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Another So You Think You Can Dance Twitter Round Up

My previous SYTYCD twitter roundup was so popular that I decided to do it again. Here’s a quick look at some of the best, most interesting, entertaining and fun tweets from around the SYTYCD twittersphere.

MJ Tribute on SYTYCD
The big news on the Twittersphere was Nigel trying to put together a Michael Jackson tribute. Of course, SONY seems to be not clearing Michael’s music. Here’s the important tweets about it:
From Nigel (@dizzyfeet) @PaulaAbdul Will you choreograph an MJ tribute for us this week?

From Paula (@PaulaAbdul) @dizzyfeet Have your people call my people Nigel and let’s do it! lol

From Nigel (@dizzyfeet) @PaulaAbdul I would get my people to call yours? But I have 2 issues. 1. I don’t know who your people are? 2. I haven’t got any people? xox

From Adam Shankman: Wade Robson started out dancing for MJ, so he should be heavily involved. MJ was a game changer.

From Shane Sparks: Today is my birthday and Micheal Jackson dies this is a sad day;(

From Nigel (@dizzyfeet):
At the same time as auditioning we’re trying to put together a major tribute to him Michael’s music works in every dance genre for the show
Mia has chosen the song she likes, we’ve spoken to Wade. I’ve left messages for Paula. I’ve spoken to Shane. We have to make this happen!!?
There is a problem clearing Michael’s music at the moment. We are trying to make contact with Sony to get clearance on an all Michael SYTYCD

Adam Shankman sent the following tweets:
Remember: very big announcement on weds sytycd show! It’s gonna be an intense week’! Totally excited.
Seriously? Is Adam just screwing with us? I wonder what could be “very big.”

Nigel sent the following tweets:
I’m pleased to tell you all, that Mary hasn’t seen Sex in months!!! No Sex in Boston. No Sex in Atlanta. No Sex in New Orleans or Phoenix.
I’m sure that Nigel was referring to sex the dancer, but I have a strong feeling that both meanings are true. Ok, I’m a bit biased since Crazy Mary drives me absolutely bonkers *mute*

We’ve finished auditions, hooray! Things are back to normal. I hope?
Yes, that’s the end of SYTYCD season 6 auditions. You’ll have to wait another year if you didn’t audition already.

Nigel also tweeted a few pictures of Mary and Mia making some ugly faces. Too ugly to post here. Plus, one had Mia’s cleavage and that’s just wrong. I could never submit my readers to that.

From Your Buccness (Lil C)
On my way to the krump session!!!!! Why is there traffic rite now?!?? I’m tryna get my bucc on
Has anyone gone to see one of Lil’ C’s krump sessions? If I’m ever in LA I’ve got to try and check it out. I wonder how it would be for a little white boy like myself to go.

From Nappytabs
Tab is working on a new t-shirt design. Anyone out there who is a GREAT graphic illustrator/artisit who wants to do a free design for us?
The power of twitter. From there responses it looks like they got lots of replies. Of course, we have some dance t-shirts as well.

A quick one from a fan favorite Natalie Reid:
Just got back from mopeding through the lava flow in Maui. So freaking cool!
I use to be sad the way they kicked you off. However, now that I know your in Maui. I no longer feel sorry for you.

Certainly many more I could post. Also, make sure that you are following @tvblog and @puresytycd to get all of my tweets about SYTYCD and other TV shows.

June 30, 2009 I Written By

Just call me Charlie...but where are my angels?

SYTYCD Dream Couples

It’s a bit early for the Top 10 switcheroo, but having 2 out of 3 eliminations result in new couples has got me thinking.

Who do you think would make interesting couples when the switch does happen (assuming anybody left is still around)? And while we’re at it, do you have a strong suspicion that an eliminated dancer would have faired better with a different partner?

I’m curious to see what would have happened if Paris and Brandon had been partnered. I liked her – she seemed goofy – and I wonder if she could have brought out that side of Brandon that I haven’t seen in him since Natalie got cut Vegas week.

What about Jeanine and Evan? They strike me as a couple that could be really fun and amazing together. Or Kayla and Evan – would that be dance heaven or a total disaster?

Caitlin and Ade could be interesting together. I like her and Jason together, but Ade seems like a good mix of silly and strong and that could be really good for Caitlin.

What would a Tony and Janette pairing have looked like? I almost can’t fathom it. Or Kayla and Tony? Perhaps he could have learned a lot from her, become a stronger dancer and lasted longer.

I like the Randi-Evan pairing a lot, so maybe it’s blasphemous, but what do you think she’d dance like with Jason? Or Phillip? Or Phillip and Kayla?

I’d love to know what you think!

June 28, 2009 I Written By

Asuka Kondoh and Jonathan Platero Exit Interviews

Asuka and Jonathan talk about when and how they heard about MJ’s passing and what it meant to them. They also talk about the harsh comments they received from the judges. There’s a nice moment when Asuka backs up Jonathan. Jonathan also gives some good background on solo dances and that he got help from some other dancers.

I have to admit this interview is like the opposite of Ashley and Max’s interview. Asuka and Jonathan really sounded depressed. They tried to be upbeat, but you could just feel that they were sad about going home (which is to be expected).

June 26, 2009 I Written By

Just call me Charlie...but where are my angels?

Thoughts on Top 16 Results Show

Note from John: I just wanted to welcome Max to Pure SYTYCD. This is his first writeup about an episode of SYTYCD. He makes some good points about tonight’s show. I’m glad to have his help on the site and I hope you’ll all give him a nice welcome (yes, that means lots of comments with your opinions).

Tonight’s Top 16  elimination show was a bittersweet way to say goodbye to two dancers. The bottom 3 tonight was hardly a surprise, until it came time to reveal the final couple nominated for elimination. Before that, however, the evening contained a well thought out balance of entertainment and reality, full of fun and quirky surprises. All in all, however, tonight’s final curtain for two dancers was a suspenseful hour full of distractions from the real world.

Hip-Hop Group Dance; Top 16; A wonderfully quirky hip hop routine choreographed by Dimitry Chaplin, Tabitha and Napoleon. Besides the insane camera angles provided by the show, this routine was lively, exciting and well danced by all, in my opinion. I felt that everyone was in sync, and really seemed to enjoy themselves. While hip-hop is not my favorite style in the least bit, Napoleon and Tabitha’s routines never let me down, and I always find myself wonderfully immersed in them, and the stories they convey to us.

The Judges; Nigel’s beginning speech was a big buzzkill for me, especially after a dance like that. Nonetheless,  Nigel was feeling pain, and I thought it sweet and humble of him to pay homage to his friends the way he did. It felt more like a eulogy at a funeral more than a reality TV show, let alone a dance show such as this one.

Still, it doesn’t make me like his awful, dreadful hair any more. R.I.P Farrah, MJ, and Ed McMahon.

Toni Basil, the guest judge this week, really rubbed me the wrong way on last night’s show. She came off as very old-fashioned to me, and not as ‘with-it’ as the other judges seemed to be. However, she redeemed herself in my eyes after her humble commentary tonight. She refused to call out and humiliate specific dancers, which I found quite admirable.

On to the real stufff now…

Dance School (The Rage Boys Crew): This was fun. The kids here were obviously VERY talented, because the routine and choreography were complex, and everyone had great lines, as well as posture and attitude. I couldn’t find anybody in this dance that was incapable, or even weak. I was blown away by the incredible talent on that stage. And some of those kids were cute, but I think Ms. Deeley made more than it was out of it, as always.

Bottom Three: The bottom 3 this week didn’t surprise me until the very end. Aside from those first 2 couples, all the other ones were extremely strong, with some of the best dancing so far.

I don’t think any of us were surprised to see Asuka and Vitolio in the bottom. Asuka being eliminated was not a shock in the least, and I think that it was even anticipated by many. Her solo was just too mushy containing little substance, and just felt like a lot of glorified movement. From the moment she started out on stage tonight, she was doomed, especially competing with the likes of Karla and Caitlin, two amazingly strong dancers.

I think the only reason Vitolio was saved was due to his background story, and the judges raving comments about his sincerity last week, although truthfully, I didn’t see it. Even so, Jonathan’s performance was weak last night, and his solo was grasping, throwing in a ton and a half of flashy moves and gymnastics out of desperation. It was his time to go. He just was not diverse enough in his dancing skills, and didn’t have the range of movements the others possess.

Finally, I was extremely relieved they kept Karla, as she is quickly rising to the top of my list of favorite dancers this week. I’m happy that Jonathan won’t be weighing her down anymore, but I’m anxious to see if Vitolio will do the same. Still loving Jason and Caitlin, glad they weren’t too harshly judged.  A great week, week 3, eager for our top 10!

June 25, 2009 I Written By

So You Think You Can Dance Top 16 Results Show Music

Check out all the music from the SYTYCD top 16 results show. This includes Napoleon and Tabitha’s group number and special guests The Veronicas. If you’re looking for music from the previous episodes of So You Think You Can Dance, you can find that here.

Group hip-hop dance to the song “I Know You Want Me (Calle Ocho)” Pitbull - I Know You Want Me (Calle Ocho) - EP - I Know You Want Me (Calle Ocho) [More English Extended Mix]-Pitbull (Choreographer: Dmitry Chaplin, Napoleon & Tabitha D’umo)

Musical guest: “Take Me On The Floor” The Veronicas - Hook Me Up - Take Me On the Floor—The Veronicas
Guest dancers: The Rage Boys Crew: “Feel It”—Colby O’Donis and Mauli-B

Dance for Their Life Solos:
Asuka Kondoh: “Don’t Trust Me” 3OH!3 - Want - Don't Trust Me—3OH!3

Vitolio Jeune: “Viva La Vida” Coldplay - Viva la Vida - Viva la Vida—Coldplay

Karla Garcia: “15 Step” Radiohead - In Rainbows - 15 Step— Radiohead

Jonathan Platero: “The Hunted” Kodo - TaTaKu Best of Kodo II 1994-1999 - The Hunted— Kodo

Caitlin Kinney: “Que Sera Sera” Jennifer Terran - Live from Painted Cave - Que Sera Sera—Jennifer Terran

Jason Glover: “New American Classic” Taking Back Sunday - Where You Want to Be - New American Classic—Taking Back Sunday

I Written By

Just call me Charlie...but where are my angels?

SYTYCD Top 16 Power Rankings

Hi y’all, I’m Emilie. John has been writing so many wonderful posts the last few days and trying to bring in new blood for Pure SYTYCD, it’s no wonder he’s a bit behind on time. He asked me if I’d like to do the power rankings this week and I jumped at the chance!

This will be my first post, so if you’d like to know more about my SYTYCD thoughts before now, you can read my personal blog. I’ve been a fan of Pure SYTYCD for a while, so I’m excited to get this opportunity.

Let me say, in the interests of full disclosure, that my power went off right as the show was coming on last night. I had to convince my neighborhood bar to turn one of the t.v.s to FOX in the middle of the LSU-Texas game and then watch the routines without sound. So who knows how that’s affected my first take? It was certainly interesting. I’ve re-watched all the routines today and I was surprised to see that my general feelings about the routines held true, for the most part.

With no further ado:

1. Randi Evans and Evan Kasprzak – I just plain love this couple and it seems like a lot of people do as well. Even when the judges seem to be searching for things not to like, I’ve never been disappointed with them. And the Mia Michaels gorgeous insanity factor was in full swing with a routine focused on a booty. This routine was incredibly sexy and fun. I think the only way Randi and Evan won’t be safe is if people assume they’re okay and don’t vote.
2. Caitlin Kinney and Jason Glover – I wasn’t always a fan of Jason, but I adored Caitlin from day one. I’ve come to love Jason more with every routine and they have incredible chemistry together. They’ve also had the opportunity to dance really memorable routines. Yes, it was pretty theatrical and perhaps over-the-top, but I think they’re more than safe. Hopefully everyone who loves them voted.
3. Melissa Sandvig and Ade Obayomi – On my blog, I said that I tend to forget Ade when he’s not right in front of me dancing. I don’t think I will anymore. I was ambivalent about this couple for a while, sometimes loving them and sometimes not really liking them much. But they’ve had several weeks of good chemistry and fun routines. I really liked their rumba. And I think enough people feel strongly about them and enjoyed this routine that they’re safe as well.
4. Kayla Radomski and Kupono Aweau – We were all concerned, I feel safe saying, about this new pairing. Especially after the way Kayla cried when Max got cut. And then the Viennese Waltz can be so dangerous—it seems like people are either bored by them or really impressed. But I think the chemistry was right on, the dance was gorgeous and they’ll win some favor because they danced so well together their first week. And everyone loves Kayla and wants to love Kupono.
5. Janette Manrara and Brandon Bryant – This one is the hard one for me to predict. I loved aspects of this routine and I liked it better the second time I watched it. But Brandon didn’t seem to show a lot of personality or strength till halfway through. I don’t tend to like Brandon on the performance shows as much as I did in Vegas. But I love Janette and she sold it for me throughout, even when she seemed a bit silly. It might come down to the Brandon-Phillip fan bases, in the end.
6. Jeanine Mason and Phillip Chbeeb – I’d like them to be higher up and perhaps their fan base (Phillip’s in particular) will save them. I thought the routine was really cute and fun. However, the judges didn’t love it and they had tango last week, where Phillip clearly struggled. And… America doesn’t always love Broadway (I tend to, but I seem to be strange that way). So I’m worried about them. I think Phillip is cute and has the room to grow, but I actually like Jeanine more. Despite the teddy bear thing.
7. Karla Garcia and Jonathan Platero – I liked their hip hop last night! But I think they’re in danger. The judges have been particularly hard on hip hop routines this season (and in some ways, rightly so, though there’s been at least one little thing I’ve loved in every routine). They just seem really…humble in a bad way while they’re accepting their critique from the judges. Like they know they’re not doing their best. They should be doing better in the competition. They’re gorgeous, have some good chemistry and are both really good dancers. I hope they don’t go home, but I do suspect they’re in danger.
8. Asuka Kondoh and Vitolio Jeune – I was pretty mad they got saved by that waltz. It was a pretty cold routine and really hard to connect with emotionally. I make no bones about the fact that I don’t like this couple, but it does seem like they’re not connecting with audiences in general the way the judges seem to hope they will. I liked them better in their interview (but that’s not saying much), but they tend to be really stiff in their routines, like they’re constantly posing for still photographs rather than presenting a fluid routine with story and character. This continued with their Mandy Moore thrash rock jazz (?). While I hate to root for anyone to go home, I like everybody in the rest of the couples, so they’re my choice to leave this week.

What do you think? I’d love to know.

I Written By

Clearing the Music for So You Think You Can Dance

I’m obviously a big fan of the music from So You Think You Can Dance. Otherwise, why would I list all the music from the show right? Well, in the process of posting all the music, I became acquainted with someone who works for a company that licenses music for So You Think You Can Dance.

I asked if they’d answer some questions about the process for clearing the music for So You Think You Can Dance and they thankfully obliged. I also tried to find out if So You Think You Can Dance isn’t available on DVD because of the music rights. Here’s the questions I asked (in bold) and this person’s answers.

What’s the process you go through to get the music cleared to be used on SYTYCD?
Anytime we own a copyright (or part of one) to a song the show wants to use, we receive a request from the [SYTYCD] music supervisor for that song and we enter it into the record we keep for the show in our system. Sometimes we can clear the song right away, but a lot of the time we have to seek approval from one or more of the writers on the song–it just depends on the type of publishing agreement we have with the writer. Once we get approval, we tell the show it’s cleared for our percentage. This can be 100%, or it can be smaller if there are multiple writers who are signed to different publishers.

How much notice do they usually give you to clear the music?
That depends. The show starts clearing songs long before the season starts, because it’s such a music-intensive show and they want to have a base of possible songs to choose from, sort of like a karaoke catalog. Then, once they start editing the audition episodes, they send more requests for songs they know they want to air, which usually gives us a few weeks to clear those. Once the performance episodes start airing, the time frame is obviously much shorter. Sometimes a choreographer will want to change songs at the last minute or something else will come up, and we need to get it cleared before the routines are chosen after the results show, so the kids can have time to rehearse. So that can sometimes be a day-of rush. Usually, though, we have a few days.

Is it true that the reason they can’t come out with DVDs of past seasons of SYTYCD because of the rights to the music?
I don’t know what the reason is for sure, but I do know that it would be very expensive for them to produce DVDs, because they’d have to pay for video rights for all the songs.

Do most artists want to have their music used on SYTYCD? Seems like it would be nice exposure for an artist.
We don’t have too many problems clearing, but we occasionally have writers/artists that are picky about it. We had a situation last season where a choreographer really wanted a certain song for a routine, but the songwriter didn’t want the song used. We tried hard to persuade them, because it would have been a great routine, but it didn’t work out, unfortunately.

How many of the songs you’re asked to clear get denied? What reasons do they give for not wanting their song on the show?
It’s a small percentage–usually just a few per season (when we clear hundreds). It can be anything from not wanting the song to be chopped and edited (like they have to do because of the length of the routines), to not wanting to commercialize the song by having it on the show. It’s up to them, though, so in the end we have to go with whatever they tell us.

Any other interesting tid bits that fans of SYTYCD might want to know?
Just that there is some awesome music picked out for this season! But they wouldn’t expect anything less from SYTYCD, would they?

I Written By

Just call me Charlie...but where are my angels?

Courtney Galiano and Shane Sparks Judge Knicks City Dancers Tryouts

UPDATE: Check out pictures and video from the Knicks City Dancers tryouts.

Courtney Galiano and Shane Sparks
The Knicks City Dancers are officially holding open auditions for those wanting to dance for the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden. Courtney Galiano, former Knicks City Dancer and of course a “So You Think You Can Dance” contestant, will be sitting next to Shane Sparks at the auditions. They will be watching the talent that will fight for a spot on the Knicks City Dancers squad.

Auditions for Sunday, June 28th @ Madison Square Garden! Get more information on the auditions at the Knicks City Dancers website.

It makes a lot of sense for Courtney Galiano to be there as a judge for the Knicks City Dancers. She was one before and is a great dancer. I’m not exactly sure why they have Shane Sparks as a judge. Not that I blame Shane. Sounds like a great job to me.

I Written By

Just call me Charlie...but where are my angels?

So You Think You Can Dance Top 16 Quick Hits

“Are we getting a little sick of Mary Murphy? YES, WE ARE!” Credit to kdbennett I think someone should go through and count how many times Mary Murphy says “Yes, we are!” Does she do that to reassure herself that other people agree with her? Maybe I should stop writing about Mary. She makes me sick.

Caitlin and Jason have got to be the prettiest couple ever on SYTYCD.

Is Randi Evans mormon? Springville, UT is like 98% mormon so I’d think she is. I can’t imagine how she felt about the butt routine. I’m watching the Utah newspapers for an article about this.

In a surprise for me, Kayla and Kupono actually put together a very nice routine with nice lines. Probably not enough to get votes, but I’m surprised that Kupono didn’t bother me more.

Janette Manrara enjoys being a loan officer? She’s the best looking loan officer I’ve ever seen.

Was it just me or did Brandon look like he had 2 locks in his locking. It felt a little awkward and almost spastic.

Will Melissa and Ade ever stop shocking me with good performances? I keep thinking their going to fall off the cliff sooner or later. So far they’ve shocked me with how good they’ve been every week. Only couple that I think has gone 3 for 3 on awesome dances.

Ok, I’m off the Asuka and Vitolio wagon (can’t be a band wagon since they never were on it). I really wanted to like Asuka and Vitolio. Not sure why, but I thought I should like them both. Just not happening for me anymore. I’m done.

Karla has become my favorite dancer of this season. I can’t think of much I don’t like about her.

Jonathan might have become my least favorite dancer. He just looked awkward.

The judges slammed Jeanine and Phillip, but I don’t think America will. They got lucky with a pretty interesting routine by Tyce.

I Written By

Just call me Charlie...but where are my angels?

SYTYCD Top 16 Music

We’re back one again with the full list of music from the SYTYCD top 16. Kayla and Kupono dance together for the first time and Dave Scott returns to the show as a choreographer. Also, feel free to take a look back at previous SYTYCD music.

Karla Garcia and Jonathan Platero danced Hip-hop to the song “By My Side” Jadakiss & Ne-Yo - The Last Kiss (Bonus Track Version) - By My Side—Jadakiss featuring Ne-Yo choreographed by Dave Scott

Asuka Kondoh and Vitolio Jeune danced Jazz to the song “Heartbreaker” Pat Benatar - Greatest Hits - Heartbreaker—Pat Benatar choreographed by Mandy Moore

Melissa Sandvig and Ade Obayomi danced Rumba to the song “Emotion” Destiny's Child - Survivor - Emotion—Destiny’s Child choreographed by Tony Meredith

Janette Manrara and Brandon Bryant danced Hip-hop to the song “What a World” Common - Universal Mind Control - What a World—Common choreographed by Dave Scott

Kayla Radomski and Kupono Aweau danced a Viennese Waltz to the song “Sweet Dreams” Jewel - Lullaby - Sweet Dreams—Jewel choreographed by Jean-Marc Généreux

Randi Evans and Evan Kasprzak danced Contemporary to the song “Koop Island Blues” Koop featuring Ane Brun - Koop Islands - Koop Island Blues—Koop featuring Ane Brun choreographed by Mia Michaels

Caitlin Kinney and Jason Glover danced a Paso Doble to the song “O Fortuna” Mozarteum Orchestra Salzburg & Kurt Prestel - Orff: Carmina Burana - O Fortuna—Mozaretum Orchestra Salzburg & Kurt Prestel choreographed by Jean-Marc Généreux

Jeanine Mason and Phillip Chbeeb danced Broadway to the song “Moses” Gene Kelly & Donald O'Connor - Singing In the Rain (Original Film Soundtrack) - Moses from Singing in the Rain choreographed by Tyce DiOrio

June 24, 2009 I Written By

Just call me Charlie...but where are my angels?