Showing posts with label SYTYCD. Show all posts
Showing posts with label SYTYCD. Show all posts

Wednesday, August 10, 2011

SYTYCD Season 8 Top 4 Recap/Review


            I always hate the Top 4 performance nights. One reason is that it means the season is ending. I love SYTYCD and am always sad to see it go. Well, besides the ill planned Season 6, which was doomed from the start. Another reason is that Top 4 night is never really good. The dancers are beyond tired, the choreographers are drained, and that last episode just asks for so much sheer volume dance wise from the both of those groups. In other words, the dances are never that great. Outside of Benji and Travis during Season 2 and Katee and Joshua during Season 4, there are no Top 4 routines I absolutely love. Finally, I never feel like anything that happens during the Top 4 night changes the way the season will turn out. The one exception to that would be Season 5, where Jeanine pulled out the ballroom solos to end all ballroom solos. Girl grabbed the title with that one. Other than that, though, nothing seems to happen that changes the course of the season.

Wednesday, August 3, 2011

SYTYCD Season 8 Top 6 Recap/Review


Well that was an interesting night was it not? At first, I thought we were in for a “meh” night. Everything just seemed really clunky, especially the words spewing from the judges’ mouths. Really show, Lil C? Again? If there was any choreographer that needed to be a repeat it was Travis Wall. On second thought, how about we get Debbie Allen back on that stage, seeing as she has not been in that spot since Season 3. Moving on, I will say that one good thing came out of the less than good beginning of the show. I started to think of some things I would change for next season. Now, do not get me wrong, I have quite enjoyed this season. It definitely beats Seasons 1 and 6, and could even give Seasons 3 and 5 a run for their money depending on how it all ends. It will not be better than Season 7, and does not even come close to Season 4. Season 4 had Katee Shean. Season 4 had everything. Back to my original point. I do like this season, I just think the format has become a little tired. Think of this as just making progress on the All-Stars being introduced last season, that is all. Anyways, role the tapes!

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

SYTYCD Season 8 Top 8 Recap/Review


            The past couple of episodes of So You Think You Can Dance? have seen some this season’s lesser known dancers given the chance to shine. That, combined with the early front-runners receiving decent routines and only giving good performances, has created the illusion that this season might shake things up a bit near the end. Hell, I even said as much last week. Now, though, that thought could not be any further from the truth. As the Top 8 took to the stage this week, it became extremely clear who we should expect in the finale, with only maybe the second male spot still up in the air. As of right now, I would say Melanie, Marko, and Sasha are a lock for the final episode, with Tadd most likely joining them, but maybe Jess sneaking in there instead. Based on their work tonight and throughout the season, I can honestly say they deserve it.

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

SYTYCD Season 8 Top 10 Recap/Review


            Going into tonight’s episode, I had a few predictions. First, I thought were would have a pretty good episode dance wise, as there would be at least one expert for each dance with the All Stars being introduced. I am happy to say I was correct, as there were many dances tonight that were quite fantastic and showed off the dancers. What a difference having a strong partner in the style you are dancing can make, am I right? I will confess I was not sure how the All Star experiment would turn out last year, but quickly grew to love it and am glad to see it return this season.

Thursday, July 14, 2011

SYTCYD Season 8 Top 12 Recap/Review

Hello dear readers, Meghan here as guest blogger for this week’s So You Think You Can Dance review. I will preface this by saying I am not a dancer. I have zero training or experience, so all “critique” will be from the perspective of, “oh well, I think this looks pretty?” and based on my knowledge of this show and what makes good TV (trust me, Meghan knows her TV).


First, I’ll begin with Cat’s outfit. She chose a little flapper-esque dress that was oddly flattering. She even looks a bit blonder. Although the fringe/feathers(?) are a bit absurd, but the beading and sequins are actually work for her.

Ahh yes, the return of the guest judge. It wasn’t a surprise that Carmen did not return to the awards show last week… so I was a little interested on how this guest spot would play out. Joining the panel of Nigel, Mary, and Sonya this week was Modern Family’s Jesse Tyler Ferguson; in his introduction, he was witty and refreshingly sincere. We shall see how he does with the actual judging, though.

As a warning, this one might be a long post; each couple will have two dances apiece.

First is Sasha and Alexander with a Pasa Doble – oh god. This can be either good or very very bad.

First, Sasha is wearing pants?? That is certainly a change from the long flowing “cape” dresses that are common in this dance. Alexander seems to get higher off the ground than see does, which I am happy to see (he is generally more of a support dancer in the couple). It’s a good energy, but there is an odd sort of disconnect. They both look fierce though; I just wish I could see some real chemistry between them. The music had a large crescendo without any actual build in the dance. The routine ends with Alexander with his hand around her throat? Not quite as good as I would have hoped. They looked sharp, and Sasha has plenty of attitude, but I wasn’t in love with it.

Okay, so this is the first introduction to Jesse as a judge: he talks a little fast, but he has decent insight so far. He is funny and knows what he is talking about; guest spot looks like it isn’t failing in this week. A quick note about Sonya: her voice makes it sound like she wants to have sex with whoever she is talking too. Am I alone in this thought??

Next on to Jordan and Tadd with a Travis Wall (the golden boy) contemporary routine. Jordan looks beautiful as a “vulture,” and Tadd did this amazing flip jump spiral thing (don’t know what it was, but it blew my mind, loved it). Some of the motions were odd at first, but were truly beautiful as the music developed, and the premise of the piece kind of sneaks up on you; a bit haunting, but I enjoyed it… rather a lot actually.

Ryan and Ricky had a broadway number; this could be a kiss of death (and I wouldn’t complain about that]. It was a bit boring, to be honest. There was no chemistry (I do like Ryan’s hair like this though.) Ricky didn’t come across as suave like he should have and Ryan didn’t seduce him either. Jesse said, the dance “didn’t sparkle,” and I completely agree; they didn’t look committed

Kaitlin and Mitchell then had a Christopher Scott hip hop number. They were not as hard hitting as I think they are capable of, but the dance was enjoyable overall. Kaitlin always has emotions on her face, and Mitchell less so (he looks a little shaky). The music was good though (Break the Bhain, Lupe Fiasco). There was quite a bit of discussion on how the “story” (invisible children, child soldiers), did or did not correspond to the dance. Nigel was a little put off by it in general. I can understand his position, there was quite a bit of disconnect.

Melanie and Marko were FINALLY challenged this week (Nigel said the same thing in his critique) with a tango routine. Their movements seem pretty seamless, although Melanie is making a fish motion with her mouth a bit too much and her dress is terribly unflattering. The ending lift was the best of the entire routine.

A hip-hop number by Jesse and Clarice: Very pleasantly surprised; lyrical hip-hop suits them both. Jesse isn’t believable as a hardcore hiphop-er but he didn’t try to be; it was believable that he is a smoother, floating dancer and character; definitely got the “swag.” Both of them performed very well (these two I am happy to root for, and Clarice grows on me every week).

Wow, Mary almost was crying - definitely later in the show than normal.

NOW ON TO ROUND TWO:

Sasha and Alexander with a Tyce Broadway number: The tricks (leaps and lifts) were very visually appealing, and Alexander had great lines and really stepped it up. He carried this routine. The later part of the routine was a little confusing; as a friend said during the performance, “the dance has a little drunken quality.” I think something went a little wrong, lots of fizz but a little fizzle at the end.

Jordan and Tadd dance jazz number: Good characters, decent dancing, nothing amazingly memorable about the routine. The lifts were fun, but I was ultimately ‘underwhelmed’… AS I SAID THIS, SONYA SAID THE EXACT SAME THING. I know what’s up.

Ryan and Ricky end their night with a Cha-Cha: I wanted to dislike this from the beginning (given my opinion of Ryan), but their movements were pretty strong and Ryan wasn’t terrible. However, I agree when Nigel called her a bit “sloppy” at times, even though she started out strong at the beginning. One of the lifts was a little shaky, but overall the hips looked good… Ricky was very very strong today – he deserved the hot tamale train.

Kaitlin and Mitchell with a Travis Wall jazz(?) number: Definitely a sexy routine, the partnering seems pretty strong, and I liked it; it was hot. Lots of throwing Kaitlin around. Also, I agree with Sonya’s critique, Mitchell’s personality is missing often from his dancing. He is strong technically and supported Kaitlin throughout the dance, but I don’t see who he is. Also, this got Janice Joplin’s “Piece of My Heart” stuck in my head. Drats.

Melanie and Marko dancing ANOTHER contemporary routine. They are truly beautiful dancers, no question about that. However, I am a little tired that they constantly get contemporary things. I will say this: they are very in sync. The light is a nice touch; emotional, flow-y, and “magical.”

Closing out the night is Clarice and Jesse with a Jive: They brought their ‘A’ game tonight. The jive was fun lively, entertaining, and characters were believable and enjoyable. I was proud of them. The seriously looked like they knew what they were doing. Feet were fast and kicks were sky high, lifts (which is always an issue with a smaller male partner) were not as secure as they could be, but I think he did admirable. My friend said the dance was, “all sorts of sparkle and fun.” That sounds like a good way to describe the night in general.

Jeez, Tyler, this is much harder than it looks!

Thursday, July 7, 2011

SYTYCD Season 8 Top 14 Recap/Review


            Throughout So You Think You Can Dance’s history, great performance episodes always are followed by lackluster episodes. With last week’s fantastic episode, both dance and entertainment wise, I was ready for a little bit of a letdown this week. Sadly, that is exactly what I got. Now, there were no horrible train wrecks, and no Ashley and Chris’ samba was not that bad, but there was not that much spark either. Which is actually how I would describe this season. I think that was for a couple reasons. One the show is not forcing dancers out of their comfort zone. These kids are quite talented, but when you constantly see them do well in only their or related styles, the levels of the performances tend to plateau. Since this cast is so lacking in diversity dance wise (How many had Jazz or Contemporary backgrounds, 14?), its inevitable that people will be dancing in their own styles now and again. I just think the frequency that we have seen already this season, only four episodes into the Top 20, is way too much. I want to see these contestants grow as dancers, not just bee great performers. Hell, pretty much EVERY winner has done that, which illustrates how important it really is to the audience.