John Warren: You have a great list of qualities there and gave us all lots to think about. Very well said. I do always try to make it a point never to critique someone for their looks/body if it doesn’t have anything to do with a point about their routines or dancing. But, as John pointed out, their bodies are their tools, so sometimes their height (or lack of it) is a valid issue. I’m the first to admit that Evan’s height is a serious potential handicap, especially when he’s dancing with someone of Kayla’s height, for instance. But some dancers just tend to transport us more than others and of course, that’s utterly subjective.

I was really sorry to see Ade go and I’m glad Evan’s in the finale. But that doesn’t mean that I’m not excited to see what Brandon will bring to the show next week. I’m really glad both Jeanine and Kayla made it through, but I am happy to say that Melissa had a lot of routines I enjoyed.

It always gets hard at this point in the show. And I loved that the Nigel pointed out that Chelsie and Mark left at this point in their season, after we got to see how brilliantly they danced. We love them, and they have careers. Truly, there are no losers, just people who get more air time, more routines.

Great list! I would like to add two more of my own personal “musts” to picking my favorite dancer:

1) Whose dancing causes that place deep in my soul to stir with emotion?

2) And, quite simply, who makes me smile whenever I see him/her dance?

And John, I am going to have to risk being thrown to the back of your caboose for respectfully disagreeing with you a bit. Or perhaps I’m just disagreeing with the way you said it…. Anyway, I think as long as a dancer’s looks/weight/hair/lack of hair/height/lack of height still allows them to make beautiful lines, be athletic, and do all the things that dancing demands and does not detract from that, it really shouldn’t matter. Of course, the large percentage of the population is going to have some issue that will detract from them being great dancers. But we’re talking about people who made the show, here — the creme de la creme. In that case, the slight perceived “deficits”, as long as it doesn’t detract from their dancing and performance, shouldn’t matter.

For example, I would have like to see more of what Max could have done, but I’m afraid his shyer personality, receding hairline, and older looks did him in early.

However, I’m sorry to say, but the way a dancer looks is totally part of being America’s Favorite dancer. The beauty of dance is portrayed in their body. Not hating on Mia, but her doing her own choreography would be brutal to watch. The way the dancer looks is a huge part of being America’s Favorite Dancer.

That said, some of the other stuff you listed is correct. Like the great or poor choreography they received. I’m on bored there.

Now, we go to the finale and pick America’s Favorite Dancer here are some things to consider:
1. Which dancer attempts each style with enthusiasm and confidence?
2. Which dancer is willing to take critiques and works to improve each week?
3. Which dancer is working outside of their “strength” in a way that demonstrates skill and style?
4. Which dancer is a true performer?
5. Which dancer is having fun and is someone that you think should be crowned America’s Favorite Dancer?

What we need to stop considering is:
1. Height
2. Body shape
3. Beauty? Cuteness? Attractiveness?….who cares!
4. Hair (or lack there of)
5. Music choices
6. Favorite choreographed pieces (the dancers have no choice in who they work with, what style they get or what choreograhper they get)
7. What they are wearing (again they have no choice in the costumes they wear)
8. Random observation on their preceived personality traits—especially if you have never met them.
9. What Lil C or any other judge says about them
10. Superficial stuff that has no impact on their dancing whatsoever!

So who gets your vote? I know who gets mine…

For those of you who say you don’t “get” Brandon: It’s real simple. He REALLY IS uncomfortable in front of the camera except when he’s dancing. Brandon is a dancer, not an actor or a speaker and what you think is arrogance is actually shyness. Brandon is a very nice young man – not conceited at all – and at the school where he trained everyone adores him.

I really wanted Ade to win, he was my favorite, but now I’m rooting for Jeanine, just because something about Kayla bothers me, and Evan is the weakest for me.