In Defense of International All-Stars
In my last post about potential Season 8 All-Stars, I asked whether people would like to see dancers from SYTYCD around the world participate as All-Stars. So far, it’s not very positive. Allow me to post these videos as defense for the awesomeness of my idea. 🙂
Exhibit 1 – Denys and Amanda of SYTYCD Canada Season 3 (Winner and Runner-Up)
This was their FIRST performance together and made it pretty obvious that they were going all the way. Mary Murphy cameo, fyi.
You should watch all their routines, but their “Hey Hey” house routine was pretty impressive.
Exhibit 2 – Robbie and Ivy of SYTYCD Australia Season 3 (Winner and 3rd place)
NOBODY thought Robbie would pull off a Paso doble with Ivy, but he killed it. Ivy really made him a better dancer/performer and I think it’s due to their partnership that he made it all the way.
Also, their “Bad Romance” is NOT to be missed. Another Mary Murphy cameo.
Exhibit 3 – Charlie and Tommy of SYTYCD United Kingdom (Winner and Runner-Up)
Again, Tommy was another guy who was misjudged a bit and his partnership with Charlie (who was an early frontrunner) really gave him a chance to shine and grow. In keeping with my Latin theme, their tango:
But, of course, their most memorable routine is probably their week 1 hip hop.
These are just a handful of routines from some of the top dancers of the English-speaking SYTYCD franchises. If we don’t have International All-Stars, SYTYCD US really should find a way to feature some of these amazing dancers on our stage and give American audiences better access to the episodes. Luckily, the BBC put theirs online last season and I imagine they’ll do that again for SYTYCD UK Season 2, which is coming up soon.
I’m afraid you’re not going to win me over with Charlie as an example. She’s a fine dancer, but she never really impressed me. Though Nigel adored her right from the start, I don’t see it. Granted, that tango was fantastic, but I think the choreography is what gives it most of the Wow-factor (and I did have a soft spot for Tommy).
You got me with Robbie and Ivy, however. Love them! They came out so strong on that Bad Romance bit, it’s a real shame they didn’t renew the Aussie show.
@NC: I love Charlie! 🙂 I’m glad you liked Robbie and Ivy. What’d you think of Amanda and Denys??
While I would enjoy seeing some of the international dancers as guests on results nights, I’d much rather see the return of our US All Stars that I know, love and miss for the season. I would be thrilled to see Kayla, Kapono, Evan & Randi,Caitlin, Brandon, Legacy, Jakob,and,well,’nuf said ;).
I like Amanda and Denys. Her legs are stunning and he’s a solid performer. But if them coming in meant removing two of the current all-stars…?
I wouldn’t cry if Amanda replaced Mollee. But, as much as I like him, I wouldn’t be willing to see Denys take any of the current guys’ spots. Nico? mmmm. Okay, he can take Evan’s place (*hides*).
How would the TV audience take it? I’m all for slipping one or two in. I’ve only ever been able to watch on-line, and I watch all the English-language ones, so I’m not invested in one over the other (since the US version has been around longer and been so successful, it has drawn, I think a slightly higher-calibre of dancers, but the Aussies came really close last time).
@Emilie, as someone has seen a lot of the episodes of SYTYCD Canada, I totally understand the appeal of international all-stars. Amanda, Denys, and Mackenzie were my favorite from this past season. I’m with NC, though, American viewers are notoriously fickle, and I worry that, after undergoing so many changes for Season 7, people wouldn’t be super keen on yet another big change for season 8. I feel like the best thing for the program is go back to what made it so successful, the top 20 format. While I love the All-Stars at the top 10 idea, that would be A LOT of dances to fit into a performance show, especially once you start including solos. Take a page from Survivor, wait a few seasons before doing another All-Stars season.
@NC: I love that you hid after taking that shot at Evan. Lol. I see your point about American audiences. But there are lots of SYTYCD watchers (my mom being a perfect example) who have NO IDEA about the amazingness of the other SYTYCD shows. And I think it’d be really cool to introduce them.
@Margaret: I agree that we’re all worn out from all the changes in the last few seasons. Extra season, new stage, All=Stars. It’s been a lot. That’s my biggest reason for suspecting that that pic isn’t Season 8 All-Stars – it’s probably too soon. I think the best idea was suggested here on the site by one of our readers – have a regular Top 20 and then the Top 10 get to dance 1 dance with Season 8 and 1 dance with All-Stars. 🙂
What about a mystery all-star that would change each episode? I think it would be a neat twist to have somebody pull a big question mark each week. Then you could bring in international dancers and give them some great exposure, even just for the one show.
@Sarah: That’s a GREAT suggestion! It would drum up a lot of interest in each episode and it would make guest stars out of the dancers. Producers, take note. 🙂
Totally agree with everything except for maybe the UK. LOLLL. Denys & Amanda as a couple totally reminded me of Josh & Katee… the IT couple… except Denys and Amanda were like the golden couple on steroids… and I was loving it. HAHAHA. It’s unfortunate that we can’t watch the Canadian show which is odd since they can watch our shows and they’re clearly huge fans of the American show. Ironically enough I’d rank their show better than ours at the moment. LOLOLLL
@rachel, I totally agree with you!! Denys and Amanda just seemed destined to be in the finals together. And they were just so darn likable! And pure magic when they danced together (that samba from the final show? amazing) They are both incredible dancers, and they each would have made a worthy winner. That being said, I am really really happy for Denys, he was so humble about everything, really refreshing.
I watch SYTYCD Canada online, not always in time but I think I’ve seen almost every episode from this season.
Anyone for bringing Sabrina Matthews in as a choreographer for SYTYCD US this season?! She had some incredible pieces for Canada this year. I also thought Mandy Moore’s piece with Kiersten and Jera about the fireflies was beautiful. And Blake’s piece with Nathalie and Mackenzie about his relationship with Mia, wow, it pretty much made up for his ridiculous California Gurls one with Kloé and Jonathan. What a talent he is, I really hope he makes his way back to the US show at some point soon, we could use some of his energy.
@Margaret: Yeah, if you’d told me (before I saw them) that Amanda and Denys would dance so gorgeously together, I don’t know that I would’ve believed you. I think they’re both so talented and capable, but like the best partnerships, they benefited from each other. Amanda probably benefited from Denys’s quiet confidence and competence while Denys benefited from Amanda’s exuberant personality.
And I’d love to see Sabrina Matthews on the show. SYTYCD CA has some phenomenal choreographers. I’d love to see new disco on the show and Canada’s hustle choreographer. Just so Doreana Sanchez can take a break and recharge. I actually liked the disco/hustle routines on the Canadian show and they’re my least favorite on the American.
What a great show. I’m sad about the Australian show getting canceled, but looking forward to UK, which was awesome as well last season.