TV dance shows

[AmericanEagle]

The regionals for ABDC are over, and 9 crews are going to the nationals to compete for the title.

After two seasons of fantastic female crews (Beat Freaks and We Are Heroes), there will be no such female crews this season.

Omarion replaced Shane Sparks as a judge.

A Canadian crew is competing, representing the East Coast. The show is called America's Best Dance Crew. They're really good, but why is a Canadian crew even eligible?

A crew that jumps rope is also competing. Really? Jumping rope on a hip hop dance show? They're entertaining, but that's not dance.

A crew did their first performance to Taylor Swift's "Love Story." Their robotic movement and isolations were very good. And props to them for tutting to Taylor Swift!

There's a crew that is made up of overweight guys, and they want to prove that their size doesn't hinder their talent.

There's also a crew that features contemporary dancers. I'm on the fence about them because if I want to see contemporary dance, I'll watch SYTYCD. The judges had an argument amongst themselves over whether "trained" dancers are able to embody the "attitude" and "rawness" of hip hop.

The other four crews are kind of boring, so I won't talk about them (until they pull out a spectacular performance later on in the season.)

[Haunted]

After two seasons of fantastic female crews (Beat Freaks and We Are Heroes), there will be no such female crews this season.

Somehow I think hip hop itself favors male dancers because of the unnatural moves.

A Canadian crew is competing, representing the East Coast. The show is called America's Best Dance Crew. They're really good, but why is a Canadian crew even eligible?

It's a big continent. There's room for both countries

A crew that jumps rope is also competing. Really? Jumping rope on a hip hop dance show? They're entertaining, but that's not dance.

I agree, it's more like street dancing....

There's a crew that is made up of overweight guys, and they want to prove that their size doesn't hinder their talent.

arrh....take the remote, I have to walk my cat.....

[AmericanEagle]

Somehow I think hip hop itself favors male dancers because of the unnatural moves.

Most of the female crews on ABDC rely on sexuality to sell their performances, and it really gets old.

I want a female crew that can bring strength and athleticism.

My favourite ABDC performance is the Beat Freaks' Illusion Challenge. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sLuDecGtNTY.

We Are Heroes' Last Chance Challenge is also one of my favourites. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bPi3LIrhwjw

[Haunted]

Most of the female crews on ABDC rely on sexuality to sell their performances, and it really gets old.

I want a female crew that can bring strength and athleticism.

Even these two videos rely quite a bit on special effects. Take out the flames and the floating ball, what's left is arm movements, and you dont' see a lot of footwork. That's because the feet and toes in hip hop are so unnatural, really only guys can wing it. Parts of these two female performances look a bit like jazz. The lines between jazz and hip hop are blurring.

[AmericanEagle]

Even these two videos rely quite a bit on special effects. Take out the flames and the floating ball, what's left is arm movements, and you dont' see a lot of footwork. That's because the feet and toes in hip hop are so unnatural, really only guys can wing it. Parts of these two female performances look a bit like jazz. The lines between jazz and hip hop are blurring.

I agree. However, I just wanted to point out that both of those female crews relied on their talent, not their sexuality. It's not often we see that on ABDC.

[Haunted]

I agree. However, I just wanted to point out that both of those female crews relied on their talent, not their sexuality. It's not often we see that on ABDC.

no doubt these two crews are good, great showmanship. They accomplished more than what I expect from any female hip hop dancer.

[AmericanEagle]

Changes for SYTYCD Season 7:

• Only one dancer will go home each week.
• Partners will change every week.
• There will be no Top 20 (ie. fewer than 20 dancers will be competing).
• Dancers will not choose their genre of dance.
• Fewer than 4 dancers will compete on the finale.
• "All-Star" dancers from Seasons 1-6 will act as dance partners.
• Mary Murphy will choreograph and judge.
• Mia Michaels will return to choreograph.
• Twitch from S4 is the first confirmed "All-Star" dancer; will specialize in hip hop.
• The judges will decide which dancer will go home based on the bottom 3 vote-getters.

[Haunted]

are they cutting back???

[AmericanEagle]

I think Nigel is trying to revamp the show, but is failing miserably. Most of these changes are terrible.

[Haunted]

I agree...I think he realized that S6 was a flop. I didn't watch any part of it.

[AmericanEagle]

I didn't watch much of S6, either, and I'm not too excited about S7 at the moment.

On another note, it's down to three crews on ABDC, and I'm rooting for Blueprint Cru. This is their Lady Gaga performance, probably the best performance so far this season. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JLA0qzCQ38w

[Haunted]

that is good! I like it better this way, rather than just girls or just guys dance teams.

[AmericanEagle]

Poreotix won ABDC. Meh. I preferred Blueprint Cru, but unfortunately, they just didn't bring it in their final performance.

The group performances on the finale were also meh. The show needs to cast better crews.

------------

On another note, Nigel has announced more All-Star dancers for SYTYCD7. They are: S3 Lauren, S4 Comfort, S5 Ade, S2 Allison, S3 Pasha, and S6 Kathryn.

[AmericanEagle]

More confirmed dancers for SYTYCD7: S3 Anya, S3 Dominic, S4 Mark (yay!).

Neil is rumoured to be an All-Star dancer, and that spoiler source is very reliable, so I guess this means that Neil will grace our television screens this summer. I'm sure you'll be very happy about this, Haunted.

[Haunted]

Neil is rumoured to be an All-Star dancer, and that spoiler source is very reliable, so I guess this means that Neil will grace our television screens this summer. I'm sure you'll be very happy about this, Haunted.

Yes, I'm very pleased That's good news!

I'd love to see Anya as well. Just wished Pasha would be there too. I don't care for Dominic and I don't know Mark as I missed all of S4.