LAUREN!! YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAYYYYYYYYYYY!!!!!!
Well folks, the big moment arrived when Lauren was crowned the Season 7 winner. There really was no going wrong (once Robert was announced as 3rd) - either Kent or Lauren would've been a great choice, but honestly, I think Lauren was just a smidge more deserving. She was a little more consistently good throughout her performances, and ultimately, I think she wanted the win a bit more. In any case, she is The New "It" Girl, and my sincere congratulations go to her. Great choice, America!
But let's not leave this discussion without acknowledging the second greatest moment of the night. Those of you who happened through the internet late today probably saw it coming (as did I), but nobody could've anticipated just how AWESOME it would ultimately prove to be. Props, kudos, and major "DAMN, girl!"s go to ELLEN DEGENERES, the surprise "superstar" who not only got her wish to dance on the show, but who actually got to be the Alex Wong stand-in in the reprise of his mega-sick hip-hop routine with Twitch. I wasn't surprised to see the routine modified a bit for her, but I was absolutely gobsmacked to see how well she did with all that was left IN! I love Ellen Degeneres anyway, but she earned a whole new chunk of respect from me for an outstanding effort that could easily have fallen flat considering how hard an act Alex is to follow, and instead she rocked the house. Way to go, Ellen! And a HUGE thank you to Nigel and the SYTYCD producers for letting it happen.
An exceptional end to an extraordinary season leaves me already excited for Season 8!! In the meantime, we'll have some periodic updates, chats, recaps, and ponderances to keep us in the spirit until that fateful First Audition Day. Thanks for reading - stay tuned!!
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Oops...
Where's my posting on last night's performance finale? Well, um...I'm on vacation. I know, I know, that's no excuse, really, but...well, I basically had a choice between staying in and watching it or going to Atlantic City for the evening - with my hubby and no kids - and so, naturally, I went gambling. Sorry!! I have, however, read up today on how it went, and feel confident that it's anybody's game at this point - well, Kent or Lauren's anyway, with Robert in a very respectable position regardless. I WILL be watching the final finale tonight, and will post *something* following! SYTYCD Fan Judge lives!!! :)
Monday, August 9, 2010
Season 7 - The End Draws Near
I'm on vacation, but SYTYCD is never too far from my thoughts (well, it was pretty far from them this morning while I was lying on the beach, but...). As we wind down one of the weirdest - and most injurious - seasons to-date, let's reflect a little: What was your favorite moment of the season? Your personal favorite dancer? Choreographer? Routine?
In reverse order, I think...I think I have too many favorite routines to pick just one; at a minimum, I'm going to reserve the right to see some of them danced again in the final show recap before making up my mind. Choreographer? Travis Wall, with Stacey Tookey running a very close second. Personal favorite dancer? Hm. I've got a soft spot for Billy Bell, but there's just something about Kent that I think is just irresistible. I just wanna tweak his cheeks like a visiting aunt, y'know? And favorite moment? Many as there are to choose from, this one is a vivid standout: when Cat called the judges out for their hypocrisy in criticizing Adechike's Bollywood number after giving Jose's equally poor (and considerably less physically challenging) performance a smiling pass. I was so proud of her for speakin' up! 'Cause let's face it, the rest of us were thinkin' the same thing.
How about you?
In reverse order, I think...I think I have too many favorite routines to pick just one; at a minimum, I'm going to reserve the right to see some of them danced again in the final show recap before making up my mind. Choreographer? Travis Wall, with Stacey Tookey running a very close second. Personal favorite dancer? Hm. I've got a soft spot for Billy Bell, but there's just something about Kent that I think is just irresistible. I just wanna tweak his cheeks like a visiting aunt, y'know? And favorite moment? Many as there are to choose from, this one is a vivid standout: when Cat called the judges out for their hypocrisy in criticizing Adechike's Bollywood number after giving Jose's equally poor (and considerably less physically challenging) performance a smiling pass. I was so proud of her for speakin' up! 'Cause let's face it, the rest of us were thinkin' the same thing.
How about you?
Friday, August 6, 2010
What's Missing?
You know what I've been thinking has really been missing from the show this season? WADE ROBSON. He had, like, one group number early in the season, but that's about it. Where the heck has he been? Not that I'm complaining about the rest of the season's choreography, because truly, we've been blessed with the products of Stacey Tookey, Travis Wall, and even Ms. Michaels. But there is just something about the virtually hallucinative qualities of Wade Robson's routines that uniquely qualifies him as one of the most interesting choreographers of our time that I am truly jonesing for this season. Yes, his stuff is often so bizarre that I'm left a little dumbstruck at the end of the number wondering, "what...the...HECK is that guy smoking?" But I never leave a Wade Robson number thinking, "Eh." And I like that in a choreographer...
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Bonus video!
Folks, if you're at all curious to know what last week's (results show) opening number would've looked like if Lauren had been able to dance it instead of Allison, check out this video. SYTYCD compiled and wove Lauren's rehearsal footage together with the performance, and it's really quite cool.
Thanks, FOX!
Thanks, FOX!
Sometimes, the System Works (Top 4 Results)
If, of course, you stipulate to last night's performances being the appropriate deciding factor, then the three dancers going into the finale are the right three - and thus, the system worked. (If, however, you think the wrong people are in the top 4 to begin with, well...) But here we are, so congratulations to Kent, Lauren, and Robert!
I think, ultimately, it was the right choice, although I hate to see Adechike go (and can't believe I'm actually okay with Robert being in the top 3). I think Adechike just kinda hit a plateau he couldn't get past, whereas Robert soared last night, right to the top of the heap, apparently. Now, if he actually wins this thing (and don't think I don't have nightmares about a scenario in which Lauren and Kent split the teenybopper votes, leaving it squarely in Robert's lap), that's a different story. But after last night, I think the right three moved on.
As a side note, 'cause this has been bugging me for weeks: speaking as a resident of the greater Washington, DC metropolitan area, ELEANOR HOLMES NORTON IS NOT A CONGRESSWOMAN! Thanks to the ludicrosity (new word) that is our electoral system, the District does not, in fact, have representation in Congress. Ms. Norton is, in fact, a "Delegate," a special representative assigned to speak on the District's behalf, but with no voting power whatsoever. It twangs a special nerve every time Nigel says and the screen displays the word "Congresswoman" in conjunction with Delegate Norton. Those of us vehemently supporting bringing the District up to the level of humanity the rest of the country enjoys find it particularly grating, and I felt the need to speak up. I'm just sayin'.
So, who wins it? Kent? Lauren? Or does Robert pull yet another dark horse moment? What do you think?
I think, ultimately, it was the right choice, although I hate to see Adechike go (and can't believe I'm actually okay with Robert being in the top 3). I think Adechike just kinda hit a plateau he couldn't get past, whereas Robert soared last night, right to the top of the heap, apparently. Now, if he actually wins this thing (and don't think I don't have nightmares about a scenario in which Lauren and Kent split the teenybopper votes, leaving it squarely in Robert's lap), that's a different story. But after last night, I think the right three moved on.
As a side note, 'cause this has been bugging me for weeks: speaking as a resident of the greater Washington, DC metropolitan area, ELEANOR HOLMES NORTON IS NOT A CONGRESSWOMAN! Thanks to the ludicrosity (new word) that is our electoral system, the District does not, in fact, have representation in Congress. Ms. Norton is, in fact, a "Delegate," a special representative assigned to speak on the District's behalf, but with no voting power whatsoever. It twangs a special nerve every time Nigel says and the screen displays the word "Congresswoman" in conjunction with Delegate Norton. Those of us vehemently supporting bringing the District up to the level of humanity the rest of the country enjoys find it particularly grating, and I felt the need to speak up. I'm just sayin'.
So, who wins it? Kent? Lauren? Or does Robert pull yet another dark horse moment? What do you think?
Random reminder
To quote Mia, "I love boys!" Meaning, of course, in a completely non-pedophilic way, that it is SUCH a joy to watch the guys dance together on this show when they're given such terrific routines - the Kent & Neil Broadway number, the Kent & Neil best friends number, the Billy & Ade "Homeless" number...the list goes on. But I have a bone to pick with the judges who've been touting these routines as landmarks, as if this season is the first time we've seen two guys dance together. Ah, such short memories. One of my all-time favorite routines for pure entertainment was the Season 2 "Tranji" (Travis and Benji) rendition of "Gyrate," a Shane Sparks hip-hop number that was just Krazy Kool. Don't remember? Conveniently, I found the extremely fuzzy YouTube video version:
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Top 4 Perform - Recap & Fan Judge Eval
WOW. Still reeling from that final Travis Wall number, but let me break down the night's events, a little more space-efficiently this time:
Opening group number: Um...truthfully? I've seen better Tyce Diorio routines. Don't get me wrong: I think dancers did well with what they were given, I just don't happen to think they were given all that much. Granted, there was a storm warming floating across the top of my screen that shrank the viewing area and provided a bit of distraction, but really, even upon rewatching, I just think it was a little lacking. It underutilized pretty much everyone, with the possible exception of the last few gymnastics by Kent. Not a blazing start to the show, but not a death knell either.
Lauren: SssssssssssssssssssssMOKIN'! That Argentine Tango was HOT, HOT, HOT! Like, "um, can the choregraphers please remember this girl is only SEVENTEEN???" hot. It was understated because it used slow control rather than fast footwork and complicated lifts to make its point, but that just added to the anticipation of it and built the [ahem] *sexual* tension. Outstanding. Then came the Black Widow jazz number. I can understand the point Mia made about needing a smidge more ferociousness, but honestly, I was so busy worrying about how steamy the whole thing was that I didn't notice. My husband used a good (and more politically correct term than "sexy"): sultry. That it was, and I pretty much forgot Ade was there while Lauren was doing all those kicks and twists and turns and lifts. What an incredibly talented dancer she is, and I would not be at all sorry if she wins this competition.
Adechike: Oh, I SOOOO wanted him to have a better night than he did, but unfortunately (and for once), I'm kinda with the judges tonight. I would be a little less harsh, of course, but I do think there was just something missing. In the Afro-jazz number, before the judges ever commented, I just kept thinking, "when is he really gonna just let go?" And it never happened. In other numbers this season, I've thought he had a little too much bob and bebop - which is what I think elicited Mia's rather unfortunate (but technically accurate) critique of Adechike's Bollywood number as having an African dance feel to it - and yet here he was in an Afro-jazz number, and I didn't get much of that bounce at all. I wanted him to look loose and lively and, because that's what the dance was about, FREE. And he looked...well, more than once, he looked like he was concentrating. That was less true in the second number, but he didn't quite lose himself in it entirely the way he needed to. It was better, and I truly think he thinks he's doing what the judges are telling him, and he can't quite figure out why it doesn't look that way to them. But, with Kathryn (in yet another eye-catching, number-stealing red dress) as his partner, he really needed to step up a little more than he did. I think he is a good candidate for going home this week, and I actually think I'll be disappointed if it's anyone else. I'm sorry, Adechike, because I am truly a fan.
Robert: I sooooo did not want to like Robert as much as I did this week, but really, he just nailed it. NAILED IT. Both times. That Viennese Waltz was exquisite, and Nigel was right (although I had to go back and re-watch Lauren's number to notice it), Pasha missed his straight-arm lift, but Robert pulled his off stunningly. And that hip-hop - well, Napytabs is just DA BOMB, of course - I have to agree with Adam: I thought he danced circles around Dominic. I was a little surprised Adam said it, mind you, and it created some awkwardness on the stage, but he was right. I was expecting Big Tall Robert to have trouble getting down into hip-hop the way he needed to, but really, he couldn't have funked it up any better. To further be able to work with balloons, which have to be a phenomenally challenging set of props, was just icing on the cake. I won't cry if Robert's sent home (there's just something about him that's a little disingenuous, a little "trying too hard"), but honestly, he doesn't deserve it this week.
Kent: I don't know what Disco Mia was watching, but I thought it ROCKED, and once again, HIS FACE IS SUPPOSED TO BE LIKE THAT! Yeah, okay, Adam put a little better spin on it - I get that there should be a little more "Rico Suave" and a little less "Corny Kid from Kansas" (or Ohio, or wherever the heck Wapakoneta is), but really, Disco is FUN, and a little cheesey, and I thought he rocked it. And that spinning lift at the end was enough to get my vote. How the momentum didn't carry them clear off the stage I will never know.
And then there was the Travis Wall routine. To finish out The Kent Analysis: he was perfect. Absolutely incredible, on all counts, and I think (I sincerely hope) that is secured his place in the finale. But really, it is almost unfair to give that one entirely to Kent, because it wouldn't have looked that good without an equally good partner, and I couldn't imagine a better one in the role than Neal (who I ADORED the first time around, by the way). But really, let's not get sidetracked by how well it was danced: TRAVIS WALL IS EXTRAORDINARY. I could not be happier that he is a choreographer, and that he has gotten such fabulous exposure on this show. He is a force to be reckoned with in the dance world, and I suspect he will be making a HUGE name for himself long after this show ends. He has introduced me to some of the most beautiful artwork in the world of dance, and waiting for one of his routines to come up on the show is half the excitement for me anymore. BRAVO, standing ovation, OUTSTANDING, Travis. Thank you for letting us into your world.
What did you think? Anyone willing to predict who's going home? Who's going to win?
Opening group number: Um...truthfully? I've seen better Tyce Diorio routines. Don't get me wrong: I think dancers did well with what they were given, I just don't happen to think they were given all that much. Granted, there was a storm warming floating across the top of my screen that shrank the viewing area and provided a bit of distraction, but really, even upon rewatching, I just think it was a little lacking. It underutilized pretty much everyone, with the possible exception of the last few gymnastics by Kent. Not a blazing start to the show, but not a death knell either.
Lauren: SssssssssssssssssssssMOKIN'! That Argentine Tango was HOT, HOT, HOT! Like, "um, can the choregraphers please remember this girl is only SEVENTEEN???" hot. It was understated because it used slow control rather than fast footwork and complicated lifts to make its point, but that just added to the anticipation of it and built the [ahem] *sexual* tension. Outstanding. Then came the Black Widow jazz number. I can understand the point Mia made about needing a smidge more ferociousness, but honestly, I was so busy worrying about how steamy the whole thing was that I didn't notice. My husband used a good (and more politically correct term than "sexy"): sultry. That it was, and I pretty much forgot Ade was there while Lauren was doing all those kicks and twists and turns and lifts. What an incredibly talented dancer she is, and I would not be at all sorry if she wins this competition.
Adechike: Oh, I SOOOO wanted him to have a better night than he did, but unfortunately (and for once), I'm kinda with the judges tonight. I would be a little less harsh, of course, but I do think there was just something missing. In the Afro-jazz number, before the judges ever commented, I just kept thinking, "when is he really gonna just let go?" And it never happened. In other numbers this season, I've thought he had a little too much bob and bebop - which is what I think elicited Mia's rather unfortunate (but technically accurate) critique of Adechike's Bollywood number as having an African dance feel to it - and yet here he was in an Afro-jazz number, and I didn't get much of that bounce at all. I wanted him to look loose and lively and, because that's what the dance was about, FREE. And he looked...well, more than once, he looked like he was concentrating. That was less true in the second number, but he didn't quite lose himself in it entirely the way he needed to. It was better, and I truly think he thinks he's doing what the judges are telling him, and he can't quite figure out why it doesn't look that way to them. But, with Kathryn (in yet another eye-catching, number-stealing red dress) as his partner, he really needed to step up a little more than he did. I think he is a good candidate for going home this week, and I actually think I'll be disappointed if it's anyone else. I'm sorry, Adechike, because I am truly a fan.
Robert: I sooooo did not want to like Robert as much as I did this week, but really, he just nailed it. NAILED IT. Both times. That Viennese Waltz was exquisite, and Nigel was right (although I had to go back and re-watch Lauren's number to notice it), Pasha missed his straight-arm lift, but Robert pulled his off stunningly. And that hip-hop - well, Napytabs is just DA BOMB, of course - I have to agree with Adam: I thought he danced circles around Dominic. I was a little surprised Adam said it, mind you, and it created some awkwardness on the stage, but he was right. I was expecting Big Tall Robert to have trouble getting down into hip-hop the way he needed to, but really, he couldn't have funked it up any better. To further be able to work with balloons, which have to be a phenomenally challenging set of props, was just icing on the cake. I won't cry if Robert's sent home (there's just something about him that's a little disingenuous, a little "trying too hard"), but honestly, he doesn't deserve it this week.
Kent: I don't know what Disco Mia was watching, but I thought it ROCKED, and once again, HIS FACE IS SUPPOSED TO BE LIKE THAT! Yeah, okay, Adam put a little better spin on it - I get that there should be a little more "Rico Suave" and a little less "Corny Kid from Kansas" (or Ohio, or wherever the heck Wapakoneta is), but really, Disco is FUN, and a little cheesey, and I thought he rocked it. And that spinning lift at the end was enough to get my vote. How the momentum didn't carry them clear off the stage I will never know.
And then there was the Travis Wall routine. To finish out The Kent Analysis: he was perfect. Absolutely incredible, on all counts, and I think (I sincerely hope) that is secured his place in the finale. But really, it is almost unfair to give that one entirely to Kent, because it wouldn't have looked that good without an equally good partner, and I couldn't imagine a better one in the role than Neal (who I ADORED the first time around, by the way). But really, let's not get sidetracked by how well it was danced: TRAVIS WALL IS EXTRAORDINARY. I could not be happier that he is a choreographer, and that he has gotten such fabulous exposure on this show. He is a force to be reckoned with in the dance world, and I suspect he will be making a HUGE name for himself long after this show ends. He has introduced me to some of the most beautiful artwork in the world of dance, and waiting for one of his routines to come up on the show is half the excitement for me anymore. BRAVO, standing ovation, OUTSTANDING, Travis. Thank you for letting us into your world.
What did you think? Anyone willing to predict who's going home? Who's going to win?
Butterflies
Since I'm merely an armchair judge, why in the world am I nervous about tonight's show?? I suppose it's the post-traumatic stress of seeing Lauren in the bottom three last week; fear of the bizarreness that is an audience-voter show is no doubt to blame. Still, I should be extra excited, because at least when we get to this point, it's pretty much ALL good dancing...right? True, Adechike and Robert don't always shine, but at least certain other less-capable dancers *cough*Jose*cough* are already gone. And yet...I'm almost afraid to watch. And tonight isn't even the RESULTS show! Oy. Well, 36 minutes 'til I start peeking through my fingers to see how it goes. Good luck, Top 4!
Monday, August 2, 2010
Told Ya'
Further evidence that Mia should return to the world of choreographing and leave the judging to the more, er, eloquent set: THAT OPENING NUMBER ROCKED! And can I just say that, much as I like Lauren and think she's a fabulous dancer, I am SOOOO glad she couldn't dance that night and Allison had to do the number, because I cannot *imagine* how it could possibly have been done any better by Lauren. I cannot even picture Lauren in the role. Allison's face, hair, smile, and of course dancing were all just off the hook. THANK YOU, Mia!!
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