So You Think You Can Dance - Run Down of the Top 20

Thanks, Zap2it! They have pictures and little snippets about each dancer. I'll just run down the names.

Interesting how heavy on the contemporary they are this season! I mean, 12 out of the 20 specialize in some of contemporary.. And only one hip hop and one popper? Interesting, that's all.

I apologize for all of mispellings in previous blog entries, and I will endeavor to do better from this point on!

The Guys:

Kupono Aweau - Lyrical/Contemporary
Tony Bellisimo - Hip Hop
Brandon Bryant - Contemporary
Phillip Chbeeb - Popping
Jason Glover - Lyrical/Contemporary
Vitolio Jeune - Contemporary
Max Kapitannikov - Latin Ballroom
Evan Kasprzak - Broadway
Ade Obayomi - Contemporary
Jonathan Platero - Latin

The Girls:

Randi Evans - Jazz/Contemporary
Karla Garcia - Jazz/Contemporary
Caitlin Kinney - Contemporary
Asuka Kondoh - Latin Ballroom
Jeanine Mason - Contemporary
Janette Manrara - Salsa
Kayla Radomsky - Jazz/Contemporary
Melissa Sandvig - Ballet
Paris Torres - Contemporary
Ashley Valerio - Contemporary

So You Think You Can Dance - 6/4/09

Who will be in the Top 20 this year? Finally, we find out.

(And this is one reason I adore this show - they get right down to it)

Jeanette the salsa dancer is through to the Top 20. She is awesome. I wonder if her partner Romulo is still in it?

Diana is cut. I don't remember her, so I won't miss her.

Someone who I am not remembering from Haiti is up next. Virtolio? I'll get to know his name, because he is in.

Montage of nameless cuts. One was a Henry who I don't know. I wish they would label these people!

Kayla Radomsky is hoping to break the trend of people being cut. She does indeed stop the carnage temporarily, and she's in.

K'pono makes to do lists. (I am sure I've spelled his huge long name very wrong) He is in, so I'll have my chance.

Paris Torres and Janine Mason and Ade Obioni (spelling errors I apologize for, they rushed through them), Carla Garcia, and Jonathan Patera are all through.

Brandon's turn. Mia really hates him. She said that what he brings to the floor as an artist annoys the *bleep* out of her. She isn't seeing the amazing that everyone else is drooling about. Debbie totally disagreed. L'il C is waiting to be impressed by him. Mary told them that they are talking crap, nearly started crying, and wants to hug him, I think. Nigel told him that he has 4 votes out of the 6 and he is in. Hope that he doesn't get a Mia routine first. This could be interesting. I do think he's not as good as Mary cries about.

Tony Bellisimo is up next. He was super nervous, and was thinking of his brother in Afghanistan. Nigel said that he has a lack of dancing vocabulary, but he's through to the Top 20, so he has to bring it. Nigel said that they are going the furthest out on a limb for him, because they want to see him grow.

Maxim Capitanikov is in. Yay. He's good. And so is Caitlyn Kinney!!! Yay! Hope that her sister comes back next season. Melissa Sambi the ballerina is through, too. Jason Glover is also in.

Ashley Villario has auditioned for the show 4 times. Will her persistance pay off this year? It will! She's in. Good for her. Goes to show, it pays to keep trying on this show.

Randi Evans has been training since she was 3. Mia likes her commitment to unitards, and there was much laughter. She's in.

Alex Wong is next to find out his fate. Ooops - he's under contract to the Miami Ballet Company. They won't let him out of the contract, but Nigel said that when the contract expires, he'll be welcomed back. They told him to be proud of the ballet, and hone his skills, and come back.

Montage of people getting cut. Names, please??? Ricky Sun was one cut. So sad. I hope that Asuka makes it...

Philip Chbeeb sucked up to Adam saying that the last round totally changed the way he thought about dance. Adam said that they could see a love of dance in him for overall dance, and not just his style. And Philip is in this season. Awesome.

This means only one of the Kazperzak brothers is going through. Whoever doesn't get through, I implore the other one to come back next season!

Deanna and Asuka are the last two girls. One of them is going through. They are both really great. Asuka is in. I'm glad, because I love her.

Evan and Ryan Kazperzak are up next. One of them is in, and the other is out. Who will it be? Evan is through, though Nigel admits it's probably due to Ryan's choreography. I hope that Ryan comes back. Nigel obviously wants him to come back.

Why is it that whenever Cat says Asuka, I think she's calling her Oscar? Hmmmmm.....

Overall, I'm pleased with the Top 20, and I've already got a list of people I hope to see back next season - which is this fall! How about you?

So You Think You Can Dance - 6.3.09

It's Vegas, Baby!

172 people made it to Vegas. Judging along with Mary and Nigel are Mia, Adam Shankman, and Debbie Reynolds, and Lil C.

It starts off with solos, reminding the judges why they got there.

Alex Wong started off, and Mia practically started drooling as soon as him and his fabulous lines took the stage. He's wonderful. He mixes martial arts with dance in a beautiful way.

Tony Bellisimo had a problem with his briefcase, and danced to I Always feel like Somebody's Watching Me, including a newspaper with Nigel's face on it, and also his briefcase and his coat. It was cool.

Montage of other solos, all of which were pretty danged great.

At the end of Day 1, if any one of the judges didn't vouch for a person to stay, home they went. Tony Bellisimo nearly got cut but did not in the end. 45 dancers were cut in the first round, widow Talia Rickards, and the football coach's son among them.

The first round of choreography is hip hop, by Tabitha and Napoleon.

Gabi Rojas had troubles with the choreography and lost it in the beginning, never picking it up again. They are keeping her even though she did terribly. One girl, Sara someone, got cut. Gabi was put on notice.

Montage of people doing well. 37 people got cut after hip hop.

After Day 1, 96 are left.

Day 2 begins with Ballroom.

Waltz with Jean-Marc Genereaux is first. Philip Chbeeb and his partner Arielle are trying to do their best, in what is absolutely not their genre. They are not performing together in this round.

Mia called Philip's waltz rough, and said he had great energy. No one was cut in his group. Arielle is still up. She did not make it through the waltz, and that is sad. She was good.

Maxim, Ricky Sun, and Asuka did really great, in their own genres. Priscilla, who I loved before, did well, too. The Popper who reminds me of Hiro from Heroes (Nabulea?) did quite well. No one in his group was cut. He was reduced to happy tears.

16 people were cut in Ballroom.

In the afternoon, it was time for Jazz with Sonya.

Injuries abounded, and an ice pack montage.

Natalie and Brandon, who almost made it through last year, are having fun in the rehearsals. They were chosen as standouts in rehearsals, and Sonya asked them to show everyone else what she wanted.

Can they keep it up in the performances?

Natalie seemed off in the performance, for some reason, and the judges looked like they had eaten something nasty. She was cut after her performance. I'm sad, because I liked her. But, perhaps she brought her all too early. It made everyone else nervous.

Wonder if she'll be back next year?

Brandon's turn. Mia and L'il C are not buying into the hype of Brandon. Nigel thinks he's brilliant and fantastic, and one of the best dancers they've ever had on the show. He (and his whole group) are through to the next round. He was still in tears about Natalie.

Montage of jazzy jazz. The last group included Gabi. She lacked the pop and the feeling behind the dance. Debbie Reynolds said that Gabi is breaking her heart, because she is disappointing them. Gabi is going to dance for her life, and needs 3 votes or more to stay in. Immediately, it's her solo. She was lovely in her solo, and the judges wondered where her spark was in the choreographed rounds. Mia wants to keep her, but warns her to do better. L'il C said she was buck. Mary votes a yes, as does Adam, Debbie, and Nigel. She has to step it up and bring herself to the choreography.

7 people got cut after Jazz.

Instead of bedtime, the remaining contestants are told that they have to do a group dance to a cd each group will choose from a box, and they have to choreograph and present it in the morning.

Day 3 begins with their performances.

The first group includes Erik Silky Moore, the tapper, and his group had some personality clashes and dance style clashing. They ended up going to bed at 2:30. They danced to pretty terribly together, and looked like they were randomly flailing around. Nigel called it horrific, Debbie said it lacked any kind of rhythm, and Mia chastised them for giving up and going to bed before they had reached some sort of cohesion. Erik is dancing for his life later on. I wish him luck. Only one team member was sticking around outright.

Montage of more really terrible choreography and also really awful dancing.

Brandon Bryant's group actually did a pretty cool dance to Kelly Clarkson's My Life Would Suck Without You. Mary called it a lot of fun. Mia wants Brandon to be awesome, and she isn't seeing it yet. The whole group was through.

Montage of people actually doing well in the chorogeaphy.

The final group called themselves Nerdography. They had a really fun dance with characters and fun moves. Nigel called them terrific. Adam said they made him miss dancing. They are all through.

68 people went though, and Erik "Silky" Moore danced for his life. Mia did not vote for him to continue. Neither did Nigel, or Debbie. L'il C said he is not ferocious enough, and Silky is done. I hope he comes back. He's very cool.

After lunch, it was time for Mia Michaels' choreography.

Tony Bellisimo was given the chance to dance for his life - with the contemporary choreography. Interesting.

Hiro-wannabe was cut, and expected to return.

Megan and Caitlyn Kinney are both still in the competition. I really loved both of them in the auditions. They are in different groups for contemporary. Megan is first. She is through. Caitlyn? She seemed to fall apart in the choreography. She is going to dance for her life. Immediately. She was a bundle of nerves. Nigel called her solo old fashioned, but voted for her. Debbie voted for her to stay. Mia denied her. So did L'il C, and Adam. It's up to Mary. She told her that the solo wasn't really as good as it needed to be, but she sees a fighter, so Caitlyn is through! Yay!

Will the Kazperzaks join them? I sure do hope so! I adore them. Ryan took the stage first in contemporary. He nailed it and is through. What about Evan (aka Gene Kelly)? Mia had him do flea hops off the stage, and he is staying. He is adorable. I am rooting for those two. I love them.

Montage of people doing well in Mia's choreography and crying about it. I caught a glimpse of Philip Chbeeb in there, and he was doing quite well.

How will Tony Bellisimo do in his re-do of the routine? He took the stage with the last group of dancers. He managed to improve enough to go through to the next round. He was reduced to tears. Cat was giddy about crying grown men.

13 people were cut after contemporary.

54 went to the final day.

They will be split up - girls in one routine, and guys in another. It's Broadway with Tyce! The Kazperzak brothers were psyched. They are doing West Side Story. Awesomeness.

While the girls learned the dancing, they guys relaxed by the pool. Montage of wet boys.

Bianca Revels, returning tapper from LA, has done a lovely time so far. How will she do to Broadway? No decisions are made until all of the girls performed. Priscilla tumbled at the end of her dance, but covered it well, with a big smile on her face.

Nearly half the girls will be cut after this, so the judges compared notes. Bianca was cut, and I hope to see her again. She says that she is not planning on coming back again. Gabi Rojas, Megan Kinney, and Priscilla got cut. I'm really sad about Megan and Priscilla. I hope to see the both of them back next season. Especially Priscilla. I love her. There's something about her. Gabi got the long montage, and I wouldn't be surprised to see her back again. Megan's sad about leaving her sister, but is hoping for her sister to make it on.

16 girls are left, and they are told to get their solos together. 6 more will be cut before the Top 10 girls are chosen.

Now, it's time for the girls to be bathing beauties, and the boys are up to the choreography.

The Kazperzak Brothers are up in the first group. I *really* want them to do fantastically.

Who is cut from the boys? A bunch of guys who I don't recall ever seeing before got cut. The other guys took the stage. They have only 10 minutes before their solos! Insane. 16 of them are left.

Solo Time!

Sadly, we don't get to see the solos. Maybe tomorrow, during the Top 20 Reveal Show. I can't wait.

The Last Episodes: Pushing Daisies

Starting tonight, ABC will be airing the last 3 episodes of Pushing Daisies. Don't miss it! Let's all mourn the passing of this jewel of a show together. I can't wait until Season 2 comes out on DVD so that I can get it and have lovely marathons. And bake pie. With gruyere in the crust.

So You Think You Can Dance - 5/28/09

LA Auditions

Day 1 in LA, and the crowd was huge. People were literally dancing in the streets. Joining Mary and Nigel was Adam Shankman.

Joshua, the winner from last year is in the audience looking on.

Bianca Revels almost made the show last year. She's back. She is the tap dancing sensation from last year. I remember liking her a lot from last year. She's got some great personality. Nigel said that she is everything he wants to see in a tap dancer, and called her brilliant. Mary called her the best female tap dancer ever on the show.

Brynelle and Xavier Blanton are dancing contemporary together, and they are brother and sister. It's a very Mia-esque kind of routine, and kind of strange dynamic for a brother and sister to be dancing. It was a little odd. I couldn't decide if it was nice or just weird. Nigel caught their strange dynamic. Mary said that they just don't have a lot of technique to back up their dancing. Adam said they have no extension and no height in jumps. Nigel said that even though she's been dancing since she was 4, she's still dancing like a 4-year old. Ouch. Goodbye to both of them.

Debra Lawson was delusional in her bedazzled "Dance" shirt. Nigel said she doesn't fall into any traditional dancer style (because she is tubby), and says she needs to do movements that work with her body instead of against it. She said that she has problems dancing because of her orthodox judaism, but the judges encourage her to stick with her passion, though not as a professional, and she was charming and gracious when they denied her.

Suzanne Fernandez was very very odd. A "fairy medicine dance?" Nigel asked her what she was on. She said Joy.

Montage of awful.

Calico Sequiera does the Lindy Hop, and it's to Stuff Like That There, which I have on my iPod from Kelly Clarkson's first season Idol performance. Nigel said it is more of a social level of dance than a professional level, but he liked her. The others agreed. She's sweet, but not going on. She invited Adam to dance with her. He accepted and took the stage with her. Very fun. He brought it. It was grand. Good for Adam! That was fun. Guest judges enter, some finalists from last year (including Katee, Joshua, and a couple others.) It was cute. They gave him a ticket. That was fun.

Asuka Kondoh, who I loved last year, and her partner Ricky Sun, are back. They are awesome. I really enjoy how people come back on this show, and you want to see them, instead of just the awful re-auditioners. It makes me happy. Anyhow, the dance is wonderful. Nigel said that Asuka just steals the limelight from Ricky, but they are both wonderful dancers. He called Asuka stunning. Mary called them absolutely breathtaking. Adam said that he is just going to assume that Ricky was good, because he couldn't take his eyes off Asuka. They are through to Vegas. Good.

Montage of good nameless dancers, including a naughty ballerina.

Nathan Trasorus almost quite dancing when he was in 8th grade because he got made fun of, but he is giving it another shot, and the world is glad. He is really something, with technique and performance. Adam called him extraordinary. Mary thought he did everything they as of a dancer. Nigel said he has one of the best centers they've seen on the show. ...... Unfortunately.... he's 17. Too young for the show. Nigel told him that if he doesn't come back next year, he will search him out and hunt him down. In fact, he gave him a ticket for the next season (the fall season) straight to Vegas. Impressive!

Montage of excited Vegas bound.

And time for Day 2...

Sammy Ramirez is a former wrestler, and is now a popper and a locker. He's really got a good style, and he's memorable. He's got some great control. It's fun. I like his smile. Adam loves him, but wants to know if he's done anything else. He has a little knowledge. Mary thinks he's wonderful, and loves his face, and his unique moves. Nigel applauded his smile which just lights up the stage. He's through to choreography.

Stacey House is not really as good. She's frenetic and all over the place. It was just weird. Adam asked if she had any training, and she has had training at a farm school. What? Mary called it all kinds of crazy. It's a no.

Amanda Kerby has a really lovely face, and she's got something there. Nigel thought she was lacking something, though he was grabbed by her beauty rather than her dance. Mary thinks she is extremely talented and drop dead gorgeous with a good center. Adam asked about her dad's story (which we saw pre-audition - he has MS, and is currently symptom free), and he thought he had seen that feeling in her dance. She's through to Vegas. Mary screamed.

Look who's back? Philip Chbeeb... who came down with pneumonia during Vegas last year... Nigel handed him a ticket during warm up! How cool. I loved him last year. He's still dancing, though, because he's paired up with a contemporary dancer this year.

Areille Coker is his partner. She's dancing really beautifully, and they had a lot of fun together. It certainly was different, and I liked it. Nigel thought she was crazy for dancing with Philip. He loved the choreography. Mary thought it was clever and fun. Adam said it showed a lot that she paired up with him, because he is a better dancer. And she is through to Vegas. Awesome.

Alexie Adgeppa is also just beautiful. Mary called her beauty, style, and grace.

Diana Vaden is another partially shown audition, and the judges loved her.

Also, Chanel Smith, dancing in toe shoes. She's going to choreography.

Kevin "Shakiro" Cormier decided to break out the hips like Shakira. It's odd to see on a man, especially a man shaped like Kevin. He was almost embarrassing. Nigel said it was very insular, with nothing happening besides his hips. Mary said that gyrating is not latin dancing. Adam liked his enthusiasm, but not his ability. Nigel told him to have fun, but told him he wasn't going to be in the competition.

Time for choreography!

Chanel is not going on to Vegas. Sammy, Diana, and Alexi are all through to Vegas, along with 18 others. Cool.

Seattle Time.

Mia Michaels is joining Mary and Nigel in Seattle.

Christopher Keller is dancing with his friend, who is not auditioning. I call it dancing because I don't know what else to call it. They were barely moving. Christopher is engaging, but not as a dancer. He's got a good face. Nigel called his partner the sensible one. He said it seemed like he was really annoyed at his partner, and looked like he was dancing with an ironing board. Mary said it just was not good dancing in any way, shape, or form. Mia wanted to know if they felt they had energy. He admitted it felt rough, and thye only had about a week to prep. They were dismissed.

Nick "Nasty" Soloman has many piercings, more tattoos, and some good moves. He's a break dancer. He fell out at the end and stopped before it was supposed to be done. Nigel said he was disappointed that Nick didn't have the energy to finish his performance. Nick then got defensive and strange and disrespectful. He talked himself out of a yes from Mary. Mia scolded him for disrespecting the executive producer of the show. He probably would have been through if he hadn't shot off his mouth. He was, indeed, Nasty.

Dmitrious Bitrevsky tried hard, but made the judges nervous that he was going to hurt himself. It was just weird. Mary wondered how long he'd been breaking... 3 months. Not long enough. Mia said that she couldn't enjoy it because it looked dangerous. Mia swore and was beeped. Nigel told her she couldn't say "beep" on television. It's a no from Nigel, too, but they told him to keep with it.

Montage of sleepy judges and sleepy contestants. One guy fell flat on his side. Yipes. And judges starting to get pissy because of the abundance of suck. The judges started to question their decision to come to Seattle at all.

Kelsea Taylor hoped to break the chain of awful. She suceeded. She was interesting and Nigel appreciated her lovely feet. I liked her quirky music. Nigel thought that Sonia would love her. Nigel didn't want her to stop, and called her zany and slightly crazy. Mary loved her musicality. Mia called her a beautiful, disasterous, weirdo. Choreography for her.

No one got a gold ticket on day 1 - how would choreography go? Only 6 people seemed to be doing choreography. Yipes. Kelsea is through. 3 others went on to Vegas from Day 1. Double Yipes.

Day 2 in Seattle

Kupohoh'ipoi Aweau has a name I will never be able to spell properly. He's Hawaiian.. Mary said he had some great things, but some were not so great. Nigel was reminded of Mark, and Mia thought he was special. Onto choreography.

Montage of not so sucky.

Leonid has fast feet and is charming, but that's about it. He looked like he could be dancing at a rave, not on a stage. Nigel agreed that his style is indescribable, and was at a loss for words. Hey! Nigel said it looked like he was at a rave! Mary thought he looked like a 3 or 4 year old. Mia wants a dance battle between Leonid and Sex. Oh, god no.

And it's on. Sex asked his mom's permission first. This could be funny. The announcer had fun with it anyhow. It was cheesy, and neither of them was ever going through, so it was just fun. Not as much fun as Adam dancing... Mia named Leonid the winner. Mary agreed. Nigel gave it to David, aka Sex. Amazingly, Nigel wants Sex to go on to choreography, not because she thinks he'll do well there, but because he wants him to get a reality check.

I feel badly for Sex's partner in choreography. He was dreadful. He is not through. Yay.

K-something or other is through, though. Cool.

Next week? Vegas starts. I love this show because they get right down to it...... Over 170 will compete in Vegas, and only 20 will make it through. I can't wait. I already have some favorites...

And you? Who do you hope brings their all in Vegas?

So You Think You Can Dance - 5/27/09

More Auditions!

Miami

Nigel and Mary are joined by Tyce Diorio in Miami.

First up is...

Tony Riendeau dancing "Tony Style," like he's a rubber band. It was like geek break dancing. Not good. He thinks he is very good, but he just is not. He fell once, but kept going. The judges were just laughing. Mary said he's the quirky guy dancing badly in the background of dancing movies. Tyce said it was "flush the public toilet with your foot" bad. No Tony Style will be on the show this year. Tony nearly fainted as he left the room. He called the medics. This from a guy who said he is never tired.

Priscilla Marrero did much better. She's got a great face and moves just perfectly. She's very engaging and has great extension. She's lovely. Nigel enjoyed every moment of it, and Mary called her over the top wonderful, and captivating. Tyce said she is just gorgeous, and she makes him happy to be a dancer. She's on to Vegas. From just that audition, I would be stunned if she's not in the top 24 this year.

Ooooh, I loved Janette and Romulo last year. Her hair was more fun with the blonde streak in it. They are just vavavavoom with some great lifts. And look at those hips move! And those feet! Latin dancing amazes me. Nigel said he was waiting for some hot and spicy salsa. Mary screamed and said that they are great. Tyce loved their lifts. They are through to Vegas. Good luck to them.

Jennifer and Jessica Guarez are twins who can't get the talking in sync down, so I'm not sure about how the dancing will go. They are slow, and their "dancing" looks like some bad ... and I mean painfully bad... workout routine from the 80's. They are ridiculous. Nigel said (during the performance) that it was just a nightmare. They apparently only had one day to practice. Mary cackled. Nigel wondered why they didn't actually stay in sync if they meant to be. Mary said she saw something she's never seen before, but not in a good way. Tyce called it tragic. Fun, but tragic. Goodbye, not so wonder twins.

Montage of Tyce giving tough criticism, with some great sound bytes, including a request for the dance police. I like Tyce.

Joseph Smith has his own catch-phrase. Sha-whiz-zammm. I'm not buying it. He can dance, though. He does throw some faces. He reminds a liny bit of Twitch, but not as good. I would like him better if he kept his tongue in his mouth. He also looks a bit like Urkel. Nigel liked him. Joseph suggested they give him some Sha-wammmm. Mary enjoyed him. Tyce thought he was about half impressed. Joseph is going on to choreography.

How did he do there?

He looked good, still pulling faces, and got his ticket to Vegas, Sha-Whiz-Zamming with Cat. 18 dancers went to Vegas the first day.

What will Day 2 bring?

Wislande had an unfortunate accident with her shirt, and decided to go on instead, despite the fact that it really only covered he neck. It looked like she was auditioning for a strip joint. Just so not good. Mary said that the entire thing was "danced" to Nigel. Nigel said there was no performance or personality, and said she danced like a little girl. She said she knew it was garbage, and she wants to learn a routine. Nigel said she needs a better audition to get there. She said that Tyce looked disgusted, but he said more he was just in disbelief... Just not good.

Montage of bad dancers getting rejected. There were tears.

Erik "Silky" Moore is a tap dancer. He wants to bring tap back. He did his audition to Thriller, and that's pretty awesome. He is a very good tapper, that's for sure. He even threw some classic Michael Jackson moves in, and manged to do some break dancing, too. It was pretty cool. He moonwalked. Fun. Nigel said he cleaned up, and threw everything in but the kitchen sink, in a good way. Mary said she didn't want it to end. Tyce called it inspiring. He started tapping to get girls. I like him. He's through to Vegas. Yay.

Paris Torres was Miss Washington. She's got a tutu in gold and black and is dancing to a very light cover of Britney's Toxic. She's got something that I like. Not as much as Priscilla, but she's got a spark. Nigel called it very good indeed. Mary said she has beautiful lines, beautiful feet, and everything they wanted. Tyce thought she did a great job, but wanted more performance. Tyce wants choreography. Mary wanted Vegas, and Nigel agreed, so she was through.

Henry Rivero shone on contemporary, and is on to Vegas, too.

So is Megan Kinney. She really impressed me, actually.

Alex Wong had some impressive height and beautiful lines and went to Vegas, too.

Geo Smith did some African Dance, complete with headdress. He jumped right off the stage. To me, his dance wasn't very African, which, in my experience, is usually more driven into the ground, and he was very high. Mary thought it was great, Tyce liked it, and Nigel wants him in choreography, so on he goes.

Talia Rickars is a widow. She got married at 18, after being with her husband for 4 years. And, 4 years after they got married, he got into a motorcycle accident and died. That's so sad. She is a decent dancer, and danced to a hip hop version of The Tide is High. Interesting. She's got a good face and some good moves. Nigel thought she had to be careful about pulling faces (she did some "MySpace Pouting.") and he didn't think she did enough to show her different skills. Mary also bemoaned lack of substance, but thinks she has potential. Tyce said she has a great face, and was one with the music, and has some great energy. He doesn't think she should go to choreography. Mary does. Nigel also wants choreography, so she's got another chance.

How will choreography go?

Geo is through to Vegas (sans headdress). Talia is also through. Good. She's sweet.

Next city? Memphis!

Nigel and Mary were joined by L'il C, of Crumping fame.

Marico Flake is a police officer and he does a unique style of dance that I can't spell. Memphis Jookin? Anyhow, it was kind of neat. He's got on what I think might be the ugliest shirt I've seen this side of 1982. He is a good performer. Nigel really enjoyed it, and his style. L'il C loved it. Mary also thought he had it all going on. No to choreography... but yes to Vegas!

Dustin Dureau is Howie from the Backstreet Boys cousin, but knowing all the dances (which he taught himself) did not make him popular. He has never met his slightly B-list cousin. His dancing was not in time with the music and was entertaining I guess, but not really a choreographed looking routine. Nigel called him delusional if he thought it was hip hop. And the excuses came out - he just got over the flu and bronchitis. Cue the violins? Mary said there were some really feminie moves thrown in with karate. Tyce said there was no dance there, but gave him advice to try a style that incorporates martial arts with hip hop.

Christopher Carroza has his own style called "Electic" and ridiculous long red dreads, along with a stupid chin framing goatee. He looked like he was doing aerobics. Badly. It was like Jane Fonda. With stupid red dreads. His big baggy bell bottoms looked like a skirt when he danced. Nigel said it looked very Euro-pop Rave Party, and it didn't show he was a dancer. Mary said he was just jumping around. Christopher said he was ready to go home, had a great time, and tried to leave before L'il C got his chance to say anything. Nigel said Christopher was being rude, and Christopher said the judges were being rude and critical. Ummmmm.... that's what judges do, babe.

Montage - Guide to a good auditon with bad dancers. Rule 1 - start with your best move. Rule 2 - come dressed to impress. Rule 3 - connect with the judges. Rule 4 - Always follow directions. More bad dancers. Guy fell off the stage ridiculously.

Caitlin Kinney is Megan Kinney's sister (the one I liked from Miami who went to Vegas). She is also wonderful. Very good movement. Also very engaging face. She's only been dancing for 5 years. Nigel said she was just fantastic. She did gymnastics before dance. Wow - she had hip reconstruction because her femer was all messed up. Wow. Mary called dancing her destiny. L'il C said she was captivating. She's through to Vegas, to join her sister. Yay!

Choreography sent 6 more people though to Vegas.

Day 2 in Memphis.

Anna Dunn is gorgeous, with beautiful eyes. Her father killed himself a little over a year ago, and she uses dance as her outlet for her pain. She moved in a very Mia Michaels way, I thought. Nigel thought she was just too over-choreographed, and she moved her head too much to get any connection. Good point. Mary loved everything except for the head banging. She called her a diamond in the rough. L'il C connected with her, because his father also took his life, and said she needs to connect to the pain to bring the dance to life. She's on to choreography.

Travis Prokop's dad is a football coach, but his dad is still proud of him for being a dancer. Seems like a nice guy. I didn't understand his one leg shorter than the other shorts... one leg was knee length, and the other was up high on his thigh. Nigel said he's a big guy and he needs to strengthen his body a lot because he is so big. Mary agreed. L'il C said he has the grace of a giraffe, but the strength of a hamster. They all encourage him to go get very strong and keep trying. They sent him on to choreography.

It's Gene Kelly guy from last year, I think, Evan. I loved him last year. His big brother is auditioning this year, too, with whoopy cushion accompaniment.

Evan Kasperzak is fantastic, and he got so much height! There's something about him that I just love. Nigel called him absolutely superb, and called his routine beautifully constructed. Mary is happy to see him back. Nigel worries about how he would do in other styles. L'il C called him amazing, but wondered if he could find a bond with another style. He's on to Vegas. I hope he does great.

Lauren and Lydia Guerra are another set of twins. They aren't quite in unison, and were beautiful, but nothing spectacular. Nigel thought that Lydia was a much beter dancer, but Lauren gave better performance. Mary called them adorable, and said they have good technique and good moments. L'il C thought they were very differnt from one another. They are through to choreography.

Ryan Kasperzak was last, and did tap, accompanied by whoopie cushion. He's very entertaining, and quite a fun dancer. Nigel called him terrific, a lot of fun. He asked what other styles he does, and he choreographed his brother's routine, as well as being quite well trained in other areas. Mary said it was just completely entertaining. L'il C loved his solo and the use of the prop, and called it delightful. Nigel wants choreography. Mary and L'il C want him in Vegas, so off he goes. Yay!

Choreography time!

Lauren Guerra is through to Vegas. Anna Dunn is also going through. Travis Prokopp? Also through. Lydia Guerra? Also through. Good. I liked her.

The next cities are LA and Seattle. And... Sex is back. Why won't he go away? That's tomorrow.

Yay for a New Season! So You Think You Can Dance - 5/21/09

Oh yeah! I am so ready for this. If only Mary Murphy would shut the hell up, but other than that, this show is so fantastic, it takes my breath away.

I can sing. I can sing pretty darned well, if I do say so myself. So, American Idol makes me think "I could have done this, in my younger years..." This show? Simply puts me in awe of what the human body is capable of. I am an erratic dancer at best. I do love to see people who have the talent, though.

Auditions started in NYC. Brooklyn, to be precise. Nigel and Mary were joined by Tabitha and Napoleon.

First up? Gabi Rojis. She grew up in the circus. It's pretty cool. She has rheumatoid arthritis. Ow. poor girl. I love the way she moves. It's just beautiful and fluid and interesting. She's wonderful. Nigel says that he will be suprised if she's not in the top 20, and called it one of the best auditions he's seen in five years of the show, and said that she showed people what they mean when they talk about mixing technique with performance. I muted Mary's scream. Tabitha thought she was like a bird. She's through.

Storyboard P & Hobgoblin. Very very strange. They called themselves pioneers. I call them contortionists. Very distrurbing contortionists. It's not dancing. It's a performance, but it's not dance. They had the jusges cringing and Mary cackling. They climbed up on top of the judges table before they were done. Yipes. They call their genre mutation. They should get jobs in horror movies. Nigel thought they would be suited to Dawn of the Dead, the musical. They were sent to Choreography round, for what Tabitha called morbid curiousity. Let's see about that.

Let's have some painful auditions now, for good measure. Crazy Kate thinks that she's doing West Coast Swing. Not so much.

Peter Sabisino challenged us to a tap duel. He has some great tap skills. He doesn't look like the kind of guy who would be able to tap. And he's really great. He's also charismatic. Nigel called him like a tap dancing boxer. He also has some other styles he nows. Great. Mary said that he should wear something different (he was wearing workout clothes). He's through.

Tiffany Geigel has a birth defect basically that caused her spine to stop growing. She has three vertebrae instead of seven. As a result, she has normal length arms and legs, but her torso is very short and she has no neck. She moves beautifully. It's like something out of a Timothy Burton movie. Nigel said that her legs don't straighten properly, and she said that she has bad knees, but she's working on it. He applauds her bravery, and her hair, which he called magnificent as it swirled around her body as she danced. He wants people to be inspired by her. They gave her a standing ovation before telling her she isn't right for this competition.

Maxim Kappitonikov with Faina (from a previous season) as his partner. Nigel liked that he didn't pull any faces except for a couple winks. Mary liked him a lot, as did Tabitha and Napoleon. He's onto choreogrpahy.

Montage of people doing very well. Then, it's the possible William Hung of SYTYCD, Nabuya. He's actually pretty good. He certainly can move. And he's appealing. He is bendy and has some funky musicality. He admitted that locking is his favorite style. He's through to choreography.

Lauren from Season 3 led the choreography. They had 30 minutes to try to get it right, and the Mutants decide to bail. Results?

Maxim didn't do great, but he's through. An Uma look-alike and a guy with extraordinarily bad teeth, along with Nabuya, were among others who made it though.

Second day in Brooklyn...

Arielle Taylor made it to Vegas before, but it was a couple years ago. She is beautiful and reminds me a bit of Allison, I think. Nigel said he always loves her when he has seen her, and wondered what happened to her previously. They love her, and love that she's back. She's through to Vegas (again).

Thomas Martin was the national baton twirling champion as a child. The Bolero was just odd. It left Nigel speechless, and Mary called it novice. They are not going anywhere but home.

Montage of bad dancers...

Igor and Nina are a ballroom couple and did their cha cha routine (well, part of it) and they were lovely. At the end, he spun her around at an astonishing rate in a beautiful move. Nigel called them tremendous. Mary called it the longest pot stir (I think it's called) she's ever seen. Then she let out a scream. Tabitha and Napoleon loved them. They are through to choreography.

Kellen Stancil danced with an umbrella and used it well. He was quite good. Mary asked what the umbrella represented to him, and he broke down in tears, saying it was representative of his aunt. Tabitha and Napoleon thought that he connected beautifully and moved them. Nigel handed him a ticket to Vegas. Good for him.

Chimezie was the last contestant before the choreography round, and he sure can move. He's a locker, and apparently, a wall climber! Astounding. Nigel called his choreography fun and creative. He gave Mary a smile. Napoleon thought that the choreography lacked some meat, Tabitha said that there are more plusses than minuses, and he's though to choreography.

Who made it though choreography? Igor made it, but Nina did not. That's sad. Chimezie made it, too.

Next audition city was Denver.

Joining Mary and Nigel is Sonya.

Kayla Radomsky has very nice extension, and I think she's appealing. Nigel loved her, and the angles she hit were good. Mary loved it, and Sonya called it hot, and slick and slippery. Nigel handed her a ticket to Vegas. Good for her.

Montage of Sonya being awestruck by fantastic dancers.

It's a same sex ballroom couple! Mischa and Mitch. Mitch is straight, and Mischa's gay, so it's like an Erasure-partnership of dance. Will it be as successful? They can both certainly dance. Until they toppled over in a spin... head hit stage. And ouch. Nigel stopped them, saying it was rather like watching Blades of Glory, and didn't like the same sex samba. He did think they were both individually strong dancers. Mary was confused about the roles in the same-sex dancing, and thought that the technique needs some help. Sonya liked their movements, and they got sent to choreography.

Choreography round!

Mitch went home, but urged to come back. Mischa was just sent packing. 11 excited dancers did make it though.

Allison Moist did a Star Wars themed "dance" dressed like a lion. What? She admitted that the outfit had nothing to do with the dance. Mary said there was no dancing, but it was comical. Sonya couldn't believe she was really serious, and wondered if she understood that the flailing was not good. Allison claimed that she just wanted to be different.

To prove that she is not that different, there was a montage of other "different" dancers.

Elias Holloway is dancing with his brother, who is not auditioning because he's too young. He's done a lot of swimming, and is one of 14 kis. He's cute, and even threw in some belly rolls. It was kind of appealing. Nigel wanted to see more of it. Mary said it was just about the cutest thing she's seen on the show, and loves his look. Sonya called him marketable, because the camera loves him, and he was sent on to choreography.

Natalie Reid, Katee's roommate, is back! I loved her last season and was sad when she got cut. She's just beautiful. I love to see her move. Nigel said it is lovely to see her again. Sonya couldn't contain herself, and thought everything was right with her, and loved how real and sincere she made the movement. She got chills and didn't want it to end, and called her one of her favorite dancers. Mary is proud to see her back, and called it organic and real. Nigel called it superb, and handed her the ticket to Vegas. Natalie then called Katee, who was excited for her former roommate.

And Brandon Bryant, who got cut in favor of Gev last year, is the last of the day. He is phenomenal. The lines! The movements! The height! He's something else. He left Mary in tears, and she blubbered about how fabulous he is and how great her job is. Sonya thinks he dropped his life and love on the stage and called it wonderful. Nigel loved him, and hoped to see him in the Top 20. He got a ticket to Vegas, and Mary screamed. *Sigh*

Will Elias make it though choreography? Not this year. They ask him to come back when he's learned how to do choreography.

Next week is Florida and Memphis. Looking forward to it.

What did you think of the premiere?