Welcome to Pure So You Think You Can Dance

Here’s Season 6 in review. Y’all brought up a lot of this stuff in recent comments (Mrs. D’s comment in particular), which gave me the idea to do a review of the season, what we liked and didn’t like. If you disagree with me (or agree), feel free to put your two cents in, as it’s all subjective and I’d love to know what you think!

Jeer:

This season felt more rushed that any other that I can think of. Between baseball, the Presidential address, so many audition episodes and an early end to the season because of Christmas coming up, I feel like this year’s Top 20 got shafted on actual dancing time. But not just the dancers – the choreographers got fewer chances to wow us. And the audience lost out, as well.

Cheer:

I loved that I didn’t have to wait till the summer for a new season. While America’s Favorite Dancer gets a shorter reign if they continue on the two seasons a year model, we had a shorter wait, which was really nice. After Season 5, I just don’t know how I would have contained my SYTYCD longing. Are the producers hoping to follow a Survivor/Dancing with the Stars model with the two seasons a year thing? If so, they should be just as smart about scheduling and not hesitate to move the finale to a separate night (like Survivor’s Sunday finale yesterday).

Jeer:

The new stage, or at least the screen behind it. It seems like we’ve transitioned from utter hatred toward the new stage, which always threatens to swallow up the dancers, to an acceptance that we’ll probably never get our intimate little stage back. Many readers have begun to say that the screen and imprudent use of it, is actually the bigger issue.

Cheer:

The group numbers were able to utilize this enormous space in really pleasing ways. It’s nice to think that SYTYCD can now command (and fill) a larger audience space. Maybe it’ll end up being a wonderful challenge to the choreographers (as well as the production crew, especially camera folk) to recapture that intimate feeling.

Jeer:

It was awful having three static judges (Nigel, Mary and Adam). No new blood! Adam seemed to be the only one who had something to say, most reliably at least. And when the three additional judges (Debbie, Lil C and Tyce) came in for the finale, it felt like an eternity since I’d seen them and that they were given favorites to pick rather than choosing from their hearts. Maybe that’s not true, and I’m sure they still kept up with the season, but their involvement didn’t have the same feeling because they never rotated in and out during the season.

Cheer:

Adam Shankman is a wonderful addition to the judging panel. I didn’t mind him being a constant, I only minded that there was no new blood. You almost always knew what Nigel and Mary were going to say, so he was a breath of fresh air (especially at the beginning of the season). Adam is funny and honest (he called out choreographers for bad routines!) and you get the impression that he’ll actually hire the dancers he likes (i.e. when Noelle got cut, I was okay because I felt Adam wanted to work with her), so he’s a valuable part of the panel.

Jeer:

Shane Sparks and Alex DaSilva’s arrests (both for sexual crimes related to their dance students) are not only damaging to the choreographer’s careers, but also haunt the dance community at large and threaten to harm SYTYCD’s image.

Cheer:

The Dizzy Feet Foundation and gala do wonderful things for the dance community, SYTYCD and for us, as it unites our favorite shows, dancers, choreographers, crews in a really positive mission. It raises awareness and gives our favorites work! We can help, too!

Jeer:

How many injuries did we have this season? Mia Michaels was rushed to the hospital at the beginning of the season. Then, Billy Bell had to drop out due to illness. Noelle was injured in the first competition show while Ellenore and Ashleigh were both hurt during the Top 8 week and Russell was injured in the finale. Did I forget anyone??

Cheer:

Despite the overly-produced and rushed feel of the season, despite all the injuries, we had a wonderful Top 20 this season. As John pointed out, they had a great mix of styles and backgrounds. We saw some consistent excellence (Jakob and Ellenore, namely) and some great growth arcs (arguably, everybody, but notably Kathryn and Russell, in my opinion). We had some “characters” to get behind this season, in Legacy and the DiLellos in particular.

Jeer:

America’s SYTYCD lost Mia Michaels this season and her absence was certainly felt. Our loss was apparently SYTYCD Canada’s gain, so while it’s good that she’s working within the SYTYCD family, there’s a great big gaping hole where she was in our shows.

Cheer:

Mia’s absence gave way to a ton of “new” choreographers this season. New to us, at least. Like Sean Cheesman, Jason Gilkison, Spencer Liff and a routine from Desmond Richardson and Dwight Rhoden. We had more Wade Robson, more Stacey Tookey, more Mandy Moore and more Travis Wall routines, which seriously rocked. More Sonya routines, many of which blew our minds, like the “Tore My Heart” routine with Ellenore and Jakob.  Hopefully, we’ll get to see special Mia routines, maybe one or two a season, in the future. I don’t want SYTYCD America to be completely devoid of Mia Michaels, but I’m glad we had so many standout choreographers, new and recurring, this season.

Jeer:

This season had some really awful costumes…

Cheer:

And some really amazing music. But these two things are pretty typical of all seasons, I suppose.

Jeer:

No mention of a Season 6 tour! Not even on the finale show! What are they thinking? There had better be a tour, or I will seriously cry foul. I’m keeping my feelers out, y’all, and using my contacts, to see if/when the tour will be.

Cheer:

I’m glad they mentioned auditions for Season 7 because it sounds like it’ll be another summer season. So that means that we’ll either have two seasons a year, or we’ll go back to our beloved summer format (probably the former). SYTYCD keeps motoring on, which is good news. And again, we don’t have to wait several months till fall, sounds like.

Jeer:

Hell no to the Top 6! I hope Fox and SYTYCD realize they can never do this to us again. This was the worst idea ever and I suspect the results might have been significantly different, if we’d had a normal Top 4 finale. Not cool.

Cheer:

The Meet the Top 20 episode was the biggest stroke of genius and the best of all the new ideas and concepts we dealt with this season. I hope they *always* do this from now on. It was sublime to see all of the Top 20 dancing within their styles without fear of elimination. Some of the best dancing of the entire season happened in this very first episode, as evidenced by how many of the judges’ favorites in the finale show were from this very episode.

I think that’s all I’ve got. I’ve run out of steam. But I’m sure I’ve forgotten something you hated or loved, so let me know what you think.

Scary news out of the SYTYCD world today, according to sources, Shane Sparks
was arrested today and charged with 9 counts of felony child molestation. Unfortunately, this isn’t the first time a SYTYCD choreographer has been arrested, Alex DaSilva was arrested and charged with rape earlier this year.

From articles on Usmagazine.com and TVGuide.com, among others:

“According to the criminal complaint filed by the L.A. County District Attorney’s office, the alleged molestation — with an underage girl — began in 1994.”
“The lewd acts include oral copulation and other acts “with the intent of arousing, appealing to, and gratifying the lust, passions, and sexual desires of the defendant, who was at least 10 years older than [the victim].”
-US Magazine

“Sparks was arrested early Friday morning at his Hollywood home and brought to a Van Nuys, Calif., jail where he is currently being held on $590,000 bail, LAPD spokesman, Richard French, told TVGuide.com. French also added that Sparks was the “subject of an ongoing child molestation investigation.” -TV Guide

Shane has contributed some wonderful and memorable pieces to the history of SYTYCD. It’s a very unfortunate situation and will probably have a major affect on Shane’s involvement with SYTYCD. We can only hope that the investigation is completed thoroughly and fairly for everyone involved, especially the alleged victims.

It’s not that far into the show, but I’m already getting the feeling that the couples I worried about having chemistry aren’t gonna do so badly afterall. My thoughts, as they happened:

Read more…

In our ongoing series of choreography “EmMandy” Awards, here’s the award for “Most Innovative Concept” from So You Think You Can Dance season 5 (winner is in Bold). Take a look at the other SYTYCD Season 5 “EmMandy” Awards.

“Most Innovative Concept”

• Shane Sparks, “Shadow”
• Dave Scott, “Battle”
• Sonya Tayeh, “Vampires”
• Tabitha and Napolean, “Love Lockdown”
• Wade Robson, “Crash Test Dummies”

All of these were great concepts that pushed the boundaries of dance, but I have to give it to Wade. What a great idea! The movements were strange, but exactly what a dummy would move like. He had a concept and a story, something not generally attempted, but it made the piece that much more entertaining. I liked Shane’s idea for the shadow, but it really wasn’t carried out very well. The story was not moved along at all.

My opinion about last nights show (July 22). I just had to write what I was feeling.

As long as been watching SYTYCD, Tyce’s breast cancer routine was had been the most emotional routine yet. I’ll admit that it didn’t make me cry till it cut to the judges and by the time Mia started talking I was welling up. I have two Aunts that are breast cancer survivors…so I was able to connect with the dance. After reading so many comments on this site about who loved it, liked it, and those who didn’t care for it, I got to thinking. I can’t help but to think that part of Tyce’s back story on why he choreographed this number seemed to be edited. Unlike Mia’s Time that she did for her father, her concept was clear. It caught me off guard to see Nigel so moved by the routine…it feels like the judges may have known the entire back story as to why Tyce wanted to choreograph such an emotionally driven dance. To say the he only choreographed this routine just to get an Emmy nomination…that’s taking it too far.

I think it’s really hard to judge the emotionally driven dances. True this is a talent competition but in reality it’s about finding America’s favorite dancer not who has the most talent or training. If it was about that we would have a whole new list of winner’s. For example Travis would have won and not Benji. Also I think Will would have gotten farther than the top 8 last year or for that matter Katee may have been the top female but I thought she should have won last year. I even thought Twitch could have won it too. My reason behind that is that I watched Twitch when he was on the Wade Robson project and he has improved so much since then. But that’s just my opinion and everyone is entitled to their opinion. I may have reacted differently if I was there to see it performed live. I thought it was well performed by Melissa and Ade. Maybe there was something lacking but I don’t know what that might have been. It will be one of the routine’s that will always be talked about.

On a side note Shane’s hip hop was my actual favorite routine of the night. I thought it was very inventive…his best since the transformer hip hop with Pasha and Lauren. Jason and Kayla were both great. That choke hold at the end was just wow…lol…that’s all I could say after the performance ended. I haven’t been truly impressed by Kayla since her initial audition; don’t get me wrong I think she is a great dancer. Her solo last night was her best one by far…I can only watch her leg extensions so much…we all know that it’s her best feature and it has been used it all of her choreographed dances. Last night solo showed what else she could do. Last night show wasn’t the best top 8 they’ve had, but those things happen.

In the end I have learned to look at the show objectively, I’m still going to love dance at the end of the day. There is always going to be those dances we all love, dances we don’t, and dances that just fall in the middle. It’s also about finding America’s favorite dancer, so if you have a favorite, vote for them and then complain if you don’t like the outcome.

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 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.

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 (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” 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 . 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” 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” 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” routine by Nappytabs needs no explanation.

Sonya busts out an amazing piece for Courtney and Mark to the song “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 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 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” 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!!

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.

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

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.

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.

Check out the music used for the solos on the SYTYCD top 20 results show. Shane Sparks is back on SYTYCD!!

Group dance: “Boom Boom Pow” —The Black Eyed Peas Choreographer: Shane Sparks
Guest dancers: Miriam Larici & Leonardo Barrionuevo danced an Argentine Tango (Music: “Tangueira” from Forever Tango)
Musical guest: “Fire Burning” —Sean Kingston
Solos:
Paris Torres: “It Doesn’t Hurt” —Katie Thompson
Tony Bellissimo: “Early in the Morning” —The Gap Band
Asuka Kondoh: “Did Ya” —BoA
Vitolio Jeune: “We Belong Together” —Gavin DeGraw
Karla Garcia: “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman” —Aretha Franklin
Jonathan Platero: “Krazy” —Pitbull featuring Lil Jon

The Paris Torres montage was to the song “Already Gone” by Kelly Clarkson
The Tony Bellissimo montage was to the song “On Your Own” by Green River Ordinance

As always here’s a link to find the previous SYTYCD music.