So You Think You Can DANCE!

And the people (or the producers) got it right this time.  Last night was the season finale of So You Think You Can Dance and the two best dancers actually won.  As much as I liked Cyrus, I was glad to see Chehon take home the prize and as cute as Tiffany was, Eliana deserved the win.  Great season and wonderful numbers abound.  And by the way, Cat Deeley deserves an Emmy!

I Love So You Think You Can Dance but...

This new elimination concept is driving me crazy.  For those of you who do not watch So You Think You Can Dance, this year instead of having an entire hour on a different night to eliminate dancers, it is all done in one night.  I understand that the elimination night was brutal but this "all in one night" thing is even more so.  Not only that but last night consisted of dancers performing routines that had already been done?  As a tribute to Mia Michaels, the dancers danced her iconic pieces.  I don't like comparing dancers.  I don't like the fact that we have seen these routines before and for the really amazing ones it is hard to get the previous dancers out of our head.  Sorry I am just bitching a little.  I love this show and I don't like change.  Plus that cute little Matthew (who looks a little like Ryan Gosling) was eliminated last night and Cyrus is still around.  Sometimes talent is not enough. 

So You Think You Can Dance - last night

Tonight is the night! 4 becomes 1! America's favorite dancer (for about a month) is crowned. And after last night I am not sure who it will be. Based on the four finalists (not the four best dancers by the way) the decision is not as clear cut as it was last season.

First, let us review Brandon. After being cut down by Mia and Lil' C in the auditions; Brandon has proven he can do just about anything and last night was no exception. His solo was amazing (a little weird but awesome to watch), and he danced every number like it was his last. All of Brandon's comments from the judges were positive, which is great. My fear is that no one will vote for Brandon because he is too obvious.

Next up is Jeanine. Jeanine has always been a solid dancer but she really came into her own when her partners could match her skill (no offense to Phillip). Her solo last night was an unexpected surprise and she was technically phenomenal. Jeanine's personality gives her a bit of an edge but again you have to wonder if the gushing of the judges may hurt.

Then we have Kayla (aka White Lightning, really?). Kayla has been a favorite since she began (great story, single mom, grandparents took her to dance classes etc). She has had great performances and she has had mediocre performances (think Broadway with Kupono). Last night I thought she was good (not great). I was not a fan of her solo and I felt that in the two girl number Jeanine looked better. Kayla could win if the public took offense to the judges constant reminder that both Brandon and Jeanine are the front runners.

And last but not least (OK maybe least) welcome to Evan world. He is cute. I will give you that. He has personality galore and when dancing in his style he is fun to watch. But once again I have to say that watching him do any other style is just not believable, Evan can not be a thug nor can he be sexy. Hell I even had a hard time seeing him as a football star. Evan will win if the American public feels justified voting for him because the judges were too harsh last night. Making this show more about personality than dancing. Now I respectfully disagree but I only voted twice last night.

So who do you think will take the prize? Which dances would you like to see again from the season? Am I wrong to be so harsh about Evan? Looking forward to tonight. Let me know what you think.

So You Think You Can Dance - The Final Four

I have now watched all back episodes of So You Think You Can Dance and I have to just tell everyone that I am a little shocked! The final four is not at all what I had anticipated. How is it possible that Evan is in the finals and Ade is not? I knew that from the beginning Evan was a fan favorite but for someone of his limited dance ability I just do not see how he can compete with the other three finalists. If the winner is not Jeanine or Brandon I will protest (OK not too loudly since I love the show so much). How fun was it to see some of the most memorable dances from last season though? Also which dances will be the ones that are memorable this season? Wednesday and Thursday night will be fun! Can't wait!

SYTYCD - Briefly Before it Starts

It has been crazy this week and I have fallen behind in what I deem my responsibilities. I did want to weigh in on my favorites (and least favorites) last night before the elimination commenced. Oh and by the way Mary Murphy is past getting on my nerves and moved into downright hatred (or something close to it).

My top three...

1. Brandon and Jeanette did a hip hop routine so well that I forgot Brandon was a slightly effeminate contemporary dancer. It was absolutely a joy to watch and I actually watched the routine twice.

2. Evan and Randi were granted a Mia Michaels routine inspired by Randi's ass. Sounds weird I know but so impressive and well executed that i forgot about the lackluster jive routine from last week. 3. Ade and Melissa pulled the Rumba last night and executed it so well. I have to say that Ade who I knew nothing about has progressively become one of my favorites and last night he showed why.

As for the bottom three; sadly last night there was a lot to choose from. I felt like the dancing was a little weak and non-inspired. But if I had to pick my worst...

1. Phillip and Jeanine danced a Broadway number that left me wondering when we were going to actually see the real Phillip. Jeanine was not bad but Phillip was disappointing (again).

2. Karla and Jonathan, who I loved last week, were awful in the hip hop routine. The dance was boring, out of sync and in general not anything that I would want to see again.

3. Caitlin and Jason danced a Paso Doble and I was left wishing that Twitch was back for another season. I love this couple (probably because they are so pretty) but last night was another indication that pretty does not make you dance better.

So that is my short review of last night. I am sorry for being so brief. I do wonder who is going home and will be watching tonight to find out (in real time). Later!

I Am a Little Shocked (SYTYCD)

Again I will be brief. Max did not deserve to go home last night. That's it, point blank! Yes ballroom dancers have a hard time with solos (hello ballroom means two) but both of his dances have been great and have gotten wonderful feedback from the judges. Plus Kupono and Ashley were horrible in their performance and I felt that both of their solos were weak. The biggest positive for Kupono last night was that he was a "different" dancer. Who cares if your different? You have to be good. So Ashley and Max head home and now Kupono will be paired up with Kayla (who looked devastated when they announced Max's name). It will be interesting to see how that pairing plays out. Just a little mad at my show right now (and Nigel).

SYTYCD - Top 18 How did they do?

I have friends here from North Carolina so this is going to be short and sweet. Last night's dancing was not as wonderful as last week for me. Don't get me wrong some were great! But some couples were not and the disappointing thing was that the ones that seemed to have lost it were favorites for me from last week.

My top 3 this week were...

Melissa and Ade who danced a crazy, f@#cked up "jazz" routine with Sonia (Mohawk weirdo). But I gotta say that the danced was awesome and both Melissa and Ade were amazing in it.

Asuka and Vitolio dancing a waltz were just beautiful. Mary Murphy actually cried (not that big of a deal) but even Lil C was impressed.

Karla and Jonathan danced a contemporary routine and I got chills. They are a beautiful couple and the dancing last night between the two of them was phenomenal.

Honorable mention has to go to Kayla and Max. Their routine was awesome as well but both Jonathan and Karla and Asuka and Viltolio were in the bottom last week and I think that they deserved my top spots for sheer improvement.

Here is the hard part for me. My bottom three are...

Jeanine and Phillip dancing the tango looked awkward and strange. I love Phillip but this dance was not his thing and it showed (over and over).

Caitlin and Jason who were another couple I loved last week just stunk up the stage this week. Their hip-hop number was so out of sync even I could see it and I was disappointed.

Ashley and Kupono also did a hip-hop number this week and again I was disappointed. Ashley was not as bad as Kupono but neither seemed to have the spark that the number needed.

The rest of the couples were in the middle for me. Randi and Evan were not bad doing the jive and Brandon and Janette did a good job with the disco but neither dance stuck out to me as unbelievable. The one nice moment was when Lil C completed Brandon on his dancing (after he was so mean at auditions) and I could see that Brandon was moved.

So any thoughts or comments? Who will be in the bottom tonight? Who is going home? And did I miss one of your favorites?

Don't Forget - SYTYCD Top 18 Tonight

Another Wednesday night which means time for more performances on So You Think You Can Dance. I am looking forward to another week of amazing dancing. I will check in tomorrow to discuss how the night went.

Who Goes Home? SYTYCD

For those of you that picked Tony and Paris to be the first ousted on So You Think You Can Dance, do you know your dance or do you know your dance shows?

After an amazing opening number last night (such fun to watch) Cat Deeley began the long (long) process of telling each pair of dancers whether or not they were safe. All four of the couples that I voted for were safe (see you have to vote) Jeanine and Phillip, Randi and Evan, Caitlin and Jason, and Kayla and Max. The bottom three were Paris and Tony, Jonathan and Karla, and Asuka and Vitolio. My only shock was that Jonathan and Karla were placed in the bottom three over Kūpono and Ashley (crash test dummies). I just thought that their dance was a little too weird for the American public (that means me).

The solos were done, not really to the judges satisfaction. When Nigel stated that he was sending Paris home because of her dancing and the fact that the Top 20 was overrun with contemporary dancers; well that did not seem fair. I will agree that her solo was the worst but to leave on a technicality (of any kind) seems a little harsh. As for the boys, there was no doubt in my mind who should and would go home. Tony's solo lacked very little substance (think Michael Jackson without the good moves). So goodbye to Tony and Paris and on to the Top 18.

SYTYCD - Let The Games Begin!

I never (ever) call in to vote on a television show! Never! And I did last night. 4 times. For the first episode of So You Think You Can Dance I was so very impressed. It was hard to pick the bottom three with the performances that were presented last night. Just a couple of things...

1. I had to fast forward a lot while Mary Murphy was screaming (ugh) but I did not miss her Botox mention. Hilarious I must say.

2. I liked Tony in auditions, now not so much. He was not that great last night and his constant winking got on my nerves.

3. Wade Robson is a weird mofo. His crash test dummies dance was just strange last night. The judges seemed to love it, I just did not get it.

My four favorites that I voted for last night were...Jeanine and Phillip who did a hip hop routine almost flawlessly, Randi and Evan who performed a jazz number, Caitlin and Jason with the ol standard Bollywood (yeah right) and surprisingly Kayla and Max rounding out the night with a samba. All were great and all should have no trouble making it through to the next round.

Tonight we will hear the results and watch the solos. Should be interesting to see which dancers already have a following. If you want a more detailed recap check out Adam B. Vary on EW.com (here). Later.

SYTYCD: Who will be sent home this week?

There is a game on EW.com (here) that lets you choose who you think is going home this week on So You Think You Can Dance. These are the front runners thus far (without watching anyone dance), Ade Obayomi, Jeanine Mason, and Max Kapitannikov.

Do you think that these are the ones going home? The Top 20 dance tonight. I cannot wait to see how the partners are split and I have Tivo ready to fast forward through Mary Murphy screaming.

The Top 20 - SYTYCD

After two weeks of auditions, and a Vegas week in which we saw very little dancing, the top 20 has been picked. Before I mention any of my favorites, I need to say a few things about the show last night.

1. Mia Michaels is just a bitch. A talented bitch certainly but still; a bitch. My heart went out to Brandon last night when he eagerly awaited the news on whether or not he had finally made it into the top 20 and she decided to once again call him out. She basically let this poor nervous boy know that she did not like his attitude (?), his dancing did not impress her (again ?), and he seemed fake. I thought Mary Murphy was going to climb down the judges table and claw her eyes out. Brandon made the top 20 and let Mia know that he was ready to work with her and prove her wrong (good for him) but I still hated the way she berated him, for the hell of it, one last time.

2. Can you be upset with a company, even if you have never seen a performance? The Miami City Ballet has certainly made a name for itself this morning, and not in a good way. The ballet would not release Alex Wong from his contract, therefore he was unable to be in the top 20. Alex was visibly upset (and rightly so). Either we will see Alex for season 6, or he is destined to be an awesome ballet dancer forever. And he is awesome!!!!

3. I know that it was for television, and it got everyone talking, but I hated the way the final two guys left for the final spot in the 20 were the brothers, Ryan and Evan. I loved them both and their quirky Broadway-esque styles were so fun to watch. Ryan made it, as older brother Evan went home, and I hope that Evan realizes how good he truly is.

As for my favorites in the top 20; and this is hard because quite a few of them had very little screen time. For the guys I like Phillip, Evan, Jason and Tony. These are just the ones that stood out to me with personality plus (this could all change in a week). As for the girls; Kayla (the grandparent thing), and Randi (she was adorable in her unitards) are my ones to watch thus far. Next week will begin the pairings and I am excited to see what the rest can do. God I love this show!

Almost there...So You Think You Can Dance

We are almost to the Top 20 on So You Think You Can Dance! Tonight is the night that we will finally know which 10 guys and 10 girls we will be pulling for in the dance competition. Last night one of the favorites from last season was sent packing, Natalie. I was also sad that a few of my nameless (I told you no names until the top 20) favs from auditions did not make it through. But tonight the 20 will be revealed. Is it so sad that I am more excited about this then just about anything right now? Read the full recap on Ew.com (here).

So You Think You Can Dance! - Vegas Callbacks

Slowly but surely we are whittling down the dancers to get to the top 20 (so that I might be able to remember their names). Tonight is the first of two nights in Vegas where finally the dancers are good (no more of that shit we had to watch last week) and the judges are really looking for the people that will make it to the Top 20!

So You Think You Can Dance!- Auditions

Last night SYTYCD was in Miami and Memphis. I will not say much just that I wish that the dancing that they showed was more of the good stuff and no the godawful crap. Did anyone else see the guy with the dreads doing the jumping, I'm high as a kite dance. Yeah that was 2 minutes that I will never get back. No major "stories" to report (because everyone has a story) but a few to keep an eye on in Vegas. The cop from Memphis was likable, the kid with the football coach father, and the blond that had hip surgery (when you make it to the top 20 I will remember your name). I also hope that the show continues to have Little "C" as a judge. Just watching him watch the dancers made me aware how seriously he takes his job. He was extremely thoughtful and concise. Tonight the show is in LA. I am ready for Vegas baby. Later taters!

More So You Think You Can Dance Tonight!

Tonight the judges hit Miami and Nashville at 8:00 on Fox. Don't miss it.

So You Think You Can Dance - Apology

After watching the auditions Thursday night and remarking about how Nigel handled a same sex ballroom dance couple (he could not form words) I thought nothing more about it. Apparently the gay community took offense to his comments and Nigel has issued an apology. I do understand why offense was taken, Nigel's comments were rude but I don't think that this man was in any way trying to be mean or disrespectful; I think that he just did not know what to say having never been presented with this combination of partners before. Don't stop watching the show. Gay, straight, red, blue, man or woman...I don't care as long as you can dance. Read his apology below from EW.com. Am I being naive to think that he is not homophobic or is he really that much of an asshole?

So You Think You Can Dance' judge Nigel Lythgoe apologizes for homophobic remarks

May 24, 2009, 12:17 PM | by Jennifer Armstrong

Categories: Television

So You Think You Can Dance judge Nigel Lythgoe has issued an apology for remarking during this week's season premiere that same-sex ballroom couple Misha Belfer and Mitch Kiber "probably alienate a lot of our audience." During his critique, he'd also told them, ''I'd like to see you both dancing with a girl... You never know, you might enjoy it, too.'' After GLAAD took notice, Lythgoe said he regrets the "poor word choices," adding, "I am not homophobic and it was extremely upsetting for me to be classed as such." His statement goes on to say:

"I have been forthright and consistent with my opinion, as a judge, that professional male dancers should move with strength and agility -- like Gene Kelly and Rudolph Nureyev. I now realize how this could be misconstrued.

"I have been a dancer, and involved in the dance world, for nearly 50 years. Professionally and personally, I believe the sexual orientation of an auditioner or contestant is irrelevant. All that said, the fact that I have unintentionally upset people is distressing to me and it is obvious I have made mistakes that I must learn from. I trust that my humor will be more sensitive and mindful moving forward."

So You Think You Can Dance - Auditions

Until I get to know the top 20 and decide who I am routing for, the audition process is interesting but hard to dissect. Last night in the search for the next "America's Favorite Dancer" Nigel and co (and I do mean loud as shit Mary Murphy) hit New York and Denver. There was definitely talent (not cry my eyes out talent Mary) and then there were the idiots. Watching Nigel try to be politically correct when critiquing the same sex salsa dancers was hilarious. And then of course there was the girl dressed as cat dancing to Star Wars. I know that so many people in this world want to be famous but "dancing" to the Star Wars theme with light sabers as your props does not make you famous; it makes you stupid (although I am talking about her aren't I)! Next week the judges hit Miami and Nashville (I think) to add even more dancers to the growing number headed to Vegas. Oh and one more thing, weirdo choreographer Sonia does not a judge make. At one point I thought that she was going to have an orgasm at the table over a dancer (not appropriate) and she could not string two words together to articulate her thoughts. Any of the other choreographers are fine. She needs to stick with the dancing.

Tonight is the Night!!!!!

So You Think You Can Dance is back tonight on Fox at 8:00! Watch! The show is awesome and so addictive. Is it sad that I have been excited about this for weeks?

So You Think You Can Dance!

America picked their favorite dancer and it was......Joshua!


I kind of guessed that it would be Joshua or Twitch. The seemed to have the popular vote, although Katee seemed to have the judges vote. And poor little Courtney had no ones vote. Now I thought Courtney did well (as did all the dancers, I mean hell I can't do it) but if you had said at the start of the top twenty who was going to be the final four she would not have been a part of it. This made me think...who would have been in my top four.

So here are the four dancers that I truly believed would have been in the top four had the judges been able to vote and not America.

1. Will. Everyone loved him and he danced every dance terrific. Plus he is (or was) Debbi Allen's protegee, how can you go wrong with that?

2. Katee. She deserved to be there. She danced all dances well and even received standing ovations for a few (especially the Pas de Deux with Will).

3. Joshua. I am going to agree that he should have been in the final four as well. For an "untrained" (was he really?) dancer he took on many dances that were spectacular. Plus he had a humble personality that just spoke volumes about his gratefulness to be on the show.

4. Chelsie. Eliminated in the final six, Chelsie was the one dancer that embodied every character she was given. She worked well with all of her partners (although her dances with Mark were the most memorable) and she really met every challenge head on.

Now don't get me wrong, I loved Twitch and Kherington and thought that as a couple they too were fun to watch. And there were others who really blew me away on any given week but the above four were the ones that I feel really performed every dance above and beyond their own ability.

As it stands Joshua has won it...now what will he do? Broadway? Music Videos? Movies? With $250,000 he can take a little time to figure it out. I am a new fan of the show and I must say I will be back. Later taters.