July 21, 2009

Top So You Think You Can Dance Routines of the Past

Written by: John

As I was watching and posting about the various routines we’ll get to see again on the SYTYCD 100th episode, I couldn’t help but think back to some of my other favorite routines from past episodes of SYTYCD that won’t be shown on the SYTYCD 100th episode. SYTYCD season 1 will have to accept my apology since I didn’t watch it. However, here’s a couple of them that are in my top SYTYCD routines.

So You Think You Can Dance Season 2
Benji Schwimmer and Heidi Groskreutz Mambo to the song “Black Mambo” Angel & The Mambokats - Horizontal Mambo - Black Mambo—Angel and the Mambokats. Benji and Heidi are cousins that have been dancing together forever, and this performance is quite possibly the best routine technically (I believe Nigel called it the “most professional performance on the show) that’s ever been done on the show. Certainly others might have moved you more, but this routine just throws everything at you and flat out entertains. I can also assure you it was one of the most searched routines on Google as well.

I could have posted pretty much any of Allison Holker’s solo, but Allison’s “Feeling Good” solo will do. Anyone that has the term Allison-ed coined in honor of her deserves to be on the list in my book.

While possibly not the best routine on the show, I can promise you that Travis and Martha’s krump routine was shocking at the time. From this routine millions of people were introduced to Lil’ C and Krumping. The song is “Clap Back” Ja Rule - Blood in My Eye - Clap Back—Ja Rule.

I really don’t believe that any of the final 2 men dances could compete with Tranji, choreographed by Shane Sparks to the song “Gyrate” Da Muzicianz & Mr. Collipark - Da Muzicianz - Gyrate—Da Muzicianz (ft. Mr. Collipark). I think you had to see season 2 to really appreciate what Benji and Travis brought to the table with Tranji, but it was awesome.

So You Think You Can Dance Season 3
Lacey and Kameron danced a routine to the song “Dancing” Elisa - Dancing - Dancing by Elisa choreographed by Mia Michaels. I think we’re all better having been introduced to the music of Elisa on SYTYCD. This routine put together great music, great choreography and amazing dancing. Is there any wonder why we keep watching SYTYCD?

Neil and Sabra’s table routine was pretty epic as well. It was choreographed by Mandy Moore to the song “Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)” Eurythmics - Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This) [Remastered Version] - Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)—Eurythmics . I loved this dance, because it really took Sabra to the next level of dancing for me. Plus, Neil’s slow pass over the top of Sabra (at the 0:28 mark) is a moment I’ll never forget.

The start of this Shane Sparks routine to the song “Fuego” Pitbull - El Mariel - Fuego by Pitbull with Lauren and Pasha had me completely floored. Shane Sparks took 2 pretty white dancers and really entertained.

Danny and Lacey danced a samba to Dmitry Chaplin’s choreography. Certainly Dmitry poured in a bunch of great choreography and Danny and Lacey killed the dance, but I think the thing that I remember most about this is the music “Hip Hip Chin Chin” Club Des Belugas - Night Over Rio - Latin Flavoured Lounge & Club Tunes - Hiphip Chinchin by Club Des Belugas. It all just melded into a really fun, memorable dance.

So You Think You Can Dance Season 4
Chelsie and Mark’s “Bleeding Love” Leona Lewis - Bleeding Love - Single - Bleeding Love routine by Nappytabs needs no explanation.

Sonya busts out an amazing piece for Courtney and Mark to the song “The Garden” Mirah - Advisory Committee - The Garden by Mirah. Such creative choreography. Courtney steals the show for me in this, but the whole thing is just Sonya.

Katee and Joshua’s Nappytabs routine to “No Air” Jordin Sparks & Chris Brown - Jordin Sparks - No Air—Jordin Sparks & Chris Brown had so many amazing moments. It was such a wonderful mix of solo and partnering. Plus, the moment Katee pulls Joshua’s leg and he pops up is so memorable.

Katee and Twitch did a door routine to the song “Mercy” Duffy - Rockferry - Mercy—Duffy and choreographed by Mia Michaels. I actually almost left it off the list, but after watching it again, there’s no way I could leave it off. Twitch and Katee just rocked this routine.

This final video is probably the best Viennese Waltz that will ever be performed on So You Think You Can Dan Dance. I tried to find a video with the back story, but even without Jean Marc Genereux’s storyJean Marc Genereux’s story is great and Twitch and Kherington’s Viennese Waltz to “A New Day Has Come” Céline Dion - A New Day Has Come - A New Day Has Come by Celine Dion is in the running for my favorite SYTYCD dances of all time. When it happened I watched it over and over. Just as good watching it again today.

I just looked at the clock and realized I spent a few hours creating this list. A few hours VERY well spent. The sad part is that there are dozens of other performances that should have made the above list. No Katee Bollywood or Pas de Deux for example. Oh goodness, I better not start listing or I’ll be here all night. So, I’ll leave the list up to you. What other So You Think You Can Dance routines are on your list (and preferably a link to a video of the routine)?

Also, if you’re familiar with all the videos on this list…you might be a SYTYCD-a-holic!!

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June 11, 2009

Saying Good Bye to Tony Bellissimo and Paris Torres

Written by: John

Tonight’s episode really flew by for being a results show. I think that they found a good mix of dancing and drama of who will be sent home. Props to them for that part.

First up, Tony…
I enjoyed watching Tony dance, but he wasn’t over the top good. He was no Ivan to use the comparison that’s been often made. Ivan had this lovable street dancer quality and vibe that I think America learned to really love. Certainly it was Ivan’s time to go, but him and Allison Holker were a nice pair and great to watch. In fact, maybe Allison was the key to Ivan’s success. Tony wasn’t blessed with an Allison Holker for a partner, but someone far less talented (that’s a compliment to Allison, not necessarily a knock to Paris).

In the end, Tony had to go. I’m glad that Nigel and the other judges didn’t try to play the storyline of improved dance. Jonathan going home would have been a travesty. As a side note, I thought his solo was one of the best. I’m sure many of the ladies will miss Tony, but at least you still have Nigel’s good looks.

Now Paris…
Something just wasn’t right about Paris from the start. No I’m not talking about her big chin, I didn’t notice it until later. Anyway, I don’t really know what it was for me, but I never got into Paris. She always just kind of rubbed me the wrong way. What I did like was her drive to dance and her desire to be on the show. As someone said in the comments of this blog (where the real action happens anyway), it’s like we saw her heart break on national TV. I have to applaud that kind of passion.

With that said, I’m so glad that the Karla and Asuka remained. I really want to see what kind of performance Asuka can bring to the table since I think Tice really let her down with his choreography.

In other notes…
Shane Sparks is back!! I just can’t wait until he’s choreographing the couple numbers. Love it!!

The Sean Kingston dancers were the worst. Where did he get them? Sean needs to hire one of the choreographers from the show to help him out. I usually prefer the guest artist to have dancers since it’s a dance show. However, if they’re going to be as crappy as they were tonight, then leave them off.

A little bragging…
I was so happy that my So You Think You Can Dance power rankings were dead on with the bottom 3. I’m going to have to plan on making the rankings every week. I hope people enjoy them.

Don’t forget to go and vote for your favorite individual SYTYCD dancer. That poll has some really interesting results.

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May 21, 2009

Reasons Not to Watch So You Think You Can Dance Season 5

Written by: John

In anticipation of tonight’s premiere of So You Think You Can Dance season 5, I thought it would be fun to look at the things I’m least looking forward to see on this season of SYTYCD. No worries though, I will be following up with a post of my favorite reasons to watch So You Think You Can Dance season 5 shortly.

Without further ado, the least anticipated parts of So You Think You Can Dance season 5:
Mary Murphy Screaming – This was funny the first time. Pretty good the second time. Now, it’s just annoying. Nigel faking like it’s hurting his ears is old too. Just stop screaming. That’s not good entertainment.
Nigel (or other non athletic choreographer) Dancing – There are far too many great dancers on the show to try and do some cutesy thing and have Nigel come out dancing. I know Adam Shankman challenged Nigel to a dance, but just don’t do it. Remember Mary Murphy and Dmitry Chaplin? Just as big of a bomb. There are some of the choreographers I wouldn’t mind seeing dancing. Wade, Shane, Lil C and probably a few others, but none of the others. Cat would also be fun since she’s so adorable and untrained.
Favorite Dancer Getting Sent Home – Yes, this is bound to happen. Remember Allison Holker? Yep, she was sent home far too early and the cry was heard around the world. Someone else that is an incredibly talented dancer will get sent home too early again this year and we will mourn their loss.
Sex – No, they don’t have sex on SYTYCD. Get your mind out of the gutter. I’m talking about that wretched dancer who must be delusional to keep coming back to audition. Maybe this year, Nigel and company will finally cut him out in the editing process and he’ll stop coming back for good.
Single Style Dancer Sent Home – Someone who’s incredibly incredibly talented in their own style will get sent home because they can’t do the other styles. This is really sad, because usually you want to see them dance for their life again and again.

Any other parts of So You Think You Can Dance that are the worst?

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October 21, 2007

Interesting Allison Holker Montage Video

Written by: John

I recently saw a jump in my stats for people searching for Allison Holker from So You Think You Can Dance fame. She was booted off early, but honestly between her and Benji no other So You Think You Can Dance contestants have a better following.

Anyway, because I saw all the searches for Allison Holker, I decided to search for some videos of her dancing. Here’s a great montage of a ton of Allison Holker. It even has some behind the scenes video of Allison Holker.

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