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Podcast: SYTYCD Season 9 – Top 10 Week

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Episode 52 direct download

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Time Stamps
0:00 – Introduction
1:27 – General thoughts about the bottom 4 and voting
4:12 – Bottom 2 Girls routines: Audrey & Witney
7:35 – Bottom 2 Guys routines: George & Chehon
10:57 – Other routines: Tiffany, Cole, Lindsay, Will, Cyrus, and Eliana
22:45 – Wrap-up

Episode Length: 23:42

As we move into the final set of live shows, the voting for this season continues to confuse us as Witney once again ended up in the bottom 2 girls. In particular, we’re unable to understand why she is not connecting with the audience (we think she’s fantastic!), but Tiffany, who’s been off the radar for us and seems to be an easy choice to send home, continues to avoid the bottom. We discuss the possible reasons for this, as well as what may have caused Audrey, George, and Chehon to also land in the bottom 4. Beyond the eliminations, we were extremely excited to see the return of all-star Jakob Karr, our favorite dancer to ever be on the show. We also discuss Cyrus and the way choreographers have been handling him this season, which brings up the question we asked at the end of season 8: should the show aim to choreograph/judge the dancers according to a universal standard, or should each dancer be considered individually according to his/her skill level? We should also mention that we loved the Eliana/Alex routine by Stacey Tookey, which demonstrated that with a proper partner Eliana is capable of amazing things!

Let us know what you think after listening to the podcast! You can leave us a comment here or on our blog, Reflections on Pop Entertainment. You can also follow us on Twitter and tweet with us. You can also visit our Facebook page, like us, and leave a comment there! We love feedback and will respond either with a comment or in our next published show.

August 29, 2012 I Written By

Over the past few years my fiancée Meghan slowly brought me into the world of television, turning me into a full-fledged fan of both scripted and reality shows. So You Think You Can Dance turned into one of my favorite reality shows as it is a competition that takes itself seriously, providing the audience with artistic choreography and talented dancers. It's certainly not something I ever expected to get emotionally invested in, but here I am! Meghan and I are very analytic when it comes to the things we enjoy. We constantly discussed and analyzed shows with each other and after doing this for a couple years, we decided that we should turn these discussions into a podcast. We created Reflections on Pop Entertainment, a podcast that provides commentary and analysis of popular entertainment as found in visual mediums, particularly television and film. So You Think You Can Dance Season 8 is the first television series we're covering with weekly podcasts and has allowed us to find our voice as well as actively contribute to the fan community. We hope that you'll enjoy our installments as they are posted to Pure So You Think You Can Dance!

SYTYCD Season 8 Revisited: Outstanding Choreographer Nominations

With the Emmy nominations out… I decided to scour the internet to find the routines from Season 8 that the choreographers created that earned them the Emmy nominations. Based on the the routines you see below… there is a poll at the bottom where you can choose the choreographer that you’d like to see win the Emmys this year. Keep in mind that Smash also earned an Emmy nomination but since it is not SYTYCD related… I did not include them in this list.

Interesting enough we have representation for:
- Contemporary (Travis Wall / Stacey Tookey)
- Hip Hop (Christopher Scott)
- Broadway (Spencer Liff / NBC’s Smash)

No love for ballroom? Awww… =( But I digress…

First I am going to start with the homegrown SYTYCD alumni:
TRAVIS WALL: Dancing with the Stars
Episode: Season 14 – Top 8 Results Show (24 April 2012)
Style: Contemporary
Other Choreographer: Teddy Forance

Thoughts: Travis has yet to create a “mediocre” routine, then again what can be considered as a “mediocre” routine for Travis would be strong routine for other choreographers. He has really grown into his own with developing his skill set and moving outside of the box, going from choreographing partners on SYTYCD and smaller groups to the larger scale routines as show on DWTS last season. Adding in the fly system so that one of the dancers is floating on air just adds more to the routine as opposed to being a gimmick.

Also, it is always nice to sift through the dancers and play “are they from So You Think You Can Dance”? For example I saw Nick Lazzarini, Jaimie Goodwin, Melanie Moore, Ryan Ramirez… the list goes on. If he keeps this up I will be very interested to see what he brings onto the plate in the Off-Broadway production of Bare that he is tapped as choreographer. Not to mention the reality based television series on cable that is rumored to revolve around his new dance company.
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July 19, 2012 I Written By

My life can be summed up in the following two quotes: 1) "I am married to engineering and am its faithful wife by day, but at night my wanderlust takes hold and the arts becomes my jealous paramour." and... 2) "Engineering is my safety net. Writing is my passion. Acting is my escape when the other two become too much." So where does dancing fit in? Pretty much anywhere at this point... =)

SYTYCD Season 8 Finale Part 2 Music

So excited for tonight! I’m going to have to work double hard cause I’ll just want to soak it all in instead of taking notes. :)

Sonya Tayeh Top 20/Top 4 (+All-Stars??) Group Routine: District 78′s “Wanna Get Hype” – Wanna Get Hype - Radios At Reception

Mary picked Tyce’s Sasha/Kent routine: Me’Shell Ndegéocello’s “Fool of Me” – Fool of Me - Bitter

Nigel picked Nappytabs’s Melanie/Marko routine: Leona Lewis’s “I Got You” – I Got You - Echo (Deluxe Version)

Robin picked Mandy Moore’s Tadd/LoFro routine: Queen’s “Another One Bites the Dust” -Another One Bites the Dust - Queen: Greatest Hits

Lil C picked Nappytabs’s Miranda/Robert routine: Busta Rhymes’s “Break Ya Neck” – Break Ya Neck - Genesis

Cat picked Tyce’s Top 8 Group Routine: James Newton Howard’s “The Circus Sets Up” The Circus Sets Up - Water for Elephants (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) – from the Water for Elephants soundtrack.

SYTYCD UK champ Matt Flint, Nick Young and Jess LeProtto tap to: Michael Buble’s “Can’t Buy Me Love” – Can't Buy Me Love - It's Time

Mary picked Mandy Moore’s Melanie/Neil routine: Bonnie Tyler’s “Total Eclipse of the Heart” – Total Eclipse of the Heart - Faster Than the Speed of Night

Jesse picked Sonya’s Marko/Allison routine: Jeff Buckley’s “I Know It’s Over” – I Know It's Over - So Real: Songs from Jeff Buckley

Tyce picked Sonya’s Top 10 Girls routine: Chonique Sneed ft. Lisette Bustamante’s “Pop, Drop and Roll” – Pop Drop & Roll (feat. Lisette Bustamante) - Pop Drop & Roll (feat. Lisette Bustamante) - Single

Lil C picked Spencer Liff’s Ashley/Chris routine: Rachel Sweet’s “Please, Mister Jailer” – Please, Mr. Jailer - Cry-Baby (Music from the Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) from the “Crybaby” soundtrack (THANK YOU BETH!)

Nigel picked Christopher Scott’s Sasha/Twitch routine: Dorothy Moore’s “Misty Blue” – Misty Blue - Misty Blue

Sonya picked Christopher Scott’s Top 10 Guys routine: Nathan Lanier’s “Velocity” – Velocity - Velocity - Single

Jesse picked Miriam and Leonardo’s Caitlynn/Pasha Argentine tango: Orquesta Color Tango’s “Malajunta” – Malajunta - Con Estilo Para Bailar

Mary picked Travis’s Melanie/Marko routine: Ingrid Michaelson’s “Turn to Stone” – Turn to Stone - Turn to Stone - Single

Nigel picked Sonya’s Melanie/Sasha routine: District 78′s “Game On” – Game On - Game On - Single

August 11, 2011 I Written By

Emilie’s Top Partner Routines from Season 8

This one was really, really hard, which just goes to show you how many great routines there have been this season. I know we feel like the choreography has been lacklaster and maybe the dancing too. Maybe it’s felt over-produced. But we’ve said that before. Usually, after the season’s over and we see the tour, re-watch videos, we remember all the great highlights of the season. SO, I’m going to share some of my favorites now.

I can’t even really put these in order because they’re all amazing in different ways. I’ll list the ones with All-Stars first, how about that?

1. Christopher Scott’s “Misty Blue” with Sasha and All-Star Twitch (Top 10)

2. Mandy Moore’s “Total Eclipse of the Heart” with Melanie and All-Star Neil (Top 8)

3. Miriam and Leonardo’s “Malajunta” with Caitlynn and All-Star Pasha (Top 10)

4. Tyce Diorio’s “Fool of Me” with Sasha and All-Star Kent (Top 6)

5. Stacey Tookey’s “Hearts Ask Pleasure First” with Melanie and Sasha (Top 4, last night)

6. Nappytabs’s “Memories” with Jordan and Tadd (Top 16)

7. Stacey Tookey’s “Turning Tables” with Caitlynn and Mitchell (Top 20 2nd round)

8. Dee Caspary’s “Belong” with Sasha and Alexander (Top 16)

9. Travis Wall’s “Turn to Stone” with Melanie and Marko (Top 20)

10. Spencer Liff’s “Please Mr. Jailer” with Ashley and Chris (Top 20 2nd round)

And because I absolutely CAN’T resist giving you lagniappe (and I can’t keep it to only 10):

11. Sonya Tayeh’s “Heavy in Your Arms” with Caitlynn and Marko (Top 6)

12. Spencer Liff’s “(Where Do I Begin) Love Story” with Melanie and Tadd (Top 6)

Can you tell that I think the Top 6 night was pretty much the best performance night of the season, after the Meet the Top 20 episode? :)

Well, what do you think? I *KNOW* there are some routines you’re going to be mad I didn’t include. What are they?

I Written By

SYTYCD Season 8 Finale Part 1 Music

Who knows what tonight’s going to bring? I can’t wait to find out!!

Melanie and Marko danced a Doreana Sanchez disco to: Donna Summer’s “I Feel Love (12″ Version)” – I Feel Love (12

Sasha and All-Star Mark danced a Sonya Tayeh jazz to: Deadmau5′s “Raise Your Weapon” – Raise Your Weapon - 4x4=12 (Deluxe Version)

Tadd and All-Star Joshua danced a Lil C hip hop to: Ace Hood’s “Hustle Hard” – Hustle Hard - Blood Sweat & Tears (Deluxe Edition)

Melanie and All-Star Robert danced a Stacey Tookey contemporary to: Sinead O’Connor’s “Sacrifice” – not on iTunes yet.

Sasha and Marko danced a Spencer Liff Broadway to: Ella Fitzgerald’s “Whatever Lola Wants” – Whatever Lola Wants - Ella Sings Broadway

Melanie danced her solo to: Peter Bradley Adams’s “Song for Viola” – Song for Viola - Leavetaking

Marko danced his solo to: Joshua Radin’s “The Fear You Won’t Fall” – The Fear You Won't Fall - Unclear Sky - EP

Sasha and Tadd danced a Mark Ballas cha cha to: Basement Jaxx’s “Raindrops” – Raindrops - Scars (Bonus Track Version)

Marko and All-Star LoFro danced a Tessandra Chavez contemporary to: Me’Shell Ndegéocello’s “Shirk” – Shirk - The World Has Made Me the Man of My Dreams

Tadd danced his solo to: Jessie J’s “Mamma Knows Best” – Mamma Knows Best - Who You Are

Sasha danced her solo to: Rachael Yamagata’s “Be Be Your Love” – Be Be Your Love - Happenstance (Deluxe Version)

Melanie and Sasha danced a Stacey Tookey contemporary to: Ahn Trio’s “Heart Asks Pleasure First” – Heart Asks Pleasure First - Ahn Trio: Lullaby for My Favorite Insomniac

Marko and Tadd danced a Chuck Maldonado gumboot stepping routine to: Outkast’s “B.O.B.” – B.O.B. - Stankonia

August 10, 2011 I Written By

SYTYCD Season 8 Top 6 Performance Music

Oh my! I can’t believe we’re this close to the end of Season 8. I can’t wait to see what great routines the show has in store for us tonight.

Melanie danced a Nappytabs hip hop with Twitch to: Nicki Minaj ft. Lil Wayne’s “Roman’s Revenge” – Roman's Revenge (feat. Lil Wayne) - Roman's Revenge (feat. Lil Wayne) - Single

Sasha danced a Tyce Diorio contemporary with Kent to: Me’shell Ndegéocello’s “Fool of Me” – Fool of Me - Bitter

Marko danced a Dmitry Chaplin paso doble with Janette to: Antonia Gomez’s “Zorongo” – Zorongo (Traditional) - 2 On 1: Fabulous Flamenco! / La Gitarra Flamenca

Rickey danced his solo to: Justin Nozuka’s “After Tonight” – After Tonight - Holly

Tadd danced a Sonya Tayeh jazz (?) with Ellenore to: Beirut’s “The Gulag Orkestar” – The Gulag Orkestar - Gulag Orkestar

Caitlynn danced her solo to: Katie Thompson’s “What’s Love Got to Do With It” – What's Love Got to Do With It - KT LIVE

Rickey danced a Dee Caspary contemporary with Jaimie to: Trent Dabbs’s “Inside These Lines” – Inside These Lines - Your Side Now

Tadd danced his solo to: Yolanda Be Cool & Dcup’s “We Speak No Americano” – We No Speak Americano - We No Speak Americano - Single

Sasha danced her solo to: Lady Gaga’s “Teeth” – Teeth - The Fame Monster (Deluxe Version)

Caitlynn danced a Dmitry Chaplin samba with Pasha to: Kat DeLuna’s “Drop It Low” – Drop It Low - Drop It Low - Single

Marko danced his solo to: James Morrison’s “Wonderful World” – Wonderful World - Undiscovered

Melanie danced her solo to: Freestylers ft Belle Humble’s “Cracks” – Cracks (Flux Pavilion Remix) [feat. Belle Humble] - UKF Dubstep 2010

Sasha and Rickey danced a Kumari Suraj waacking routine to: Beyonce’s “Schoolin’ Life” – can’t find this on iTunes yet. I’ll keep looking.

Melanie and Tadd danced a Spencer Liff Broadway routine to: Shirley Bassey’s “(Where Do I Begin) Love Story” – (Where Do I Begin) Love Story - Shirley Bassey: Greatest Hits

Caitlynn and Marko danced a Sonya Tayeh jazz routine to: Florence + the Machine’s “Heavy in Your Arms” – Heavy In Your Arms - Lungs (Deluxe Edition)

August 3, 2011 I Written By

Top 12 Performance Thoughts and Discussion

Here’s a nifty spot for you to write in your thoughts on tonight’s performance episode. I’ll be updating my own thoughts, though I’m sure there will be a delay since I’m posting the music live as well. Get your talk on!

Okay, I gotta start. There is SO MUCH to talk about already.

First of all, Cat’s lovely and I think Jesse Tyler Ferguson’s gonna be a great guest judge. Excited to see Sonya and Cat’s response to the “mum and pop” of the panel pretending to kiss was funny. Even if Nigel and Mary aren’t funny, Cat’s always hysterical responding to them.

I wasn’t quite prepared for how quickly everything got started and I missed them saying there would be 2 performances from each couple, but yay!

Spoiler space…lalala

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July 13, 2011 I Written By

Season 8 Top 12 Performance Music

This may be one of the most important performance nights since we’re going to see our Top 12 cut down to the all-important Top 10. Here’s hoping the performances are amazing! I’ll be updating the music here live.

Sasha & Alexander’s Tony & Melanie Paso doble: I didn’t catch all of this, help if you can! Taylor Long & ? ‘s “Alley Dash Alley Dash - Destructive Drums 2 - Tremors/March of the Trolls” March Of The Trolls - Destructive Drums which is not on iTunes (that I can find)

Jordan & Tadd’s Travis Wall contemporary: Olafur Arnaldo’s “Brotsjor” – Ólafur Arnalds

Ryan & Rickey’s Spencer Liff Broadway: Frank Sinatra’s “All I Need Is the Girl” – All I Need Is the Girl - Francis A. & Edward K.

Caitlynn & Mitchell’s Christopher Scott hip hop: Lupe Fiasco ft. Eric Turner & Sway’s “Break the Chain” – Break the Chain (feat. Eric Turner & Sway) - Lasers (Deluxe Version)

Melanie & Marko’s Louis van Amstel tango: Gotan Project’s “Triptico” – Tríptico - La Revancha del Tango (Bonus Track Version)

Clarice & Jesse’s Christopher Scott lyrical hip hop: Boyce Avenue’s “Just the Way You Are” – Just the Way You Are - New Acoustic Sessions, Vol. 1

Sasha & Alexander’s Tyce Diorio jazz routine: Aretha Franklin’s “That’s Life” – That's Life - Aretha Arrives

Jordan & Tadd’s Spencer Liff Broadway: “Out Tonight” – Out Tonight - Rent (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) from the RENT soundtrack.

Ryan & Rickey’s Louis van Amstel cha cha: Enrique Iglesias ft. Ludacris & DJ Frank E’s “Tonight (I’m Loving You)” – Tonight (I'm Lovin' You) [feat. Ludacris & DJ Frank E] - Tonight (I'm Lovin' You) [feat. Ludacris & DJ Frank E] - Single

Caitlynn & Mitchell’s Travis Wall contemporary: Janis Joplin’s “Piece of My Heart” – Piece of My Heart - Janis Joplin's Greatest Hits

Melanie & Marko’s Dee Caspary contemporary: David J. Roch’s “Skin and Bones” – David J. Roch

Clarice & Jess’s Tony & Melanie jive: Robert Randolph & the Family Band’s “Ain’t Nothing Wrong with That” – Ain't Nothing Wrong With That - Colorblind (Deluxe Version)

I Written By

Top 20 (Part 2) Power Rankings

I feel relatively confident in 2 of the Bottom 3 couples, but I feel like whichever dancers I pick for that third slot, there’s going to be lots of dissent. Which, is a good thing. :) It means we’re passionate. So, bring it on! I’m dying to know which dancers y’all think will be in the Bottom 3.

Top Three Couples:

Caitlynn and Mitchell – I think they had the best routine of the night. This is the first time we get to see them dance together on stage and I was really please with their chemistry and their strengths as dancers. They were both in their style this week, so that certainly helped them a lot, but they could’ve both been hurt by Mitchell’s injury last well.

Sasha and Alexander – People were really affected by this piece and the timing couldn’t be more fortuitous, on the same night as the President’s announcement about the troop withdrawal. Plus, it was the second to last routine and Sasha seems to be a favorite.

Ashley and Chris – As the last routine, it’s one of the more memorable anyway. Plus, it was really upbeat and sexy. The song was great, their moves were great, as was their chemistry. Plus, they were safe last week when Jordan and Tadd probably had a better routine, so there seem to be some fans on their side.

Middle of the Pack:

Melanie and Marko – This is probably the favorite couple. It’s mine, for sure. They’ve consistently had about half the vote in our favorite dancer poll. But this routine didn’t live up to its promise. It had everything going for it – great dances, great choreographer, interesting song, funky moves. But it didn’t entirely come together. Still, I don’t think they’ll be in danger.

Ryan and Rickey – This is another opportunity of a not-quite-right routine danced by a favorite pair. I think they’ll be safe, but Ryan and Rickey’s Mandy Moore wasn’t all that it could’ve been and Ryan was smiling (sometimes weirdly) throughout the piece, playing to the audience. Plus, it was the first routine. But, I think they’ll be safe too because they’re such favorites.

Iveta and Nick – They came in #2 in our favorite dancer poll and they had a fun but not very memorable Bollywood routine. They have a good partnership, to be sure, but the routine was pretty early. Still, they’ll probably be safe.

Miranda and Robert – I know a lot of people, like our reader beth, disagreed with my comments about this routine and really loved it. Plus, Robert toned down the more annoying parts of his personality while still being playful. So, even though these two were in danger last week, they’ll probably be safe this week.

Bottom Three Couples:

Missy and Wadi – I hope they survive, but I think they’ll be here in the bottom. I really love Wadi and it hurt to see him so sad after the judges’ comments. It’s gonna be a tough week though and I think that as one of the two dances with obvious flaws, they’re in danger. However, many people may just vote for their favorites and I’m pretty sure lots of people love Wadi and like his partnership with Missy.

Clarice and Jess – They don’t have a great partnership and they were in the bottom last week. This week, their routine was the other obviously flawed one. They looked so awkward whenever their were paired. Clarice is not very big, but Jess sets up his lifts so obviously that he makes her seem like this huge weight. I think I’d like them better with different partners.

Jordan and Tadd – A lot of people liked this Viennese waltz, but I thought it was pretty boring. Plus, it’s not a style that people vote for unless it’s a phenomenal, stand-out routine. Their stint in the bottom 3 might hurt them again this week.

Personally, I’d lose all the girls to keep Wadi and Tadd. Regardless of who they keep, if this IS the Bottom 3, I hope they switch up the couples. Maybe Missy and Tadd or Jordan and Wadi.

What do y’all think?

Tomorrow’s episode is gonna be tough, man.

June 22, 2011 I Written By

Top 20 (Part 2) Performance Thoughts

So SYTYCD was pre-empted for 15 minutes due to President Obama’s speech. Good news that our troops are coming home.

Here I go with my thoughts, live and feel free to put yours in the comments. We love the discussion.

Spoiler space for my live thoughts…

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