Thanks to Vogue over on Pure DWTS, I came across this really great Sugar and Bruno video that contains a whole slew of SYTYCD dancers. I guess I should have known that dancers make for great models. Chelsie, Kathryn and Mollee are a few of my favorites in the video. Plus, how amazing does Stacey look? She’s defying time.
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.
Read more..
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... =)
Listen to the podcasts
Episode 48: “Vegas Week” direct download
Episode 49: “Meet the Top 20″ direct download
Subscribe to podcast on iTunes
Time Stamps for “Vegas Week”
0:00 – Introduction
1:18 – The cuts during Vegas Week
13:36 – The major narratives of Vegas Week – Alexa Anderson and Cyrus “Glitch” Spencer
19:14 – Standouts during Vegas Week
22:34 – MIA dancers during Vegas Week
25:30 – Wrap-up
Episode Length of “Vegas Week”: 28:38
Time Stamps for “Meet the Top 20″
0:00 – Introduction
1:33 – First contemporary routine by Tyce DiOrio: Alexa Anderson, George Lawrence II, Will Thomas, and Amber Jackson
3:57 – Ballroom routine by Jason Gilkinson: Nick Bloxsom-Carter, Witney Carson, and Lindsay Arnold
6:15 – Ballet routine by Desmond Richardson and Dwight Rhoden: Eliana Girard, Daniel Baker, and Chehon Wespi-Tschopp
8:36 – Jazz routine by Sonya Tayeh: Tiffany Maher, Audrey Case, and Janelle Issis (not in routine)
10:18 – Second contemporary routine by Stacey Tookey: Matthew Kamierczak, Dareian Kujawa, Janaya French, and Amelia Lowe
12:19 – “Mixed” routine by Chris Scott: Cole Horibe, Brandon Mitchell, Cyrus “Glitch” Spencer
14:14 – Top 10 girls routine by Travis Wall
15:35 – Top 10 guys routine by Sonya Tayeh
16:59 – Top 20 routine by Mia Michaels
18:36 – Wrap-up
Episode Length of “Meet the Top 20″: 20:07
Wedding planning has consumed a lot of our time, but we’re finally here with our “Vegas Week” and “Meet the Top 20″ podcasts! We apologize for the erratic and delayed release schedule, and ask for your patience as we find time to record and edit these.
The “Vegas Week” and “Meet the Top 20″ episodes have transitioned us from the audition portion of the show into the live competition. We found ourselves unsatisfied with Vegas Week, as many of our early favorites were cut, most notably Mariah Spears. The insistence of the producers to make a narrative out of the Vegas Week process for Alexa Anderson and Cyrus “Glitch” Spencer also did not sit well with us, as this not only smacked of favoritism, but it also consumed so much television time that we barely saw the full routines for the different genre rounds.
We enjoyed the “Meet the Top 20″ episode much more, as the remaining contestants that made it through the Green Mile are the ones we would have selected. The actual routines were quite good, with the routine by Chris Scott being a standout. Already we have some people we are excited for, including Cole Horibe and Witney Carson, and we also worry about the longevity of some contestants, such as Tiffany Maher, Audrey Case, and Janaya French. Finally, we urge the producers and choreographers to take care with how they place and feature Alexa Anderson. Between the Vegas Week episode and the choices in the Travis and Mia Michaels routines, we’re concerned that she will experience a huge backlash from the fanbase, very similar to Ryan from last season. Overall, we’re excited for the final cast of contestants and cannot wait to see the first live show tonight!
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.
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!
The next in my set of interviews with the SYTYCD season 9 Las Vegas week judges and host is with Nigel Lythgoe. In this video, Nigel primes the marketing meter with what he calls a “Major Change” to SYTYCD and one that when we see the change we’ll wonder, “Why didn’t you do that years ago?” Of course, he’s not letting the cat out of the bag yet, although I did try to press him for more information. No, the major change he’s talking about isn’t SYTYCD Cancelling the Results show. What do you think the major change is?
Also, Nigel was right about the Ballroom girls of SYTYCD Season 9 killing it. They were by far my favorite! Now for the video interview of Nigel Lythgoe:
In case you missed it, be sure to check out my interview with Cat Deeley about SYTYCD 2012 as well.
As those of you who follow @puresytycd probably saw, I was lucky enough to be able to attend the first day of SYTYCD Season 9 Las Vegas week. The experience was fantastic and the dancers were as wonderful as you could imagine. I’ll have to do a full write up on the experience of the Live taping. I of course can’t reveal specific dancers, but there’s still plenty I can share.
More importantly, while there I was able to get interviews with Cat Deeley, Nigel Lythgoe, Lil’ C, Adam Shankman, Mary Murphy, and Debbie Allen. Over the next couple weeks I’ll be posting all of the interviews.
The first SYTYCD season 9 interview is with Cat Deeley. Might I say on a personal level, Cat Deeley is just as fantastic in person as she is on camera. You can tell she’s a real sweetheart and someone you’d love to go out with and have a drink. I think the best way to describe her is she’s just real. There’s nothing fake or hidden about her. She’s comfortable with who she is and she shares it with the world. She’s also incredibly easy to interview as you’ll see in this video. Enjoy!
Also, I couldn’t resist being a fan for at least a moment of time with Cat. So, I had this picture taken of me and her:
For those that might be wondering, yes, Cat’s just as stunningly, stunningly beautiful in person as on TV.
So You Think You Can Dance (SYTYCD) held auditions for Season 9 in Los Angeles and DanceOn was there! We have interviews with host Cat Deeley, judges Nigel Lythgoe and Mary Murphy, choreographer Stacey Tookey and executive producer Jeff Thacker, where they tell us about the upcoming season! Video Below 
After one of the most fantastic seasons yet, the Canadian version of SYTYCD has been cancelled by CTV.
Hours after crowning Jordan Clark the Season 4 winner, the announcement was made official, this would be the last season of SYTYCD Canada.
“I can confirm that we are not ordering a fifth season of the series,” Scott Henderson, vice-president of communications for Bell Media told CityNews.ca.
“After four seasons and 92 episodes, CTV has decided to pursue other program strategies. This decision was made after careful consideration, including viewership and economic factors. We remain extremely proud of the legacy of So You Think You Can Dance Canada, including raising the profile of dance in this country,”
Fans are outraged, and they are not alone. Judges, choreographers and dancers alike are all in shocked and disappointed at this news.
Jean-Marc Genereux tweeted:
Dear Fans @SYTYCDCanada.no regrets! you were the best fans in the WORLD..SHOW is gone! But NOT your passion for DANCE,it’s a CTV decision!
You will hear all kinds of reasons!!! But you know what!!! Canada loved his DANCE SHOW and I’m sure the fans will react!!!
@TreArmstrong tweeted:
“Wow…honestly can’t believe #SYTYCDCanada has been cancelled,” Armstrong said Tuesday. “So disappointing for Canada & our amazing talent. Best season EVER! Love You.”
“Hope that #SYTYCDCanada comes back to live once more…thank you for 4 great seasons,” Armstrong wrote Tuesday. “The network, production, crew & talent, love u all.”
Luther Brown tweeted:
Its sad that the show has ended but God is good and we were all blessed to be apart of Canada’s best show! We went out with a bang!!!
Stacey Tookey tweeted:
I’m so sad to hear about the cancellation of SYTYCDC but I am so proud to know a group of people with that much talent & heart!! Love u all!
For me this is sad news. Granted I still watch SYTYCD USA, but there was something special about our Canadian SYTYCD and I am sad to see that go.
A part of me hopes that it will somehow survive, but only time will tell. There are a number of petitions and complaints going on to try and save the show. In the past, I know when a company cancels something, it is usually a done deal, but you never know!
How do you feel about this news?
[Source]
I am a blogger and reality tv lover. I blog here for SYTYCD but mostly the Canada version, since I live in Vancouver BC. I also blog about other reality tv shows on my own blog www.mandysmind.com
**Spoilers at the end of this post**
Here is a recap of the show, with the winner at the very end, you have been warned 
Although it is mostly a recap of what was danced, I have thrown some of my own opinions in the mix just for fun!
Opening Number:
Amazing number that introduced the judges and Top 22 dancers. I really loved the routine
Montage of past season:
“Moves like Jagger”
“I think they feel the pressure”
Jean-Marc chooses:
Shane & Lindsay
Disco – Melissa Williams
Shake Your Groove Thing – Peaches & Herb
One of the few discos I really really loved ever. So fun and well executed!
Luther chooses:
Carlena & Boneless
Hip Hip – Steve Bolton
Super Bass – Nicki Minaj
Loved seeing this again, such a fun number and love Vancouver represnting (Carlena)
Rex chooses:
Joey & Jordan
Contemporary – Stacey Tookey
Tears, Standing Ovations, amazing moment. I really wanted Joey in the end.
Sergio chooses:
Matt & Shelaina
Contemporary – Sabrina Matthews
“The Nutcracker: Act II: Tableau 3: Pas De Deux: The Sugar-Plum Fairy & Prince Orgead – Slovak Radio
This doll piece was cute and quirky.
Mary chooses:
Christian & Melissa
Tango – Tony & Melanie
“La Bohemia” – Electro Dub
Such power!
Mia chooses:
Joey & Jordan
Jazz – Sean Cheesman
That’s Life- Frank Sinatra
The theatre piece from the movies / first date… This made me fall in love with Jordan even more!
Sean chooses:
Melissa & Adam
Contemporary – Sabrina Matthews
Absolutely amazing!
Review of unique styles shown on the show Dancehall, Afro-Jazz, New Disco, and of course… Bollywood.
Bollywood Group Routine
Bollywood: “Hadippa” by Pritam & Mika Singh from “Dil Bole Hadippa!”
Montage of injuries – pretty gross bruises, bleeds and breaks
Blake chooses:
Jordan & Christian
Contemporary – Stacey Tookey
“All in Love is fair” – Stevie Wonder
Great piece from last weekès finale performance show.
Tre chooses:
Matt & Lindsay
Hip Hop – ShoTyme
“Like That” – Memphis Bleek
Another one from last weekès performance finale show.
Mary chooses:
Shane & Melissa
Salsa – Gustavo Vargas
“Salsa y Sabor” – Tito Puente
Another one from last weekès fianle performance show – absolutely amazing!
Montage of “typical day for dancers”
7am wake-up
9am Canda’s Ballet School rehersals
Practices all day!!
7pm Costume fittings
Not eating of sleeping properly
1am Gym to practice
9am on stage rehersals
8pm Show Time
Tired all day but energized right before they go live
Pretty Intense!!!
Mary Chooses:
Melissa & Shane
Hip Hop – Luther
The Time – Black Eyed Peas
This one is one of my favourite Hip Hop routines it was just incredible!
Luther chooses:
Contemporary – Blake McGrath
Adam & Lindsey
Remember When it Rained – Josh Groban
Another moving piece from Blake.
Leah chooses:
Top 22 Dancers
Hip Hop – Luther Brown
It was so great to see everyone on stage again together!
Blake Chooses:
Mia Michaels – Top 3 Girls Routine
This was the most amazing routine. See it here.
Ballroom Specialist Montage
Jean-Marc chooses:
Denitsa & Francois
Mambo – Gustavo Vargas
Such amazing ballroom dancers! Fantastic to see them in their genre again.
September 11 Tribute:
Stacey Tookey talks about the piece
Top 10 dance
Really emotional and fitting given today’s date. Nice to have a new dance on this finale also.
Montage of where dancers are from and what their backgrounds are.
Leah reviews where some of the past dancers from the show are and who they have danced for – highlighting their accomplishments.
Nico (season 1 winner) introduces Tara-Jean and Denys who are past winners of SYTYCD Canada (season 2 and 3) who dance. It was awesome, choreographed by Tony & Melanie. They even went off the stage to dance in the crowd.
Top 6 Dancers
Sean Cheesman choreographed
Relax My Beloved – Alex Care
I love that they are doing past favourite dances as well as new routines for this finale, it was sad seeing them dance for the last time together in the stage.
Top 6 talk about their journey starting with making the Top 22. They chat about a few stories. Lindsey wore size 5 show instead of size 7 once. They were waiting for the lights on stage and all took a nap, Christian slept on the stairs back stage once.
Melissa’s favourite routine was with Shane, Christian’s was the door routine with Jordan, Shane talks about how hard Christian practiced on the wall to be as good as Jordan for that routine. Jordan loved dancing with everyone and talks about their connection, Lindsey says they are all best friends. They end with a heart felt group hug.
Leah introduces the Final 3 routines of the night
Lindsey & Shane
Contemporary – Stacey Tookey
Uninvited – Alanis Morrissette
Montage of Lindsey moments.
Montage of Shane moments.
Melissa & Matt
Jazz – Melissa Williams
Nobody’s Perfect – Jesse J
Montage of Melissa moments
Montage of Matt moments.
Christian & Jordan
Jazz – Sean Cheesman
Skin – Rihanna
The door routine. Amazing!
Montage of Jordan memories (Good Life – One Republic)
Montage of Christian memories
Announcing the Winner:
Leah reminds us of prizes:
$5000 for 4 runner’s up
$10000 and a car for 1st runner up
$100000 and a car for winner.
Canada voted 1.6 million times
Christian, Lindsey, Shane are not in the top 2.
Matt is not in Top 2.
Melissa and Jordan remain… we are not surprised are we?
They both won cars… but there can only be one winner and it is…. Jordan Clark!
All of them are really winners… not just the money or cars, but the exposure they have had and the talent they have shown – I expect big things from all of them in the future
Overall Thoughts:
I am so thrilled Jordan won. I was rooting for her since auditions and think she is amazing.
I thought for a while Melissa may beat her because she showed such diversity and skill.
I also thought Matt somehow may pull (what I would consider) an upset and take it, though I felt Christian was a better dancer and Shane the best male dancer.
I didn’t think a male would win it though, the women were fierce.
Lindsey grew the most for me and I was so impressed with how much she improved and brought to the stage this season!
Congrats to Jordan, I am so proud and thrilled to see that my favourite from day one took it home!
Thoughts on the winner? The finale? The season?
I am a blogger and reality tv lover. I blog here for SYTYCD but mostly the Canada version, since I live in Vancouver BC. I also blog about other reality tv shows on my own blog www.mandysmind.com
Tonight was the final performance show of the season.
Lindsey & Matt
Hip-Hop – ShoTyme
“Like That” – 
Memphis Bleek
This was energetic, hard hitting and fun. I really enjoyed watching it and thought it was a great start to the show.
Jordan & Christian
Contemporary – Stacey Tookey
“All in Love is Fair” – Stevie Wonder
This was a powerful piece about a chance encounter between past lovers who relive a moment. I thought it was moving and pretty. There was a near-miss on a lift that scared me but they recovered well.
Melissa & Shane
Salsa – Gustavo Vargas
“Salsa y Sabor” – Tito Puente
This had some serious lifts, twists, spins and tricks. BOTH of them did some crazy flips and it ended with an amazing one-legged lift by Shane pulling Melissa over him, amazing!
Girls Routine
Mia Michaels
“What About Us” – ATB
This was, hands down, my most favourite routine of the season, and maybe ever. It was absolutely crazy-good. I will post it for everyone to see because it truly was THAT awesome!
Guys Routine
Melissa Williams
“We Will Rock You” – Queen
After the girl’s routine this simply wasn’t up to par. It was fun, the guys did lifts and tricks and moved well, but the girl’s was just that much better! Christian really stood out fo rme in this routine.
SOLOS
Shane“Fancy Footwork” – Choremo
Another amazing solo from Shane. I really find him the strongest of the male dancers.
Melissa“Commander” – Kelly Rowland
She was amazing, so much power and energy, when she dances she commands attention. She has been consistently great this whole season and I will not be surprised if she wins.
Lindsey“Beautiful” – Me’Shell Ndegeocello
Easily the most growth this season. Her solo showed such maturity and commitment, I had goosebumps watching her dance.
Matt“Ain’t No Sunshine” – Bill Withers
For me the most improved male dancer. I am surprised he is still around over some of the other dancers, but he is holding his own and his solo was very good.
Christian“Beautiful People” – Chris Brown
I often forget he is ballroom because he really does so well in every genre thrown at him. I appreciated his upbeat solo that was ballroom but very fluid and fun.
Jordan“This Woman’s Work” – Greg Laswell
Jordan was my pick to win since auditions. I adore her and I will stick to my decision for her to win, her solo was amazing, her dancing all season has been consistently great.
POWER RANKINGS
This is tough. I am ultimately voicing my predictions for the win….
Since day ONE I have been a Jordan fan, and even though Melissa has quickly crept up on (and at times even surpassed) Jordan, I am going to stick with Jordan to win. Melissa a close second (or if I am wrong, Melissa will win and Jordan a close second) I guess there are two ways to do this – MY OPINION and what I THINK CANADA’S OPINION WILL BE….
Mandy’s Thoughts:
1 – Jordan
2 – Melissa
3 – Lindsey
4 – Shane
5 – Christian
6 – Matt
Prediction based on Canada’s Votes:
1 – Melissa
2 – Jordan
3 – Christian
4 – Matt
5 – Lindsey
6 – Shane
WHY ARE THEY SO DIFFERENT?
Because, I think Canada, like USA SYTYCD, sometimes gets it wrong, or some dancers simply have more fan support for whatever reason. This is why the “winner” is called “favourite dancer” not “best dancer” at the end.
We often see the same fantastic dancers keep getting bottom 3, while some less talented dancers stick around week after week. Every season of every SYTYCD it happens. Of course, we all have different opinions on what we like, but that is how it goes.
For example, I think Joey should be in the finale, within Top 3 to be honest, but he is gone. I also thought Denitsa stuck around way too long. I could go on, but I won’t.
For the Comments….
Give me your Power Rankings, Also comment on any past results, who should have gone sooner or stayed longer?
FINALE – SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 11, 2011 on CTV
I am a blogger and reality tv lover. I blog here for SYTYCD but mostly the Canada version, since I live in Vancouver BC. I also blog about other reality tv shows on my own blog www.mandysmind.com
I apologize for this post being delayed, and I further apologize as I have not seen the episode yet because I got caught up tonight after a long day and went to the movies with a friend.
I probably won’t get to watch before tomorrow results so PLEASE use the comments below to rank the performances and predict the results.
Tonight the TOP 8 Performed:
Here is the break down of the show:
Jordan and Adam
Hip_Hop – choreographed by Luther Brown
Say It With Me – Chris Brown
Solo: Melissa
Crime for a Crime – Ani DiFranco
Solo: Matt
Hold On (feat. Amber Coffman) [Sub Focus Remix] – Rusko
Lindsay and Shane
Contempoaray – choreographed by Stacey Tookey
Uninvited – Alanis Morissette
Solo: Christian
Miami 2 Ibiza – Swedish House Mafia vs. Tinie Tempah
Solo: Denitsa
Airmail Special (Club Des Belugas Remix) – Ella Fitzgerald & Club Des Belugas
Denitsa and Christian
Samba – choreographed by Gustavo Vargas
Tambourine – Eve
Solo: Lindsay
Half Life – Imogen Heap
Solo: Shane
Hit the Lights (feat. Lil Wayne) – Jay Sean
Melissa and Matt
Jazz – choreographed by Melissa Williams
Nobody’s Perfect – Jessie J
Solo: Jordan
What Turns You On (Live) – Katie Thompson
Solo: Adam
Fire – Raghav
Jive: Top 8 (choreographed by Danny Arbour)
Land of a 1,000 Dances – Union of Sound
Tomorrow Night is Results as well as a group performance choreographed by Sean Cheesman – Can’t wait!
PLEASE post your thoughts on tonight’s performance below…
I will do a post tomorrow on the results as well as my thoughts / ranking (I plan to watch BOTH episodes tomorrow after work)
I am a blogger and reality tv lover. I blog here for SYTYCD but mostly the Canada version, since I live in Vancouver BC. I also blog about other reality tv shows on my own blog www.mandysmind.com
