TV dance shows

[AmericanEagle]

This thread is for discussing competitive reality dance shows, such as "So You Think You Can Dance", "America's Best Dance Crew", and "Dancing With the Stars."

[Haunted]

You're right about tonight's SYTYCD being all previously taped dances. But I'm thrilled to see Neil's table dance again. Too bad they skipped his disco, it's the best in my book.

My other favorites: Why, and the park bench dance.

[AmericanEagle]

^ Between the two of us, I think we named over half of the routines on this night's episode. I love that two of Mark's routines were featured. I think that he was the only dancer to have two dances.

[Haunted]

I don't know all of the choreographers' names. What are the two Mark's routines?

[AmericanEagle]

"Bleeding Love" and "The Garden." I named "The Garden" as one of my favourites in that long list that I posted a few days ago :)

Mark was extremely underrated during S4, but at least he made Top 6.

[Haunted]

no wonder it didn't ring a bell. I didn't see S4 :(

of the 3 that I saw, I think S2 and S3 have the most personalities.

Neil has so many great ones, the paso doble, Latin jazz...but then again, I'm totally partial :p

[AmericanEagle]

^ Yeah, I can tell :)

In other news, I just saw the SYTYCD:CA results show, and Canadian girls seem really bitter during their elimination speeches. The girl who was eliminated by the judges tonight said: "I think [my elimination] is wrong." Not a classy way to exit.

[Haunted]

I agree, poor sportsmanship. They should exit in grace. They're already winners for just having made the show!

[AmericanEagle]

^ Yeah, by saying that her elimination is wrong, she's basically saying, "I'm better than these two other girls. One of them should be leaving instead of me."

I still don't understand what is so appealing about "This Woman's Work." When Nigel mentioned that his favourite piece was choreographed by Tyce, I thought that it would have been S4 Will and Jessica's contemporary. Instead, we got Melissa and Ade. I thought that Ade was so overrated, and that Melissa was such a mediocre dancer.

[Haunted]

That number is way overrated. These judges want to sound deep, oh, it's a dance for cancer *gasp* wow, whoo, it's got to be the best. But like you, I don't think its great. Melissa depicts the fragility of life in her moves, she is dainty so that worked. As a dance it's no better than most of the other dances.

How many of your favorite routines were on tonight?

[AmericanEagle]

^ The judges act like "This Woman's Work" cured cancer.

My favourite dances that were featured:

"Hip Hip, Chin Chin" -That was such a hot samba, and Danny looked really good in it :)
"The Garden" - Mark and Courtney totally embodied the characters of the dance. Great choreography, too.
"Sweet Dreams" - Great choreography, and no other dancer could do the planche that Neil did
"Black Mambo" - The best Latin dance ever on SYTYCD. This is why you need to cast ballroom/Latin specialists, Nigel.
"Hometown Glory" - Katee and Joshua were my favourite couple in S4, and the choreography was amazing. They have so much chemistry, and that assisted run was awesome.
"The Chairman's Waltz" - Wade is probably one of the best choreographers, and he totally played to Hok's sharp movements, and Jaimie's fluid movements.
"Gravity" - When Mia is on, she is on. That was such a chilling piece.

[Haunted]

I like Black Mambo too, didn't remember it from the old show but glad they showed it. Where is Benji now??

yeah, Neil owns the planche. It's so amazing to watch. He was trained as a gymnast before becoming a dancer, I think that's what he said.

[AmericanEagle]

^ Benji choreographed a few pieces on last season's SYTYCD:CA. I think that he's currently teaching dance.

Pieces that I'm surprised made it on to the episode:

"Fuego" - Shane is an amazing hip hop choreographer, but I don't think that was his best piece. I didn't think that Pasha and Lauren were particularly strong in it either.
"Bleeding Love" - That was not a hip hop routine, and the choreography mostly consisted of stomping and headbanging. The best part was the bridge section, but other than that, it was a mediocre dance. I blame the choreographers.
"Loving is Really My Game" - Janette stumbled in that routine, and I thought that "Knock on Wood" was the better disco.
"If it Kills Me" - I didn't like the necklace, and felt that this routine was overhyped just because it was choreographed by Travis.
"This Woman's Work" - need I say more?

Which ones were your favourite and least favourite routines?

[Haunted]

I believe Sabra is also teaching. Didn't Benji dance for Celine Dion? I think of him as more an entertainer than a dancer. Surprised he's teaching now and not performing. But I just knew Neil would be in show biz, it didn't matter that he didn't take first place. I think he should be in the top spot, but all the judges seemed to be in a conspiracy to get Sabra to win. Strange.

ok, here's my favorites tonight. I don't know all of their names...

"Sweet Dreams" / table dance. Did you see how Neil can tell the story with his hand undulations? And he's so in character, when the dance ended, he kept his evil stare at Sabra as he walks away

"Why" with Allison and Ivan. Allison is my all time favorite female dancer. She's like the wind. So beautiful. I was a bit upset that she didn't make the top 4. Ivan danced very well for a hip hop dancer. But you can tell the choreographer (not sure who) knows Ivan's moves, there are some hip hop arm moves in that contemporary routine.

The transformer dance is funky, I liked it.

the Black Mambo is good, but I thought Heidi did an African number that was much hotter but wasn't featured here. I think they picked this one because it features Benji. I enjoyed it.

Least favorites:

I thought Hok's dance was amazing before, but this time, nay. It's unique but didn't do anything for me tonight.

Travis's number is nice, very graceful lines, reminds me of his moves. But the kiss in the end creeps me out. Dancing is already so physical, they didn't need that. It's a cheap shot and spoiled the whole dance leading to it.

The Woman's Work cancer dance looks much better to me this time. I'm moved but not as enchanted as the judges. Maybe you and I are just too shallow to appreciate its greatness :rolleyes:

[AmericanEagle]

Didn't Benji dance for Celine Dion?

The prize for S2 consisted of performing for Celine Dion's show in Vegas, but I think that the producers felt that it wasn't right for Benji, so they substituted the prize.


but all the judges seemed to be in a conspiracy to get Sabra to win. Strange.

Nigel has an agenda every season. In S3, he was pushing for a girl to win because guys won in S1 and S2. I remember him saying on the finale: "We would like a girl to win." In S4, he was pushing for a hip hop winner, because he wanted to compete against ABDC. In S5, he was pushing for Kayla, but it became obvious that America didn't like her, and so he threw his support to Jeanine.


Maybe you and I are just too shallow to appreciate its greatness :rolleyes:

Yeah, the whole audience was bawling, and I was like, what? Did I miss something?

[Haunted]

I thought Benji didn't quite fit in with Celine Dion either....

Now I remember, Nigel indeed said things from season to season predicting or "wishing" certain group/gender should win. That's just not right. The best should win. Period.


Yeah, the whole audience was bawling, and I was like, what? Did I miss something?

yes, they all seem to have the exceptional ability to cry, weep, sob and bawl on demand :bawling:

[AmericanEagle]

yes, they all seem to have the exceptional ability to cry, weep, sob and bawl on demand :bawling:

I remembered that there was a lot of crying after Neil and Lacey's contemporary, too.

Are you going to watch DWTS when it starts in a couple of weeks? There will be three SYTYCD alumni who will be the professional dancers: S2 Dmitry, S3 Lacey, and S4 Chelsie.

[Haunted]

I remembered that there was a lot of crying after Neil and Lacey's contemporary, too.

With certain themes they tend to open the floodgates to show they're deep. I didn't quite get that one either, Neil was just too young to be convincing as Lacey's dad.

They're making into DWTS? wow, I guess that would bring some quality to that show. I watched it once and thought it was a joke. Those 3 are not my favorites but if they're on, I'll force myself to watch.

I saw commercials that Ana and Pasha are in a Broadway show, Burn the Floor. Now I'll just sit back and wait for Neil's Hollywood blockbuster movie :D

[AmericanEagle]

With certain themes they tend to open the floodgates to show they're deep. I didn't quite get that one either, Neil was just too young to be convincing as Lacey's dad.

I thought that dance was overrated, as well. It was basically Neil and Lacey running around on a flower covered stage.


They're making into DWTS? wow, I guess that would bring some quality to that show. I watched it once and thought it was a joke. Those 3 are not my favorites but if they're on, I'll force myself to watch.

Which season did you watch?

On DWTS9, Dmitry will be paired with Mya - she should be a good dancer. Lacey will be paired with Mark Dacascos - don't know who he is.
Chelsie will be paired with Louie Vito - don't know who he is, but I saw his promotion pictures. He needs to get a hair cut and lay off the spray tan - he looks like an Oompa Loompa.

[Haunted]

I watched one of the earliest DWTS, maybe first or second year. I flipped back once or twice after that and it looked much more professional, but the first impressions are lasting and I couldn't get beyond that.

And that's the other thing -- a lot of the "stars" are not stars and we don't know them. It just feels cheesy.

[AmericanEagle]

^ I agree that DWTS is kind of cheesy, but every season features at least one very good dancer that makes the season worthwhile. The first season only had 6 stars, so the talent pool wasn't that great.

Season 2 featured two of the best dancers ever on DWTS: Drew Lachey and Stacy Keibler. They were both amazing dancers, but I was rooting for Drew all the way.

Season 3 had Emmitt Smith and Mario Lopez. Emmitt surprised me because I didn't think that he would be able to dance, but he was actually very good.

Season 4 had Apolo Anton Ohno and Joey Fatone, who were both great dancers.

Season 5 had Mel B., Jennie Garth, and Sabrina Bryan, but they didn't win.

Season 6 had Kristi Yamaguchi, who was pegged as the winner after her name was first announced in the cast line-up. She didn't disappoint, and is probably the best dancer in both the Latin and Standard dances.

Season 7 was weaker, but Brooke Burke was still a decent dancer.

Season 8 had Gilles Marini and Melissa Rycroft. Gilles was hot and spicy in all of his dances, particularly the Latin ones. Melissa was so elegant in all her dances, and it was pretty impressive, given that she had just been dumped on national TV.

[Haunted]

I didn't know Apolo was in one of them, I'd have watched that one. He looks great on ice, good movements, not surprised that he dances just as well.

I heard about Kristi Yamaguchi and that's just ridiculous to have someone with an unfair advantage.

[AmericanEagle]

I heard about Kristi Yamaguchi and that's just ridiculous to have someone with an unfair advantage.

Kristi was a professional figure skater, not a professional ballroom dancer, so I thought that the 'ringer' accusations were kind of unfair. I think that all of the good dancers have had some dance experience. Apolo is a breakdancer.

[Haunted]

Kristi was a professional figure skater, not a professional ballroom dancer, so I thought that the 'ringer' accusations were kind of unfair.

I have to disagree on that. To me figure skating is technical dancing on ice, or gymnastics disguised as a dance. They cross train and a lot of them know ballet. Even if it's not ballroom, they still have an edge over their non-dancing compeittion.

The hip hop dancer with the outlandish outfits I was trying to describe to you, they showed him tonight, saw his name flashed on the screen, it's Pugono, something like that. He was very good in his solos.

It was a blessing they didn't have Evan on tonight!

[AmericanEagle]

I have to disagree on that. To me figure skating is technical dancing on ice, or gymnastics disguised as a dance. They cross train and a lot of them know ballet. Even if it's not ballroom, they still have an edge over their non-dancing compeittion.

Yes, Kristi has musicality, stamina, extensions, lines, and flexibility due to her skating background. But there are plenty of other skaters that probably would have been a mess on the dance floor, such as Tonya Harding. So while Kristi did have an advantage, it is no different from other celebrities.

Mel B. was a professional dancer in England, Stacy Keibler was a professional cheerleader and was in a dance troupe, Joey Fatone and Lance Bass danced with NSync, Mario Lopez is a professional dancer, Apolo is a breakdancer, Sabrina Bryan is a trained dancer, Melissa Rycroft was a professional cheerleader, and this season's Mya is also a trained dancer. To single out Kristi is unfair.

[Haunted]

Kristi is the most famous of the bunch, especially being a champion of Olympic proportions, no pun intended, so she gets to be picked on most. ;)

[AmericanEagle]

^ Yeah, every season, there are 'ringer' accusations, but I don't mind these ringers because that means viewers will see good dancing. I'd rather see Kristi Yamaguchi dance than Master P.

[Haunted]

I'd rather see Kristi than Evan !!!

[AmericanEagle]

^ Come on, Haunted, Evan wasn't that bad :)

[Haunted]

haha don't tell me you adore him, I'd die!

[AmericanEagle]

^ Well, I don't adore Evan, but I didn't think that he was the worst dancer ever. Yes, Brandon outdanced him in the "Nasty" routine, but that routine totally played to Brandon's strengths. Yes, he wasn't that great in his Latin dances, but Neil wasn't that great in his salsa, either. Yes, Evan seemed to do similar solos every week, but all contemporary dancers do similar solos: pirouette, jete, arabesque, developpe, aerial, flip hair, roll on the floor. Evan brought something unique to SYTYCD, and I consider that a good thing. Besides, Evan was breakdancing during the closing credits on the Top 6 show, and I have yet to see Neil do that.

[Haunted]

oh no you can't possibly put Neil and Evan together in the same sentence :(

[AmericanEagle]

^ Why not? They both placed third.

[Haunted]

yeah but Neil is cuter

[AmericanEagle]

^ Eh, I'll give you that one :). But Evan has finesse.

[Haunted]

nay nay nay ;)

[AmericanEagle]

^ I guess we'll just agree to disagree :). But at least we both love Brandon.

[Haunted]

yes we do and we both agree on that :)

[AmericanEagle]

Here is some interesting information. Evan wasn't originally supposed to be in the Top 20; he was the replacement for Alex Wong (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=53mVUavdRy8), the dancer that all of the judges and fellow dancers loved during the Vegas rounds (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-oKffaDRIRE).

[Haunted]

I knew it! Evan is bit too limited with the old dance genre to be in the top 20. Alex definitely has a much wider range and he dances with more feeling and much more exciting to watch. But the way he took it — here's the bawling thing again — I mean, he's with a big shot ballet company, it's like saying, that's not good enough for me. Even the judges picked up on that. These guys really need to work on their exit strategies.

[AmericanEagle]

I knew it! Evan is bit too limited with the old dance genre to be in the top 20.

Stop picking on Evan :p


Alex definitely has a much wider range and he dances with more feeling and much more exciting to watch. But the way he took it — here's the bawling thing again — I mean, he's with a big shot ballet company, it's like saying, that's not good enough for me. Even the judges picked up on that. These guys really need to work on their exit strategies.

For once, I agree with Nigel; Alex's passion for dance is beautiful. He wants to do all styles of dance, not just ballet. I think that Alex doesn't need SYTYCD. He's a principal soloist with Miami City Ballet, which is probably more than most dancers will ever achieve. But if he does make it on a future season of SYTYCD, I will root for him as a fellow Canadian :)

[Haunted]

Stop picking on Evan :p

I'll try :goof:


For once, I agree with Nigel; Alex's passion for dance is beautiful. He wants to do all styles of dance, not just ballet. I think that Alex doesn't need SYTYCD. He's a principal soloist with Miami City Ballet, which is probably more than most dancers will ever achieve. But if he does make it on a future season of SYTYCD, I will root for him as a fellow Canadian :)

Exactly. What's so bad about being with the MCB? And I will say this, from what I saw in his audition and it did look good, it doesn't even come close to Brandon.

[AmericanEagle]

^ While I love Brandon, I'd have to say that Alex has better lines and extensions.

[Haunted]

yes, I like his lines too, his movements are graceful, consistent with ballet.

What's so striking about Brandon is, and it's entirely subjective, I just find him exciting to watch. It looks big and dramatic and he dances with his heart. Now, I'm just basing this on his solos.

[AmericanEagle]

^ I agree that Brandon brings power and drama to his solos. His audition for S4 was breathtaking, but I can't seem to find it on YouTube.

One interesting tidbit from Brandon's intro package preceding his S4 audition. He wanted to audition for S1, but he was only 15, and so he put his age as 18 on his application. His mom saw it, and said: "You're only 15. You can't go."

Both of the Top 2 guys in S5 were guys who were passed over for the Top 20 in S4. Evan's audition (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uHeMM8PnNTs) for S4 was so fun and refreshing, and I think that he earned many fans as a result of that solo. While Evan may not be the most versatile dancer, you have to admit that he is extremely likeable. I still remember the 3500 people in the Kodak Theatre chanting his name. Cat Deeley even got teary-eyed during his elimination.

[Haunted]

Brandon is only 16? His dancing suggests a more mature person. Good for him and glad he made the cut in S5.


^ I agree that Brandon brings power and drama to his solos. His audition for S4 was breathtaking, but I can't seem to find it on YouTube.

this really bugs me about YouTube and Fox. People are uploading these clips because you can't find them anywhere else, and YT and Fox keep taking them down. I faved a lot of the clips but also downloaded them. I hope Fox will have their own YT channel if they don't already have one by now. I haven't been up on YT much, I'm upset with them...

[AmericanEagle]

Brandon is only 16? His dancing suggests a more mature person.

Brandon was 15 when he wanted to audition for S1, which was in 2005. He is 19 now.

[AmericanEagle]

The challenge this week for the crews on ABDC is to create a routine that includes a current dance craze. The dance crazes are: "Swag Surfin", "Do the Ricky Bobby", "You're a Jerk", "Stanky Legg", and "Halle Berry." I'll admit that I had no idea how these dance crazes looked like until I looked them up.

[Haunted]

I'll admit that I had no idea how these dance crazes looked like until I looked them up.

LOL I don't even know what a dance craze is. But it sounds really challenging.

[AmericanEagle]

^ I watched the dance crazes on YouTube, and they don't really seem that difficult for anyone with hip hop dance experience.

There was a dance craze challenge in the first season of ABDC, and it included crazes, such as "Soulja Boy", "G-Slide", "Cupid Shuffle", and "Chicken Noodle Soup." The crews also had to complete an additional challenge, such as doing the "Soulja Boy" upside down.

There doesn't seem to be an additional challenge this season, maybe because the judges/producers don't think that this season's crews will be able to pull it off.

[Haunted]

still don't know what dance craze is...the format sounds so different. Is it a hip hop thing or is it specific to ABDC?

[AmericanEagle]

^ A dance craze is basically a dance move (or a series of moves) that is popular at the moment. Some notable dance crazes include the moonwalk, macarena, and electric slide. Of the dance crazes that were featured in the ABDC challenges, I was only aware of the "Soulja Boy" dance because it was shown on the Ellen DeGeneres Show.

[Haunted]

I don't recall seeing anyone doing a moonwalk. The closest is Ivan with the glide like the floor is ice. It was in one of his solos and the audience went nuts. I can never figure out how he did it, I imagine sneakers are like suction cups on the floor, so how can one glide?

[AmericanEagle]

^ I think that the SYTYCD stage is made of some sort of smooth material, which makes it easy for hip hop dancers and breakdancers to glide across the stage. Because the stage is so slippery, it's not appropriate for ballet dancers to dance en pointe. I remember that a female ballet guest dancer slipped during her routine, and in the Canadian version, a ballerina had such a bad slip that it looked like she had twisted her ankle.

[Haunted]

^ no wonder they glide and slide so effortlessly!

has SYTYCD:CA started yet?

[AmericanEagle]

^ Yes, it started the week after the SYTYCD:US finale.

Next week will be the Top 16 show for SYTYCD:CA.

[Haunted]

^ so when the US starts next week, you'll be getting a double whammy! :D

[AmericanEagle]

^ Yes, one of the perks of living in Canada :)

Did you check out the Top 18 Bollywood routine?

[Haunted]

yes I did! The second clip I clicked on. Love the beginning, the rest is a bit too jumpy but overall enjoyed it. You remember the one from S5 here? It's so pretty.

[AmericanEagle]

^ Yes, all the Bollywood routines are so pretty.

I would have preferred that the cameras in that Top 18 routine focus more on the guys, though :p

[Haunted]

^ they don't focus on the guys because the girls' costumes are more colorful and cover much less of their bodies :p

Do you notice that the girls are showing more skin with each new season? In S5 all the girls bare their midriffs.

[AmericanEagle]

^ One particular male dancer is of Indian descent, so it would have been nice to show him dancing Bollywood.

I'm sure that Nigel tells the costume designers to create outfits for the girls that are as skimpy as possible.

[Haunted]

I'm sure that Nigel tells the costume designers to create outfits for the girls that are as skimpy as possible.

without a doubt! Is Nigel one of the judges on CA?

[AmericanEagle]

^ No, and I hope it stays that way! Judges are there to judge, not to make suggestive comments to the female dancers.

But then again, the American judges tone it down when they guest-judge on the Canadian version. Mary Murphy is less shrieky, and Mia Michaels is a lot nicer.

[Haunted]

Mary Murphy is less shrieky

thank goodness


^ The judges act like "This Woman's Work" cured cancer.

:lol: I meant to comment on that. Very funny. You didn't see the news flash? It did cure cancer :p

[AmericanEagle]

Perhaps Mary leaves her vocal cords at customs and immigration.


:lol: I meant to comment on that. Very funny. You didn't see the news flash? It did cure cancer :p

Yes, I will be waiting for the the headline: "Nobel Prize for Medicine goes to Nigel Lythgoe and SYTYCD."

[Haunted]

Perhaps Mary leaves her vocal cords at customs and immigration.



Yes, I will be waiting for the the headline: "Nobel Prize for Medicine goes to Nigel Lythgoe and SYTYCD."

:lol:

[AmericanEagle]

Mia proposes to a Canadian dancer (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LmhpugqGh50).

[Haunted]

what? You mean propose as in marriage?

[AmericanEagle]

^ Yeah, she asks him to marry her, but I think that it was just for fun.

[Haunted]

*chuckles* That's really strange, she never strikes me as a playful person.

[AmericanEagle]

^ Did you see the video? Mia's demeanour totally changes when she is in Canada.

[Haunted]

no, which one?

[AmericanEagle]

^ The video in post #68 of this thread.

[Haunted]

^ sorry, didn't see the link the first time. That was good! I like his answer about the ring.

[AmericanEagle]

^ He didn't make Top 20, but hopefully Mia will be able to give him some work/jobs.

[Haunted]

^ I think you're right :)

[AmericanEagle]

^ Mia seems so stoic all the time, so it was nice to see her playful side.

Would I be able to change your mind about Evan if I told you that he was Mia's favourite male dancer in S5?

[Haunted]

^ haha you can never change my mind about Evan, never! ;)

[AmericanEagle]

^ It was worth a try :)

But Evan really was Mia's favourite male dancer.

[Haunted]

^ ya, good try :D

[AmericanEagle]

^ I posted a link to Evan's S4 audition in post #45 of this thread. Did you see it? Maybe if you saw it, you will appreciate Evan so much more :)

[Haunted]

AE, the story with with Evan is, personally he reminds me of someone I used to know... expressions, height and built... As a dancer I found him one dimensional. His second solo looked exactly like his first, and I just don't like that kind of dance. But I have to say this, if it were Benji doing the same dance, I would have loved it. I don't like the smiley face he makes, I guess it goes with that kind of dance. Otherwise, I think he's great :D

[AmericanEagle]

^ Thanks for clearing that up :)

[Haunted]

^ I keep missing your links, I didn't see the one in your #45 post so I just watched...and the verdict is........noooo noooo noooo HAHAHA
He did look better in that audition than all of the times I saw him in S5. How could hie be in both S4 and S5 anyway?

[AmericanEagle]

^ He, along with Brandon, was cut during the very last Vegas episode in S4. I know that many people were upset that he didn't make Top 20 that year, which probably contributed to his large fanbase for S5.

[Haunted]

^ Now can we talk about Neil for the next 30 posts? :p

[AmericanEagle]

^ So, what do you think of Neil? :)

[Haunted]

hot hot hot hot hot hot hot hot hot hot hot hot hot hot hot hot hot hot hot hot hot hot hot hot hot hot hot hot hot hot hot hot hot hot hot hot hot hot hot hot hot hot hot hot hot hot hot hot hot hot hot hot hot hot hot hot hot hot hot hot hot hot hot hot hot hot hot hot hot

So, what do you think of Neil? ;)

[AmericanEagle]

^ He looks like a cross between Curtis Stone and Joaquin Phoenix. He likes to do 540 roundhouse kicks. He likes to wear long cut-off shorts.

[Haunted]

^ He likes to do 540 roundhouse kicks. He likes to wear long cut-off shorts.

0:55 :)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gB94OgWsocQ

[AmericanEagle]

^ I remember when Neil and Danny both did 540 roundhouse kicks in their "Are You the One" contemporary routine; each in the opposite direction. I didn't realize Neil was that tall until he stood next to Danny, and they were almost the same height.

I admit that I was not a Neil fan during S3.

[Haunted]

I didn't realize Neil was that tall until he stood next to Danny, and they were almost the same height.


Cat Deeley towers over everyone but when Neil stands next to her, he's her height, that's how I know he's tall. He also looks mighty tall in the Paso Doble — it took Sabra quite a while to travel from the top of his head to his feet :)



I admit that I was not a Neil fan during S3.

I never notice anyone until it gets to the top 6. Early on in S3 I didn't know what the girls were screaming about. They started screaming as soon as Neil takes the stage. It got my attention and then I saw what an awesome dancer he is. I really believe he raised the bar and since then there are a lot more aerials. But the planche still belongs to Neil.

[AmericanEagle]

^ My dislike for Neil started during the Top 16 week. He and Lauren performed a sub-par tango, while Sara and Jesus performed a respectable krump. Both couples fell into the Bottom 3. Neil does a solo full of tricks, with little dancing or musicality. Jesus, on the other hand, does a solo with actual dancing. Nigel, however, declares Neil's solo as "outstanding", thus sending Jesus home. I thought that the judges made the wrong decision because Jesus had three respectable performances, while Neil only had one. I really thought that Neil should have left in Jesus's place.

My problem with Neil is that he is all flash and no substance. It's clear that he was a former gymnast because his solos are all gymnastics routines. His tricks are amazing, but the transitions between the tricks are lacking. It is a shame that he was in the same season as Danny, because Danny's technique blows Neil's technique out of the water. I will say, however, that Neil's solos did improve later on in the competition.

Although "Sweet Dreams" and "Knock on Wood" partly made up for my disappointment of Neil staying over Jesus, I really think that Jesus was the better dancer, and that if he had stayed, he might have had more memorable dances than Neil.

[Haunted]

^ I remember Nigel commenting on Neil's dances being mostly gymnastic stunts but he also said he pulled it off. I found him to be very charismatic, he's very in character in his dances. He's made for show biz.

[AmericanEagle]

^ I agree that Neil is more of a performer/entertainer than a technical dancer. The dances that he did the best in were the ones where he played a character, such as the table jazz and devil/angel jazz.

[Haunted]

^ I'm not too into the devil/angel jazz, one of my least favorites. The table dance is great, it's like watching a show, and the princes dance — they look like they're going to kill each other! Danny is so graceful with his lines and Neil is just stunning with his flips and characterization. It was really intense.

[AmericanEagle]

^ I'm not too into the devil/angel jazz, one of my least favorites.

I really like Wade Robson's choreography, so I enjoy most of his creations.

Neil apparently didn't like Lauren, and so he didn't have to fake the antagonism between him and Lauren in that dance.

[Haunted]

Neil apparently didn't like Lauren, and so he didn't have to fake the antagonism between him and Lauren in that dance.

for real? haha

[AmericanEagle]

^ I think that it was a personality clash, and that they really didn't mesh as partners. In an interview, he named Sara and Sabra as his favourite partners; he totally ignored Lauren.

[Haunted]

^ I guess that can happen. He and Sara has great chemistry, it shows in Knock on Wood.

[AmericanEagle]

^ That's why I would prefer that they switch up the partners every week. Some couples just aren't good partnerships, such as Asuka/Vitolio and Neil/Lauren.

Less popular dancers (Randi and Kameron) are sometimes carried to the Top 10 by their more popular partners. Bad dancers can also drag down their partners, such as Jonathan dragging down Karla.

[Haunted]

^ besides partnering, part of it is the genre. Dances like the crash dummies are just not that visually appealing although they have to have it in there. It's luck of the draw.

[AmericanEagle]

^ I see you've been fooled by the machinations of the show ;)

The dances are not randomly assigned; rather, they are given to specific couples.

[Haunted]

^ :confused: don't they pick from a hat?

[AmericanEagle]

^ There is only one card in the hat.

[Haunted]

^ you're joking!

[AmericanEagle]

^ Picking a partner or dance(s) from the hat is just for show. The producers have already arranged who is dancing what, and with whom. I believe that a Season 2 dancer confirmed this.

It makes sense if you think about it. S5 Melissa (a ballerina) "draws" a classical pas de deux. S5 Phillip (a hip hopper) "draws" hip hop twice before the Top 10. S5 Randi "draws" a routine choreographed by Joey Dowling, someone that she's worked with before.

How convenient for Kayla to get Evan as a partner for the Top 10 week. Nigel wanted some of Evan's popularity to rub off on Kayla.

How convenient for S4 Will (the guy whom the judges deemed to be too good for his current partner) to get Katee (the strongest female dancer) as a partner for the Top 10 week. How convenient also that Will and Katee "draw" a contemporary pas de deux. They were the only dancers who had enough training to pull off that dance.

How convenient for Karla and Vitolio to "draw" a quickstep, the dance known as the kiss of death. Nigel clearly wanted them gone that week.

How convenient that Neil and Lauren "draw" a routine choreographed by Wade for the Top 14 week, who is one of the most popular choreographers. They had just fallen into the Bottom 3 during the Top 16 week, and Nigel couldn't let his precious Lauren fall into the bottom again.

How convenient that Kupono and Kayla "draw" a routine choreographed by Mia the week after they fall into the Bottom 3. Nigel knows that Mia will create a fantastic routine, and so his precious Kayla will be spared for at least one more week.

S5 Karla even said in an interview that it was disheartening to see all the other dancers get dances in their comfort zone, while she and Vitolio, who were marked for elimination, get the dreaded quickstep. Even the dancers are aware of the machinations.

[AmericanEagle]

I just watched ABDC, and I thought that the crews did okay, but there were no standout performances.

The challenge for the crews next week is to pay tribute to the most memorable performances of the MTV Video Music Awards. The host specifically mentioned Madonna, Britney Spears, and Michael Jackson.

I remember that Britney danced with a snake during one of her performances, and I remember the Christina-Madonna-Britney kiss. Would these count as memorable performances? I can't think of anymore off the top of my head.

[Haunted]

^ I sure hope no one has to dance with a snake, that's gross. But maybe not as gross as that kiss *sick bag please* As for MJ, he had so much they can draw from. It'd be an interesting show.

[AmericanEagle]

^ Did Britney have any other memorable moments? The only thing else I can think of is when she took off her black suit to reveal a skin-coloured bodysuit. I feel bad for the crew that has to pay tribute to Britney's VMA performances.

[Haunted]

^ the redeeming value of Britney is that she's a natural dancer. So is Michael Jackson. So I can see why the show picks them.

You must have an impeccable memory to remember all the dancer partnering in SYTYCD! I'm sure they pair dancers in such a way they compliment one another and get good ratings. That said, nothing is really random, but I'm just wondering though, how did they get the people to vote for the outcome they wanted.

[AmericanEagle]

^ the redeeming value of Britney is that she's a natural dancer. So is Michael Jackson. So I can see why the show picks them.

I admit that I was a Britney fan pre-KFed. I do think that she's a good dancer, and last season, ABDC did a challenge that paid tribute to Britney's songs and dance moves. Quest Crew danced to "Toxic", which was an amazing performance; the blindfolded sequence was so creative and well executed.


but I'm just wondering though, how did they get the people to vote for the outcome they wanted.

I didn't watch S1, so I can't comment on it.

During S2, the judges were pushing for Travis to win, but Benji's large fanbase ruined their plans. The judges kept touting Travis as the one with technique, while Benji was the performer. This angered many Benji fans because while Travis had the stronger contemporary technique, Benji had the stronger Latin/ballroom technique. For example, there is no way that Travis could have danced that mambo with Heidi. When die-hard fans get riled up, they vote en masse.

During S3, the judges were pushing for a girl to win. I think that Nigel wanted Lauren to win. It was quite nauseating to see the judges prop up Lauren, even after her horrendous performances. I still remember her awful K-Fed solo, and I was shocked that she didn't get eliminated after that. Consequently, America didn't like her, and so Nigel threw his support to Sabra, whom America seemed to love.

During S4, Nigel stacked the deck in favour of hip hop, with four hip hop specialists in the Top 20. He was pushing for an "untrained" dancer, namely Joshua. He paired Joshua with the strongest female dancer, Katee. Nigel ignored the fact that Joshua had minor ballet training, and continued to tout him as the "untrained dancer who can do all styles." Katee was a good partner for Joshua, and this helped him establish a large fanbase, and thus win the competition. It also helped that Joshua was extremely humble and likeable. This was one time that Nigel and America equally loved a contestant.

During S5, Nigel was pushing for Kayla to win, praising her at the expense of her partners. Voters don't like it when the judges shove a contestant down their throats, which is why Kayla fell into the bottom several times. Voters also didn't like Kayla's personality and lack of emotional connection to her dances. Jeanine, on the other hand, had a great personality, great emotional connection to her dances, and was more humble and gracious than Kayla. Thus, Jeanine was more appealing to the voters. I'm sure that Nigel became aware of this, and so he predicted either Jeanine or Brandon as the winners, rather than his precious Kayla.

[AmericanEagle]

You must have an impeccable memory to remember all the dancer partnering in SYTYCD!

Nigel tweeted this on July 22 at 9:38 PM:


I'm thinking of doing a compilation show of our best routines ever, over the 5 Seasons of SYTYCD ? Do you have a favorite?

He then tweeted this 12 minutes later, at 9:50 PM:


Wow. You've all got such great memory's. Anything from Season 1. Melody, Nick, Blake?

I guess I'm not the only fan with an impeccable memory :)

[Haunted]

^ I have to say your memory probably ranks #1. When Nigel said the disco in S5 is the best, he failed to recall Knock on Wood ;)

[Haunted]

I'm digging bollywood today, found my fave S5 duet on YT. Also saw the other bollywood group dances. I think for group dances I like the CAN version with the veils in the beginning, but the arms in S5 is quite a sight.

My mind keeps going back to the mega stage production at the end of the movie Moulin Rouge. It's an Eastern dance with sharp straight lines and crisp jazz movements. I do wonder if that's the first bollywood ever danced but so new that no one has yet given it a name.

[AmericanEagle]

I'm digging bollywood today, found my fave S5 duet on YT. Also saw the other bollywood group dances. I think for group dances I like the CAN version with the veils in the beginning, but the arms in S5 is quite a sight.

I wish that the show would feature more ethnic dances. In the Canadian auditions, there was a Native hoop dancer, a Native powwow dancer, and a girl who did an ethnic Mongolian dance.

Bollywood made its debut in S4, with Katee and Joshua doing a duet in the Top 12 week. The judges were so self-congratulatory about it, saying things like: "We brought Bollywood to the world stage; we are so awesome!"

[Haunted]

^ Interesting idea but I imagine ethnic dances would be difficult for dancers who are not trained in that genre and may not have wide appeal. My taste is more mainstream and I appreciate the artistic rendition of a theme more than ethnicity in a dance.

[AmericanEagle]

Here is the schedule for SYTYCD6:

Wednesday, September 9: Audition episode: 8-9PM
Wednesday, September 16: Audition episode: 8-9PM
Wednesday, September 23: Audition episode: 8-9PM
Tuesday, September 29: Audition episode: 9-10PM
Wednesday, September 30: Audition episode: 8-9PM
Tuesday, October 6: Audition episode: 9-10PM
Wednesday, October 7: Vegas episode: 8-9PM
Wednesday, October 14: Vegas episode: 8-9PM
Wednesday, October 21: Vegas episode: 8-9PM; Top 20 chosen; performance shows start next week
Tuesdays: performance show: 7-9PM
Wednesdays: results show: 7-8PM

[Haunted]

cool thanks!

[AmericanEagle]

Apparently, if S6 gets good ratings and high viewership, SYTYCD will be permanently moved to the fall season.

[Haunted]

^ This is going to be tricky, Tuesdays and Weds are big tv nights for me. Are you a NCIS fan? I have to figure out what to watch live, what to program and how to do it! :cold:

[AmericanEagle]

^ Yeah, I think that moving SYTYCD to the fall season is a huge mistake for FOX. There are so many shows to compete with. It was better off as a summer show.

[AmericanEagle]

Haunted, I know you said that you haven't really watched DWTS, but here are some of my favourite dances. Maybe they'll persuade you to check out DWTS9 when it starts on Monday, September 21.

Drew Lachey and Cheryl Burke - paso doble (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s8fvVdNRMBE)
Drew Lachey and Cheryl Burke - tango (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wOpTIH2pIiI)
Kristi Yamaguchi and Mark Ballas - foxtrot (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QbD0HIf-Z8I)
Kristi Yamaguchi and Mark Ballas - cha cha (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ys9K8Zcawts)
Kristi Yamaguchi and Mark Ballas - mambo (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UBjlb4IBKN4)
Emmitt Smith and Cheryl Burke - rumba (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F67aKLkgvgw)
Stacy Keibler and Tony Dovolani - samba (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mVSy2pUwfj4)
Lance Bass and Lacey Schwimmer - mambo (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2nY0D3mW2Lw)
Apolo Anton Ohno and Julianne Hough - samba (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gsMZ77TX0C4)

[AmericanEagle]

^ I sure hope no one has to dance with a snake, that's gross.

One crew has been assigned "I'm a Slave 4 U", so it appears that this crew might indeed have to dance with a snake.

The other three songs are: "Wall to Wall", "Tearin Up My Heart", and "Vogue."

There will be a group dance to MJ's "Smooth Criminal."

[Haunted]

One crew has been assigned "I'm a Slave 4 U", so it appears that this crew might indeed have to dance with a snake.

gosh, lets hope that it'll just be a giant garden hose.

I'd love to see those DWTS dances. I'll check them out in the morning after I recovered...Just watched 2 hours of America's Got Talent. My eyes are like :eek2:. There's a couple I was so looking forward to see, their dance was spectacular, sensational and epic. But they did a totally different thing tonight, it was such a letdown. My eyes are hurting.

[Haunted]

Drew Lachey and Cheryl Burke - paso doble (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s8fvVdNRMBE)

DWTS came a long way since I saw it the first time. I did watch it again and noticed it's gotten much better. But it doesn't have a hook on me and I now know why.

They danced well, they're in sync and the choreo is not all that boring. One is not a trained dancer so they're not doing eye-popping lifts like in SYTYCD, so I cut them some slack. But even if I don't expect lifts or anything too technical, something is missing, and that's feeling! Ironically I keep hearing the lyrics, "feel it!" but I'm not feeling it, because they are not feeling it.

They don't look emotionally connected to each other. And there is no passion in the dancing.

I have to compare this to the Neil/Sabra paso doble in SYTYCD, because that's the one I remember best. There is passion and personality. Neil and Sabra are tuned into each other. It's the way Neil looks at Sabra....and she's so beautiful in her laced-up costume. Neil stays in character even after the music ends. It's got both passion and drama. That's not just dancing, that's a performance!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bq4gI0rP__A

[Haunted]

Drew Lachey and Cheryl Burke - tango
... this is one ok too, they danced well, same thoughts as above

Kristi Yamaguchi and Mark Ballas - foxtrot
... nice :)

Kristi Yamaguchi and Mark Ballas - cha cha & mambo
... they have chemistry; enjoyed both of dances. Mark is awesome and Kristi delivers; she's very flexed and that's the unfair advantage because of her background. I'm surprised she didn't do a full split

Emmitt Smith and Cheryl Burke - rumba
... this one looks a bit amateurish, his moves are not big enough, there's not much hip action but he has the stature to carry it through

Stacy Keibler and Tony Dovolani - samba
... this one sizzles! :)

Lance Bass and Lacey Schwimmer - mambo
... Love! very professional, finally a dance that reminds me of SYTYCD :)
She's Benji's sister?

Apolo Anton Ohno and Julianne Hough - samba
... Love! These 2 really connect, great dance. I happen to like Apolo a lot ;)

[AmericanEagle]

One is not a trained dancer so they're not doing eye-popping lifts like in SYTYCD, so I cut them some slack.

Lifts are not allowed on DWTS. Couples will get penalized for doing lifts.


I have to compare this to the Neil/Sabra paso doble in SYTYCD, because that's the one I remember best. There is passion and personality. Neil and Sabra are tuned into each other. It's the way Neil looks at Sabra....and she's so beautiful in her laced-up costume. Neil stays in character even after the music ends. It's got both passion and drama. That's not just dancing, that's a performance!

To be honest, I never really liked this dance. Neil's posture was weak; he was too hunched over. He was too light on his feet; he was supposed to dance into the floor. He didn't seem that convincing as a matador, either. The paso doble is the man's dance, and I didn't think that Neil commanded that dance. The donut drop at the end was awkward; Neil had to shake Sabra down. This wasn't the best paso doble on SYTYCD; for me, that title goes to Heidi and Travis in S2.

[AmericanEagle]

But even if I don't expect lifts or anything too technical, something is missing, and that's feeling! Ironically I keep hearing the lyrics, "feel it!" but I'm not feeling it, because they are not feeling it.

They don't look emotionally connected to each other. And there is no passion in the dancing

I thought that Drew embodied the attitude of the matador quite well. During the entire dance, he is a convincing leading man. I have to disagree with you about the passion because I thought that they had so much chemistry, and that they complemented each other very well in the dance. I loved those zombie-esque moves during the bridge section.

Perhaps you weren't feeling it as much because of the song? Neil and Sabra's paso was danced to traditional paso music, while this paso was danced to MJ's "Thriller." I never thought that MJ and ballroom dancing go together, but I completely changed my mind when I saw this dance.


Drew Lachey and Cheryl Burke - tango
... this is one ok too, they danced well, same thoughts as above

Drew is able to lead Cheryl throughout the entire dance, and I could definitely see the passion within the dance. A tango is supposed to illustrate a love-hate relationship, and I thought that Drew and Cheryl illustrated this amazingly. This was much better than Neil and Lauren's tango.

Perhaps I'm biased because Drew and Cheryl are my favourite couple on any season of DWTS.


Kristi Yamaguchi and Mark Ballas - foxtrot
... nice :)

I agree. This dance was even more impressive, given that this was their first dance. Kristi exudes grace and elegance.


Kristi Yamaguchi and Mark Ballas - cha cha & mambo
... they have chemistry; enjoyed both of dances. Mark is awesome and Kristi delivers; she's very flexed and that's the unfair advantage because of her background. I'm surprised she didn't do a full split

I agree that Kristi delivers, and I thought that she was very fun and flirty in these dances.


Emmitt Smith and Cheryl Burke - rumba
... this one looks a bit amateurish, his moves are not big enough, there's not much hip action but he has the stature to carry it through

I thought that this was such a sensual and classy rumba, and while I agree that Emmitt's hip action could have been better, this was quite impressive for someone who has had no previous dance experience.


Stacy Keibler and Tony Dovolani - samba
... this one sizzles! :)

Glad you liked this one :)


Lance Bass and Lacey Schwimmer - mambo
... Love! very professional, finally a dance that reminds me of SYTYCD :)
She's Benji's sister?

Yes, she's Benji's sister. Glad you liked this one, too :)


Apolo Anton Ohno and Julianne Hough - samba
... Love! These 2 really connect, great dance. I happen to like Apolo a lot ;)

I knew you would like this one ;)

[Haunted]

The paso doble is the man's dance, and I didn't think that Neil commanded that dance. The donut drop at the end was awkward; Neil had to shake Sabra down. This wasn't the best paso doble on SYTYCD; for me, that title goes to Heidi and Travis in S2.

You have a point, Neil looks boyish and may not be that convincing there. Same when he danced as the father in Mia's piece, I didn't quite get the father/daughter scenerio. But I loved all of his dances, what can I say...fangirl talking here :p

[AmericanEagle]

^ I bet you would have been an Apolo fangirl, as well ;)

[Haunted]

^ haha, rooting for him the whole way during the Winter Olympics, but no, only admitting to being a Neil fangirl :p

Did you see any of last night's S6 audition? 2 or 3 girls are awesome. If they make it into the top 20, it'll be a heck of a show.

[AmericanEagle]

^ Which girls? I saw that there were three contemporary girls (Paula, Alexie, Pauline) who previously auditioned for S5, and I know that Pauline is cross-trained in hip hop. I hope that all three of them make it.

There was this blonde contemporary girl that Nigel loved, and this salsa girl that the judges loved. I didn't like either of them.

I really liked Ryan's audition, but I think that he got cut during the Vegas rounds :(

SYTYCD overload! After the Canadian results show ended, the American auditions began.

[Haunted]

^ Let's see, I like the blonde girl who you don't like; and I don't like Ryan who you like. We never agree :D


SYTYCD overload! After the Canadian results show ended, the American auditions began.

My problem will be NCIS which will start at the same time in 2 weeks. I'll have to switch over and miss the rest of the auditions.

[AmericanEagle]

^ Let's see, I like the blonde girl who you don't like; and I don't like Ryan who you like. We never agree :D

The blonde girl made it to the Top 40 (or 38, or whatever), but Ryan got cut :bawling:

Nigel seems to have a thing for blonde girls.

[Haunted]

The blonde girl made it to the Top 40 (or 38, or whatever), but Ryan got cut :bawling:

awww don't be sad...there'll be another Ryan :)

[AmericanEagle]

^ I follow a couple of spoiler sites, and I was shocked to find out that Ryan got cut. Nigel was really laying it on thick during S5: "Ryan Kasprzak! Season 6! Evan's brother! Make sure to tune in!" And then I find out that Nigel cut him.

Do you want me to tell you which other dancers made it into the Top 40 or 38?

[Haunted]

Do you want me to tell you which other dancers made it into the Top 40 or 38?

no thanks, that's ok. I don't know their names so even if you tell me, I wouldn't be able to tell them apart. I have very short term memory. I see a dance, love it to death, then forgets when the next dance comes on. I usually don't have a favorite until it's down to just 8 or 10 of them.

The blonde girl is not the best, so I'm not upset. There's this girl that dances like a feather, then another one who just dances with her heart and soul, it was beautiful.

[AmericanEagle]

^ I'll just give you a general spoiler, then. The Top 40 or 38 dancers are mostly contemporary dancers, with very few hip hop and ballroom dancers. Shocking, I know.

[Haunted]

^ General spoiler is good, I need a regular update!


The Top 40 or 38 dancers are mostly contemporary dancers, with very few hip hop and ballroom dancers. Shocking, I know.

Could it be that contemporary dancers are the most versatile?

[AmericanEagle]

^ General spoiler is good, I need a regular update!

Here's another update: the Top 20 has yet to be chosen; the Top 20 dancers will probably be chosen in mid-October.


Could it be that contemporary dancers are the most versatile?

I don't think that they are.

S5 Jeanine is a contemporary dancer, and she did well in hip hop. However, her Latin wasn't good.

S5 Caitlin is a contemporary dancer, but her Latin and hip hop weren't good.

S5 Melissa is a ballet/contemporary dancer, but her Latin wasn't good, and she didn't even do hip hop.

S2 Travis is a contemporary dancer, and he did well in hip hop. However, his Latin and ballroom weren't good.

S5 Brandon is a contemporary dancer, and he did well in hip hop. As much as I like him, I thought that he was very stiff in his cha cha.

S4 Will is a contemporary dancer, and he did well in hip hop. However, his Latin and ballroom weren't good.

S5 Ade is a contemporary dancer, but his Latin wasn't very good.

S3 Neil is a contemporary dancer, but his Latin and ballroom weren't very good.

By casting so many contemporary dancers, you will get good contemporary/jazz/lyrical routines, but you will get subpar Latin, ballroom, and hip hop. Shane Sparks even said that contemporary dancers on SYTYCD will never have the attitude and swagger to pull off a good hip hop routine.

SYTYCD clearly has a contemporary bias, and it is evident by the judges constantly naming Travis, Danny, Will, and Kayla as the best dancers ever on SYTYCD. All four of them are contemporary dancers. To say that they are the best dancers overall is a bit of a stretch; they all struggled with Latin and ballroom.

How many good Latin and ballroom routines have we seen on this show? Only two: Benji and Heidi's mambo, and Lacey and Pasha's waltz; all four of these dancers are Latin/ballroom. How many good hip hop routines have we seen? Only a handful: "Party People", "Forever", and a few more; all of these dances include at least one hip hop dancer. If contemporary dancers really were the most versatile, there would be more good Latin, ballroom, and hip hop routines, because each season is disproportionately filled with contemporary dancers.

It's annoying, but there's nothing the fans can do about it. I think of SYTYCD as the contemporary show, DWTS as the Latin/ballroom show, and ABDC as the hip hop show :)

[Haunted]

I think of SYTYCD as the contemporary show, DWTS as the Latin/ballroom show, and ABDC as the hip hop show :)

That's exactly how I see it. I'm not into ballroom dancing so I don't watch DWTS. I love theatrical dance and SYTYCD has a very good mix, and they are much more experimental and provocative in both moves and themes.

What I was trying to say is, it seems easier for a contemporary dancer than a ballroom dancer to pull off a hip hop routine; and it'd be a bit awkward for a hip hop dancer to do a waltz. I may be wrong but in my mind a contemporary dancer is more adapt at crossing genre.

[AmericanEagle]

^ I think that many choreographers "water down" their choreography for contemporary dancers. There have been so many barefoot waltzes and Broadways. Hard-hitting hip hop is being slowly replaced by lyrical hip hop. These choreographers are playing to the strengths of contemporary dancers.

[Haunted]

Hard-hitting hip hop is being slowly replaced by lyrical hip hop.

Right, sometimes I thought they were doing jazz. Contemporary is my favorite so I'm not complaining :)

[AmericanEagle]

Neil has joined the cast of a new musical production: Link (http://www.playbill.com/news/article/132615-_Haskell_Replaces_Calvert_in_NYMF_s_F%20king_Up_Ev erything)

[Haunted]

fangirl moment: EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!! :banana:

Ahem, I'm back. I know Altar Boyz but what's 9 to 5?

[AmericanEagle]

^ Neil left Altar Boyz for 9 to 5: Link (http://www.broadway.com/buzz/lee-markham-joins-altar-boyz-neil-haskell-departs-for-9-to-5/)

Are you going to get tickets to see his show?

[Haunted]

^ Long shot. I live too far away :(

...but there's always YouTube

[AmericanEagle]

Neil was featured in the February 2009 (I know, this was a while ago) edition of Time Out New York as an eligible bachelor.


Neil H.
21; actor; Upper West Side

Neil says: "I am a dancer who has been living in New York City for just over two years. I’m a pretty active guy looking for a girl who wants to have fun. I love riding my bike around Central Park or a night in watching movies. My ideal girl would be beautiful, outgoing and confident, and wouldn’t mind me holding the remote."

My style: "Funny, creative, original, loving, dancing, pop culture, shy at first."

My outlook: "Excited for the future; work hard, play hard"

[Haunted]

"shy at first"?? oh I forgot he IS an altar boy ;)

[AmericanEagle]

^ Yeah, I don't really buy the "shy at first" thing, either.

In the Latin jazz with Lacey, he was dancing shirtless, and his pants were falling down ;)

(Why do I remember that?)

[Haunted]

In the Latin jazz with Lacey, he was dancing shirtless, and his pants were falling down ;)

(Why do I remember that?)

I remember that well. The screaming girls almost brought the house down ;)

[AmericanEagle]

No more Neil news :(

I do have some DWTS news, though. Melissa Rycroft's waltz (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nm7IGliorj8) has been nominated for an Emmy for Breakthrough Performance. I love it when the audience boos that evil Jason Mesnick at the beginning of the clip.

[Haunted]

No more Neil news :(

:bawling:

That's a nice dance, it flows like a moon river ;)

[AmericanEagle]

SYTYCD choreographer Tyce Diorio won the Emmy for Best Choreography. It was for the "Silence" routine danced by Jessica and Will in S4. Haha, Mia's head will explode.

[Haunted]

Haha, Mia's head will explode.

:lol: yea, if she got nominations too but lost to this one

[AmericanEagle]

^ Yup, Mia's "Mercy" routine lost.

Mia will also have to get used to Jessica being part of an Emmy-winning routine. Mia was brutally mean to Jessica in S4, telling her that she was a horrible dancer.

[Haunted]

^ She's one of the toughest judges to please but hope she didn't actually say that? That's not productive.

[AmericanEagle]

^ Jessica and Will finish performing their quickstep. Mia is a guest judge. She says to Will that he looks tired of carrying Jessica, and that he needs a new partner. Jessica looks crestfallen. Cat asks Will to comment. Will gets flustered, but manages to say a few words in support of Jessica.

I think that Mia's comment was totally uncalled for, and totally unprofessional.

[Haunted]

^ sounds a bit personal :(

[AmericanEagle]

There will be three permanent judges on SYTYCD6: Nigel, Mary, and someone else. The third permanent judge hasn't been announced yet, but it isn't Paula Abdul.

[Haunted]

^ Bet it wouldn't be Ellen DeGeneres either ;)

Nigel and Mary are already permanent fixtures. If there will be a third permanent judge, does it mean they will also have a guest for a fourth judge? Don't know what Nigel's background is, but Mary is ballroom, so the third judge would have to know hip hop / jazz / contemporary well.

[AmericanEagle]

If there will be a third permanent judge, does it mean they will also have a guest for a fourth judge?

The article didn't mention if there will be four judges, so I guess we'll have to wait and see. I personally think that having four judges is too many.

[Haunted]

There has been clips of Dirty Dancing all over tv in the last few days and while I'm not big on ballroom dancing, I really enjoyed watching Patrick dance. It's a great loss. I look forward to seeing the movie again.

[AmericanEagle]

^ I admit that I'm not a fan of Patrick Swayze, but I do remember him being mentioned on SYTYCD and DWTS.

[AmericanEagle]

The third permanent judge on SYTYCD is Adam Shankman.

[Haunted]

Is him one of the regular choreographer? I'm bad with names.

[AmericanEagle]

^ He's not a regular choreographer, but he has guest-judged several times.

[Haunted]

Anya and Pasha in the Broadway show Burn the Floor (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tavC_o0L_oc)

[AmericanEagle]

^ Thanks!

Too bad SYTYCD doesn't have any more ballroom dancers of Anya and Pasha's calibre.

[Haunted]

^ I can't make them out in the commercial :(

I'm sure if there were videos of them on YT, they'd have been taken down already :( :(

[AmericanEagle]

^ I can't make them out in the commercial :(

I couldn't make them out either, but we know they're there...somewhere.


I'm sure if there were videos of them on YT, they'd have been taken down already :( :(

Dick Clark Productions scours YT for SYTYCD videos.

[Haunted]

Yes it's Dick Clark. I really don't understand it, these vids actually promote the show, they should be happy they're up there. I never checked their website, maybe they have the dances up now. Usually they're hard to find. Today I went looking for Kevin Skinner's videos, they're all over YT, but when I went to NBC's site, they're there but just not that accessible, and it's really frustrating to get to the right one.

[AmericanEagle]

^ In addition to Dick Clark, I also think that it's the music that's problematic. When the choreographers choose a song, FOX must pay that music/record company in order for the song to be cleared. Those music/record companies probably consented to their music only being used on the show, and not be disseminated over the internet/DVDs.

[*Classic*Charm*]

*sneaks in guility*

you guys convinced me!

[Haunted]

^ YAY :wave:

[AmericanEagle]

I've updated the SYTYCD6 schedule in post #119. Note the time change on September 29 and October 6, and the removal of the pre-emption.

[Haunted]

Thanks, didn't the performance/results shows used to be on Weds and Thurs? I'll have major programming conflicts. NCIS or SYTYCD????.... I might have to to fire up both DVD recorders but only if I figure out how to program the old one :(

[AmericanEagle]

^ Yeah, S6 has been moved to Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

The Canadian censors seem to be more lenient than the American censors. In S5, "LoveGame" was used for Ade and Jeanine's samba. The word 'stick' was bleeped out of the lyric: "I wanna take a ride on your disco stick." The Canadian version used "LoveGame" for a group routine, and those lyrics were played in its entirety; no censoring.

[Haunted]

Bleeping the music is lame. Isn't there always an explicit and a clean version? Use the clean version or use something else entirely. Bleeping destroys the integrity of a piece.

[AmericanEagle]

^ I don't think that there is a clean version of Lady GaGa's songs ;)

But that's the only time that I remember a song being censored on the show.

[Haunted]

Lady GaGa is now Lady GagGag :p

[AmericanEagle]

^ I admit that Lady GaGa does have catchy tunes, but her lyrics are kind of raunchy.

[Haunted]

hey AmericanEagle, I just checked the TV schedule and saw that DWTS is on next week. Whose on this season?

[AmericanEagle]

^ There will be 16 'stars': Aaron Carter, Natalie Coughlin, Mark Dacascos, Tom DeLay, Macy Gray, Ashley Hamilton, Melissa Joan Hart, Kathy Ireland, Michael Irvin, Joanna Krupa, Chuck Liddell, Debi Mazar, Mya, Kelly Osbourne, Donny Osmond, and Louie Vito.

[Haunted]

I know a few on the list. Could be good...thanks :)

[AmericanEagle]

If Afroborike wins, I might consider boycotting ABDC.

I really hope that We Are Heroes (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=on_F3by-Kn8) wins. That tutting section into a split, and those flips over the fire were amazing!

[Haunted]

^ The fire ring is something! Good stuff. Hope they win :)

[Haunted]

SYTYCD and SWTS are back to back tonight

[AmericanEagle]

^ Did you watch DWTS yesterday and on Monday?

[Haunted]

^ didn't even know it's on Monday. I turned on the tv a little before 9 and just saw the recap. Was it good?

[AmericanEagle]

^ There were no clear frontrunners, but Aaron Carter, Mya, Kelly Osbourne, Natalie Coughlin, and Mark Dacascos all have potential.

[Haunted]

^ I saw the recap, they were saying good things about Kelly Osbourne.

Anya and Pasha were on tonight's SYTYCD for 2 long seconds :(

[AmericanEagle]

^ I was pleasantly surprised by Kelly.

I didn't watch SYTYCD tonight. I'm too 'danced' out.

[Haunted]

I didn't watch SYTYCD tonight. I'm too 'danced' out.

:lol: Tell me about it. I'm still recuperating from S5.

[AmericanEagle]

^ That's why I think that it's a huge mistake for FOX to move SYTYCD to the fall season. Viewer fatigue is setting in. There's SYTYCD:CA, ABDC, and DWTS. Too many dance shows!

However, I'm anxiously awaiting the premiere of TAR :)

[Haunted]

^ What if the TAR producers make them do a team dance? :p

[AmericanEagle]

^ Eek! I hope that doesn't happen.

But then again, there have been dance challenges on TAR.

[Haunted]

^ I knew it!

It's good that SYTYCD auditions span so many weeks. By the time the performance starts, I may be ready for it if my eyes haven't yet fallen out of my head from watching the other tv shows.

[jacquelin]

What type of dance class should I take? This year, I am planning on taking dance class for fun and to help supplement my competitive running. What type should I take? I am too tall to be a ballerina, so nothing with a lot of ballet technique. I am flexible, but not super flexible. I've asked people and they all suggest hip-hop, but I am not really interested in that. Any other ideas?
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[Haunted]

What type of dance class should I take? This year, I am planning on taking dance class for fun and to help supplement my competitive running. What type should I take? I am too tall to be a ballerina, so nothing with a lot of ballet technique. I am flexible, but not super flexible. I've asked people and they all suggest hip-hop, but I am not really interested in that. Any other ideas?

You might like jazz, a MTV-ish modern dance great for cross-training with other forms of aerobics. It's high-impact like running: strong, sharp with leaps and jumps. But it can be slow too with more rhythmic, low sexy slinky movements. It has pirouette turns like ballet but if you're not comfortable with that, you can break it down into 2-step turns, even 4-step turns, and you can just sweep your feet. I say half is technical, the other half is attitude and that's what makes the dance look really hip and fun.

[AmericanEagle]

We Are Heroes won ABDC. The first all-female crew to win, and it was a well deserved victory.

[Haunted]

^ Congrats :)

[AmericanEagle]

^ It was down to We Are Heroes and Afroborike.

Afroborike was awful, and had no business being in the final 2, so I was happy that they lost :). It was the most mismatched final 2 ever on ABDC.

[Haunted]

^ It's nice that the deserving team wins :)

When does the next season starts? In 2 weeks? :D

[AmericanEagle]

^ Probably in January or February :)

[AmericanEagle]

Did you watch SYTYCD last night? LOL, I totally forgot about it.

[Haunted]

^ you forgot, of all people? LOL. You better get your viewer fatigue checked out by a doctor :lol: I knew it was on, but NCIS is much more important.

Its on tonight, there's no schedule conflict so I'll watch. Shall I send the swat team to remind you?

[AmericanEagle]

^ you forgot, of all people? LOL. You better get your viewer fatigue checked out by a doctor :lol:

Well, I think the only cure for my viewer fatigue is for FOX to move SYTYCD back to the summer season ;)


Its on tonight, there's no schedule conflict so I'll watch. Shall I send the swat team to remind you?

Haha, that won't be necessary :)

[Haunted]

Well, I think the only cure for my viewer fatigue is for FOX to move SYTYCD back to the summer season ;)


I agree, I don't like it head to head with my regular fall shows. Also, what are we going to watch in the summer when they're showing repeats?

[AmericanEagle]

^ Maybe if we all boycott the show, it will get low viewership, and so FOX will have no choice but to move it back. I know, this will probably be unfeasible.

SYTYCD is a perfect show for the summer. Most of the viewers are probably students (including me), and so watching it is a good way to pass the summer break. Now that school has started, I'm not sure if I can dedicate three hours a week to watching SYTYCD.

[Haunted]

^ Right about the summer break timing. For me, I've already fallen (pardon the pun) into the tv mystery shows escapism mode, totally not in the mindset for competitions!

[*Classic*Charm*]

Sorry to butt in, but I agree!! I just don't have time for that much tv during school. I liked it as a nice summer distraction :(

[Haunted]

Sorry to butt in, but I agree!! I just don't have time for that much tv during school. I liked it as a nice summer distraction :(

Classic Charm, you're not butting in! Great to have you. It seems like AmericanEagle and I the only 2 people in the whole Litnet universe who are into dance shows, we are like Ebert and Roeper in this thread! :lol:

oh well, 2 thumbs down for the fall lineup.

[*Classic*Charm*]

Haha thanks.

So, a friend of mine got to see the Season Five Tour when it was in Toronto the other night. She said it was really good, and that Philip and Jeanine kept trying to come out and do their Russian Folk Dance in between all the other numbers haha. Wish I could have gone!

[Haunted]

I wanted to see S2 but it was sold out :(

[Haunted]

Just heard it on Conan that there was a really bad case of wardrobe malfunction on Tuesday.

[AmericanEagle]

^ I read that a female auditioner flashed her bare crotch.

[Haunted]

^ Intentional? Nothing on youtube...

[AmericanEagle]

^ I didn't watch the episode, but I read about it online. Apparently, it seems as if a girl didn't wear anything under her dress.

Nigel tweeted this in response:


I am shocked that people think that poor dancer was not wearing panties. The show is about exposing talent, nothing else.

[Haunted]

^ good spin but she really wasn't wearing any, so she was exposing more than her talent ;)

[AmericanEagle]

^ I saw some screencaps, and it really did look like she wasn't wearing anything. But some people are saying that she was wearing nude-coloured boy shorts. So, who knows?

[Haunted]

^ oh yeah that's true. Question is, the auditions are taped, right? So why didn't they cut it out? Ratings?

[AmericanEagle]

^ Yeah, it's probably about the ratings and publicity; to get people talking about S6.

[Haunted]

SYTYCD's exposé is still the butt of the jokes on Conan. No pun intended this time :)

[AmericanEagle]

^ It would be so awkward if that girl made Top 20.

[Haunted]

^ I can't see how they can be partial after that :goof:

[*Classic*Charm*]

Was she a good dancer? Any accomplished dancer knows better than to do that. I might not be surprised if it was one of the jokes that audition, but not a seasoned dancer.

[AmericanEagle]

^ I don't think that they showed her entire audition. It just showed her when the judges said: "You're going to Vegas!" She collapses on the floor and opens and closes her legs really quickly.

[Haunted]

I saw clips of Tom Delay and my first impression of DWTS is filled with cheesy performances such as this one.

[AmericanEagle]

I saw the list of the Top 20 for S6. Do you want me to tell you who made it?

[Haunted]

If you don't mind :) but don't waste your time if there's too much typing (or copy&paste) because I haven't learned their names. It'd be nice when the performance starts but I'm sure you'll have an update per episode :D

Who is this Derek guy on DWTS? Is he a dancer/choreographer or a "star"? They showed a :03 clip and for a moment he reminded me of shirtless Neil in the Latin Jazz.

[AmericanEagle]

If you don't mind :) but don't waste your time if there's too much typing (or copy&paste) because I haven't learned their names. It'd be nice when the performance starts but I'm sure you'll have an update per episode :D

Girls: (contemporary overload!)

Channing Cooke - contemporary
Ariana DeBose - contemporary
Ashleigh Di Lello - Latin
Mollee Gray - contemporary (she's the blonde girl that you liked)
Karen Hauer - ballroom
Noelle Marsh - contemporary
Pauline Mata - hip hop/contemporary
Kathryn McCormick - contemporary
Bianca Revels - tap
Ellenore Scott - contemporary

Guys: (we're still missing one guy)

Phillip Attmore - tap
Billy Bell - contemporary
Ryan Di Lello - latin ballroom
Russell Ferguson - krump
Jakob Karr - contemporary
Jonathan "Legacy" Perez - breakdancing
Peter Sabasino - tap
Victor Smalley - contemporary
Nathan Trasoras - contemporary/hip hop


Who is this Derek guy on DWTS? Is he a dancer/choreographer or a "star"? They showed a :03 clip and for a moment he reminded me of shirtless Neil in the Latin Jazz.

He's a dancer/choreographer on DWTS, and he's dating Shannon Elizabeth.

He's extremely popular with the tween girls, but I don't like him.

[Haunted]

Girls: (contemporary overload!)

I like it :)



Guys: (we're still missing one guy)

Maybe Ryan will fill in ;)




He's a dancer/choreographer on DWTS, and he's dating Shannon Elizabeth.

I thought so, he seems like he knows what he's doing.

[AmericanEagle]

I thought so, he seems like he knows what he's doing.

His constant camera mugging is so off-putting. He showed poor sportsmanship, too. Though I do recognize and appreciate his talent.

[AmericanEagle]

Nigel also tweeted this:


We are going to do one top 20 show, this year, with no competition element. We want to introduce each dancer, dancing in their own style.

[Haunted]

^ What's that mean, no competition? What's the fun of it without all the brawling when they get eliminated? Just kidding ;)

I enjoyed watching them do their own thing in the auditions and actually I thought it'd be nice to see more of that versus their doing someone else's choreography.

[AmericanEagle]

^ What's that mean, no competition?

I guess it's more of a "Meet the Top 20" episode.

Nigel tweeted:


They probably won't do solos. More trios, pas de deuxs, quartets The contemporaries will dance together, the ballroom couples, mmmn tappers?

Here is another piece of info:


Because of scheduling issues, the season finale episode will feature the Top 6, instead of the usual Top 4. This was to avoid starting with a "Top 18".

So maybe the non-elimination Top 20 episode will result in a finale Top 6? This season is getting more and more confusing.

[Haunted]

Maybe it's just the first episode that's "Meet the Top 20"? Then competition all the way until it's down to just 6?

[AmericanEagle]

^ Yeah, I guess we'll see in a couple of weeks.

Confusing the viewers/fans is not a good way to start the season.

[Haunted]

It's hard to say whether they're changing the format because it's their first time in a fall lineup and they're head to head with NCIS which is the highest rated primetime show with almost 50% more viewers than any of the CSIs.

[AmericanEagle]

The final guy in the Top 20 is Kevin "K-Bez" Hunte, a hip hop dancer.

The guys' side is more diverse in terms of dance styles than the girls' side.

[Haunted]

So Wednesday they'll announce the Top 20? I hope my SYTYCD burnout will be over.

[AmericanEagle]

^ I believe so.

The Canadian version ends this week, so hopefully I'll still have enough energy to keep up with the American version.

[Haunted]

^ Doesn't TAR already have you huffing and puffing? ;)

[AmericanEagle]

^ Yeah, I get to travel vicariously though TAR ;)

[Haunted]

The Top 20 performance starts tonight. There'll be no results show tomorrow, Fox is carrying the World Series Wednesday & Thursday.

[Haunted]

Update: the elimination was done in the last 20 minutes.

[AmericanEagle]

I missed the episode tonight. I'll have to catch the re-run at a later date.