Finally! A good ‘SYTYCD’ website!
In the past eight seasons, “So You Think You Can Dance” has delivered stellar choreography, emotional back stories and tear-jerking performances. What they didn’t have was a user-friendly website. In fact, it was pathetic.
I’m happy to announce that with season eight comes a great, up-to-date website, with full episodes online less than a week after airdate, and clips online as soon as the next day sometimes. After struggling to use the previous incarnation, I’m quite happy.
Highlights:
- The home page at www.fox.com/dance is complete: latest clips, performances, online episodes and the grid of photos showing who’s still in, and who’s out! It’s your one-stop shop for “SYTYCD,” the way a homepage should be.
- Online voting! For the first time, you can vote for your favorite dancer online. Now you can vote online, call or text your vote in.
- Up-to-date photos of the performances. However, there are limited downloadable photos. Many appear in the slideshow players that make it difficult to download the photos.
- A seemingly more active community and blog. Maybe that’s just because the presentation is more user-friendly.
As a blogger, this is very helpful. But even as an active watcher, I find the website is more helpful and useful to the average fan.
Three new dance routines for SYTYCD’s National Dance Day
Hey “So You Think You Can Dance” Fans, or really, anyone who likes to dance:
The second annual National Dance Day, presented by “So You Think You Can Dance” and its Dizzy Feet Foundation, is July 30. SYTYCD judges and choreographers have created three new routines just for the day. There is a basic, intermediate and a “master class” dance you can learn. Regular SYTYCD judge Mary Murphy shows how to do the basic dance, new judge Robyn Antin of the Pussycat Dolls teaches the intermediate, and the choreography duo of NappyTabs shows how to do the more advanced version.
Mary Murphy and Dance Day Everybody
Robin Antin and Dance Day Intermediate
NappyTabs and Dance Day Master Class
‘Entertainment Weekly’ weighs in on favorite ‘SYTYCD’ performances
EW lists its top 25 — with links to the performances.
I agreed with many of the choices, especially numbers 7, 10, 11, 13 and 18. But number one?
EW gave Twitch and Alex Wong’s Hip Hop routine the winning performance. This surprised me, because, frankly, I didn’t remember it. Of course, he is, as EW puts it, ALEX ‘FREAKING’ WONG! And watching a ballet dancer execute amazing Hip Hop IS something to be lauded. But still … number one? (Thanks to Lisa Potts for pointing out the link. Potts, a ‘SYTYCD expert, also points out that this is the performance Ellen Degeneres recreated on the Season seven finale.)
Wong was the wunderkind who injured his Achilles last season. Many fans expected to see his return in Season 8, but he never auditioned.
Reality TV Magazine announced that Wong might return as an All-Star dancer:
” ‘So You Think You Can Dance’ announced our top 20 this week and many fans were upset that Alex Wong, a huge favorite who was eliminated due to an injury would not be returning to join the top 20 this season. Alex, who was overwhelmed by fans with curiosity recently Tweeted ‘Hi All … I’m not back on SYTYCD competing because I wasn’t ready to dance when Vegas rounds came, thanks for everyone’s support!’
Despite the fact that he will not be returning to compete in the top 20 this season, fans are still hopeful that the super skilled dancer will return as one of the All Stars. Well, for those of you hoping, you have good reason to be excited – while it has not been announced yet, Nigel Lythgoe has made it known that he is also hoping Alex will be an All Star. Nigel Tweeted … ‘Alex Wong wasn’t ready to compete in a weekly dance competition. I am hoping he will recover enough to be considered as an SYTYCD All-Star.’ ”
‘SYTYCD’ next performance show is Wednesday at 7 (Central Time). Last week no one went home, but this week, two couples will be eliminated. Will it be your favorite?
Is the “So You Think You Can Dance” Top 20 really THAT good?
Are this season’s dancers so good the judges are mystified? Could be, as we saw this week on the premiere competition show.
This week, SYTCD’s Top 20 were paired and began competing n earnest. There were some knockout routines, an Emmy-nominee for sure, and some plain beautiful dancing. One couple, in my opinion, was the odd one out, and would likely go home. The pairings:
Jordan and Tadd — African Jazz
Sasha and Alexander –Contemporary
Clarice and Jess — Broadway
Ryan and Ricky –Lyrical Hip Hop
Caitlynn and Mitchell (she danced with Season Seven’s Robert) — Jazz
Miranda and Robert — Jive
Missy and Wadi — Jazz
Melanie and Marko –Contemporary
Ashley and Chris — Hip Hop
Iveta and Nick — Quick Step
When “America” didn’t vote the weakest couple out (Ashley and Chris’ Hip Hop in my opinion), the judges had a tough choice on their hands. I couldn’t make a decision.
Neither could the Judges, who kept everyone – but warned that next week, they’ll send two couples home.
Keep in mind dancer Mitchell was out with an elbow injury and couldn’t dance the night before. He, along with the bottom three couples had to dance for their lives.
America made some pretty wrong-headed choices this week. Keeping in Ashley and Chris? Putting Jess and Clarice in the bottom three? What? Even Nigel couldn’t believe Jess was in the bottom 3. Could be America wants to keep a ballerina in the bunch. (Remember the pairing of Melissa and Ade from a previous season?)
Next week, the dancers will fight to stay in, with a double elimination hanging over their heads.
So You Think You Can Dance hits Vegas
Welcome to another year of “So You Think You Can Dance.” The auditions have been fast and furious (seemed shorter this year) and this week the dancers with the tickets to Vegas will be judged yet again — this time in unrelenting rounds of practice and presentations. The TV blog will report on the happenings … who stays, who goes, who cries, who injures themselves — because as this week’s teaser proclaims, “There WILL be blood.”
But before we get to all that, SYTYCD enthusiast and former NewsOK SYTYCD podcast contributor Lisa Potts has picked her 12 favorite dances in the eight seasons of the show.
By Lisa Potts
With the eighth season of “So You Think You Can Dance” starting tonight, I wanted to flash back to 12 of my favorite routines from previous years. I was pleasantly surprised to see the list isn’t dominated by my favorite contestants, season 2′s Natalie and season 6′s Jakob. They’re in only three of the 12. I’m also a little disappointed that I don’t have any Wade Robson routines, but I couldn’t find videos of the ones I wanted. OK, so here we go!
#1 (Hands down!) Mia Michaels’ “Gravity” by Kayla and Kupono in season 5. Kupono literally plays an “addiction” that has a hold on her. Although I’ve seen this dozens of times, it still makes me tear up. Neither dancer was one of my favorites that season, but the acting performances are breathtaking. The choreography and song choice are perfection. The first time I saw it I knew it should win the Emmy, and I’m so glad the voters agreed.
#2 Season 3 winner Jeanine Mason and Jason shine in Travis Wall’s debut as a choreographer. He certainly made his presence known right out of the gate. Plus, Jason Mraz has always been a favorite of mine so I was thrilled his music got some exposure on the show.
#3 Ahh, my beloved Jakob (with Ashleigh, season 6). He could seriously do no wrong. I love the little contortions of his body that he makes throughout this routine, even if it’s just pushing the shoulders forward, he makes it a character. I’ve always loved this song for a potential routine. Thank you Choreographer Mandy Moore for adding the dreaded cane prop so effectively.
#4 The Emmy-winning contemporary “bench routine” by Mia Michaels for season 2′s Travis and Heidi. I so wish this piece of music were available somewhere! Mia had to work around the fact that Heidi is not a contemporary dancer, yet the scenes of her just sitting on the bench or her simple movements are the most haunting.
#5 Season 2 winner Benji and Natalie’s jazz routine by Tyce Diorio. It’s full of joyful choreography and Natalie pulls it off beautifully. I pretty much ignore Benji because he’s average in this style, but I can’t take my eyes off Natalie. She makes it look effortless and natural.
#6 The most memorable routine of season 7 featured Alex Wong and Twitch. The musicality, the choreography, the fact that a principal ballet dancer was performing a kickass hip-hop routine… Everyone was blown away. If Alex hadn’t had to pull out of the competition because of an injury (the week aftere this performance), he would have won.
#7 Season 3′s Lacey and Danny in a samba by season 2 alum Dmitry. Lacey shines in her own style and I have loved “Hip hip chin chin” since hearing it here. It’s great to see Lacey and Dmitry doing so well now on Dancing with the Stars.
#8 Neil and season 3 winner Sabra in a “Table dance” by Mandy Moore to the Eurythmics’ “Sweet Dreams.” I’m starting to notice a lot of these favorites have props! This was so my style – just straight, powerful jazz.
#9 Twitch and Kayte, season 4, “Mercy” by Mia Michaels. A simple door made such a great prop! I fell in love with this song, and eventually Duffy’s entire album.
#10 “Flying without wings” is a bit of a cheat because it didn’t actually appear on the show. Travis Wall choreographed it for he and Natalie to perform on the season 2 tour. Love, love, love the two of them together.
#11 I had to include season 7 winner Lauren and runner-up Kent in this Travis Wall routine. She was consistent every week, and showed her versatility by mastering every style. These two were always adorable together; I figured they would end up a couple. Who knew that she’d fall for hip-hopping “all-star” Dominic instead!
#12 Mark and Courtney in season 4′s “The Garden.” I didn’t appreciate Mark’s quirkiness enough back then. He’s now the lead dancer for Lady Gaga. He’s lost his lankiness to become more muscular, and delivers a captivating performance every time.
BONUS: My favorite solo of all time.
Sure, he bats for the other team, but he’s HOTT! ;-) Blake McGrath didn’t win season 1, but he’s been one of the most successful dancers to come out of the show. In addition to his choreography work and backup dancing for Britney & Janet, he’s now a judge/choreographer on the Canadian version of SYTYCD and came out with his own album last year. Blake’s voice is nothing special, but (just like Wade’s old album) he’s got some great beats. Here’s his music video for “The Night”: http://youtu.be/CKhrBRCeUdc
So there you go. What do you think? Do you agree with some of these? Which of your favorite routines did I not feature here?
Yvette’s rebuttal: WELL, Lisa, since you asked … what about this fabulous dance choreographed by Tyce Diorio for Ade and Melissa in season five. It’s no secret that Ade is my favorite dancer of the show’s history, but there are no flaws in this magical piece Tyce created in tribute to a friend with breast cancer. Readers, judge for yourself.
The two-hour Vegas callbacks show airs Wednesday on Fox at 7 central.
Final three on “So You Think You Can Dance”
"So You Think You Can Dance" -- The final four (now, the final three): AdeChike, Lauren, Robert, Kent
There really aren’t many surprises left on SYTYCD now that Billy Bell has gone home. When the judges let he and Jose go last week, we knew AdeChicke would be the fourth one out.
That leaves Lauren, Kent and Robert to dance next week at the two finale shows.
AdeChicke, while a powerful, athletic dancer, doesn’t have the flowing grace that the other dancers bring. The judges have roundly criticized him to “open his back” and to put more emotion into his performances. Either he couldn’t or wouldn’t. I suspect it’s the former.
So, who will take it all?
- Kent: As much as America loved Kent (Christian station K-Love has asked their listeners to vote for the boy from Wapakoneta, Ohio) he real style is broadway and contemporary.
- Lauren and Robert might cancel each other out because they both can do ANYTHING thrown at them.
- Lauren is sexy;
- But so is Robert.
It’s all about the numbers, because the judges are out of the picture. The callers will vote for their favorites.
SYTYCD: No more Cristina
The salsa/belly dancer Cristina Santana was eliminated Thursday night on “So You Think You Can Dance.” Judge and executive producer Nigel Lythgoe said the vote was NOT unanimous and that he voted to keep Cristina. He voted to give tap dancer Melinda Sullivan the boot, but he said her fellow judges, Adam Shankman and Mia Michaels disagreed. This is surprising on two counts:
- He is a tap dancer and in the past has had a real affinity for tappers
- He’s the executive producer! Doesn’t he get VETO power? Guess not.
In the bottom three were Melinda and Cristina, of course, but also contemporary dancer Robert Roldan. BIG surprise, because of Billy Bell’s widely criticzed hip-hop performance. Billy’s got the fans, that’s for sure.
So, we’re down to 9 dancers, and it’s showing. Three All-Stars didn’t get to dance this week.
Alexie Agdeppa first to go on ‘So You Think You Can Dance’
She tried out four years to get on the show, and she finally made it only to be the first to go home. She cried a little, but took it like a champ. In fact, her fellow finalists were more teary-eyed then she was. This looks to be a season of cryin’.
Alexie’s Hip-Hop number with all-star Twitch was deemed “too cute” by the judges. Nigel Lythgoe noted that at 26 she was the oldest girl, yet her dancing needed to show more maturity and girlish glee. Mia Michaels and Adam Shankman told her she “would work” in the dance industry.
On her Q and A on the show’s website, Alexie answered a question that might sum up her short time on the show:
Q: What do you hope to gain from this experience? A: My answer can be summed up in a quote I heard, “Living a dream is less about what you get and more about who you become by doing so.”
Great male performances on “So You Think You Can Dance”
From Alex’s haunting contemporary number with all-star Alison Holker, to Kent’s hot cha cha with Anya Garnis, the boys were on fire last night on SYTYCD. Who might be in trouble? Nigel said it might be Melinda, but he told Lauren (who got some criticism about not connecting with her all-star partner, Ade Obayomi) that she likely would be safe.
Tonight’s show has performances from Usher and new craze Justin Bieber. According to the show’s website: “During the hour-long show we will be treated to the broadcast premiere of pop sensation Justin Bieber’s new music video, “Somebody To Love,” featuring Usher. Justin is very excited about the premier of the music video and announced via Twitter, “Wanna see the World Premiere of ‘SOMEBODY TO LOVE’ feat Usher??? Watch SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE on Thursday night….Spread the word!!!” Usher will also perform his hit song “OMG,” and there will be an exciting specialty dance performance from Karine Plantadit & Keith Roberts.”
What is your favorite style of SYTYCD dance?
Ashley Galvan dances the lyrical style this season.
The folks at “So You think You Can Dance” asked fans which style of dance they liked best. It’s probably no surprise that Lyrical ranked first. This season, Ashley Galvan is dancing Lyrical. But what about a close second? Hip Hop! Quelle surprise! That’s amazing considering that this style, which is now an STYTCD staple, didn’t become a part of the show until three years in. One notable omission is Contemporary. Dancing contemporary this season is Billy Bell and AdeChike Torbert.
Here are the overall results:
Ballroom 13 percent
Hip Hop 30 percent
Lyrical 32 percent
Broadway 9 percent
Disco 4 percent
Other 13 percent
