SYTYCD I will enjoy watching him on this competition anyway, but his crying about MCB as a prison lost me as an early fan.
At the end of the show, and as I predicted, Asuka makes it. I say she will go up to top ten, as well as Brandon.
The full top 20:
Boys: Vitolio Jeune, Pono Aweau, Ade Obayomi, Jonathan Platero, Brandon Bryant, Tony Bellissimo, Maksim Kapitannikov, Jason Glover, Philip Chbeeb, Evan Kasprzak
Girls: Janette Manrara, Kayla Radomski, Paris Torres, Karla Garcia, Caitlin Kinney, Melissa Sandvig, Ashley Valerio, Randi Strong-Evans, Jeanine Mason, Asuka Kondoh
Memorable so far: Brandon and Maksim (he's awesome, I had forgotten about him!), Philip Chbeeb (remember him? from Season 4 battle with Robert Muraine? when did he audtion that I missed it?), Evan (mmm... the brother drama... but is his dancing really at the level of this show?), Janette (we've seen a little, but enough to see that she's absolutely incredible!) and Asuka (great!). And we have not seen nothing yet!

So You Think You Can Dance: O Brother (Where Art Thou)

2009-06-03T19:58:00.000-07:00

O Brother (Where Art Thou)

The Vegas round show is awkward. The rounds come and go around; the “dance-for-your-lives” are not lively, as the sharks and the jets shimmy in Vegas, America… Everybody cries… everybody cried and cried and cried, and I also feel like crying as I’m bored to death with this show tonight.
I pity the judges: a week of this! I give thanks to the editing guys. The cutting floor spares us the cutting scenes as dozens of dancers doing the same and the same and the same do not make it round after round after round. The persistence of dancers does come through, though, and the tough reality of a dancer’s life is showcased. Hundreds of young people had a bit of a taste of what it is to be cast into a show. A dancer’s life is a life of passion, passion for the underlying desire in their heart. It is a life of sacrifice to satisfy that passion, with scant opportunities to relax poolside. Professional dancers often hold three and four jobs as they try to make a living and the rent, and have politicians and others dismiss them as dispensable commodities in our society’s well being. The cuts that Nigel and friends made are the kindest. It is when arts school programs, municipal, and federal budgets are cut that dance is cut out from us all. Power to all the ones who made it to Vegas! Power to all who auditioned for Season Five! You have made all of our lives better.
Sorry to be such a downer tonight. The crying game got me down tonight. Let’s see what the show brings tomorrow, with the revealing of the top twenty. Among the girls, I expect Asuka to be in as one of the top ten girls for sure. Among the guys, Brandon Bryant and Alex Wong should make it. Any other predictions are kind of hard, honestly, because the show tonight seems to be showcasing people that are NOT going to make it into the top twenty. One thing I’m sure is that the two Krapscak brothers, Evan and Ryan, are not going to make it too much further (or should not, in my view).
Yes, I must say, it’s almost hard to believe that “somewhere in amengst thes crowd,” as Cat says in her best Catish accent, “is Ameriques Faverite Dencer!”
….So ye thenk ye ken dence, dence, dence…”

SYTYCD – Season 5 – Auditions: I am definitely uninspired tonight!

2009-05-28T20:21:00.000-07:00

These audition shows can get long. At some point the outstanding dancers and the quirky ones get old. I try to get inspired to home in on the zeros and the ones, but with a few warmed up leftovers quickly swallowed my heartburn just gets worse and worse as I watch the missed steps of the show.

LA: The City of Angels
At the Orpheum, on the boulevard of broken dreams, Adam Shankman was the guest judge and Joshua and Katee made a Cameo. Bianca Revels had no cued music, just tapping to her own beat—and went on to Vegas, along with quite a few other tappers already! I guess they really want to have a tapper in the 20’s this time around!
Talking about broken dreams, we saw a couple of nightmares tonight. The Blanton siblings, one of them, were not an act I want to see ever again—a little too close for comfort, with clumsy moves all over first, second, and third base. The judges were too soft on them calling them “strange,” “childlike” and “naïve” as opposed to “terrible,” “poor” and “a bad taste joke.”
Some airtime filler: “Fairy medicine” dance by Suzanne Fernandez; and Michael Han on Pointe – too girlish? Well, that’s too soft of a critique for what could better be defined as another nightmare! Pointe is so beautiful when performed properly and he made it look just ridiculous. He should be sued, or at least fined for that!
Calico Sequeira swings away but doesn’t show it enough. A partner to the Shankman, however, he makes it to Vegas (after reminding guest Judge Joshua who’s the boss).
Asuka Kondoh and Ricky Sun, if they don’t make it, this is not a dance performance show… and they do. Asuka in particular is compelling to watch. She will be one of the chosen.
Nathan Trasoras’ smooth moves (with a poor sense of fashion) make me think that he has top level potential. Even in slippery socks he slips by to Vegas for next season, as he is green in the ears—at 17, underage for the competition at this time!
Sammy Ramirez electrified popping, ticking, and waving, clicks the cropped red Mohawk (??... not a mohawk, actually... how would you call it??) to Nigel’s astoundment. By the way, this season I’m really expanding my vocabulary: from hip hopping to breaking to popping, I have also learned about locking and ticking!
Stacy, a dancer that apparently trained with Elaine (from Seinfeld) makes an appearance and gets teary eyed when told she is not SYTYCD material (really!). Amanda Kerby, on the other hand (or feet), can do a pirouette but not much more. She will move on, but needs technique classes. Eye candy for Vegas, but not top 20 material.
Arielle Coker laughs and smiles with great moves and extensions. Makes a great choreography that—with a bit of polish—could have been in the top 20 show. Great partnering, great dancing! Loved her and her partner!
Kevin “Shakiro” Comier: Hips that lie and samba ways, he’s Shakira in a Bizarro world. He would be better off in a Rio float. Shakira’s bizarro version: everything opposite –bold (no gorgeous hair), unfit (no gorgeous body), uncoordinated (no awesome moves) and unattractive (just sad, really)…

Shanelle says something key to understanding this show: “I got cut, but that’s ok because that does not define the dancer that I am” as she reminds us that these are cast auditions for a TV show looking for “America’s Favorite Dancer” –and that is a very flexible term with great extensions.

Seattle
As Cat says, Seattle, the Emerald City, better show us some gems through the gloomy rain, where Mia Michaels does the bad thing all over again. First, Tango Christopher Keller does not rise to the occasion. Then, McNasty, the tattoo man, takes off his shirt and breakdances to choreography (we thought) with his strong moves… but, wait, no! no way… shut up!... what are you doing man?... his lack of ambition shocks us all. Why did he audition if he did not want to move on? Did he make a bet against himself? He danced kind of strong and then he shot himself in the foot, off the show!
Dmitrius B-Boy dances and the music plays—unfortunately not in synch. The comments bleeped away… his tall frame, says Nigel, is better suited for lifting ballerinas with one finger. Kelsea Taylor, creative but sloppy, she stops short. I kind of liked her, but… not really… really? She is as enigmatic and interesting as the curve of a question mark. Did she make it to Vegas? I get distracted sometimes…
K (Hawaii) “Pohno” does a chair choreography, has Mia’s hairdo, and there is empathy there. He goes to choreography despite the chair. Can he partner better? Apparently, as he is off to Vegas. He reminded me so much of Mark Kamemura, but he did not seem to me to be even half as good as Mark K. He seemed to me a poor man’s version of… Am I wrong? Maybe I didn’t see enough? Sorry…
“SEX” is back… I hate this show! I hate this show! I hate this show!
This is the stupid part of this show that I hate… Okay, so they had Sex against Leonid Knishov… and Yada, yada, yada… I refuse to even grant this B. S. with any more comments. Enough with Sex!
Wrapping up it seems that they announce only one show for Vegas! They flew through the audition shows (three in two weeks) and now only one Vegas show? I like the streamlining, cut to the chase attitude. We can’t wait for the REAL show to start and cutting short the prelims whets the appetite for quickie bang dancing! Bring it on! Let’s get down and have the competition begin.
(So you think you can dance, dance, dance…)

SYTYCD – Season 5 – Auditions: Brothers and sisters and twins and other double takes.

2009-05-28T05:41:00.000-07:00

Miami, FL
This was neither an inspired nor inspirational night. First, they showed us the Miami auditions and just at the beginning I saw my friend Ashley, in one of those outside shots, goofing around and shouting something to the camera that I couldn’t understand. What were you saying, Ashley? She auditioned in Miami for this season but didn’t make it pass the producers. Why? It’s hard to figure it out. She’s incredibly beautiful and an incredibly good dancer. She may have been too young for the show this season, or maybe did not fit their casting needs for this time around… Who knows?!? I know that her not making it into Vegas cannot have been based on her dancing skills because that is something that she certainly doesn’t lack. She has grace, technique and personality all together… and Nigel, Mary and Tyce didn’t even have a chance to see her! But just so you know how fake it is when Nigel, Mary and whoever else is judging try to make you think that there is no filter… there is. They don’t see everybody. And, definitely, many of the “auditioners” are let through just to feed the required casting silliness of these first audition shows. So when Nigel acts “outraged” at the contestants with arguments of how-do-you-dare showing up here in front of us with THAT routine (or lack of it), just think that the show producers already knew THAT and actually sent those same contestants in front of the judges and the cameras with full intention.

Well, enough of that. This time in Miami there was Tyce Diorio as one of the judges. I honestly do not recall him judging in any past seasons, but as much as I respect him as a choreographer (he’s really accomplished) I did not like his judging. He was mean (even Nigel said so) and, honestly, dorky. It all started with his comments about Tony Tonystyle, who very well deserved to be called on his making a fool of himself, but then Tyce, trying too hard to be “cool”, went too far and lost his cool. Tyce’s judging went down the hill from that point on. I hope they keep him as a choreographer for the show--he’s done great choreography; don’t judge him solely on that Katie/Courtney Broadway routine that wasn’t cool either--but keep him far from the judges table for the rest of the season!

Twins was the “theme” of the night. There’s not much to say about the Miami set of twins (were they wearing scarves around their ankles?) but that they were the worst set of “identical” twins I’ve ever seen… and I’m not even talking about their dancing yet… just that for identical they looked very different... about their dancing… well, that goes to show that neither ballet nor riding a bike can be learned by reading a manual!

The rest of the Miami auditions seemed packed with pretty people (not everybody, though) with little dancing skills (not everybody, though). What? What was that? Was that all that they could find down here? I cannot believe it! Well, just to remind you, they already have Brandon (from Miami’s New World) in the show and he’s going to make it to the top ten. Among Miami’s most memorable who made it to Vegas were Joseph Smith: dropping, popping, hip hopping from Orlando. The big shawahm! Janet Manrara and Romulo Villaverde, the ballroom couple. Erik “Silky” Moore, who was awesome! He even made his tap/hiphop/jazz/breakdancing number look easy! Priscilla Marrero, beautiful, although hard to tell if she’s really as good as the judges seemed to think. Talia Rickard, with a heartbreaking story, and who seemed to me better than what the judges seemed to think. Also to Vegas went Scary Featherman, Paris Torres from Seattle, and Alex Wong (who may be top 20 material).

Memphis (not Miami’s twin city, but more twins here)
Let’s see if Motown City can be Movetown City. Here we see Li’l C krump expertise helping the panel decide on the young starry eyed chicken dancers: Marico Flake’s Memphis Junkin’ (?) style steps him through to Vegas. In a producer coup we see that Brendan Fraser can learn how to make a great comedy by watching Dustin Dorough’s clips. Dustin has been cut down by the flu and bronchitis, but really… he needs to learn how to dance like a man dances. Chris Carroza has a Boy George moment that lasts less than 15 minutes – and that seems even a little too much on the high side. Caitlyn Kinney goes to Vegas with her sister. A nice gesture from the judges so they don’t separate the sisters… They kept doing that through the show to keep up with the theme of the night: brothers and sisters.

Anna Dunn’s expressionist dance reminded me of a Jules Feiffer cartoon, “a dance to…” spring, life, etc. She transmits emotion, perhaps tries to hide her face because her body is doing the communicating. Goes to Vegas. Hope to see more of her!

Travis Prokopos embodies contradictions, his father coaches football, he dances awkwardly/gracefully… he needs to define his position on the dance floor a little better—we’ll find out in Vegas….

Evan Krapscak does a 60’s jazz routine with an extra flair that gets him to Vegas. He's given the “we’ll see what you can do with other styles” speech, but undoubtedly he is a kid with talent. Maybe a bit too old fashioned, even for a classic style… but we’ll see. His brother Ryan, who auditioned later, received the mercy of the judges and went to Vegas too. Seemed to be a really nice guy, don’t get me wrong, but did he really deserve that pass? And keeping up with the brothers and sisters theme, the same happened with twins Lauren and Lydia Guerra. Pink was better than blue but both got to go to Vegas.

Lots of sisters, brothers and twins went to Vegas! ...but I'm sure most halves of these pairs will stay in Vegas.

Today they’ll show more auditions (L.A. and Boston) and Adam Shankman will be judging. In the final clips we saw a teaser with Adam doing a girlie Mary scream with a ticket to Vegas spoof. A true Miss America crowning moment! What can I say, I love this show, I hate this show, I love this show…

Want to see more Jules Feiffer? http://www.jeanalbano-artgallery.com/feiffer/index.html

SYTYCD Season Five – The Journey starts once again to find “America’s Favorite Dancer”

2009-05-21T19:31:00.000-07:00

New York – Tabitha and Napoleon
The refrain ending in a low voice: “…dance, dance, dance” is back! Cat is hot as always (but with tired eye bags), dancing in the streets with the riff raff, and we see the familiar faces of Nigel and Mary, the screaming dynamic duo of dance judging, as well as other familiar faces. In New York at the BAM we started with NappiTabs and the first auditions gave the tone: animals and zombies! Perhaps appropriate for NYC.
Gaby Torres – Animalistic rheumatoid arthritis, acrobatic training and circus, reminds of Mark K – Tabitha is perceptive and gets that she’s representing a bird: No, really? How did you guess that, Tabitha? Seriously, I liked Gaby. She has potential. Can she be this seasons’ Mark? Not sure… We’ll see.
Zombie Dancers – Hobgoblin and the other – Uncomfortable to watch… Mutation Weird “Dawn of the Dead the Musical” – glad they walked out of the choreography! I don’t know if I could’ve stood them any more… Sorry! Never mind, we’ll probably have to watch them again as the SYTYCD producer will, for sure, milk this contortionist act to death.
Crazy to be there, amateur shows make us laugh a while. Spaghetti Tap by Peter Sabastino, great tap routine gets him to Vegas. Can he do anything else, I wonder? I’m not sure. His act seemed too sloppy for someone supposedly trained in “everything from ballet to jazz, you name it…” Really? We’ll see…
Nina and Igor’s spinning trick was, I don’t know if weird or fabulous. It reminded me of a blender spinning egg yolks for Rocky’s breakfast… but what do I know? Perhaps it would have been better in Philadelphia.
The umbrella act: Umbrella fetishist, partners dirtily with a black cloth all wired up... under that umbrella, ella, ella, ella… no matter how much rain, his dancing was still not clean! Next: Are we going to see Mary Poppins auditioning?
I liked Chimezei’s (sorry, didn’t get the spelling of his name…) drive thru dance performance.
In Denver, there was mile high dancing with Sonja judging to rock the Rockies. Kayla Rodonsky did cat moves to an odd version of the Beatles’ Blackbird—I liked it! She is different and she’s going places, including Vegas. Kayla is top 20 material for sure!
Mitch and Misha’s gender bending dance makes statements that Samba speechlessly into absolute weirdness. It creates a different perception. Balanchine always said that the man was the Prince and the woman the Queen. Here, we just were not sure this time, since the roles reversed with each spin… Honestly, the two brothers popping did a better job as two male dancers than Mitch and Misha....
And, as always, the producers saved the best for last. Natalie Reid – Katee’s friend (remember?) – was good. However (pardon my ignorance): She didn’t move me. Brandon, on the other hand, was a treat to watch and made the whole two hours worthwhile. We said it last year as we said it now: This boy is an awesome dancer! Brandon Bryant danced spectacularly to the dramatic music of Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana. A top twenty shoe-in. By the way, you can read our review of last season’s Brandon audition at: http://thedancefiles.blogspot.com/2008/05/sytycd-episode-3-so-you-think-weve-seen.html .
At the end, Nigels’ scoots off with a young hottie dancer…

SYTYCD Grand Finale: Smile! It’s candid camera!

2008-08-07T19:57:00.000-07:00

Cat is fabulously dressed in a Greco-Roman Gladiator frilly outfit. Does that mean that there will be blood? (or pain at least)… As she introduces all the 20 dancers (wait there are only 19! – I guess Jessica is still on “medic” leave), we see 15 losers with low energy strut their stuff. Am I being too cynical? It really does seem that, especially for the ones who did not make it to the top 10, they are just going through their contract motions.
But, before we go into dancing details, I have to mention that Cat seems to be partially wearing her outfits between Wednesdays and Thursdays. I guess she doesn’t like to be that matchy-matchy. And I don’t blame her! If you recall, last week she wore the Hermes dress on W. and the Hermes sandals on R. This week, she had the Gladiator sandals on W. and the Gladiator dress on R. Too bad that there is not going to be a next week to watch and criticize. Cat! What are we going to do without you and your glossy legs?
STEP UP 3D!!! OK, so I had said I would get out of the Cassandra business, and I should have! The Kill Bull movie with the male cheerleaders or Fame seemed likely candidates, but Step Up 3D? Ok, that was a wild pitch for me… Let’s hope the project really gets off the ground and that it has real depth of dancing. However, I have to ask: has there ever been a Part 3 movie that has been successful? No, not even the Godfather. Then, why attempt the impossible? Why? Because you are the Shank-man? And Step Up 3D reminds me of Jaws 3D, which was a real sinker, and Shrek 3D which was a real stinker. Good luck anyway!
What can I say about the favorite dances? I suppose they are the ones for the tour: some flashy, some slow, all nice, all showcasing the top four (except of course Bleeding Love!). Bleeding love was the only one selected that did not include at least one of the top 4. Why? Because no list of favorite dances could have ever been complete without it! We’ll see… I have my own favorites, some you may see in my links from the sidebar, unless they have been pulled already. I’ll keep trying to give them to you though (as of today, they are all still live hot-links).
In the “surprise” portions of the show, Mary finally gets to rip a guy’s shirt off! With Dmitry (from the best all-around season: Season 2), all of Mary’s ripped abs comments finally are physically manifested. These dancing shows! I guess they really want to make you want to get up and shake your booty! Regarding Nigel’s tap surprise—it was fun. I like Jason Samuels Smith. Debbie Allen is cool too.
The great preview of Criss Angel’s Believe Vegas show with a Wade Robson’s choreography for Cirque de Soleil reminds me of the many people who have not seen Vegas shows, have not seen Broadway shows, and have not even seen a professional company’s Nutcracker. This number is very good, don’t get me wrong. The dancers are coordinated and move gracefully, without wobbly moves, with synchroncity, keeping their balance, pointing their feet. The choreography is original, good moves, individually and in groups, poignant and funny, with great costuming and makeup. But it IS what is to be EXPECTED from GOOD dancing. So please, please remember this number next time when you are spoon fed the “fabulous” SYTYCD group numbers and those “never seen before” couple routines presented to you as the next best thing since sliced bread. Please, please go to a professional show and do not be fooled by Nigel!
Oh… the results: Courtney, as expected and telegraphed the night before, is the first out, I guess she was not part of the “California Triad.” Katee, against all hope but with an outside chance is the next one out. I guess she had too much training! When the chips come down, it’s the big glasses vs. the big butt —and the cheeks have it! I guess all those scholarships with Debbie Allen over the last ten years paid off! (but, wait… he actually is an untrained hip-hop street dancer!). Congratulations Joshua. Goodbye.

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SYTYCD Top Four Season Finale: A Training Day for the "Untrained" Dancers

2008-08-07T07:24:00.000-07:00

In our Monday night spoiler (Spoiled SYTYCD Spoilers) we commented on Twitch, Joshua and Mary going to the hospital this weekend for dehydration (the first two) and an ankle sprain (the later). News of these injuries was the big deal all over the internet during the weekend. Well, it was a surprise that there was no mention at all of this in tonight's episode. Why? Didn’t the fans deserve to know what happened? Which left us wondering: Was it all a big publicity stunt? Why didn't they want to mention it in the show? Anyhow, with Nigel-the-producer’s brain working extra hours you never know (the use of the word “medics” in all the press releases kind of gave him away as the “anonymous” source, don’t you think?).

Ok. Let’s move on. This is the last week.
My rant is long, because the night is packed. I’ll give you the bottom line (except for the winner) right now:
- Mandy tells Courtney she needs more training, especially in ballet—said in a “take two ballet classes and call me in the morning” tone. Nigel says she also needs to correct herself more in various ways. Courtney cries as she realizes that the judges do not want her to win.
- Joshua is great because he has no training. So says Nigel over and over and over and over again.
- Katee: Mary has nothing to say after her beautiful Fox Trot, after gushing over with praises for Twitch. I guess it was not in the script (read my take, below).
- Twitch: I have nothing to add to the judges praises. My grandmother taught me well.

The night starts with Cat wearing a gold (Herve Leger?) dress and black gladiator heels. It becomes her, especially because the horizontal lines of the dress contrast with the strong vertical drop of her long hair. Although she looked pretty, the dress brought to mind 3CPO (Star Wars) but my daughter said that she looked like she was ready for the Dick Clark’s Rocking New Year’s Eve (Friends’ Episode). I’m actually happy to have another entry into the Hall of Fame of Cat’s Inspired Outfits (see our sidebar). Mary is in a dress that can only be described as a fish-scales-spider-web (doesn’t reminded me of anything; it’s just remarkably weird).

The dances started with Twitch and Courtney’s Hip Hop by Napoleon and Tabitha. It was not a lyrical Hip Hop but a hard-hitting one. Courtney and Twitch were both good. Twitch looked certainly in its element as both a hip hop dancer and as a guy who’s violently fighting with his crazy girlfriend (remember Mia’s “Pas de Door” routine?). But we have to give it up to Courtney who, as the jealous girlfriend who’s "beating down” Twitch, was convincing and strong, kicking and hitting and punching and dancing. By the way, you cannot help but wonder what’s up in these choreographers’ lives that these is what comes to mind in their dances? First Mia’s door routine (Katee and Twitch) now NappyTab’s. All this kicking and punching is a good vehicle for showcasing the freedom of body language, but is not a good message for the young crowd watching this show, I must say. With that caveat, however, I liked the number. I think the choreography worked, and especially thanks to Courtney’s acting and dancing skills (although somehow the word dancing doesn’t seem to really reflect what happened here…). Twitch’s “acting” never felt convincing to me, and his “dancing” was not up to par; even the lift was not right and looked forced (I missed Mark here… he would have made that lift work…). Between Courtney and Twitch, I would say that Courtney won this one (for me, not necessarily for the audience though).

Good for Wade, who seems to be a well adjusted family man and gave us a more positive message with his choreography for Josh and Katee. A lyrical to John Mayer’s “Slow Dancing in a Burning Room.” It was an emotive piece about how love is “hard work.” To me, this one was the best choreography of the night and almost the only one at the level of what you’ll expect for SYTYCD’s final competition night (although I liked NappyTabs’ too). The problem, however, was that the dancing was not to the level of the choreography. The dancers were not together when they obviously had to be, and their lines were not as beautiful as they could have been. There were a lot of wobbly turns and weak landings. Maybe with more rehearsals this number will look awesome for the tour… I liked the effect of using one camera and one single light, although there were a couple of moments in which the continuous one camera shot looked awkward. During the floor work (Katee on top), when the couple was filmed from the front, and not from the side, it made the movements look mundane, losing the magic and losing a potentially beautiful formation of the two bodies. But that could have been fixed with choreography, if Wade would have taken into account that the camera wasn’t moving to the side. It was a good experiment, however. Between Joshua and Katee, this one is a tie for me. Katee looked technically stronger than Joshua, but I expected more from her. Joshua was struggling –by the way, I do not believe the cr(beep)p about Joshua’s complete “untraining” (and I’m sick and tired of hearing Nigel saying it!)—but he certainly needs more training.

Next was Courtney and Katee’s Broadway by Tyce. WTH was this? Is it just me, or did they had it against the girls tonight (especially, against Courtney!). I couldn’t believe my eyes with this number. What a waste of two good contemporary dancers to use Courtney and Katee for this routine. It was definitely a waste of their skills and immediately brought to my mind that other Tyce routine, “Rock the Boat,” with Will and Katee that seemed totally unfit for those two gifted dancers. This was not exactly a stretch either! Messy dresses, messy props, poor routine. Not exactly a vote grabber! I cannot help but think that the show producers did not want a girl to win this season. I tell you, Courtney and Katee did not get in the Hot Tamale Train with this number. No way! They got in the Ice Cold Tacky Trolley! This was the total sabotage: the stupid costumes, the silly choreography, and then the props (the white lace parasols). As Mary pointed out, props are very difficult to use in numbers with more than one dancer because they are hard to coordinate. When people watch a number with multiple dancers using props and they look together it may seem easy but that kind of coordination is quite difficult to attain. By the way, Mary was the only judge making sense tonight. She was the most fair and constructive. Mandy made vacuous comments such as: “This number reminds me of old Hollywood.” Duh!! It should, since it is based on the 1940s old Hollywood movie “Meet me in St. Lois,” Mandy! What planet are you from? Nigel also had it against Courtney so openly that it was upsetting! I have not being particularly a fan of Courtney, but tonight I got upset at witnessing how ruthless and unfair Nigel and Mandy were with her. First Mandy, told Courtney that she needed more training. Next, Nigel gives her corrections (at this stage of the game?!?!?) and tells her that if you watch it again you’ll see how Katee was so much better than her? When he said that, I though WHATT? I didn’t see that. Actually, of the two dancers, Courtney was more believable to me than Katee. Courtney was there, she looked alive, and my eyes were drawn to her through the whole routine. For what the number was, Courtney made it work more than Katee (to me).

Well, I can tell you now that I watched it again and, Nigel, you’re wrong! Courtney danced it all the way, finished all her movements, and danced larger than Katee if you consider the height difference. They were asking a lot from these girls with this number and offering them very little to shine. Besides the judges’ comments that favored Katee, I actually think that Courtney won this one. Ohhh, and one final thing: Yes to parasols but no to shoes? What was that? Are these kids only going to be able to dance in a Broadway remake of the Flintstones?

And then to top the night off, it came: Josh and Twitch’s Russian Character Dance (or, “Russian Street Dance” according to Nigel… which made me wonder: has Nigel ever watched a Nutcracker Ballet?). OMG! I was very disappointed by this number after all the build up that it had through the grapevine. Excellence was not a standard that they were seeking with this routine. Oh, no! The music and basic choreography used is from the most performed ballet in the world, The Nutcracker, and I personally felt affronted by the travesty of this dance. Nigel talked about it as if it was out of this world; as if for the very first time in the history of the US this dance had been performed on an American stage or on television! Brought to you all the way from Russia by nobody else but: Mr. Nigel Lithgoe! Are you kidding me? What planet are YOU from, Nigel? In my lifetime, I must have seen about 50 Nutcrackers if not more from very classical to campy, to hip-hop/urban; from professional companies to school recitals, the Russian version, the Balanchine version, the Cuban version, and Twitch/Joshua’s Russian Dance was not among the best, oh no! Really, this was painful to watch, with poor execution, poor coordination and poor, yes, poor choreography! At best a small-school-recital number.

The worst part of all these is that I know from reading Fox’s internet boards that most people are raving about it! How sad! It is sad that one of these two guys is going to win the SYTYCD competition based on this Russian “Street” Dance, just because 90% of the voters have never seen a Nutcracker ballet. Sad, sad, sad!!!!!! Furthermore, and this just hit me: I already bought tickets for the live Tour and I’m going to have to suffer through this Russian dance again!
It was pathetic that this number got a standing O. Joshua had great elevations, but, come on! I kind of like Joshua. I like his personality and determination. But tonight it was quite obvious that, as the winner of season 4, he (or Twitch) will have to be called America’s FAVORITE Dancer, oh yes, because BEST dancer he is NOT. Not even among these four! Oh, by the way, Mandy made not sense again when she said that Joshua must have paid Twitch to get him to do the floor work (unless she did it on purpose trying to build Twitch up). Good for Joshua to coming back with: I can jump higher! Yes you can, Joshua. And the truth is that Twitch did not do the proper Russian floor (and, no, it wasn’t the choreography). And if the choreographer did not want it to be compared to the real thing, he shouldn’t have used the traditional costumes and the traditional music from The Nutcracker Suite. Ok?

Oh, one more thing Nigel: Danny and Neil’s Two Princes routine was so much better than this one!!!! Oh, Yes!!!!http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WUjdOJdnJps

Twitch & Katee’s Foxtrot by Tony & Melanie to “Feeling Good” by Michael Bublé was alright. Nothing spectacular, but alright. Twitch was in a tuxedo and Katee was in a light blue dress with lots of fringes. The judges loved it for the most part. Mary told Katee that she could walk into the US Ballroom Championships in September because she is so good. I think that comment was an exaggeration, but I agree with Mary that Katee was the best of the couple. And if we are fair, she’s possibly the best of the four remaining dancers. I’m pro-Courtney tonight, however, because of what they’ve been doing to her. The final duel between Twitch and Katee was not won by Bond, James Bond, oh no. Regardless of how much Mandy, Mary and Nigel push Twitch to us the naïve viewers, I must say that Katee looked the best of the two. It was like watching that other show, DWTS, with Katee as the professional and Twitch as the amateur. Yes, I agree, that lift was good, but the overall effect of the dance was given by her, not him. Her grace, beauty and lines made the dance when they were together and when they were not, she dominated. Twitch, about that audition as 007—you will not get my call back.

The last partner dance was Josh & Courtney's jive by Jason. This was another “Sabotage Courtney Mission” team work by choreography and costuming. I understand that gladiator sandals are in, but gladiator outfits? NOT. What did they had her wearing? Who could have looked good on that? Not even Cat! And her boots! Wow, how can anybody point on those? You cannot even stretch your legs! This was a train wreck. I can even see all the cold tamales spread through the tracks! No winner here, really.

The final number was Mia’s Scottish. It started great with the long silk sheet and then WTH? I had heard a lot about this number as being weird and interesting and emotional and Ok... Mia Michaels is usually brilliant… but that was a weird choreography for the final four. And I don’t think it suited them as a foursome at all… It certainly didn’t favor Courtney and Joshua, because of their stature and body types in contrast to Katee and Twitch. The choreography had a couple of beautiful frames as well as some energy driven moments, but for most of it they looked like if they were running around like tired basketball players... missing the shots... and the costumes were awful! They were mocking ballet movements and it was a weird combination of ballet with contemporary that, to me, ended up not being this or that. And then, there was the issue of the uneven lift and Courtney. I watched it again and again and the vertical versus horizontal lift didn't look like a dancers’ mistake. It seemed obviously choreographed. Actually, wasn't it supposed to symbolize a Cross? Of course, Mia and the dancers are the only ones who know the truth, but it didn’t look like Courtney and Joshua were even trying to match Katee and Twitch’s position. It looks to me like that they were meant to be forming a Celtic Cross. Courtney was perfectly horizontal while Katee was perfectly vertical. And it looked like Courtney’s body was supposed to be horizontal in contrast to Katee’s verticality… But, what do I know?

About the solos, I have to start by saying that I loved Cat’s little moments with the contestants. I loved the relaxed interviews on the couch, showing the person behind the dances.
Courtney was beautiful. I liked it a lot. It was one of her best solos; however, it is unavoidable to compare her solo with Katee’s solo and Katee was better. Between the girls, Katee wins.
Twitch’s solo demonstrated that he’s very good at popping and that he has great musicality and sense of humor. Now, it was Joshua who stole the show with his solo! He was really AWESOME!! Started off on the stage, then ran off the stage and jumped onto the judge's platform, all the time popping and hopping and booty shaking and doing lots of trick, ending up on a floor split. He really deserved that standing ovation! And he demonstrated capacity for improvisation when, loosing a shoe at the end of the split (looked obviously unplanned), he used it (a smelly dancer’s shoe to boot!) as a phone to ask the audience for their calls—Smart move!

Overall, although Katee is the “best” dancer of the four, Joshua has to be the “favorite” dancer for most.
My Top 4 Predictions are:
1) The word untrained will come out of Nigel’s mouth on Thursday, probably more than once!
2) Mary is going to scream…
3) Cat will be wearing something wonderfully weird,,,
4) Joshua is going to win!

Bull Killer Movie

2008-08-05T04:39:00.000-07:00

When Adam Shankman promised a role in an upcoming film to the winner of So You Think You Can Dance, at first we thought he may be talking about the FAME remake, but Shankman is not yet attached to that movie as a director or producer. We do not rule it out completely, however, since Fame is still in casting mode... We sure could see some of the SYTYCD dancers (and teacher/choreographers) cast in that film (see our Fame side bar in this same page). Mr. Shankman is currently attached to four other upcoming films: Hairspray 2 (not looking forward too much to THAT one), Bedtime Stories (this one is an Adam Sandler comedy, not a dance movie or musical as far as we know), a live action/modernized version of Aladdin (this one has been a Disney's on again, off again project for several years already), and the movie “Matadors”.

Based on the true story of the Chicago Bulls’ group of male cheerleaders, the film Matadors is described as “a comedic take on what happens when a pair of ultimate basketball fans form a cheerleading squad.” The movie will be distributed by Disney. The director will be Anne Fletcher, who directed “27 Dresses” and “Step-up” (another Shankman produced film). Is Matadors the prize for the SYTYCD winner? Maybe... but they'll have to beautify the cast a lot! The true ones are not that pretty!
To give you casting ideas, the real life Matadors for the Chicago Bulls (current season) are these (there seems to be even a spot for Will’s James Brown wig -check Corie out!):
Adam - Albert - Corie - DeLawrence - John - Kevin - Kirby - Mike O. - Mike S. - Steven
PHOTO GALLERY

Who knows. The movie could be the live action Aladdin project instead. We can see some Bollywood and other SYTYCD "ethnic" dances in that one!

SYTYCD Season 4: IV REAL TONIGHT

2008-07-31T19:58:00.000-07:00

Still in 70’s Disco Ball dress mood, Cat greets us and the six remaining dancers who make a Mandy Moore contemporary dance look beautiful in white among the shadowy spotlighting. As she introduces the jidges once again, Adam ups the ante, offering the winner of the show a spot in a movie he is producing at this time. But I was wondering: Is this a prize for the winner or for Adam? Whoever wins has tons of publicity and already a built in audience of fans, offered to Adam at a very low salary scale. Win for Adam for sure, and, I guess a win for the winner. Maybe even a win for some other dancers in the show. How about a remake of Fame? Read our side bar item with our suggested casting…
OK, let’s go back to tonight’s show. About the solos: Joshua gave his grills away to Twitch, ready to have a winning smile; Chelsie gives another Country dance number (remember that terrible Two Step a few weeks back with Kherington and Mark?) in a cow girl costume with a tutu (love her, but I call it as I see it); Twitch does some Popping Broadway Twitch (I actually liked him a lot tonight), and thankfully does not share personal use items with anybody; Mark, Courtney and Katee also do solos… (I liked them all!).
Katee is safe and Chelsie goes home, but we’ll see her next week again, dancing group numbers in the finale. We’ll see her on the tour also (remember to check the passwords in our “Emmy” post of 7/28 to buy advance tickets tomorrow Friday). I don’t know which number I liked best, Beautiful Wedding Dress Dance or Bleeding Love… you decide.

When it comes to the boys, as expected Joshua is safe. Mark is out, as I had expected and hinted but hoped against hope. I mentioned already Bleeding Love, and he had some other great numbers, including last night’s Frenchie Animal Garden Jazz/Hip-Hop/Contemporary number by Sonya, and that special Nappitabb’s Hip Hop number In Detention, with Comfort.

Next week is the finale!
P.S.: Nothing to say about Lady Gaga

SYTYCD Season 4… And Then There Were Four (Wait, Its Still Six!)

2008-07-30T21:01:00.000-07:00

OMG The show starts at eight PM and it is a recap! Terpsichore tells us there are eight dancers left! What? I guess they really wanted to show Comfort again!
Seeing this show again I realize that Toni Basil REALLY liked Courtney’s hat from her last Hip Hop routine, but… I am not going to annoy you with another punchy review of a repeat show. However, I just cannot resist (or I can)…
OK, only one thing: upon seeing that Contemporary Ballet Pas de Deux again (Balanchine’s “Who Cares”, choreographed to “The Man I Love”) I found it a little sloppier than the first time I saw it, and was bothered by the plastic shoes of the ballerina, reminding me why I do not like that type of Pointe shoes: They really do not look naturally made to mold to the dancer’s foot, do not enhance the arches and they look fake on stage. And one more thing… Twitch’s solo was actually very good! (better than Will’s).

When we go to the 4REAL show tonight, Cat is in 70’s Disco mode in a silver gown, and Mary is close behind. Except Cat is wearing Greek sandals! She is actually wearing the little winged sandals of Hermes, the trickster Greek god! Were they not ready last week? Take a look! (Although I think the real trickster in the show is Nigel).

All the dancers as they come out look very nervous, as they should be! The adrenaline will be pumping tonight! So, lets go to the dances:

Courtney and Mark – Viennese Waltz: A beautiful number with smooth moves and lifts, the most romantic dance of the evening, which later brings us all sort of aggressive and conflict ridden dances. Mark impresses the jidges, and is better than Courtney, but their “chemistry” together is impressive for this first timer couple. Nigel, never relenting in his unbridled commercialism (a good thing, I guess – makes him successful after all), plugs American Idol (his other show) and David Cook (last season’s winner) in a very non-contextual way. When it comes to the Jazz, I have to say, Sonya has given us great numbers all throughout the season and this one is not a let down. The matching between Mark the dancer and Sonya the choreographer is (the) one made in dance heaven, with her out-there brain images, and his unique moves. Courtney and Mark: A great couple tonight!

Katee’s and Joshua – Contemporary: Not as good as I thought it could be, it reminded me of one that I thought was better, their own previous contemporary by Miss Double M. The arrested or caught-in-mid-air leap that Mary mentioned was interesting, seeming almost like a captured bird in flight, stopping the leap (and repeating, once again, a similar move from the aforementioned Mia M choreography). I am not sure that I liked it as a smooth move, though. Nigel perpetuates the lie that Joshua has not had any classical training, something that Joshua admitted to already in the past albeit saying it was to improve his football playing. I guess Nigel’s animosity towards training has to be somehow manifested when trained dancers get near the top of the competition. Their Paso Doble: A great number, it deserves a Nigel-eye-popping-Mary-scream. Almost impeccable, I cannot say I saw fault in it. Would it have been better with a different couple? Hard to say: Katee and Twitch? Katee and Mark? Just imagine it and score it (hint: 10 with all… but some 10s are more equal than others).

Chelsie and Twitch – First for the Mambo: Adam Shankman’s comments are right on target: the eyes kept on getting drawn to Chelsie, in that (Mary’s words) Hot Tamale red dress. A good team player, she distracted away from the weak partner, but Nigel showing off Twitch’s weaknesses in slo-mo really called him on it. Not Twitch’s best number, she did very well. When it comes to their Hip Hop, a great number once again, and once again led by Chelsie. Chelsie deserves to be on top, demonstrating her versatility and her style. Twitch does good, but it is not as powerful as Chelsie, who is “outside of her style”. I must say, this number and Sonya’s Jazz by Courtney & Mark were the ones I wanted most to see, after learning about them and posting them on my spoiler blog . This number, like C & M’s does not disappoint, is entertaining and well conceived, and it is also a 10 this evening (that is, if I was still scoring).

During a commercial break we are informed that now the panties that Wal-Mart offers don’t ride up (label says: wedgie free!). I guess they are improving their quality product selection! But, wait... shouldn't this commercial have been on Dancing with the Stars instead?

The Solos:

Chelsie: She came out fighting a little hip-hoppish at the start and, but for her last smooth moves and final split, I was not particularly impressed. Maybe it was that song once again “When I Grow Up” by the Pussycat Dolls.

Twitch: The best part of Twitch’s solo was Cat putting on his grills! (eeugh!). Enough to forget everything that just happened and for her to win the Emmy’s next year as best, outstanding, over the limit and beyond the call of duty TV Host.

Katee: Good for a night at the club, is she too full of herself? She is not the underdog in this competition, but she did not kick it up a notch with this one… I do like that she did no floor and that it was a happy dance, though.

Joshua: Better than Twitch’s, maybe borrowing some of his moves. After all, Twitch did borrow his grills.

Courtney: Not especially memorable, it was well executed, showing what Contemporary technique is all about. She is a top six dancer but, is she a top four?

Mark: Apparently he finally went to the waxing salon, and gives us a different image in this number. His quirkiness shows off, a little better than his (not) (and not spray tanned) six pack.

So, you may have noticed, there was no show of hands in hats pulling out partners or dances… either Nigel has realized that we know there really are no random parings and dances, or well… I am at a loss for words. In any case, if you think about it Chelsie and Twitch was a new couple, and so were Mark and Courtney. But Katee and Joshua were one of the original couples! Change it to Mark and Katee (a pairing we would like to see) and we would have seen all dancers dance with each other (except for Courtney & Mark, oh well). Courtney and Joshua had danced together before, remember Bridezilla?. Now, if Mark is kicked out, we will not have seen him dance with Katee (though it was good to see him with Courtney). Is this a good thing for Joshua over Mark? Or is it a good thing for Courtney over Chelsie? Tomorrow we’ll see… as the $250K for “America’s Favorite Dancer” gets within reach of the Final Four.

Well, Emmy Congrats are in Order…

2008-07-28T15:16:00.001-07:00

Four Emmy nods for SYTYCD, Season 3 (last year): three for choreography and one for makeup! Nigel must have a bittersweet feeling, with three dances nominated for Emmys but two of the choreographers not with the show anymore—and one of them with a dance show of his own to boot! Anyway, these were outstanding dances and here they are for you to enjoy again:

The Hummingbird and The Flower Dancers: Hok and Jaimie; Song: 'The Chairman's Waltz' - Wade Robson, Choreographer.
Transformers Dancers: Pasha and Lauren; Song: 'Fuego' - Shane Sparks, Choreographer.
Table Dancers: Neil and Sabra; Song: 'Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This)' - Mandy Moore, Choreographer.

For those of you who went on the tour, you will remember all of these well, as they were cool. By the way, the Makeup nomination is for the same show where Hok and Jaimie did that Hummingbird/Flower dance, but I cannot know specifically if it is for that number or another.
Competing against these are a choreography from Dancing With the Stars, by Julianne Hough, who is now singing country around with that recent High School graduate, her friend Taylor Swift—and talking about HS, HSM2’s dances (as a group) are the other contender (there are five nominations). For Julianne’s Dancing With the Stars number, you can see it here:

Mambo, danced on Week 2 with contestant Helio Castroneves. (Song 'Para Los Rumberos').

For HSM2, you are on your own…
See you Wednesday!

By the way… for those of you who want to try and buy advanced, presale tickets on ticketmaster (to buy them this Friday instead of Saturday), the password is either Nigel, SYTYCD, Soyou, or Candance… I hope! If you find out for sure, let me know!

SYTYCD July 24: The Results – Six of One or Half a Dozen of the Other!

2008-07-24T20:24:00.000-07:00

Robotic superheroes welcome us tonight in a retro choreography reminiscent of TRON and, back in the “inspiration” mode from last night, Cat is in a Greek Muse costume, I suppose Terpsichore. Black yesterday and white today – she is beautiful once again! With the laurel leaf crown on her belt, as opposed to her head where she has an odd looking angel wing hair-holding thing, she contrasts sharply with Nigel, shabby looking in a The Fonz leather jacket and a T shirt that says, maybe, vote??? Nigel does give us a good PSA talking about http://www.declareyourself.com/ and the importance to vote in the IV REAL elections this year (not the SYTYCD fake ones). You can also register to vote at http://www.rockthevote.com/ (and check out that cool Christina Aguilera video).
I did not think you could get more surrealistic than Toni Basil but well, with today’s results, I must say everybody must have been on an Absolut binge! Big surprises tonight!!! Will is not just in the bottom two but he’s out! What happened?!?! Even dialidol got it wrong, although they did have Mark safe! Which, I ‘m actually happy about because I think Mark is great and he has not been fairly treated… I must confess I’ll be looking forward to next week’s performance with lots more interest, now that I know that Mark is still in!!! But I did not expect Will to be leaving tonight. Nigel (and Mia, if she is actually watching) is bummed on this one but, regardless, now Debbie Allen can come back as jury and judge and choreographer of the last six Nigel victims. Sorry, America, but I think this was a demonstration of collective ADD: people just voted based on Wednesday night's performance (honestly, Will was not that brilliant last night and his solo was not that attractive, but they did not give him a door to lean on either….), instead of their whole work until then. Or maybe people were fed up with so much Will praising by the judges!!!

When it comes to the girls all I can say is, I hope no one else gets injured out of the competition… If I were Courtney or Chelsie, I would be taking extra care of my ankles, hips, and ribs because Comfort is just waiting around the corner… LOL. Just Kidding!

By the way, I am out of the Cassandra business. My predictions are worthless! Who do you think is off next, making that Top Four magical coven?
I do want to comment on the solos, even though the results are known (kinda like the “solos don’t count” mentality, and who's safe and who's not before everyone has been Cat callled on stage): I thought that Comfort’s solo was close to the gumby brothers and the boneless man (Robert Muraine) routines – a new variation for her? She did have better costuming than usual, and she didn’t have to pull up her pants all the time but... she did it anyway, I guess out of habit. When it came to Will, it was his lamest solo ever! He had been an original, doing a different take on contemporary all the time up to now. I guess he was taken so much by surprise by his bottom two position that he had to put his cheek down on the floor (ugh!). How is that a good dance move? What can I say about Twitch? Not much really, it was just more of the same. Frankly my dear, I don’t give a d… Finally Courtney’s solo was a lot less moving than last night’s which I think was her best so far.

One more comment… Nigel, thanks for the LA Ballet Pas de Deux. It was a great Contemporary Ballet routine, effortlessly showcasing a weightless ballerina. This is what a CLEAN routine looks like, looking so effortless that it seems easy. It’s not, of course, and only very well trained professionals can pull something like this off. What I found awkward were the Uhh, Ahhs from the audience, after every turn, every leg extension... It was almost comedic... Anyway, thank you, Nigel for the Contemporary Ballet! Now, bring us a Classical!

About LL Cool J, I have always liked him. He’s Cool.

It ain’t singing and it ain’t dancing, though… but Cool it is.

SYTYCD Season 4, Top 8: You guys are so fine, you blow my mind!

2008-07-23T22:49:00.000-07:00

I have nothing funny to say about Cat tonight. Maybe she is too sensitive and is going bland on us. Or she has a surprise up those black three quarter sleeves for us very soon. We’ll see…

Courtney and Will - Courtney’s screaming hips start the night with Will’s and her sensual Samba. A rhythmic thumping tempo beat, shaking and shimming and having shameless fun. Great number: a 9.5 for them. For their second number I liked the “slo” hip hop. The B&W contrast was very well played out. Almost touching, touching sometimes, at the end separated. The choreography was very, very good. The dancers did well with the number, but really it was not that demanding. Nappy-Tabb’s previous number (Mark and Comfort’s) required much more from the dancers than this one. Because of that I can only give them an 8.5.

Katee and Twitch - Opening the door to the creative use of props, Mia Michaels does one of her psycho-choreographies once again. And it is fun to watch! …even though Twitch danced only half of the time, while during the other half he was just leaning against the door. Katee was scary in character and danced wonderfully. Mary and Nigel’s door is knock-knocked, and she screams, trying to out door him. The chemistry between Nigel and Mary is almost as believable as the one between Simon and Paula… not! As for the dancers, Mia's number deserves a 10, but Twitch was sooo lucky!!!! I love props, by the way. Remember that Emmy winning Mia Michaels'

choreography? See Twitch and Katee's Contemporary. In their second number we see Katee with no shoes and Twitch too! Again, Katee outdances Twitch by a sweet Georgia mile. He makes a prince valiant effort, but she shines tonight lots more. By the way, it seems to me that—given the costuming and theme—never on the Great White Way that number would have been shoeless on Broadway. A 9 for this one.

Comfort and Mark - Excellent hip hop number. Loved that lift-back-flip. Mark is a closet hip-hopper, with this number and that Bleeding Love number there is no question about it—and Tabitha and Napoleon know that and use him well. Comfort was well used by them too. They are awesome choreographers that can make a dancer shine. I just wish she wouldn’t grab her crotch all the time. Maybe it’s those baggy pants. A 9.5 for this number. Link to their dance in YouTube. However their Fox Trot was awful. Boring, stiff, but yet, surprisingly Comfort’s best ballroom number. This number does not bode well for either Mark or Comfort. Out of the eight dancers four will be in the bottom. These two will be there, despite their detention homework assignment line (“I will not be in the bottom”). The routine, choreography and costuming did not help At All! I’m no conspiracy theorist, but if somebody had anything against Mark and wanted to hurt him this is how this number would have looked! I have to give this number a 7.5 if I want to be fair to the others.

Chelsie and Joshua - Amazing kicks, a bit all over the place, reminding me very much so of a kung-fu number choreographed by Jet Li or Jackie Chan. Chelsie may be one of the next Bond girls, using dangerous helicopter legs for backstabbing with poisoned spiked heels. Careful Joshua! By the way, he was ok, using his football player strength to move her around easily. By the way, Nigel’s fixation with Joshua’s bum is getting weird. Joshua was a good partner, and I will have to give them a 9 for this one, although with a lingering doubt that I cannot quite define. Why did all the praise by the judges seem so fake? This Argentine Tango was not better than Mark and Chelsie’s… Do you want to compare? See YouTube's Mark and Chelsie's versus Joshua and Chelsie's... In their second number (Disco) Joshua shows off his strength once again, no doubt. In a choreography that was basically lifts after lifts after lifts, Joshua demonstrated that he is strong. Did it look really, really good? I don’t think so. Did it look effortless (or “seamless” as Toni Basil says)? Not so. It looked forced and awkward at times. Chelsie’s ballroom training really helped her, but I think Joshua may be the other guy in the bottom. For this number I can only give them an 8 tonight.

About the Solos:
James B., AKA Will’s solo had his wig electrify the air and the audience offa that thing! Too bad he only did a quarter of it! A 10 for originality, an 8 for timing a 9 for execution—it is a 9 for his solo and a 27 for the night.
Katee’s solo is very well executed, with all the right moves, and all the right faces. No question her contemporary is good, I just would have liked to see something more original. She still gets an 8 from me, no higher because she played it safe. Her total tonight is 27 but she is sure to be on top of the other girls.
Courtney’s solo is dramatic in its execution and has a smart use of costuming. I give her a 9 for this one and a total of 27 for tonight. She has a good chance of being in the bottom half tomorrow, but she has a following that may save her.
Twitch’s solo: now I understand why they grab their crotch. Their pants are falling off! His super T shirt stayed on though—as did every other guys’ tonight! Are they getting prudish or is that wax really starting to sting? A 7.5 at best gives him a 26.5 tonight. The choreographers, in particular Mia, saved him!
Mark’s original moves showcase his choreographic skills. He may be kicked off tomorrow but I bet we will see him around for a long time. Watch out Mia Michaels! For being out there (perhaps a bit misunderstood) the 9.5 in his solo gives him a total of 26.5 on this, his probable last night.
Chelsie’s birthday (it was Monday) is celebrated with a well performed solo. This season has a great crop of dancers. 9 for her solo gives her a total of 26 for the night.
Joshua’s solo: not inspiring, I give him an 8 because I like him. His total 25. Not a good night for him!
Comfort: choreographing those pant pull-ups is not that cool. Please use elastic or tape! 7 on the solo, 24 for the night. Are we going to be wrong again or is she going to be out tomorrow? She’s the one who should be wearing a Super C shirt! She’s indestructible!

Okay, so I expect Comfort and Chelsie in the bottom two on the girls’ side, and Mark and Joshua on the guys’ side. Who’s out? I expect Comfort and Mark to be out. However, there could be a real surprise… The shocker result? Joshua and Chelsie… Even more shocking? According to Dial Idol, Comfort won't be even in the bottom two. Instead it'll be Chelsie and Courtney!

CLICK PICTURE TO SEE ORIGINAL HEY MICKEY VIDEO
P.S.: Toni Basil’s comments make me understand why there are no product placement cups for the judges—Absolut is not allowed to have TV commercials! (Does she share her cup with Paula?) . Or maybe that’s what happens to your brain when you perform over and over such as sticky a song like Hey Mickey (can’t get the song out of my head!!!!!)…. The street must be a little wobbly from where she stands (sometimes on HER head)!

SYTYCD Potential Spoiler? Top 4 Couples Pairings?

2008-07-21T05:43:00.000-07:00

There is a Picture floating around on the boards that supposedly has the new couples parings for this week. What do you think?

Picture was taken after Results Show, last Thursday....
Spoiler for 7/23 Episode Available at http://sytycdspoilers.blogspot.com/

SYTYCD The Results - Hooray for Bollywood!

2008-07-17T20:01:00.000-07:00

Hooray for Bollywood!
That screwy, ballyhooey Bollywood!
Where any office boy or young mechanic
Can be a panic
With just a good-looking pan
And any barmaid
Can be a star maid
If she dances with or without a fan.
Hooray for Bollywood!
Where any choreography
Done in a rush
Without many rehearsals
Can look entertaining
As long as they have
Nakul Dev Mahajan
And ten top dancers
And complacent judges
And a forgiving audience.
Hooray for Bollywood!
Where ten top dancers
In not so perfect formations
Some lacking coordination
Could be considered terrific
If they’re even good!
Where anyone at all
From David Archuleta
to Mia Michaels
From Cat Deeley
to Nigel Lythgoe
Is equally understood.
Go out and try your luck
You might be Donald Duck.
Hooray for Bollywood!
Where five pretty dancers
And Mia
Can make the Ave Maria
Seem empty of spirituality
And Mia
Always on the edge
Can make it possible
For five pretty girls
To look not so pretty.
Just like beggars
On the edge of the stage.
Hooray for Bollywood!
Where an Old Mo’s
Old fashion dance
Done just to feed
The ego of the producer
Showcasing the top one
Of the top five
As he is expected to win
The Will of the voters.
Hooray for Bollywood!
Where everything is IV Real
And where “the judges hate me” remarks
Put you at the bottom of the pack.
And where the extreme dancer
Fearless Gev
Is also sent home before his time
Hooray for Bollywood!
Where Twitch and Comfort
Will stay
At least one more week
Hooray for Bollywood!
Where Mark and Chelsie
may dance together again
And about my predictions
I must admit
I was so wrong
I should have listened to my wife
Who insisted that K the soccer player would be out.
Hooray for Bollywood!
Where we were both wrong
About the guys.
Who could have thought?
That people would not have known
Who’s who
And who should go home.
Hooray for Bollywood!

LINK TO HOORAY FOR HOLLYWOOD by Doris Day

SYTYCD Top Ten: Perfect Pairing – Random never got it so right!

2008-07-17T08:25:00.000-07:00

Tonight Cat in a Golden Lame (no pun intended) gown, gives a metallic touch to the night’s costuming and perfectly matches the tone and flow of her golden locks as she introduces the new couples to us. But before that happens, Jessica starts the night with this gem: “I broke two ribs and fractured one”. So, I am not sure of what she meant: Did she mean something like having her cake and eating it too? Okay, I hope that she recovers and does well on the tour, but I cannot help but think that the SYTYCD casting department had something to do with this.

Comfort is under pressure now, seeing that she was kicked off once already… lets see how the new couples do then. In the longest, dance packed show with 30 numbers total it is hard for me to be punchy, but I will try…

Courtney and Joshua: The show starts with a slap in the face to Joshua in an electric, monster performance. Dave Scott’s hip-hoppish/Broadway-comic routine is extremely entertaining and Courtney really shows off a side of her that she had been hiding from us before, the frizzy side! Was it the electricity or the chemistry? In Mia M’s language, the number is “stinky bad!” which in Mary M’s language means that they deserve an ear exploding screammmmm!!!!!

Dr. Spankenstein’s Joshua: 9. Bridezilla Courtney: 8.5.

When Courtney and Joshua do the Rumba, it is hot!! Joshua shows a hidden side also, a technique hiding under his football player past. His brushing of the floor with his toes was very good and natural. Honestly, they were almost flawless in this number, which is even more impressive for a new couple still getting used to each other. His score for this one is 9 for a total of 18 points. Courtney was again in one of those dresses that didn’t hide that much. Her performance however was not as electric or hot as she has done before. She had some good moves and I love her personality, so she gets an 8.5 from me, for a total of 17. Her athletic contemporary solo is well executed but nothing really extraordinary, so I give her an 8.5 for it and a total of 25.5 for the night. Joshua’s solo was good. However, there are two things that make Joshua quite special, one is his personality, which shined through; the other one is his versatility and we couldn’t see that in his solo. For his solo, Joshua gets a 9 from me. His total for the night: 27.

Kherington and Mark: Ronnie and Brandi teach a Country Two Step to Mark and Kherington—a complicated dance that does not match the skills of these two dancers, especially Mark’s. Their smiles were amazing, considering the disaster that the routine was. It was tough to watch, but at least they did not stumble. Mark seemed uncomfortable, moving too slow and then almost posing. The problem, however, was Kherington, who tonight seemed to have reached the limit of her capabilities. Mark: 8, Kherington: 7. For their second number, Tyce gave this new couple a jazz routine, well executed but that almost seemed in slo-mo! With that great song—“Canned Heat” by Jamiroquai (famous for the movie “Centerstage”)—and Mark’s capabilities, you expected a lot more. To me, it was obvious that the choreography had been slowed down for Kherington to be able to do it. Mark’s timing seemed off, fast in his parts and then slow next to Kherington. He was a good partner through and through, however, and for that, I give Mark an 8.5. Kherington gets a 7 (toooo sloooow!). Makes it 16.5 and 14 (ouch!) for each. Kherington’s solo is ok, demonstrating that she is one of the top ten dancers, but not much else. It lacked the athleticism and sharp moves that we saw in some of the other solos. I’m sorry K., your smile is beautiful but your solo did not shine: 8 for it and a total of 22 for you tonight. When Mark does his solo he shows why he is where he is. Great solo, his first since the auditions, brings back his animalistic electric moves. I give him a 9 for a total of 25.5 for the night.

Comfort and Twitch: Comfort back to the Waltz, seemed to do better this time. However, she lacks the technique needed and it is hard to fake it. Twitch was a little stiffer and more mechanical than usual. It was a pretty routine, but not especially great. It looked like they were thinking it a little too much. They looked uncomfortable (pun intended). Twitch 7.5, Comfort 7.5. When it comes to their second number, it’s built up as the top of the top for Hip Hop. But, was it really? I honestly saw no originality, not many interesting moves, no buck… (sorry Lil’ C). Maybe it was Comfort’s best as Lil said, but what can I say then? Is that the best dancing they can step up to? The make up was cool though, and the costuming matched the theme of the night: gold for Cat, copper for Mary and silver for them! By the way, was Cat confused with all the mirrors in Twicth’s top and thought that this was a group number? She talked about them as girls (pointing at Comfort) and boys (pointing at Twitch)! Anyhow, 8 for both, just because they do hip hop well: 15.5 for each for the night. Super T does his one dance. I like you, Super T, but your solo wasn’t superspectacular. A super 8 for you –total: 23.5 points. Comfort repeats on her solo what we have already seen. She’s good at what she does, but we are tired of seeing the same thing over and over and over again. She has had the opportunity to wow us so many times, but she seems to refuse to do it. For that, she gets a 7, and a total of 22.5 tonight.

By the way: it seems that product placement for the tour has started already with the IV Real and Super – T shirts, as well as tie dye Top Ten banners. Can see them already at the Tour’s merchandise booths!

Katee and Will: They start with a boat-rocking Broadway number, but was it just me or was this Tyce D’Orio’s routine overrated by the judges? There were a couple of brilliant moves, ciseaux, and the like that showcased the dancers, but the choreography was mostly dull and seemed to me that it was a waste of talent (the dancers’ talents). Katee and Will could have done a lot more. Honestly, they didn’t rock my boat. Still, the dancers did what they were given to do and they did it well. Katee: 9 and also for Will. When it comes to their second number, poor John Lennon must have tumbled and twirled in his grave with that horrible version of Imagine by David Archuleta, spinning more than Katee and Will did in their routine! Sorry, but I couldn’t totally enjoy their dancing because the song was distracting me. However Katee and Will did make this number their own, despite the horrible song. It was a traditional modern dance pas de deux through and through; a hard number and they did great… Will gets a 9.5 and Katee a 9, for her small stumble, but imagine, how hard is perfection when trying so hard! That gives them 18.5 for him and 18 for her. Katee’s solo redeems contemporary and makes it pretty! 9.5 for her on this one, gives her a total of 27.5 for the night, and when Will does his solo as a modern dance it is something to watch. Amazingly he does no floor! At some point all this writhing on the floor by these contemporary dancers gets a little old… no? 9.5 for him! Total of 28, the highest for the night!

Chelsie and Gev: They step it up with a contemporary by red Sonja. I felt bad for the Sonja routine that Matt and Kourtni did a couple of weeks ago, so poorly costumed that it put them in a bottom three position when perhaps they did not deserve it. With this number, Sonja showed us why she’s getting to the top of the choreographers food chain. To me, this was the best number of the night and I hope to see it live on the Tour! For this number I give Chelsie and Gev a 9.5 (Sonja gets the 10). Mary scream and all!!!!

In their next number (the last one for the night), Gev and Chelsie’s Jive pull off a high energy number that ends the night in a great note! Nigel gives Mary a killer look when she mentions “Dancing With the Stars” (that competing dance show) complimenting Chelsie as a “Star” and calling Gev an “Amateur”. Did you notice? Nigel stared at Mary as if throwing little knives at her with his eyes, and for what seemed as an eternity! But I think that Gev did a commendable effort, and he seemed really into it! I don’t know… I think she gets a 9 and he an 8.5. That makes it 18.5 for her and 17.5 for him. In his solo, Gev shows his amazing skill at break dancing, but it does not make me wanna shout, (lemme hear it, wanna shout, all together wanna shout…) 8.5 – total: 26 for him. About Chelsie’s first solo: better than Heidi, but –no shoes for Latin Ballroom? It was an ok number that really did not make me want to write too much. Just an 8.5 for her on this one, and a total of 27 for the night.
To me, the best numbers of the night and the ones that I would like to see at the Tour were Chelsie and Gev’s contemporary by Sonja, and Joshua and Courtney’s Hip Hop (Spankenstein and bride). I also expect so see Katee and Will’s Rock the Boat and their Pas de Deux (with a different version of Imagine, please!!!!).

Rankings for the night:
Will: 28
Katee: 27.5
Joshua: 27
Chelsie: 27
Gev: 26
Mark: 25.5
Courtney: 25.5
Twitch: 23.5
Comfort: 22.5
Kherington: 22

The results do not look favorable for Miss K or for Comfort. Will Comfort be out again? I expect it to be so, and it would be the fair thing to do, since she was just a replacement for the night. But I have been so wrong with Comfort in the past, kicking her out when they didn’t, keeping her in when they kicked her out (but then I was right after all because they kept her, didn’t they?), that I may be wrong again. Twitch is at the bottom of an excellent bunch, and I expect that he’ll be out. However, will it be Comfort or will it be Kherington? In the end, I think it will be Comfort and Twitch out. Well, who knows what the scriptwriters of this reality show have in mind... I think it will be a couple leaving, and that couple will be Comfort and Twitch.

Spoiler: Comfort is Back! - Top 5 Couples

2008-07-15T08:58:00.000-07:00

We have a spoiler for you. Comfort is Back! Reason, Jessica is injured and needs to rest 4-5 weeks (rest of the competition). According to our sources, the 5 Couples are:

Gev and Chelsie
Katee and Will

Comfort and Twitch

Kherington and Mark

Joshua and Courtney

Enjoy!

P.S. About the "IV Real" T-Shirts, all we have found out is that the shirts were an "inside" joke among contestants. Comfort, Joshua, Twitch, and Will wore them. It meant something about SYTYCD's fourth season -- i.e. Season 4 = IV = FOR REAL. Now we still do not know exactly what the joke meant. I guess it is an inside joke and we're in the outside!

SYTYCD Episode 15: IV REAL?

2008-07-10T20:29:00.000-07:00

Squiggly light worms squirm as the 12 remaining dancers perform a great routine choreographed by Napoleon & Tabitha. Cat, beautiful and feminine as always, introduces our first couples.
No surprise in our first two couples, Thayne and Comfort are part of that 50% that is going to be in danger, Katee and Joshua are safe. Cat asks Mia her opinion on the Thaynefort predicament and Mia seems to spill the beans as she says that it is sad that at least one of them is going to be sad. When Jessica and Will are bottom-threed (over Mark and Chelsie—not a big surprise), Mary also gives us the preview: Will’s mentor, Debbie Allen is in the audience. He’s not going to be voted off! For the last couple: it is T & K, so I missed one! Even though there was a 50-50 chance of any couple being in the bottom, there is a certain vote manipulation by the producers in the final choice (read the fine print if you don’t believe me). Showcasing Twitchington’s solos actually makes sense at this stage.
For the break before the solos we get Alvin Ailey Dancers—a lot better than Robert Muraine! Thanks Nigel!
The solos seem to be almost irrelevant, as the results may have been previously announced. The solos do show that the “contemporary” style is rather ubiquitous and generic nowadays. Either by the…

(I wasn’t paying attention to the singing number during the break for the jidges decision until I hear the lyrics “I kissed a girl, I liked it” sung by this all legged/short skirted young girl! What’s going on with this show? I found the Pussy Cat Girls singing “When I Grow Up” very inappropriate for a show that has a very young following. And after last night’s Garden of Eden I was feeling kind of uncomfortable with the “amorality” —lack of moral standards, not meaning “immorality”—of the show. This song choice tonight kind of tops it for me. I’m not a prude but there are a million better choices that could’ve been made that would’ve offered so much better role models for the young crowd that sees this show! I understand this is a business as any other, but why not be socially responsible also? Is SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY completely foreign to Fox?)

Okay, back to the results…

As I was saying, either by the audition process or because of the general pool of dance instruction out there, “contemporary” seems to be a catch-all that throws in a lot of tricks, and glosses over a lot of technique. Of the top 20, 13 defined their style as contemporary or contemporary/other. The next category was Hip-hop with only 3 self defined dancers in this category. Clearly either contemporary is a vague category or it is taking over.
However… I am sad to see such a great “contemporary” dancer as Thayne leaving. As seen in his solo he has the technique, strength and training, but given the mix of styles required and the way the show is structured he did have to leave. I am not so sorry to see Comfort go, because despite the fact that she is a great hip-hop dancer, she has really shown zero growth, doing poorly outside her style, and always the same in her own style. Jessica has shown growth and versatility, and for that she deserved to stay, despite my prediction of last night.

P.S. About the IV Real Shirts, I have not found out exactly what they meant (I know, of course, that it means For Real). Someone suggested to me that it has something to do with Season 4, but that’s all I’ve found out so far….

SYTYCD July 9, 2008. Episode 14: About the fabulosity of mixing Tarzan and Jane, the Hot Chahhhhccchaccchacchaaaah, a pair of absobloodylutely...

2008-07-09T22:54:00.000-07:00

...dirty gangsta, a golden Bollywood couple and lots of back stabbing by the fabulous Mia.

Please welcome your host… Cat Deeley! In a breezy quasi halo dress, she looks like a girly girl ready for a summer afternoon tea. I am glad that she is out of that techno-retro fashion style and into something more becoming. Maybe all that contemporary-lyrical dancing is having some effect on her. I did think that after the tall dancers left last week she would wear lower heels, but she still had 20" heel shoes on. Perhaps it is her way of Pointe? Her hair, though, could have used some Shear Genius. Oh, well, about the dancing:

Mark and Chelsie start the night with a hot Salsa number. Chelsie nailed the number and, regardless of what the jidges said, I think Mark did too! Mia, with a killer hat (was she sharing that hat with Alex Da Silva?), tells Chelsie that she is so gorgeous she wants to stab her!! Wow, it is becoming really difficult to understand what this judges are saying most of the time. I think I have to go back to school and take MSL 101 (Mia as a Second Language).
For their second number, Mark and Chelsie do Broadway, and I really enjoyed watching this number!! I even forgot that I was supposed to “judge” and write my comments for this blog because I was just into their dance!! And that’s the difference between watching amateurs and watching professional dancers! When watching a professional dance, you can just sit back and enjoy! This number was a chemical reaction all over, from the couple, the jidges and the audience. However Mia, always the shocker, says that Mark does not have training and technique… ?!?! Please… if that’s the case, what do most of the others dancers this season have then?!?! I don’t know what Mia has against Mark, or where was she coming from, but honestly I do not see her point. Or, I wonder, maybe she thinks he’s so gorgeous that she was just showing her appreciation by backstabbing him with her comments? Again, I really have to enroll into an MSL 101 class asap! After their two numbers, my score for Chelsie and Mark tonight: 9.

Let’s move on…

Comfort and Thayne: Hip Hop. A well choreographed routine with sharp movements. Comfort in her zone (or so we expect) and Thayne working hard at it. Unfortunately the costuming did not help at all, with so many shoulder snaps and movements hidden by Comfort’s padded fluffy vest and Thayne’s oversized jacket. Definitely, not a number worth remembering. Comfort and Thayne’ second number was… flat! Poor execution, no magic. It was not a number for which you want to stop everything you are doing and watch. I think I’ll go feed the cats (not… I’ll watch every second so I can write this for you). Overall score tonight for Thaynefort: 7.5.

For Jessica and Will’s first number, Tyce D’Orio choreographs a number he says is evocative of the Garden of Eden… which for him means scantly clad dancers doing snake like moves, trying to show us what all that fuss about the Original Sin is about, however… the panting was not effortless. It seemed a little strained, but then it was primitive times back there in that Garden, wasn’t it? To me, Jessica struggled through most of the choreography, but Nigel, Mary and Mia say that Jessica is growing. Hence, I question myself, who will be voted out tomorrow, Jessica or Comfort? Because I truly believe that it will be one or the other… Mia says the music was to sleep by. My opinion? This was a good choreography that somehow was too hard for these dancers to perform without making it look too difficult… Does that make sense?
Will and Jessica’s second number: Quickstep AKA The Kiss of Death (remember Chelsea T?). The choreography showcased Will’s skills. The number was okay, though, nothing to write home about (or a blog about). The judges blamed the choreography, the costuming and Jessica for everything wrong. Hint: Will will not be voted off if he’s down. By the way, since when did Nigel become a purist about mixing styles? The Quickstep, mixed with Twist and Jive a problem? We have seen hip-hop/contemporary, lyrical/waltz, disco/salsa, and many other impure dances before. This couple’s score tonight: 8.

Anya and Pacha do the Cha cha for Courtney and Gev… And they not just bumped hips and crot…s (can we say that word in national television?) but they shaked every little muscle and extremity. Watching them dance this choreography, however, I couldn’t help but imagining Pacha and Anya in their place and how much better it would have been. Sorry, I like Gev and Courtney, and I think they really did their best with this number. But the choreography was not tailor made for them, or they did not make it their own; Courtney and Gev just looked like very good imitations. The judges loved it, however. They loved it so much that new words came out of everybody’s mouths!! Absobloodylutely says Nigel, Magic Hot Chahhhhccchaccchacchaaaah says Mary as she puts them on that Mexican train to the border. Fabulosity is the term that comes from Mia – After Will’s abs, Gev’s chest gets in the picture, with a little more detail than we really wanted to know. Apparently it itches! Courtney rubs it down and Nigel, with all his wisdom and experience suggests that he should wax it.
Courtney and Gev’s second number was pretty good. A cool choreography by Mandy Moore that was well executed and, two weeks ago, would have kept any couple safe. However, with a 50:50 chance of being in the bottom three this week, I’ll say they will be in the bottom tomorrow. My score for them tonight: 8.5.

Kherington and Twitch: This was Krump! Twitch’s turning, Kherington’s chest heaving, both their faces in a toughie look made this the number of the night so far (competing with Katee and Joshua’s Bollywood for best of the night). Kherington, who knew?!? And it is the first time in SYTYCD that I enjoy watching Krump. Twitchington’s second number, a smooth tango, did not work as well as their Krump. The costuming and lighting worked. The dancing didn’t. Oh, if they'd just kept their Krumpy attitudes for this tango, they could have killed it! Instead, they kind of murdered it. They looked good, however, and considering their strong following it is very likely that they will be safe tomorrow. Twitchington’s score tonight: 8.5.

Katee and Joshua do a Waltz inspired on the Pas de Deux from Le Sylphide, and the “City of Angels” fallen angel Seth—whose movie theme was that Goo Goo Dolls song Iris (remember the Angel that comes down to Earth, falls in love with Meg Ryan, and then she leaves with Russel Crowe?). Anyway, the whole ghost story did not really materialize (or it materialized too much?) because the choreography did not keep through the illusion of them not being able to touch each other. Hence, it was a pretty waltz, but nothing amazing. The judges comments made me wonder, could Joshua be in trouble tomorrow? But, then came Bollywood and all my worries faded away (as you can tell, I have become to appreciate Joshua’s mass appeal). That Bollywood number was cheesy and fake and oversold by the judges as an “ethnic” dance but it was also so entertaining and enjoyable and cool and precise and well performed… I would not call it authentic "Indian cultural dancing" as Nigel said (but what do I know?)... I must admit, however, that I loved it!! Congrats to the dancers who made it really wonderful! Tonight, Joshua and Katee along with Mark and Chelsie demonstrated once more that they are able of creating magic through their dancing. These four dancers have been consistently great. They come, as Mary Murphy said once referring to Joshua, with a label: Satisfaction Guaranteed!!! Katua’s score tonight: 9.5! (A 10 for their Bollywood).

My prediction for bottom three tonight: Courtney and Gev, Will and Jessica, Comfort and Thayne. Who will be out? Among the girls, I know that the decision will be between Comfort and Jessica. Based on the comments that they received tonight, I believe Jessica will be voted off. Among the guys, the decision is even more difficult. Gev has worked really hard and done a very good job throughout the season. However, he does not have the level of technique than any of the other two. Will has not done such as brilliant a job as was expected from him, especially after all the building up during the auditions: He’s Debbie Allen’s protégé and is supposed to possess very strong training and technique. He’s been fair, but not amazing. However, Jessica has been blamed for it. Thayne, a very strong technician and the dancer with the most professional experience in the show (he’s 27 years old and has been dancing professionally with a company for sometime), has been in the bottom too many times and criticized for his lack of chemistry and audience appeal. I like Thayne, and agree with Mia (for once) in that he is a wonderful dancer. He's done things through the show that I doubt any of the other dancers could do. But I believe Thayne will be out (he’ll go in the tour anyway as traditionally they hire two understudies; Mia even hinted at it by saying that no matter what, even if he’s out, she’ll love to work with him). I'll like to watch his solo tonight for sure!

In summary: Jessica and Thayne are the dancers that I predict will be out.

SYTYCD Top 12: Who’s who in So You Think You Can Dance

2008-07-06T19:25:00.000-07:00

Mark Kanemura (24) is a Contemporary/Modern dancer born and raised in Honolulu, HI. His ethnicity includes: Samoan, Japanese, Irish, English, Spanish, Ukrainian, Scottish, English, & Portuguese. He has been dancing since he was 13. Mark Kanemura trained with 24-7 Dance Force in Honolulu and danced at Tokyo Disney. He also directed and choreographed Miss Hawaii pageants and performances on Norwegian Cruise Lines. Mark’s MySpace: http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=390406607

Chelsie Hightower (18) is a Latin dancer born in Las Vegas, NV, currently leaving in Pleasant Grove Orem, UT. Chelsie H. started studying ballroom dancing when she was 9 years old. She has worked with many world-renowned choreographers. Chelsie Hightower was a U.S. Worlds finalist in 2005 and competed on Team USA. She graduated from Timpanogos High School, and then attended Utah Valley University for a fall semester. She has also performed in musical theater across the nation. She declares herself to also be a singer “by hobby.” Chelsie’s MySpace: http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=107676635

Katee Shean (20) is a Contemporary dancer from San Jose, CA. Shean is a graduate of Pioneer High School and currently attends Chapman University in Orange, CA. She is pursuing a double major in leadership and dance and is active in many volunteer organizations. Katee Shean trained at the Team Dance Company and Atlas School of Dance. She started dancing when she was 4 years old. Katee’s MySpace: http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=38186020

Will Wingfield (21) is a Contemporary dancer from Nashville, TN. Wingfield started dancing at age 9 at DC Dance Factory in Nashville, and later moved to Los Angeles to train under Debbie Allen at the Debbie Allen Dance Academy.

Joshua Allen (19) AKA as Batman, is a Hip Hop/Popping dancer from Fort Worth, TX. Joshua started dancing when he was 8 years old. Allen hopes to be a professional dancer and recording artist.

Thayne Jasperson (27) is a Contemporary dancer who grew up in Springville, UT. Jasperson was a featured dancer in “High School Musical” and “High School Musical 2.” Joshua says that he started dancing when he was 21 years old. He danced five years with Odyssey Dance Theatre in Salt Lake City. Direct link to Thayne’s MySpace: http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=24241561

Gev Manoukian (21) is a Hip Hop/Break dancer originally from Kazakhstan, was living in Salt Lake City, UT; is now living in Beverly Hills, CA. He started training “seriously” when he was 16. Manoukian was a featured dancer in “High School Musical 2.” Before SYTYCD, Gev was attending University of Utah. Direct link to Gev’s MySpace: http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=389243815

Kherington Payne (18) AKA: KK. She is a Contemporary/Jazz dancer from Placentia, CA. Payne will graduate from El Dorado High School this summer. She started dancing when she was 2 ½ years old. Kherington is also an avid soccer fan who has played for many years. In dance, she has formally trained in ballet, Pointe, jazz, lyrical, contemporary, as well as gymnastics. Direct link to Kherington’s MySpace: http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=389469947

Stephen Laurel “Twitch” Boss (25) is a Freestyle dancer from Montgomery, AL currently living in Santa Ana, CA. Twitch started dancing at age 16. A career highlight for Boss was performing “Thriller” with Wade Robson on “The Wade Robson Project” in 2003.

Courtney Galiano (20) is a Contemporary dancer from Commack, NY. Though she specializes in Contemporary, Galiano also loves to dance Hip-Hop. Courtney started dancing when she was 3 years old. Recently, she appeared in the music video for Kat De Luna’s “Whine Up” and has been dancing with the New York Knicks. Direct link to Courntey’s MySpace: http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=387302797

Comfort Fedoke (20) is a Hip-Hop dancer raised in Lagos, Nigeria, now living in Dallas, TX. Comfort started dancing when she was 8 years old. She is a graduate of Booker T. Washington Performing Arts High School. Comfort was a featured performer for the past few years on “Dallas Dance Club 21,” the local Dallas dance television show. Link to Comfort’s MySpace: http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=36478005

Jessica King (23) is a Contemporary dancer from Myrtle Beach, SC, where she was born and raised. Jessica started dancing when she was 3 years old. She trained in ballet, jazz, tap, hip hop and contemporary. She is currently attending Coastal Carolina University studying Fine Arts with a minor in Art History. King also teaches dance and performs in local theaters.

SYTYCD Episode 13: Results on the Money for the Tour.

2008-07-03T19:59:00.001-07:00

July 3, 2008. As the dancers come out to Cabaret’s “Money, Money” circling about the stage I am not so surprised by the revelation of Nigel’s hobby: money printing! Cat struts out on her 10” heels, apparently still in her Hannah-Barbera period, yesterday with the Jetsons, today with the Flintstones and goes directly to the point of the show.
As the bottom three couples are called out (which I predicted correctly, I might add), we can see that the final decisions have already been made—Mary calls Thayne “The Sure Thing Dude”, Napoleon talks about how Comfort has grown over the season, Nigel says that Courtney and Gev just happen to be on the bottom three because someone had to be, and well, they are talking in past tense to Kourtni and Matt. As I expected, by the end of the show K & M see the highlights of their appearance in this season.

As a hiring decision for the SYTYCD Tour, today’s results make sense. The remaining couples have some good solid numbers already, and a variety of styles, backgrounds and ethnicity. It can be said of any of the ones remaining, but I stand by Thayne and Gev, for example who obviously can get quickly whatever is thrown at them. The decisions taken made sense, and they will make for an awesome tour. Ten dancers and two understudies: the tour is set; start buying your tickets now.
By the way: Boneless Chicken Joe (Robert Muraine) still thinks he can dance. I know he can move but he is better for a You Tube mini video. Please Nigel: Bring back some real dancers (or did you run out of mone, mone, money?)! Enough with Audition side shows! Robert should be on “America’s Got Talent” not on SYTYCD.
By the way, by the way: am I a cynic or did Nigel suggest that over the seven seasons he has produced American Idol he has had to made tough decisions on who to cut? Is he saying that in AI the voting is rigged? Isn’t AI’s elimination just based on popular vote? Maybe I just misinterpreted, right?
Special Message to Kourtni and Matt: You brought something special to the show and just because you are out tonight it does not mean you are not among the top. Paraphrasing Nigel someone had to leave tonight and the stars moved in a way not so favorable for you. As you know, this is a step forward for your career, not backwards in heels.

SYTYCD: Double Trouble for the Lucky Seven!

2008-07-03T04:36:00.000-07:00

You have to hand it to Cat that she does not cease to surprise us. What was she wearing!?!?! I’ll give it to her that although the 30’s hairdo was not my cup of tea (no British witticism intended) it kind of became her, but the dress, OMG, what was that? Was she trying to go for the WALL-E’s bride look? Whatever it was, I think I’ve never seen anything like it…

This week it is two for the price of one, and three out of seven couples will be in danger, so it is real easy to be bottom threed. The six remaining couples after tomorrow will be the ones likely to go on tour, with the top ten dancers and the two understudies, so this is a critical night for all. All rightee then…

Will and Jessica do a Broadway Jive in their first number. Some interesting kicks but this choo-choo is not of the hot Tamale kind, not even of the warm kind. Begins slow, ends better but the unevenness makes it a chancy proposition. Posture was off—the train makes it only to 7.5 MPH… Mandy Moore’s choreography for their second number is really interesting but Will: posture posture… The number was a very passionate “Lyrical Jazz” Pas de Deux that does not look effortless: A shirtless Will throws her around, one, two, three times; Will pulls her leg, grabs and turns her over on his legs; Will rips her shirt off and puts it on himself at the end (Tabitha then asks him to take it off and show off the six-pack again). The passion a 10, the technique a 7, makes it an 8.5 for me on this one! Are they back on the hot choo-choo? Total tonight: 16. Mary’s aphorism for them was: “Talent is flame and genius is fire, and that was fire” so, there was no talent? What does that mean? Maybe self-consciously she was right on target?

Tonight, Broadway seems to be the thing, and Comfort and Thayne do another one again! West Side Story with a contemporary twist!!
A Comfort stretch, she did not do well, even considering that this is way out of her C Zone. She brings down the score for the couple and Thayne—though he showed us how well trained a dancer he is—was weighed down by her. By the way, her tattoo showing was sooo out of place! There is tattoo make-up (and dress rehearsals) for that! For not being up to the level--- 6.5 points over 10. With the second number, the Waltz, Thayne shows off his technique and Comfort once again shows her limitations. However, thanks to Thayne, she did much better. If I were hiring for a dance company, Thayne’s got the job. This was an effortless Pas, not like Will and Jessica’s. 9 at least! Total tonight: 15.5. Will they be bottom threed? I think so, although their second number may get them votes.

Kourtni and Matt’s Hip Hop: Pleaase see again Joshua and Katee’s extraordinary Hip Hop number and compare. This was so, sooo bad! What is going on tonight!! No synchronization, butts sticking out when they shouldn’t --- bad and boring! 6.5 points at best! Their mambo number was painful to watch… I am sorry, but I’ve seen hotter, and better. Between both, however, Kourtni was the better of the two tonight. The partnering and dancing looked hard, not spontaneous and effortless. With a score of 7.5 it gives them a 14 tonight. They were really off tonight.

With Mark and Chelsie’s first number we have at last a number to watch without gagging! (and I don’t mean that because of the Pizza I am eating as I watch and write) I like the costuming: they don’t wear shoes but they wear gloves! It is not the best they’ve done, but it certainly is the best tonight so far. This couple works very well together even in this combination Hip-hop-contemporary-and-even-a-bit-of-ballroom-moves-in-there number. A 9 for this performance. The Fox Trot number makes the jidges disagree and Nigel gets boo-booed and screamed into his ear with Mary-Decibels—twice! Blue feathers fly in a multi-complexed-lift routine that makes me give them another 9 for tonight, total 18! This is the top couple and the couple to beat!

Kherington and Twitch do a Paso Doble called Dimitry’s cape, the Return! With drama but, honestly, not much technique by Miss K., it is an entertaining performance. She had the look, but not really the steps. Maybe it was because this was the first time in the show that she danced with shoes on (remember the shoeless waltz?). Her troubled steps make me give them an 8 for this one. Their second dance, Once upon a Mattress, the Routine started, again, with a shirtless dancer! And Miss K. is back to her shoeless ways.
Dream choreography of a dream makes Twitch and Kherington look very good. But, was he really dancing, or just striking poses? They were in character, but I am not sure that if it had not been for the amazing choreography and compelling story-telling you could say that this was excellent dancing. I am doubtful, trying to separate the dancers from the dance… but I will give them an 8.5 for a 16.5 tonight.

Joshua and Katee do Contemporary, again a good partnership. Out of breath at the end of a great number, it was as if they had slowly been moving underwater and at the end came up for air. The walks, the lifts and the chemistry were there. In the execution perhaps the synchronization was a little off because they had to prepare two performances for tonight but they are safe (I hope) after this number: 9 points! The West Coast Swing number was boring for me, I am sorree… Bumping and grinding, ending with Benji’s signature cartwheel spinning, not well executed by Joshua, and then a bump off to the floor by Katee’s power hips. This number is not my cup of tea, once again. Obviously they worked harder on their contemporary, which was so good. Their WCS number deserves a bump, down to a 7.5, total tonight: 16.5. By the way: Joshua might make it to top five guys, but I am not sure who I would bump off from my list… I’ll make my final prediction tomorrow. Right now I have to say that this couple has at least three solid numbers: Their Hip Hop, last week’s Samba and today’s Contemporary, which makes a good case for Joshua and his grills on tour.

Courtney and Gev are hip-hoppers now! Another couple that works well together but the routine did not seem to be a great stretch of technique or dancing. No major tricks, just a safe routine for both. They may have had a 10 on their shirts, but in my book, this is an 8. In their second number, with an energetic Broadway Routine, they try to salvage their night, trying to show off a choreography that was complicated, with miming and jumping, and smiles galore. This routine, however, may not give them enough votes to keep them out of the bottom three.
On top of that, the costumes were awful and they did look kind of silly. But I will give them an 8.5for the pure Broadway feel of it: a total of 16.5 points tonight. By the way Nigel, that Frenchman in a sailor suit was Jules Munchin: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6v7QfCxuvLo
The bottom three will be Kourtni and Matt, Comfort and Thayne, and Courtney and Gev.
After so many times down there, this time it will be Kourtni and Matt.

So You Think You Can Dance: Quick results show

2008-06-26T19:29:00.001-07:00

The show starts as usual with a number that will be the last for two of the dancers… and they all look like a million bucks. Or at least $250,000. The eye is still not on the prize, all the dancers just trying to dance their best, and they do! Mia Michaels’ hand in the opening number is unmistakable, and the dancers pull it off. The mean faces and scary looks suggest that soon we can expect some cutting is going to happen, and I mean throats! And backstabbing… not! These are a bunch of really nice people that know that just being in the top twenty is a privilege, a chance in a million. They do not have to do a “Survivor” or “Apprentice” thing… they have already won. As dancers, what greater exposure and credentials than “SYTCD Top 20”? It is an awesome mark on their back! When Cat comes out she is definitely in combination with the costuming of the number. Only problem is that as soon as all the gothic clowns and babies exit stage, she is the only one left in the weird costume. By the way, shadow of things to come: Comfort is showcased doing some contemporary quite outside her range… hmm.

I got it right once again with two out of the bottom three: Chromfort and Kouratt.
America’s voters can tell what is right and what is not when it comes down to it, and they step up in the right direction. Thelsea’s Quickstep apparently missed a beat with their fans however, and they are bottom-threed also.

Quickly enough as the steps she did yesterday I am shocked—Chelsea T is out! Well, maybe not that shocked… I expected they would keep partners one more week, but as soon as she is out it is obvious to me that Chris will be out. Thanks Chelsea T and Chris: It was fun seeing you perform.

So You Think You Can Dance: The Secret

2008-06-25T22:37:00.000-07:00

Adam Shankman has no secrets as he gushingly pours out on Cat’s beautiful quasi-bridal mini, saying that he would love to wear it. Love it on her, don’t think so on him. Maybe on Tracy (AKA Danielle, AKA Travis).

Kherington and Twitch AKA Twitchinton: Hip Hop. When the SYTYCD work crew came around in their orange jail jumpsuits it seemed to me that costuming was starting a little off tonight. The jidges have many positives on this number and on the negatives “can’t think of anything” says Nigel. Mary screams, turns to Adam and he blushes brightly as he kisses Mary on the lips. I cannot think of anything! Points 8.

Gev and Courtney AKA Gevney: Rumba. Lets get ready to Rumbla! The long half of Courtney’s dress keeps on getting in the way and the missing half does not get in the way of her dance moves. Gev gets the connection, and makes for wonderful partnering! The rumba sensuality was top notch. The performance was greater than competition level, or in a different category. Not the kind of thing you expect from SYTYCD. Loved it, and I give them an 8.5.

Chris and Comfort AKA Chromfort: Jazz (Africanized) – Different, yes. Good? No! A little too much Thriller going on here. No synchronization between the partners. The number really is not hot, the music overcomes the dancers, and the dancers did not seem to have the technique needed to make this number look good (imagine Danny and Sabra doing this…). Comfort hits the tree in his plexus, perhaps she has another secret to share? That move is not something she learned in her beauty pageant days, obviously… Points: 6.

Jessica and Will AKA Willica: Disco. KOD (Kiss of Death) again. Cheesy, as Nigel simply said. RIP for them. Sorry, but this was bad. And to be fair with Jessica, it was Will who wasn’t there for her this time. He kept on stopping and not giving her the momentum needed for those lifts and turns. Points: 6.5.

Kourtni and Matt AKA Kouratt: Contemporary. One question: What was she wearing? Another question: Where they dressed up as Mr. and Mrs. Potato head? Another question: Was it too much for the costume department to think about airbrushed unitards for this number? Another question: Sonya the choreographer, is she one of the rejects from Shear Genius? And talking about Shear Genius, there was already a “Ninja” contestant in that Bravo TV’s show last season. So, Matt’s secret Ninja thing was not even original! Going back to SYTYCD: I did not like this number. Points: 6 (minus 3 for the Ninja mask).

Chelsea T and Thayne AKA Thelsea: Quickstep. A well executed classical quickstep, including some nice trick moves, like that jete in the round that was quite something. Perhaps a little too well executed according to the jidges, meaning they were trying too hard and counting too much. Nigel’s comments would make me think he wants people to vote for them, so that they don’t have to be in the bottom three. Ballroom is always dicey, and after last week Ch and Th are in a hard spot. Still I do not think they will be bottom threed… Points: 8.

Chelsie and Mark AKA Marksie: Hip Hop (was it?). Okay... time for a 10! Insert Mary Scream Here!!!! I’m already looking forward to seeing this number in the live tour! Loved the choreography, loved the dancing, loved the performance, and loved the costuming! Nothing else to say (except that he really has weird crooked little fingers) (and also: “lyrical hip hop”? –what the h…? what is the difference between that and contemporary?). Anyway… I really loved this number!

Katee and Joshua AKA Katua: Samba (was it?). We know that the economy is bad right now, but still… is it down to a half dress policy for dancers in SYTYCD? I like this policy on Courtney and Katee, maybe Cat, but at some point it will get old. This routine was hot; no doubt about it (was it Samba, though?). Joshua’s dad may be going home but for sure Joshua is not. Points tonight: 9.

My prediction for the bottom three: Chris and Comfort (again!), Jessica and Will (again!), and Kourtni and Matt (again!). Who will be pardoned and who will be kicked out? My guess: Kouratt. However, none of these dancers is really safe, except for Will (the jidges obviously love him). So if it is not this week it will be soon that Chris, Jessica and Comfort are out, once the jidges start breaking up the couples.

A final note: Why is Joshua’s dad wearing a shirt with a shirtless picture of his son? It’s weird! Please, somebody give him a better picture/shirt!

SYTYCD: Nigel the Hulk!

2008-06-19T19:32:00.000-07:00

A new, hidden personality of Nigel seems to be coming out this season. I have been saying it all along and now we now the truth: he has been affected by gamma dance rays!
As his green dance persona has been taking over the old scroogy producer/casting director we have seen in the past:
• Nice Nigel comments—“we have to be nice to the dancers this season” sums it up.
• Jumping up and down by Nigel—Hip hop and Broadway in particular seem to make him move off his seat.
• Not scared of real dancers—the Gumby brothers and the hot flamenco guy are professional dancers in the results show.
• Dancing puppies and snuggle bears (really!).
It certainly makes it an even more entertaining show, as dancing does seem a little more in the mind of the producer than the casting of the final ten. I have not made my final conclusion yet, but the show does seem to be a little less rigged this time than in previous seasons. Except… is Cat psychic? She said: our first couple in the bottom three is: Chelsea and Thayne (wait, wasn’t there one envelope still not open?). Oh, well…
Oh, the results... I failed to predict one couple again: Comfort and Chris go to the bottom three, where we thought Kourtni and Matt would be. I guess the Krump was even krummier than I thought. Of course, Chelsea and Thayne sail through the solos war. Marquis and Susie dance for their life in routines that I thought would make it hard for the judges to justify kicking them out. Comfort returned to her c zone and pops a number, and her partner Chris did not outshine Marquis.

Susie and Marquis are out, as predicted. In the context of the casting of the top ten, this is what I expected and is what I predicted yesterday. However in the one on one in the solo wars, in comparison to Comfort, Susie was better and, in comparison to Chris, Marquis was better.

The excuse given to us by Nigel was that Marquis was more of a trickster than a dancer and that Chris has shown some limberness in his development, with potential for growth (all these tree references…). From my perspective, it seemed to me that it was the other way around actually, with more tricks than dancing by Chris the Tree, than by Marquis. Well, I guess we’re back to casting instead of dancing. The gamma dance rays have worn off for the night.

SYTYCD Episode 8: Is it just me, or are these dance styles starting to look all alike?

2008-06-18T21:10:00.000-07:00

In a Black Swan inspired gown Cat introduces the remaining 18 dancers for this evening and the guest host for the night, Benoodles Mia. And, following the theme of the night, I’m going to say what I like best and worst of each one of the judges. Mia, the best of you are your choreographies and the worst are your critiques when they are blond. Such as today’s negative review of Kherington’s smile. But at least you rectified! Mary, the best of you is your scream, which is the worst of you also. And Nigel, the best of you is your production of this show. The worst is everything else… Just kidding!

Starting with Chelsea T. and Thayne, Thayne knocked the wood of his own noodles. Chelsea in a French maid costume with a green feather duster insane for Thayne? It wasn’t believable. But I do not think it was as bad as the judges found it to be. Yes, they lacked chemistry. And, yes, I hated the costuming. And I think that Thayne didn’t look that masculine…, but I think he is a very good dancer and Chelsea is a great performer. Rating: 7.5.

Chelsie H. and Mark’s tango was amazing. Especially Mark, he was wonderful! He had the perfect posture for this role. His bird moves retreated and hid, only to peek through his eagle nosed face! And Chelsie was great also. Her leg action was excellent. This tango was much better than last week’s. The costuming was better also. A modern tango very well done! It was so good, that Mia, as always, created a new word: Fantastical! And an interesting thing happened with Chelsie’s shoes that shows why dance shoes should be worn tight and snug. Her shoes were too big and her pinky toe poked out. Ouch! Ouch also to Nigel’s comment about Argentinean Tango dancers drinking Jack Daniels! Really, Nigel? No, not Jack Daniels! More like Mate (that weird high caffeine drink sipped from an odd looking cup with a straw). Rating: 9.5.

Jessica and Will’s hip hop was kind of old fashioned. I honestly didn’t see really original moves. Hats off, hats on, hats off, and on… So? To me, it was so, so. And Mia and Mary taking off the hat to Will, and putting it on again for Jessica. So? So, so. Nigel recognizes that Jessica was a lot better than last week. Jessica’s strength is not the tango, and maybe not hip hop, but she did a lot better this week. And Will, yes, he’s good, but I didn’t see “genius” in this hip hop. Rating: 7.5.

Kourtni and Matt do the Foxtrot… Ok—KOD (Kiss of Death) in the house! Matt and Kourtni did their best, him jumping and clicking his heels, she, showing off her extensions. But this dance is no vote grabber. If the dances weren’t “randomly” taken out of a hat—they are, aren’t they? —I would think that this dance was purposefully selected for this couple. But, the dances are selected randomly, right? It’s what we’re told. Ok. I think that Kourtni and Matt are in the bottom three again, and this time… well, what do you think? Will they be safe?
By the way, was Nigel going to say lifting her? (referring to Kourtni’s size)? And what about Nigel’s comment regarding Matt’s moves. Did he say Tweed or Twig? I couldn’t make sense of what he said, but it doesn’t really matter. He obviously meant not masculine enough. Rating: 8 for dancing (-3 for singing).

Courtney and Gev – Modern contemporary in a fabulous choreography by Mandy Moore. Mia’s comments were actually positive, as saying in essence that she knows that Courtney will do great! Gev’s lifts were amazing: almost 30% of the time it seemed that Courtney was off her feet, held by Gev, standing on Gev, jumping over Gev... Nigel says that Courtney’s boyfriend should beware! Rating: 9.

Katee and Joshua’s Broadway number: They think it will involve lots of hands and in the end it does! (Including the clapping from the audience). Their number is characteristically (as expected from their outstanding performance last week) well synchronized, and Nigel uncharacteristically jumps up and down! Joshua’s diamond eye bedazzles the judges, and the reviews bring down the house! Mia says it sucked! But that is just the way she talks. In case anyone doesn’t understand she translates: it was amazing! Ok, I say that this is this week’s 9.5 (give me some leeway for a 10, ok?)

Susie and Marquis. Alex de Silva again, this time with a Salsa, after that killer Tango! I cannot say that I liked it, though. The movements were not sultry enough. For a street salsa dancer, Susie’s moves were restrained, almost timid. And I did not see the Puerto Rican in Marquis at all. Rating: 7.5.

Kherington and Twitch’s Viennese Waltz: This was not a Waltz. But it was a very beautiful contemporary piece with waltz moves. A beautiful performance by Kherington, with amazing strong lifts by Twitch. Mia has a hard time trying to justify her critique, but finally shuts her mouth. We wonder, did her new blonder hair affect her judgment? Mary cries, Kherington cries, and Twitch sniffles too (or was that sweat?).
By the way, it kind of upsets me that most numbers were labeled for a style of dance, but were strongly patterned after “contemporary/lyrical.” That Viennese Waltz was as Austrian as Domino’s is Italian or Taco Bell is Mexican, or Jack Daniel’s Argentinean for that matter. Regardless, as an unlabeled dance, I give Kherington and Twitch a 9.

Comfort and Chris do Krump. The difference between Krump and Hip Hop is not really that obvious here to me. But what do I know? I didn’t see the toughness and roughness of Krump here. But what do I know? Comfort was in her zone here, obviously. Chris not quite so. I just didn’t see what the deal was here… Rating: 7.5.

This week I have as much difficulty deciding on the worst of the best as in determining the difference between a twig and a tweed (or was it a twit?). When it comes down to it, you can tell I have a huge grey area in which several couples step into. Those are Chelsea T. and Thayne, Jessica and Will, Comfort and Chris, and Susie and Marquis. Based on popularity, I am going to guess that Susie and Marquis are going to be in the bottom three. Next, even though I do not think that they actually deserve it, I think that Chelsea T. and Thayne are going to be in the bottom three, especially because they were the first couple to dance and because the judges were very tough with them. And my third couple, even though I did not give them the lowest scores, is Kourtni and Matt. If I am right: Chelsea T. and Susie will dance for their lives and Susie will go home. Of the guys, Matt and Marquis will dance for their lives, and Marquis will go home.

SYTYCD: Episode 7 Omi! The results!

2008-06-12T21:05:00.000-07:00

Nigel bound and gagged… is this a promise of things to come? Talk about a gag order! Once released by Cat he says “let’s be nice to the dancers this year”. Alright, haven’t I been saying that they are doing that all along?
With the first threesome couplet, as predicted Kherington and Twitch, Chelsie H. and Mark, and Chesea T. and Thayne are safe. In the next group, this time four, again as I predicted, Comfort and Chris make it, Kourtni and Matt are bottom-threed, and so are Rayven and Jaime. I am happy that Susi Q and Marqis sail through. With the last trio of couples, Katee and Joshua skip on by, and between Courtney and Gev, and Jessica and Will, well… I missed the last bottom three couple, Jessica and Will, but **@!!*?!!*, Will had the power to coast them both, or so I thought.
Poppin’ Pete and Shonn Boog. Amazing. They really moved like Push Puppets. Quite interesting.
In the Dance for Their Life, Rayven, I’m sorry, presents herself as a ballerina, but she is not, and without trying to be mean I have to say that her dancing was a disservice to the art of ballet. Matt does not impress either. Kourtni does what the skit says: dance for her life and I think she deserves to stay. Jaime was alright, I thought, but the show proved me wrong later on. Jessica again, dances for her life and Will, well what can I say… he shouldn’t have been in this situation! Will is great! After this, nobody will want to dance tango again! Jessica and Will had terrible costuming and a low voter routine: they should NOT have been bottom three.
And now we’re put through the torture of the Pussycat dolls. More commercials would have been better than having to watch this sorry display. Their singing (if we can call their pathetic meowing that) was so awful that I just distracted myself by trying to decode if their costumes were actual latex or spray-on painting. Why did this show make such an awful choice, specially knowing that so many young girls are fans of SYTYCD. Is this what they want them to be “when they grow up?”
After this sorry display, the jidges (as Cat says) are back to confirm our prediction: Rayven is out, though Jessica gets a dressing down—dire forebodings for her. As for the guys, I am very, very surprised in a way that Jamie is out. Is it because of the partnering? The casting? The Jaime/Rayven couple is out of the match. Rayven’s outing is clearly well deserved. Jaime versus Matt, I’m not so sure. Unfair? Who knows, there are always backroom issues that we do not know about, and casting situations that the producers have to consider. Matt and Kourtni carry on tall for another week… can’t wait for next Wednesday!! (in a low voice… “so you think you can dance, dance, dance…”)

SYTYCD: Our Blog for Episode 6 is all PC (Politically Correct)

2008-06-12T07:27:00.000-07:00

As Cat Says: “Welcome to: So You Think You Can Dance!” (cue music… low voice “dance, dance…”) I am excited as the top 20 great cast of dancers comes out on stage, each doing their thing, twirling, jumping, stretching, spinning, for their first full fledged presentation, competing for the title “America’s Favorite Dancer”, and some cash to boot.

Let me start by saying: Nigel got a hair cut!! Hurray!! That makes him flirt a little and make Cat blush, as she moves her legs around on the high spikes she’s on. The guest Judge tonight is Dan Karaty, always a sober and good observer. After an overview of the rules, we see once again each of the dancers in their audition run-ups, and a fine group of dancers it is. So now for the dances!

It seems that this year the judges seem a bit obsessed about making sure that people do not criticize the show as being rigged or unfair. They seem to stress a little too much that everybody is an unknown, that everybody has a chance, or whatever. We know that’s not true, by the way, but we’ll see… after all, this is a show for entertainment purposes only, and WE NEED CONTROVERSY! For now, following the lead, we’re going to be PC/Nice too…

Rayven and Jaime. Hip Hop. Our first look at Rayven, and a bit more from Jamie. A little over acted, but certainly well coordinated, the way “a ballerina and a ballroom dancer” (quoting her) can, and adequately performed but not that salty for hip-hop. A little cotton candy anyone? About this number, I will only say that I liked the Boar Jacket that Matt wore during rehearsals... not so sure about his briefs (not boxers? What kind of hip-hopper does not wear boxers?). He looked like Captain Underpants! Okay so maybe I will say something else: a little too much crotch grabbing. Rating: 7.5. By the way: Did Mary really call her old?

Susie and Marquis. The smooth waltz was definitely smooth! Very elegant. They both showed that they have the technique, beautiful lines, pointed feet, great turnout. A couple of missed steps, the first lift definitely better than the overambitious second one (I guess he almost dropped her after she nearly punctured his thigh with those heels!). It was a Waltz-Contemporary number. The choreographers seem to have started off the show with modernized variations on the dance styles, which makes it interesting to watch, as I really am not sure what to expect now when they say “hip-hop” or “waltz”—at least for now. In general very good. We applaud this performance! Good job, Susie! (Are the red hair streaks a South Florida Trademark? Remember Kameron?) Rating: 8 for smooth lines minus a couple of missed steps.

Kourtni L. and Matt. A tall order for sure, 12 feet of dancing, Cat was not above them this time. She reminded everybody of Uma Turman, Lady Di, Cameron D. but… does she have her own look? About him, Nigel not nice, the broomstick comment hurt. This Jazz routine was… okay… and following my premise of not saying (almost) anything negative, I will not say anything else… Rating: 7 for dark overtones overshadowing the real technique under the black leather.

Chelsea T and Thayne. This girl is going to go far in this show. Gorgeous dancer. A great dance, good choreography: a young looking Cha-Cha. The dancers: Technique, personality. Awesome. Both of them. Nobody could see Thayne with all eyes on Chelsea the wonderful, but Thayne was a great, great partner. These two guys are safe! Hot tamale, enchilada and quesadilla train tickets for them! Rating: 9.5 just because I can’t give a 10 at such an early stage.

Chelsie H. and Mark doing Mia Michael’s Contemporary. Some interesting movements performed by Mark. Such beautiful movements and weird (good) too. Really a cool choreography (what wedding was that!) that I believe they performed really well. Seems to me that they did what the choreographer had in mind, even with her mother’s wedding dress. These two guys are safe too. To Mia I say: It was Stupid! So stupid, that it was Stinky! Insane! Disgusting! Ridiculous! Rating: 9.

Kherington and Twitch do Broadway! It started a little weak, but then feathers flew all over the place, ending with great energy and connecting well with the audience. Perhaps it was that start, a little too traditional jazz-Broadway (think Chicago) that I thought was weak, but the combination at the end with contemporary and Hip-hop moves made it sizzle. Kherington looked so good. Twitch looked uncomfortable, but he has so many fans already. And the judges were so positive that they are going to be safe. Rating: 8 for personality minus the off-putting beginning.

Comfort and Chris. A Jive with a pair of blossoming trees, but with a difficult chemistry. I liked the way they started, from their hip-hop and contemporary spotlights to a merged Jive. Comfort, good performance, good booty action, miss her grills, still don’t understand a word she says. Chris does come across as stiff, and the personality issue is going to be hard with these two, but they are working on it. In the end, as Dan said, a respectable job. They’ll probably make it to a Comfort level tonight. Rating: 7.5 for still a little stiffness in the dancing, not the personality

Katee and Joshua. Joshua fesses up about his ballet training, from his football playing days (can’t let it interfere with that macho image now, can’t we eh?). Their Hip Hop: really, really good! Napoleon and Tabitha did that HH/Contemporary combo that I talked about with Rayven and Jaime before. That one wasn’t as exciting as this one, however. This number demonstrates how good hip hop is not just improvised movements: not an easy number, they nailed it. Lots of coordination, right on! Rating: 8.5, and I’m glad that Katee shut up and danced.

Jessica and Will Tango about. About this one, I’ll spell it as Jessica does: J-e-s-i-s-c-a and W-l-i-l will not be in the B-o-o-t-m T-r-h-e-e, but you will (maybe) have to thank Will for that. Her Tango moves were sometimes a little more Flamenco than Tango. Will was very good, better than I thought. Ballroom is always hard in the voting, so despite her long legs, it is possible that they will be bottom-threed, but I think that others did worse. Rating: 8 for confusing Spain with Argentina.

Courtney and Gev. Disco. Obviously not the best disco we have seen in SYTYCD. Remember Jessica and Jaymz from season 2? Courtney and Gev, well, Courtney is very beautiful, and one of my personal favorites. Gev, I don’t know if I like him yet, and he needs to straighten up and tuck his ‘derriere’ in! Please!! Hey Mary: JT does not have it sticking out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dO1p2IxZA0U not even in slow disco: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fTUnFdT-Vl4. Rating: 7.5, for Gev (sorry, but I know you can do better). Courtney, even if you are in the bottom three, you’ll be safe!

Bottom three, we predict: Kourtni and Matt, (poor Jazz routine) Rayven and Jaime, (so-so hip-hop and the first in show, last to remember), Gev and Courtney (low scoring disco always a KOD- Kiss of Death among the voters). Possible (unwelcome) surprise to be at the bottom could be Susie and Marquis (again: low voter appeal dance, the Waltz), but I think their performance was elegant and smooth, and Susie showed versatility and technique, so they should be safe.

If I am right with the bottom three couples: Rayven and Kourtni will dance for their lives and, in a tough call, Rayven will go home; Gev and Matt will dance for their lives and Matt will go home. I’m not saying that these are weak dancers (look at their auditions and clips again, they’re all great!), but these seem to me to be the ones in the weakest position after tonight’s performances.

SYTYCD: Who are the Top 20?

2008-06-07T20:40:00.000-07:00

Girls:
Rayven Armijo (28) is a Contemporary/Ballet dancer from La Puente, CA. Armijo is a mentor to children and assists them with their educational goals and in dance. Armijo is proud that many have gone on to attend LA County High School for the Performing Arts.
Comfort Fedoke (20) is a Hip-Hop dancer raised in Lagos, Nigeria, now living in Dallas, TX. She is a graduate of Booker T. Washington Performing Arts High School. Fedoke was a featured performer for the past few years on “Dallas Dance Club 21, ” the local Dallas dance television show.
Courtney Galiano (19) is a Contemporary dancer from Commack, NY. Though she specializes in Contemporary, Galiano also loves to dance Hip-Hop. She appeared in the music video for Kat De Luna’s “Whine Up” and is a dancer for the New York Knicks.
Susie Garcia (25) is a Latin/Salsa dancer born in Miami, FL. Garcia graduated with a B.F.A. from New World School of the Arts. She is a high school teacher who previously was a dancer with the Miami Heat for six years. Garcia has performed at the Billboard Latin Music Awards and Latin Grammy Awards, and danced on Shakira’s “Oral Fixation World Tour.”
Chelsie Hightower (18) is a Latin dancer born in Las Vegas, NV, and raised in Orem, UT. Hightower has worked with many world-renowned choreographers. She was a U.S. Worlds finalist in 2005 and competed on Team USA.
Jessica King (23) is a Contemporary dancer from Myrtle Beach, SC, where she was born and raised. She is currently attending Coastal Carolina University studying Fine Arts with a minor in Art History. King also teaches dance and performs in local theater.
Kourtni Lind (18) is a Jazz/Contemporary dancer from Forest Lake, MN, currently living in Sherman Oaks, CA. Lind began training in her mother’s dance studio at 3 years old and graduated high school at age 16 so she could begin her career.
Kherington Payne (18) is a Contemporary/Jazz dancer from Placentia, CA. Payne will graduate from El Dorado High School this summer. She is an avid soccer fan who has played for many years.
Katee Shean (20) is a Contemporary dancer from San Jose, CA. Shean is a graduate of Pioneer High School and currently attends Chapman University in Orange, CA. She is pursuing a double major in leadership and dance and is active in many volunteer organizations. Shean trained at the Team Dance Company and Atlas School of Dance.
Chelsea Traille (23) is a Jazz Funk and Contemporary dancer born in Houston, TX, currently living in Flower Mound, TX. Traille graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration/Marketing from the University of Texas, Dallas. She was a dancer with the NBA Mavericks during the 2006-2007 season.

Guys:
Joshua Allen (19) is a Hip Hop/Popping dancer from Fort Worth, TX. Allen hopes to be a professional dancer and recording artist.
Jamie Bayard (22) is a West Coast Swing dancer from Palm Springs, CA, currently living in Norwalk, CA. Bayard graduated from the Orange County High School of the Arts. He was the U.S. Swing Dance champion in 2000 and 2002 and is a professor of Swing and Salsa at Loyola Marymount University.
Stephen “Twitch” Boss (25) is a Freestyle dancer from Montgomery, AL. A career highlight for Boss was performing “Thriller” with Wade Robson on “The Wade Robson Project” in 2003.
Marquis Cunningham (18) is a Lyrical/Contemporary dancer born in Cumberland, NC, and raised in Cape Coral, FL. Cunningham began dancing at 14 and trained at the Robin Dawn Academy. He is a graduate of Florida’s North Fort Myers High School and currently resides in New York City.
Matt Dorame (22) is a Contemporary dancer from Glendale, AZ. He studied for two years at Odyssey Dance Theatre in Salt Lake City.
Chris Jarosz (21) is a Lyrical/Contemporary dancer from Gaithersburg, MD, currently living in Dallas, TX. Jarosz grew up training at the Dawn Crafton Dance Center in Gaithersburg and then moved to Dallas in his sophomore year to train at Top Hat Dance Center. Jarosz is now a dance major at Southern Methodist University.
Thayne Jasperson (27) is a Contemporary dancer who grew up in Springville, UT. Jasperson was a featured dancer in “High School Musical, ” and “High School Musical 2.” He danced five years with Odyssey Dance Theatre in Salt Lake City, but has only been dancing six years.
Mark Kanemura (24) is a Contemporary dancer born and raised in Honolulu, HI. Kanemura trained with 24-7 Dance Force in Honolulu and danced at Tokyo Disney. He also directed and choreographed Miss Hawaii pageants and performances on Norwegian Cruise Lines.
Gev Manoukian (21) is a Hip Hop/Break dancer originally from Kazakhstan and now living in Centerville, UT. Manoukian was a featured dancer in “High School Musical 2.”
Will Wingfield (21) is a Contemporary dancer from Nashville, TN. Wingfield started dancing at age 9 at DC Dance Factory in Nashville, and later moved to Los Angeles to train under Debbie Allen at the Debbie Allen Dance Academy.

SYTYCD Episode 5: The Casting of the Top 20

2008-06-05T21:46:00.000-07:00

So, when is Nigel getting a haircut? He’s starting to look more and more like Cat’s ugly twin sister… or maybe Tracy’s (AKA Danielle Chorizo, AKA Travis)? So, who did Nigel punch? What happened to the other guy? Actually, the gossip grapevine has not posted anything yet about Nigel’s arm. Does anybody know? Had it anything to do with his attempts at demonstrating popping and hip-hopping when judging (as shown during yesterday’s episode)?
Anyway, today’s show was all about people talking too much (i.e., Liz, the tapper, whose tongue wagging was more powerful than her legs’ twitching). And, again, it was also all about people having or not having “personality.” Now, I always wonder: what do they mean by personality? In a show that obviously decides who to showcase and who not to showcase, personality seems to me more an issue of a “cast of characters” and what the producers of the show have in mind for this particular season, than an actual “fact.” How can you judge “personality’? If you have the knowledge, you can judge dance technique, but, I’m sorry, you cannot judge “personality.” Personality is a relative concept. In the context of this show, personality is a way to justify what CAST they want for THIS SEASON’S show. Now, I do not mean to imply that the dancers selected for the top 20 are not talented. They all seem to be awesomely good so far. But my point is that in selecting this mix of characters they cut out some very talented dancers that may not have been good for this show (this season’s show) and left some in just to have a balanced cast.

See, for example, Brandon Bryant. He was consistently excellent, even from his first audition in Washington D.C. (although, by the way, he’s from South Florida! Go Brandon!!!). Why didn’t he make it? In our opinion, he just didn’t fit the mix of characters that the producers of the show wanted for THIS season; he might have just reminded them a bit too much of Danny from last season (although they have different dancing styles). Who knows… I can just say that even though I’m not sure that Brandon is or could have been as good as Danny, I hope that he comes back next year to show us all how far he can go.

See, for example, Kelly Baker, whose mom is a well known choreographer. In my opinion, they basically asked her to just keep working hard and come back next year because she wasn’t quite right for this year’s mix of top 20. Nothing wrong with that, by the way, but my point is that people who were not better than Kelly may have made it through as “cannon fodder” and not because they were better dancers. What do you think?

See, for example, Katee, the girl who almost did not make it because she talked too much… I may be wrong but I think she’s going to have a hard time with the judges…and with the audience because the audience is now poisoned against her. Same for several other kids who were not showcased through the audition shows and are now in the top 20. I love SYTYCD, but they obviously manipulate the audience by selecting whose audition tapes they’re going to give air time to. And quite often it seems that the judges have inconsistent standards. For example, “for you being a popper and a hip hop dancer, you did a decent fox trot, so you are on to the next level.” On the other hand, “for a competition studio beauty pageant dancer… you were not elegant enough, so you’re out of the competition.” So… standards change depending on background? Is that fair?!?!

I must say, however, that I think the casting tonight was basically fair. Courtney, the 25 year old (really?) gets cut, crying her way home. Jeremiah, the great but weird dancer, did not make it. Claire, the mom (really?) did not make it this time. The tappers did not make it….

Oh well, here are the top twenty:

Ladies:
1. Kourtni, as we predicted since her original audition. She’ll make it far.
2. Rayven, the Pointe dancer, who was only shown as a flash in the show tonight… Will she make it far?
3. Courtney, the beautiful girl whom we loved at the Charleston, NC auditions (remember her with her proud Italian grandparents?). She’s not just a wonderful dancer, but she reminds me so much of Al Pacino’s Italian bride in The Godfather… I think she’ll make it far in this competition.
4. Katee, already with a handicap after tonight’s scolding…
5. Kherington, the soccer player, will have to kick it up a notch (they asked her to) …but we were not surprised that she made it into the top 20… We think she’ll make it even further…
6. Chelsie Hightower, whom we also highlighted at the auditions. She’s quite good. She’ll make it far…
7. Jessica King has a chance to grow some more...
8. Susie, the high school dance teacher from Miami Florida… A Miami Heat dancer and the only FL dancer in the top 20 since Brandon didn't make it...
9. Chelsea, we did not learn much about her, did we? But she looks quite awesome in this final clip…
10. Comfort, not showcased either, or was she?

Men:
1. Gev, the dancer from Borat’s country, who doesn’t dance as Borat at all (he’s quite good, actually).
2. Joshua, who’s not "just" a hip-hop dancer, obviously…
3. Matt, they did not give him too much exposure…
4. William Wingfield, protégé of DA, gets her fired…
5. Twitch, “Mr. Personality”...
6. Jamie Bell swings it in…
7. Chris, just a tree sometimes, but maybe the best tree ever after he gets the message.
8. Mark, just got a bit of exposure today…
9. Marquis, they did not show him…
10. Thayne, not showcased as far as I can recall…
Overall, I must say that the final solo round clips show that these are all great dancers! If you’re thinking about auditioning for Season 5, just compare yourself with these people and ask yourself: So You Think You Can Dance? If the answer is yes, good for you! If the answer is no, just keep it up! There is no risk here. With dancing, you can only get better!

SYTYCD Episode 4: Nice is the Nigel Night

2008-06-04T21:40:00.000-07:00

Nigel the producer has come a long way since the first days of American Idol (remember, he is also producer of that show). Maybe, maybe he is realizing that people actually count too. With AI’s ratings way down, and the push to make David Archuleta the new American Idol, it was a stunning and stinging surprise that David Cook actually won by such an overwhelming margin of 56% over 44% of the total vote. Even the scripted remarks of Paula Abdul and Simon Cowell could not overturn the vote in that show. Lesson learned: respect the audience, maybe they’ll watch. But do we have to swing the pendulum so hard? What was up with Nigel tonight? I’m sorry, but I think I like mean Nigel better. What was all that about “You look great? You’ve lost weight?” “You’re not going to make it but we’ll let you through choreography anyway so you’ll learn from the experience?” Is it just me or was Nigel channeling Paula Abdul tonight?

On the feel-good feel of the show, most auditions were one of three types: (1) “Dog, you’re good… now hear this, hear this… you need wings! You’re going to Vegas!” (2) “…now hear this, hear this… you’re beautiful, you’re strong, you’re not going to Vegas this year, see you next year” (cue to tears and sobs all around) and (3) “…now hear this, hear this… Sorry, you are not going” (cue to tears and sobs all around).
Highlights: Keeping tap alive! Two tappers went to Vegas direct! Wow, I really would like if they showcase the talent of tappers this season, but I doubt that they can actually include any tap numbers in the competition as a general category. What do you think? Don’t you think that tap, as well as Pointe and classical ballet, are dances that require very specific skills that not everybody can do well without years of specialized technique? Anyway, about the two tappers, one of them (Bianca Revels) was good, dancing and tapping in the old style. The other one (Lizz Plott) offered a more unique and more contemporary style, in my opinion. Both demonstrated tap in the best tradition of G. Hines and Savion G. as well as the awesome Jason Samuels Smith. That heel clicking was disgusting! …as Mia Michaels would say… Now, the open question mark is: can these tappers do anything else? We’ll see.

Best Audition: Tracy (Travis)… what can I say? Entertainment is what TV shows are all about, right? And this was entertaining, right? We all knew about Tracy from Season 2, right? Remember all the rumors about Travis’ alter-ego Tracy? …Are you telling me that you didn’t know? Never heard about her? …Really? Well, I even remember when a full thread on T/T was deleted by the Fox police on the official SYTYCD discussion board on Season 2 so the show wouldn’t lose Travis’ pre-teen fans… Anyway, it was fun to see her on stage. She is a good dancer! She dances a little like a man though…
Enough for tonight. Let’s see what goes on tomorrow. We’ll talk about the top 20, including some local folks (at least one) that we already know made it into the top 20. Have a Nigel (=nice) night!

Images available from: http://www.myspace.com/hardassbitch/ and http://http://www.rickey.org/?p=8081/

SYTYCD Episode 3: So You Think We’ve Seen Enough Auditions Already?

2008-05-29T21:32:00.000-07:00

Cat reminds us how in Charleston NC a convergence of talent has occurred before: Travis, Dimitry, Natalie, Heidi and others have auditioned here and gone on to top 12. Now, remember also that the cluster did not happen by chance, since they all were already friends and partners, and had danced with many of the choreographers in this show… whatever… I see that Cat seems to have been taking some dance lessons: I think she thinks we would like to think she can dance!

The auditions start with Sheila: What a great performer…and a great dancer! She is right: Biological-Engineering can wait (what is that anyway, clone manufacturing?). Other notables: Courtney Galiano—Beautiful dancer, great eye contact, good arms, legs, face, and amazing technique. I bet you she’ll be in the top 12 at least. Claire, the season 2 injured dancer (remember her?), after a baby… hard to figure out where it came from! Did the stork bring it? Seriously, she looked amazing. In my opinion, they should have kept their word and put her straight to Vegas, instead of making her cry baby cry. But, anyhow, she made it.

There were bunch of weirdos and delusionals at NC also, of course. I won’t lose your time and mine writing about the stupid ones. There were plenty of those. But I would mention Jeremiah the Zen dancer, giving us leaps of dancing faith. Crazy in all senses of the word, crazy moves, crazy lines, crazy eyes, crazy talk. Good? Maybe? All I can say is that I would also have let him thru to Vegas. So we’ll see how far he goes, hoping his medication lasts long enough.

So you still think that people do not dance in the shower, Nigel? So, Nigel, how about Syiddah? So you think she dances in the shower? I do. As a matter of fact, she did not move too much around, as if she were used to dancing in the shower! So you want to call that dancing, Nigel? So, you want to call it dancing forever, Syiddah? So you think you are just you, Syiddah? SYIDDAH – So your imaginary dancing days are hot… NOT.

Nigel, I was liking you a lot tonight until you made that stupid comment! Regarding “loony” travesty Jason, you told him: “You’re one of the reasons why so many fathers don’t like their sons dancing”. Are you kidding me?!?!?! You should not have dignified his act with the word “dancing”. First of all, dance had nothing to do with this loser being an ugly cross-dresser. And even more important, this guy was not a dancer!!!! Nigel, please, do not add insult to injury. Dance obviously had nothing to do with this guy being an idiot!! Now, about Jason: I must agree that he deserved what he got from the judges and more. I, like Nigel, am also tired of people that can’t dance making fun of dancers. What a loser you are, Jason!!!!

Washington, DC: for some reason, this part of the show did not inspire me at all, except for some great male dancers. In particular, Brandon Bryant, how good was he! And if he truly is only 18 he’s gonna be quite something! This is what I mean by technique! What a joy to watch a guy dancing like a guy with obvious technique that may come from many areas and, in particular, ballet (do you want to bet?). This shows that when you have the core technique needed to be a real dancer, then you can be a creative contemporary dancer, have clean moves, and show off your technique.

And then Anthony, the Julliard graduate, with great technique and camouflaged spark, that turned into a conflagration when he couldn’t find his shoes as he stomped out. You can see with him the difference between a masculine dancer (Brandon) and one that doesn’t seem to clearly distinguish between how his female role models dance and how he is supposed to dance. As Balanchine would say: the difference between the Prince and the Queen.

Winning couple of the night: Courtney and Brandon. If they are paired in LA, they are going places!

And, hey, one last thing: Nigel needs a haircut!!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y74d3wVc654

Episode 2: SYTYCD? SITYAD!*

2008-05-29T04:59:00.000-07:00

In Utah snow falls outside and dancers spill inside. The cold weather outside in Salt Lake City was sometimes more welcoming than the judges comments inside. And Dallas may have been a little warmer outside, but dancers still had to fend off cold hearted comments. But I must say, in most if not all cases they were warranted. What were these people thinking? That they can dance? S-E-X was more entertaining than some of these!
Nigel seemed to be a little more constructive last night: his comments on “you slip on those socks, you’ll dance better without them” or “I’ll give you a ticket to Vegas if you promise never to wear those soccer shorts again” were right on target. The reason people use fitted clothes and proper dance shoes is so that they can dance better and actually show their lines; not slip and spill on socks, not distracted by scarves, not pulling up their jeans every three seconds…
But Nigel really redeemed himself in Dallas with the “Stepford Dancer” remark: a scathing critique to the prefabricated moves, sequential stop-and-go tricks, and artificial costuming and emotion we often see. Smart comment Nigel!!!
Holy Hot Tamale Mary, you are always fun and often sharp but, what were you drinking? Did you notice? I went back and forth on the tape and saw that she had a bottle of something that she was pouring in her glass… Is that the same thing Paula drinks on AI?
The guest judges, Mandy Moore and Adam Shankman did not participate so much this time. Best comment: “are we being punked?” Truly there were some delusional movers and shakers out there that think they can dance. Some can’t be part of the show because, well, they pop kids out every two years! Gives a whole new meaning to “dancer mom”. We liked her, but, not for this show (there are some reality TV possibilities there). Some can’t be part of the show, well, because they can’t dance! Have they ever seen good dancing, even in a club? When Naomie Christensen (the one in black, with black socks) blamed the floor for her own shortcomings, Mary’s follow up to Mandy’s comment was justified” “Where are you Ashton?” (meaning Kutchner, not Frederick). And when the Mickey Mouse Hair/ears guy ranted and raved about his dancing abilities! Well, he now has left the house! (Or been escorted out from it…)
Some great lessons learned today. One, regarding costuming, it obviously helps to have the right one. I honestly think that those with fitted clothing that showed the body movements and lines had a better chance of getting through. We liked Kelly Baker, Chelsey Hightower and Arielle, the girl who brought a partner (who wasn’t a dancer, by the way, but was a great partner); all of them had the right choreography, right clothes, right shoes, great legs, right moves. We also liked Matt who, despite his red soccer shorts, displayed his ballet training mixed with some odd jazzy moves in an interesting choreography. We also liked the two 25 (really?) year old divorcees, and the skater/hip-hop guy from Borat’s country (named Gey) who was not Borat, after all! Finally, we liked the Snuggle teddy bear (did you notice?). You can see a clip of him at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y74d3wVc654

And the main lesson of all tonight was that, besides the right choreography, appropriate attire and great technique, the most important ingredient for success in these auditions is dancing with your heart!

*So I Think You Are Delusional

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SYTYCD Episode 1: It was stupid and it was stupid!

2008-05-22T20:32:00.000-07:00

I had forgotten that Mia Michaels' is from Bizarro world: Remember Superman’s alter world where everything is reverse? So for Mia brilliant is stupid, wonderful is stinky, and successful is sex-full…oh no, wait a minute, that was just a slip of her tongue. But then, Mia, sometimes what you say really gets lost in translation such as when you said that the popper Phillip Chbeeb was brilliant. Did you really mean it? If you meant brilliant, why didn’t you say stupid? This is soooo confusing!
To me, it was stupid (bad) that “S-E-X” was back. If Nigel thinks it is so ridiculous (really meaning ridiculous, I think) that S-E-X auditions every season just to see himself on TV, why do they show him on TV every season then? Why isn’t he just edited out? Why spend one, two, three minutes on him, instead of someone else? After all, Nigel, you are the producer of this show! Or is it that you want to pretend that you’re just a judge? Like with Gold Inferno, with his jumping and stomping workout routine: were you really “outvoted” and were going to let him through to Vegas? We did see that smug smile of yours and eye twinkle… Oh, Nigel, here we start again another season of your tricky manipulations. Didn’t “S-E-X” audition for American idol also? Which, by the way, is also your show, Nigel?
Mary Murphy’s hot tamale laugh is back: can’t decide if it’s annoying (amusing) or amusing (annoying). She was the most consistent of the judge’s panel tonight, I will grant that. No conceited remarks, no outrageous celebratory remarks. What was good, she saw as good. What was not so good, well… Nigel did cover her eyes when the guy that can’t afford dance shorts (Rijiy Ames) made the (bold/ball) statement of the evening.
Well, besides a bunch of brilliant (stupid) auditions, there were some stupid (brilliant) ones. Ridiculously awesome was Erika Gee: technique, pointing, turnout and consistency in a contemporary routine. High hopes for her. Asuka, the ballroom dancer, she’s also beautiful and seems to be a contender. Kherington, the soccer player, has potential but I saw a few technique problems. And Devin, the one with just one shoe, was her technique really that incredible? Stupid was, not stupid good, the tall girl who claimed tall people discrimination, or Ryan the silly cat, or Edwin’s the “dropper.” Interestingly cool was the guy who danced to a poem. Cool performance, but was it dancing? And then the Gemini dancers Aliona-Leonidas: weird, her comment “we are the same just one female body/male body dancer” – weird, weird, weird… Eye popping of the evening: that last guy (Robert Muraine). Who knew the human body could do that? How flexible can you be? Marcel Marceau’s spirit was channeled tonight. Miming yes, entertaining yes, performance yes, dancing?
Sometimes this show makes me wonder: What is dancing, after all? Or is this a stupid question?

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So you think you can dance… in the shower?

2008-05-19T02:42:00.000-07:00

Nigel Lythgoe (someone I’m not a fan of, by the way) trying to explain why a lot more people audition for American Idol than for SYTYCD, said: “More people think they can sing than think they can dance;” and then added: “You can sing in the shower; you can’t really dance in the shower. A lot of people know they can’t dance; it is amazing how many think they can sing.” I dare to disagree. In my experience, a lot of people are also delusional about dancing, thinking that they can dance or that they know how to, or that they can differentiate between a good and a bad dancer when they really have no clue. And, I also think that you can dance in the shower. As a matter of fact, I’ve done it more than once. And when I do dance in the shower, I’m the best! …or should I say instead “America’s favorite dancer”?

Actually, there may be some truth to Lythgoe’s statement regarding the mass appeal of singing over dancing. It is definitely more likely that a common mortal will know the lyrics of a popular song than know the steps of a particular dance. Follow that tune? How many songs do you know? With songs, you know the lyrics, you’ve heard them a hundred million times, you may have even heard several versions of the same song a hundred million times. Now, how many “popular” dances do you think that the common mortal would know or recognize by heart? Besides the Macarena and the Chicken dance, maybe the Hokey Pokey, I don’t think there are many specific dances that will come to mind immediately. Unless, like in my case, you are a balletomane that has seen some classical pieces a hundred million times, but that’s not the common mortal.

Of course, many people can improvise dancing (salsa, hip-hop, popping) and move their body along with the music, but the point is that not many people would be able to have a choreographed routine in mind as easily as they could come up with a song to sing. We grow up listening to songs and singing, wonderfully or badly. Music and lyrics are part of our daily life: in the car, at work, at home, at the restaurant, and in the shower. Hence, Nigel is partially right in that more people know a particular song and think that they can sing it than people know a particular dance and think that they can dance it. However, I am not so sure that Nigel is correct in his assertion that more people “know” that they can’t dance than people know that they can’t sing. I think that more people think that they can sing because more people are interested in singing than in dancing. Hence, with more people wanting to sing you expect to have more delusional people wanting to sing, thinking that they can, when they can’t.

I have heard so many people saying that dance is easy, that it is just for girls—furthermore, that dance is just for little girls—that I doubt that people actually realize how difficult it is to actually dance well. Just a few days ago, a mother and her thirteen year old daughter came into my dance shop asking for Pointe shoes. The girl had never, ever danced but the mother wanted to enroll her in a dance program during the summer and thought that the way to start her off was buying Pointe shoes (even before actually finding a dance program). When we explained to them that she should first find an instructor and that it was very likely that the instructor would require her to have ballet training before actually doing Pointe, the mother replied: “well, it’s not that serious; what she’ll be doing is just going up on her toes and doing a little twirling, you know”. Yes, we know. Her words just reflect what we, unfortunately, know many people think when they see an excellent dance performance: if it looks so effortless, it must be easy… furthermore, it is quite frustrating that sometimes the cleaner and flawless it looks, the easier people may think it is!

Finally, to wrap this up (obviously, we have a lot to talk about!) our points above highlight some of the things that we love the most about shows such as SYTYCD and DWTS:
1) They bring dance to the living room, making more people entertained by dance;
2) They create original pieces that may become part of the popular arts knowledge (i.e., Neil and Danny “two princes”);
3) They show male dancers as strong, masculine and elegant; as well as dancers of many ages, shapes and backgrounds.

Let’s prove Nigel wrong. Let’s go dance in the shower now… I think we can. Love, peace and dance!!!!

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