Free SYTYCD Newsletter Want to receive the latest news on So You Think You Can Dance sent straight to your email? Join hundreds of other SYTYCD fans who subscribe to Pure SYTYCD for FREE!

SYTYCD Twitter Round-Up

Here’s what’s going on in the Twitterverse. Pay particular attention to Nigel’s Tweet as it means a big change for SYTYCD this season.

Billy_Bell

Ummmmm @sytycdism can we just watch @paulinemata KILL THISSSSSSSS: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f-Ts-lP5zW4 6 minutes ago via web

miamilegacy

@catdeeley miss you 27 minutes ago via Echofon in reply to catdeeley

catdeeley

Links of London has just announced that I am their first ever Global Brand Ambassador! http://tweetphoto.com/15629900 34 minutes ago via TweetDeck

adammshankman

Starting up on dizzyfeet benefit, and amazing benefit for the motion picture television fund benefit I’m directing. Let’s raise sum $ about 1 hours ago via Tweetie

And WHOA! big change alert –

dizzyfeet

First rule change. Only one dancer will leave the competition each week and not two. Many more changes to come by the end of this week. about 1 hours ago via Echofon

benjischwimmer

My band’s first single ” Right! ” is coming along! So darn excited!!!! about 3 hours ago via web

Jglove988

going to bed. Glee rehearsals were awesome today!! Can’t wait to film!! about 10 hours ago via web

MollsGrayy

Christina Aguliera audition tomorrow 🙂 🙂 yaaaay about 11 hours ago via UberTwitter

ADEEVERYDAY

I just got the greatest news. Life is about to change….watch out!! I’m soooo greatful 🙂 about 12 hours ago via Tweetie

Can’t wait to find out what that is. And for the new season to start May 27th. We’re going to have lots of fun talking about the show between now and then.

March 24, 2010 I Written By

SYTYCD Alum in Movie Roles

I don’t know about y’all, but I’m going through SYTYCD withdrawal a little bit. I don’t like not having a second episode this week! 🙂

This past weekend, I rented this flick called “Love N’ Dancing” and was surprised to see bitty cameos by Season 2’s Benji and Heidi and that tided me over a bit till last night’s Season 6 episode. I remember that Seasons 3’s Neil had a cute and memorable role in “American Mall” that amused me when I saw it. Maybe you can still catch Kherington in “Fame” theaters somewhere in the country.

Still, we’ll have to wait till next year to see Season 4’s Joshua, Katee and Twitch in Adam Shankman’s “Step Up 3-D” (and Season 2’s Ivan, too). 2010 will also bring the movie that Paula van Oppen turned down a place in Season 6’s Top 20 for – “Burlesque.” It sounds a bit like “Coyote Ugly,” but with a burlesque club instead of bar. Season 4’s Chelsea Traille will play a character named Coco. 🙂

Our friends at SYTYCDism mention that Katee, Kherington and Season 4’s Comfort will be on upcoming episode(s) of “Glee,” as well.

Do you know of any SYTYCD alumni movie roles I might’ve missed? Planning on seeing any of these movies? Already seen them? Lemme know what you think.

You know what I’d love best at moments like this, when I’m craving some SYTYCD? DVDs of past seasons!

November 4, 2009 I Written By

Six Degrees of SYTYCD?

This season, we get to see if Ryan Kasprzak, brother of Season 6’s Evan Kasprzak, makes it to the Top 20.  It seems there have been a lot of connections between contestants in the past!   Here’s what I have so far — who else am I forgetting?  Comment below!

  • Season 1’s Nick was roomates with Season 1’s Melody
  • Season 1’s Ryan was in Sickstep Crew with Season 3’s Hok
  • Season 2’s Benji is cousins with Season 2’s Heidi
  • Season 3’s Lacey is sister to Benji and cousin to Heidi
  • Season 2’s Travis is brothers with Season 3’s Danny
  • Season 2’s Stanislav is brother to Season 3’s Faina
September 23, 2009 I Written By

SYTYCDC Top 14 Choreography Critiques

Karen Kain as the guest judge made me more than happy.  When I was little Ms. Kain and her husband come to my parents house for dinner.  What I said to Canada’s Prima Ballerina will never go away: I looked at her and what she had eaten (which wasn’t a lot for a grown up but was a lot for an 8 year old) and said to her “Wow Ms Kain, for a ballerina you really do eat a lot of food”.  She thought that I was cute (thank God).  Karen Kain has the class and education that if ever SYTYCD needs credibility, her in that seat would be a fais-acomplis. Karen Kain as a young ballerina was someone that I wanted to be like even in the smallest ways. Just watching Ms Kain sit and judge the performances she is so graceful and the epitome of a lady.

Melanie and Cody
Hip-hop
Luther Brown

Melanie killed it.  She hit those steps with such big strides and strentch.  The grinding was compeletely believable, they both went for it- and it was 100% in unison..  The attitudes for Cody and Melanie were completely genuine and real.  I’m liking this couple more and more- and I think that this piece is really going to go far to prove that Cody isn’t all soft but that he has some angles and hardness to him.

Gustavo Vargas
Vincent and Amy
Cha Cha

Usually the back story to a Cha Cha throws me off from just enjoying the style- that wasn’t the case this time.  I thought that this sort of ‘bourgeois’ style Cha Cha was lovely.  Something ball room can take itself to seriously and this piece really broke out of the mold.  The lifts were never ending and every one became more and more complicated.  The chemistry between Vincent and Amy comes right through your TV set.  That’s not something that you can learn and certainly can’t fake it.  The one thing I would mention is that because Amy was dancing bare foot-she really needs to watch her feet as she isn’t wearing heels that force your foot to point.  But other than that it’s the first Cha Cha that I thought was light and fun.


Everett and Tara Jean
Sho-Tyme

House

I don’t know the first thing about House- so this critique is going to be short and sweet.  This is the first Sho-Tyme piece that I liked..  Actually I totally loved it.  The rythym was fantastic and the dancers had to work their tails off but made it look fun, bouncy and so easy to perform.  Both Everett and Tara Jean were totally ‘there’ for each other even though they weren’t physically connected-it felt like they were.  They were almost totally in sync the whole piece and because of that it became totally infectious to watch- hence the audience clapping and getting into it.


Kim and Emanuel
Contemporary
Stacey Tookey

Ok..  I’d like to make a suggestion to the Canadian dance community- Emanuel belongs in ballet or at least contemporary.  It’s where his body can really be shown for what it is.  The width of their movements were in unison with the songs tempo which went quietly got stronger and stronger.  This piece was quiet in it’s beauty and strength.  Kim became a completely different dancer- she wasn’t brash and in your face, she was quiet and reserved and just simply lovely.

Jayme Rae and Daniel
Disco
Melissa Williams

This piece was ok for me.  Just ok though.  The dancers were just mimicking the moves that they were taught but never got into the spirit or pocket of the music.  They were dancers on top of the piece and not into the music.  These two might be in trouble with this one-despite the strength of that last lift.
Natalie and Danny
West Coast Swing
Benji

I really wanted to be able to gush about this piece.  I loved the heart that was revealed on Danny’s chest- but the missing bit on Natalie was really distracting.  Benji’s creativity was evident in this piece- but if you pull the West Coast Swing card then make it in that style.  The piece that they performed was interesting- but there weren’t enough Swing elements in it.  I thought it was a good piece but I’m not going to rave about it.

Austin and Corynne
jazz
(Old Hollywood style)
John Byrne

For me this was the best piece of the night.  I would go as far as too say one of my favorite pieces of the entire season.  I thought that it was totally believable and it almost made me like the song- almost.  Austin and Corynne are just perfect together.  And those lifts-forget about it.  I was blown away- the physically on both their parts is really hard to put into words.  The gun may have gone on for a little long- like maybe her fingers made into a gun might have been better and perhaps less offensive.  I think that Austin (and maybe Corynne) will go into the Top 10. Then Top 6, Top 4….

September 15, 2009 I Written By

Power Rankings – So You Think You Can Dance Canada – Top 14

Last Week’s Power Rankings I predicted 1/3 of the Bottom 3 and one of the two going home.

This week I hope to be more accurate (Hey, the previous week I was 3/3)

Our judges this evening were Dan Karaty, Karen Kain, Tre Armstrong and Jean-Marc Genereux. Dan spoke about how SYTYCD Canada pushes the envelop and keeps getting sexier. Tomorrow Night Blake’s choreographed an “almost too sexy for tv” routine that I can’t wait to see.

1.Cody & Melanie
Hip Hop with Luther
“Turnin’ me on” Keri Hilson & Lil Wayne - In a Perfect World... (Bonus Track Version) - Turnin Me On – Keri Hilson ft. Lil Wayne

Yes, they are my favourite couple (though Jayme Rae & Daniel are creeping up a close second lately) but this routine by Luther was HOT! Cody didn’t have what I refer to as “Evan syndrome” (being too cute and innocent) he rocked it hard along with Melanie who was hard-hitting. They were convincing, they were in unison and they were sexy. Best routine of the night in my opinion.

2. Jayme Rae & Daniel
Disco with Melissa Williams
“Disco Inferno” The Trammps - Sensational 70s - Disco Inferno -The Trammps

The lifts, the spins, the flips, the bounce, the outfits… it was hot. I don’t know what the heck Dan Karaty was watching but he was not watching these guys dance if he thinks they weren’t “there” When Jayme Rae did those splits in a lift then a spin and flip – holy guacamole – amazing! Disco is face-paced and fun and these guys did a fantastic job and entertained me.

3. Austin & Corynne
Hollywood Jazz with John Byrne
“Paparazzi” Lady GaGa - The Fame - Paparazzi – Lady Gaga

I haven’t liked Austin since auditions but that guy can dance. I have liked Corynne since auditions and I am really glad these two are paired, they seem to really connect and I think they will stay out of the bottom 3 again this week. I didn’t like the gun part, it seemed corny but the falls and jumps and that KISS!?! wow!

4. Natalie & Danny
West Coast Swing with Benji Schwimmer
“Love Lock Down” Kanye West - 808s & Heartbreak (Bonus Video Version) - Love Lockdown – Kanye West

I have tried West Coast Swing and this to me was so unlike what I have tried (at a novice level obviously ha ha!) Benji is a genius. There were some amazing flips and complicated patterns but the air worked well together and performed beautifully. (Although I wasn’t a fan of the song – especially after kanye’s lil’ outburst at the VMA’s this past weekend!)

———————BOTTOM 3————————-

5. Tara-Jean & Everett
House with Sho Tyme
“When Love Takes Over” David Guetta - When Love Takes Over (feat. Kelly Rowland) - Single - When Love Takes Over (feat. Kelly Rowland) – David Guette

I don’t want to put these guys in the Bottom 3 but it’s a close call with Natalie & Danny / Tara-Jean & Everett. It was very fast, it was entertaining, it truly was body versus feet as Dan Karaty said. I enjoyed it but something about Benji’s routine made it stand out slightly above this one and so here we are with our Bottom 3 predictions.

6. Kim & Emanuel
Contemporary with Stacey Tookey
“To Build a Home” The Cinematic Orchestra - Ma Fleur - To Build a Home – Cinematic Orchestra
They seem defeated in the rehearsal clips. With bruises and injuries and struggling with the lifts. It felt like a real bummer just watching. Though they performed well, their outfits were boring, it was slow and seemed to just drag on for me. Near the end it pick ed up and they gave it some life but I just felt like it fell short.

7. Amy & Vincent
Cha Cha with Gustavo Vargas
“Rie y llora” Celia Cruz - Regalo del Alma - Rie y Llora – Celia Cruz

It was fun and sexy and cute but it didn’t stand out much compared to other routines this evening. it was quirky but just nothing spectacular in my opinion.

Assuming my Bottom 3 are correct (and it is so hard to tell at this point) I would predict that Amy & Vincent go home… ooh I dunno…. everyone deserve to be where they are on that stage… so sad to send people home each week.

Can’t wait for Blake’s routine tomorrow 🙂

I Written By

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

SYTYCD Canada Top 16 Choreography Critiques

SYTYCD Top 16

The first piece that we saw was Emanuel and Kim’s Jazz routine by Blake.  My opinion initially was that i agreed with the judges when they talked about how sexy the piece was.  To the point that the technical aspects took a back seat.  They have really good chemistry together but I don’t think that it’s as organic as some of the other partners.  I loved the music selection and the sort of dirty magician story with Kim being the girl in the box.  Kim is no joke-she wore those boots and it could have easily gone the other way.  I can’t help but compare it to the Jayme Rae and Daniel piece in terms of sex appeal- I thought that Blakes choreography was more blatant and in your face than it really needed to be.  The dancers themselves were fantastic.  Emanuel is still showing his power and Kim is still showing her beautiful lines.

Next up were Vincent and Amy doing Hip Hop with a new choreographer Flii Stylz.  I really wasn’t sure that this piece would be good, but it progressively got better and better through the piece.  I think that once Amy did the bit where she was lip-syncing is when they really hit their stride.  The movements still could have hit harder and bigger but for what it was they did really well.  Although I don’t think that it will be a piece that is easily remembered, which is a shame.

Corynne and Austin who were a new pair together got a little luck and not only pulled Contemporary but they got Stacey Tookey on top of it.  I’ve always thought that Austin could go far if only he found the right partner and I think that third times a charm.  Corynne and Austin have an instant connection and trust with each other.  This piece was heavy with one dancer moving their body and the other reacting to it.  Sometimes when dancers attempt that- it can really show awkwardness between the dancers- that wasn’t the case with this piece.  I thought that they danced it with emotion and honesty.  Austin still got his tricks in but Corynne is such a strong dancer in her own right that it didn’t get distracting.  Their synchronization was perfect for the whole piece and I always got the feeling that they were constantly aware of each other the whole time.  That isn’t a small feat either.  It was also the first piece where the dancers were in the pocket of the music, I haven’t seen that enough so far this season.  After 3 episodes I think that we’ve found our first stand out couple.  Mark my words- they will go far in this competition.

The Mambo was the dance that Cody and Melanie chose with Gustavo Vargas as the choreographer.  This piece was cute.  I don’t really know what else to say about it.  It wasn’t particularly sexy, but it was cute.  Not to say that that is a bad thing either- I just think that somehow Cody needs to convince the audience that he can be more of an Alpha Male when needed.  The Mambo as a style is great and not a discipline that we see all the time either.  So I liked this piece- was it technically amazing?  Not really.  But it wasn’t a technical disaster either.  It was a fun and light mambo.

Oh God.  It was bound to happen.  The Kiss Of Death- Quickstep.  Everett and TaraJean were the dancers that chose it and lucked out with the choreographer of Pierre Allaire.  Not to say that just because a partnership chooses a more difficult dance that they should be given any consessions but I was relieved to hear it when Mr Allaire stated that there wasn’t a story it was just dancing for dance sake.  The Quick Step is enough on its own- without some complicated back story.  Tara-Jean has legs that could take us all into next week and Everett isn’t a slouch either.  Considering the amount of rehearsal time the dancers are allowed and the fact that you essentially have to learn how to float and glide on stage- they did a great job.  The lifts were beautiful and difficult.  I think that this could have totally fallen but they both really committed to the style.

The amazing Luther Brown got his turn with Jayme Rae and Daniel in a hip hop piece.  Holy sexual chemistry.  Let’s just get that out of the way.  Daniel dancing without a shirt also doesn’t hurt the situation.  But from the second and I know THE SECOND that Jayme Rae stepped on stage she was committed to that piece.  From start to finish it was so sexy.  They could have been wearing snow suits and it would have been just as sexy.  The biggest difference between this hip-hop piece and the first one was that the technique didn’t take a back burner to the smoldering chemistry between the two.  They were raw in the moves and they both danced the piece really really well.  I think that we have another couple that have stepped up their game.  Daniel is a beautiful dancer and so quietly powerful.  I’d like to see them do a pas de deux at some point, because they would be amazing in a classic style of dance.

I was thrilled to see Benji Schwimmer as the choreographer for Nicolas and JennaLynn with the Hustle.  I love Benji’s style and choreography in general because he has an ability to modernize any style of dance.  That was the case once again with this Hustle.  The Hustle is a little bit of a couple styles: Salsa foot work and some Swing influence put that to some 1970s pop and you have the Hustle.  I thought that piece overall was good- not great.  It was quite uneven and I didn’t think that the dancers believed in themselves enough to really blow it out of the water.  I like the couple though- I think that they make each other stronger together and the partnering together was top notch.

Finally Natalie and Danny brought out a Rumba to end the evening.  Gustavo Vargas was the King of Latin tonight and as a choreographer he really lived up to the title.  I like his style and interpretation of music.  I liked this piece more than I usually like the Rumba.  For some reason I have a hard time with the rhythm behind the Rumba but I liked this piece.  I didn’t agree with the judges when they said that Danny needs to believe in his talent more- I got the opposite feeling from him.  Both Natalie and Danny were great in this piece- however on the heels of that someone should suggest to Natalie to keep her tongue in her mouth.  That seems like a weird critique- but she’s been doing it the whole time and it’s distracting.

That’s it!  Top 14 next week!

September 8, 2009 I Written By

Power Rankings – So You Think You Can Dance Canada – Top 16

Last Week’s Power Rankings were fairly accurate. I called the bottom 3. It is hard to predict exactly who will go home until you see their solo’s, however, as we get to know each dancer I think we can also guess how their solo’s will be.

So this week for the So you think you can dance canada top 16 I will do my power rankings and see if I can get it right.

I am not a dancing expert but I enjoy watching and will base my Power Rankings on what I saw, heard and felt about each couple’s routine.

1. Jayme Rae & Daniel
Hip Hop with Luther
“Pucker Up” Ciara - Fantasy Ride (Deluxe Version) - Pucker Up – Ciara

This was my favourite routine of the night. Luther’s choreo to the song, combined with Jayme Rae and Daniel’s performance… it was just awesome for me. Amazing dancing, creative floor work, sexy moves and I had goosebumps. What more does it take to stay on top?

2. Amy & Vincent
Hip Hop with Flii Stylez
“Boom Boom Pow” Black Eyed Peas - The E.N.D. (The Energy Never Dies) - Boom Boom Pow – Black Eyed Peas

Maybe I just favour hip hop and urban dance but this routine rocked it. I thought he hit harder than she did but together they entertained me.

3. Corynne & Austin
Contemporary with Stacey Tookey
“Never Say Never” The Fray - The Fray - Never Say Never – The Fray

I am not usually an Austin fan, though I do like Corynne, but this routine was great. It was pretty and it gave me goosebumps. Stacey Tookey is amazing, Corynne and Austin danced it wonderfully and even though I am not an Austin fan, I have to say he had me tonight.

4. Kim & Emanuel
Jazz Funk with Blake McGrath
“Love, Sex, Magic” Ciara - Fantasy Ride (Deluxe Version) - Love Sex Magic (feat. Justin Timberlake) – Justin Timberlake/Ciara

This was hot, sexy, cool. Blake is a god. I felt they danced it a little slow and would hav elike dto see it a little harder but the licking, biting, stripping was all sexy. Usually I’d put Blake’s routines higher, but I felt Emanuel and Kim could have done better, not that they did badly, I jsut prefered a few other routines.

5. Melanie & Cody
Mambo with Gustavo Vargas
“Suena Ahora” Michi Sarmiento - Salsa Latin Party, Vol. 1 - Suena Ahora – Michi Sarmiento

I love Melanie and Cody. I’d always put them in my Top 3…. but this week I was disappointed with the routine. Maybe because it’s a style I am less familiar with, but it felt a little bit confusing and while it was cute and fun, it seemed too laid back to me.

——————- BOTTOM 3 PREDICTIONS ——————-

6. Tara-Jean & Everett
Quick Step with Pierre Allaire
Chicago Overture” Various Artists - Chicago - The Musical - Overture – Hotrolls Ragtime Band

I hate to put TJ and Everett in Bottom 3 because I am a huge fan of them both, but it just didn’t do it for me tonight. It felt Cheesey and though I enjoyed the lifts and flips and spins, I wasn’t enjoying it as much as I wanted to. I predict they will make bottom 3 but will move on after amazing solo’s (I hope!)

7. Nicholas & Jenna Lynn
Hustle with Benji Schwimmer
“Canned Heat” Jamiroquai - Center Stage - Canned Heat – Jamiroquai

I love Benji and I was so glad to see him choreo. Loved his difficult moves and high energy. I also love the song and the energy it emotes but …. I don’t think they will get the votes to stay out of the Bottom 3 again. We will see. If I am right and they are Bottom 3 I think Jenna will go home. She does great passionate solo’s but how many times can you do a solo before it just gets old?

8. Natalie & Danny
Rhumba with Gustavo Vargas
“Historia de un amor” Pérez Prado - Il Vero, Unico, Grande Perez Prado - Historia de un Amor – Perez Prado

This routine fell short for me. I know it isn’t the style they know and I realize it was not danced badly, but it’s Top 16 and even if everyone was great they’d still have to cut someone. I think these two will make Bottom 3 and perhaps Danny will go home due ot his “lack of confidence”

I have no clue at this point… but those are my predictions and Power Rankings. If my Bottom 3 are right I would predict Jenna Lynn and Danny going home – but I could be way off even on my Bottom 3 Couples…

What do you think?

I Written By

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

SYTYCD: the 15 best routines from seasons 1-5

Hi everybody! I thought I’d talk about the routines that made the list of the 15 best from seasons 1-5. Nigel hosted this great look back at the best of the best from the last five years.

They started with season 1 (obviously) and it’s amazing to look at how barebones the concept of the show was at that point. Two routines were highlighted from season 1. First was Destini and Jamile‘s awesome hip-hop routine by Shane Sparks. I didn’t start watching SYTYCD until season 2, so I was thrilled to be able to see this routine that I had heard so much about. It didn’t disappoint, they both hit it hard and everything just worked. The 2nd routine highlighted was Melody and Nick’s “All That Jazz” routine. The music from Chicago has been featured multiple times on the show over the years, but I feel that these 2 best friends (the clip where Nick says to the camera “we’re canoodling!” while he squashes Melody into the sofa is classic) embodied everything about that Fosse style.

Jamile and Destini

Melody and Nick

Read more..

September 4, 2009 I Written By

Still Dancing with Donny

So many times, after the season has ended, and we’re left weeping in front of the TV with nothing to watch, our favourite dancers hipped and hopped off into the sunset rarely to be heard of again. Unfortunately, the rest of the world has yet to realize the all encompassing power of dance, so many of these insanely talented dancers don’t get much press.

We’ve seen the trailers for the new Fame movie with Kherington; Travis and Dimitri are all over the place (namely as new choreographers on SYTYCD); Lacey and Chelsie wowed the world on Dancing with the Stars… But where did Sabra sashay off to? Where’s Ivan rolling these days. Heidi? Hok?

Well, darlings, slap on those Cha Cha pumps, shimmy into your tutu, and let’s have a look at where they are now, shall we?

Starting with one of my favourites, the incomparable Donyelle:

donyelle_portrait

We first fell in love with Donny back in 2006 during Season 2 when she was paired with Benji. The two together were a force to be reckoned with – and who could forget their first bootylicious performance?



The two went on to thrill the judges and audience alike with some stellar performances that season. Donnyelle ultimately finished in fourth place, with Benji taking the cake (and eating it, too). Since the show, Donyelle has worked with Tyce Diorio on the stage production of Just Another Man, as well as Wayne Brady’s spectactlar Las Vegas show at the Venitian. She also works as a dance instructor in North Hollywood – sharing her passion and infectious love of dance with everyone who enters her studio.

artistry_in_motion_580x250

Currently, you can catch Donyelle and her dance crew, Artistry in Motion, on MTV’s America’s Best Dance Crew. From MTV.com:

“Artistry in Motion is a group of ladies on a dancing mission. They are trying to unite the hip-hop and contemporary styles of dancing and turn it into a genre they call “contemp-hop.” The girls hail from all different parts of North America and have combined their individual styles into something special — special enough to get gigs dancing with artists such as Missy Elliot, Black Eyed Peas, Wayne Brady, Lloyd, Ludacris and Gnarls Barkley.

“We wanted to make sure that we pay respect to where the term ‘crew’ originated,” they said, “which is the hip-hop dance community.” To do this, these experienced dancers will utilize their training in hip-hop, contemporary, jazz, ballet and modern styles.”

During the premiere episode, judge L’il Mama defined Artistry in Motion as “the tightest choreography on the show.” They were applauded by all three judges for being an inspiration to “real girls” everywhere and shattering the “dancer’s body stereotype.”

It’s great to see Donyelle doing so well. Be sure and check out America’s Best Dance crew on MTV, Sunday nights at 9 pm ET and vote for Artisty in Motion so we can continue to enjoy such amazing talent!

August 13, 2009 I Written By

SYTYCD Missing Raw Dancers This Season

I admit to you that I had the idea for this post almost a month ago. Basically, my feeling was that So You Think You Can Dance is a great show. Obviously, if I didn’t think so I wouldn’t spend the time I do on this blog. However, I think I’m kind of missing some of the rawness that we saw on previous seasons.

Certainly, it’s wonderful to watch great dancing every time out. I’m amazed at Kayla’s ability to do every style with so few technical flaws. It’s beautiful. However, it’s also really great TV to see someone kill a contemporary routine one night and then fall down doing hip hop the next. I like having that bit of unpredictable. Not to mention, the surprise that a ballroom dancer like Benji could do a broadway number to Hairspray as well as he did.

I guess I’m just saying that it’s nice to have a little bit of the unpredictable. I like to see some imperfections and flaws. I like for people to be taken way out of their comfort zone and either rise up and knock our socks off or not. There’s a reason that people like roller coasters. They go up and down and make people go Wow! I think raw dancers offer that.

Don’t get me wrong. I think you have a real chance at failing in this regard too. Tony Bellissimo is the example that scares me. Although, imagine if the whole show was filled with Tony’s. I bet if Tony had stayed longer he would have done some routines that would have made us say “TONY, WOW!” However, we would have also had some routines where we would have said, “Tony, Tony, Tony.”

Yes, I know this would mean that some very talented people wouldn’t make it into the top 20. That’s alright with me. It’s always going to be the case. I guess I just might rather have some people that are extraordinary in a couple styles and make me cringe in others than have everyone who is just average in everything.

August 2, 2009 I Written By

Just call me Charlie...but where are my angels?