Were the Vegas rounds ever this hard? I never remember the intensive dancing in previous seasons, but I feel as though the contestants were pushed really hard because they were all a lot better than the judges expected. It's a little childish, but I laughed when Mia Michaels exclaimed, "I'm a cutter." She seems to always say or do things that are a little risqué, but her opinions are always heard. As for the other judges, Mary was sedated, Lil C only said "buck" once, and I missed Debbie Allen for being that supportive mother type.
Instead of day by day analysis, we're going to take a look at some of the hits and misses for the dancers.
Guaranteed Top 20:
Philip Chbeeb – He's gotten a lot better from last year. Also seeing his "partner" Ariel get cut, he (like Brandon) probably worked harder. It's hard to get the pop out of the dancer, but he shows a lot of potential.
Asuka Kondoh – I could see Asuka getting cut last year because Katee was the quota Asian and Chelsie was the strong Ballroom dancer. She's come back stronger than ever. She's bubbly and camera ready.
One of the Broadway brothers – I'm leaning towards Evan over Ryan because Evan is more physically fit. Ryan is a better choreographer, but that isn't a plus when you have to learn choreography. And how long can a whoopee cushion routine survive?
Brandon Bryant – I'd be very shocked to see Brandon get cut. His dancing is moving, and I'm waiting to see him on another Mia piece. I'm still freaked out by his neck, but he has a bright smile.
Middle Ground:
Tony Bellissimo – I'm not impressed. His solos came off creative and funny, yes, but technically weak. He seems camera friendly enough, but are good looks enough to get him through?
Ricky Sun – We weren't introduced to any other male Latin dancer, so the other fifteen hopefuls are probably either contemporary, hip-hop, or Broadway. Ricky could succeed from sheer difference.
Probably will be cut:
Alex Wong – He started the night strong on day one, but we never saw him again. I thought I saw sad tears in the commercial, as well. With someone like Brandon being the strongest contemporary dancer and Ricky fitting the Asian quota, Alex seems on the short end of the stick.
Caitlin Kinney – Nigel said one of the phrases of death: he called her dancing "old fashioned." We're not trying to impress Len Goodman, so if she does make it, it will be more fodder so we can clear the path for others. I also thought her sister was a little better.
Cut Already:
Gabi Rojas – I don't care if your solo is good, if you can't learn choreography, it means nothing.
Natalie Reid – Katee's former roommate didn't make the cut. Although she was weaker with the choreography, it was also because she wasn't as camera friendly as most of the girls. You know how much Nigel likes a hottie.
Priscilla Marrero – Fell on her face at the end. She would have made a good Maria.
Nobuya Nagahama – He's a positive force and he admitted to trying to improve his other genres of dance. I can't help but be reminded of Hiro from Heroes.
Most Tappers – I didn't think that Silky was good. The one cut that surprised me was Bianca because she would have had the best potential in the tap dancers.
Anyone else stand out or you think should have made it? Leave comments below.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
6-04-2009 @ 4:00AM
R P said...
Right.
I stopped watching halfway through when they made the already physically and emotionally exhausted dancers stay up all night coming up with new routines!
After a week that saw the meltdown of poor Susan Boyle on BGT due to the stress of the pressure put on contestants in these type of shows I cannot stand by and watch more humans abused just for our 'entertainment'.
I am not entertained by seeing people pushed beyond their healthy limits. I little pushing to improve is good. Shoving people who are already beyond the point of endurance is another thing.
I am seriously considering boycotting all shows that put undue stress on contestants.
I am rather disgusted with the human race right now.
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6-04-2009 @ 10:51AM
Ryan said...
As Xina said below me, these dancers are young and fit and if they want to suceed as dancers in the "real world" then they have to put up with these kinds of unreal expectations on themselves and their bodies.
Plus if they think THIS is hard, they will get a rude awakening when they actually get to go to the show. The reason why the judges are pushing them hard NOW is so they get those people who will be able to handle all the pressure of the Top 20.
Of course your point is valid about shows abusing contestants for our entertainment, but you also have to realize that these dancers, unlike Susan Boyle, probably knew what they were getting involved with similar to the singers of American Idol or the contestants on Survivor and Amazing Race. Susan Boyle's situation is not really analogous to this.
6-04-2009 @ 1:18PM
MarcDom7 said...
Unfortunately, the pressure is the truth of a professional dancer's career. The show is only being honest. In fact, this show pales in comparison to the amount of work a dancer must go through on a major show.
6-04-2009 @ 7:30AM
Lisa said...
I coudn't figure out why some got second chances and Natalie didn't. I'm not sure what you mean about camera-friendly as I think she lights up a room (but am not a guy) - Sonja loved her and Brandon in the rehearsal - she just blew it on stage. Wish they'd given her a second chance.
Also not to be contrary but am pulling for the choreographer brother (Ryan) as I think he's the one with mean talent.
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6-04-2009 @ 7:48AM
Charry said...
R P Your comment is emotionally exhausting and it's pushing me to my limit.
P.S. It was sad to see Biana go. I think she would have been really good.
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6-04-2009 @ 6:37PM
R P said...
If a little comment online pushes you too far I think you may need to get offline and go outside for awhile.
That said....
Yes I know real life dancers work extremely hard when in a show. But that is not what these kids have tried out for. If they try out for and get into, lets say a ballet company or a Broadway show then they know what they are in for. But this was sprung on them after they were already thoroughly exhausted. The looks on their pale worn faces almost broke my heart. All they wanted was a night's rest. Then they could have tried coming up with their new routines. The show could easily have allowed them that decency.
I still think the pressures most of these 'talent' programs are un-real. I still think forcing even young strong people to stay up all night after an already grueling and emotionally exhausting day is cruel and unusual treatment.
This is a TV SHOW! It's supposed to be for our entertainment. I for one am not entertained by seeing anyone pushed to the breaking point and beyond.
Pushed to do better. Given reasonable time to accomplish improvement. Yes, this is fine. But that is NOT what happened on last night's show. Last night's show not only reminds me of what happened with Susan Boyle it rather reminds me of water-boarding. Cruel and unnecessary treatment of some really talented people that I do enjoy watching dance ..as long as they are not abused.
IF I continue watching it will be in support of the dancers and their talent. But certainly NOT in support of the producers.
This is my opinion and my sense of what is right a wrong.
It is wrong to treat people in extreme ways and especially in the name of our 'entertainment'. And I have every right to say that i willnot be entertained by seeing other human beings abused.
6-04-2009 @ 6:40PM
R P said...
Yeah I know I had typos. This thing doesn't allow editing.
6-04-2009 @ 8:24AM
Xina said...
Ok..I am getting annoyed. This is the third time i have tried to type this and it keeps getting lost...anyways. These kids are physically fit, in amazing shape, and pushing them to their limits is what a career in dance is all about. Boyle put undue stress on herself, and let's face it she isn't in the best of shape and she is quite a bit older than these kids. Comparing her to what these young people do is silly.
Brandon has not impressed Mia OR lil'C. and I think the judges will listen and take that into account, even if Nigel won't.
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6-04-2009 @ 3:36PM
Karmela said...
Man, I hope you're wrong about Alex Wong and Ryan K. Both men really captured my heart, Alex with his dance and Ryan with his dancing, personality, charm and overall leadership. People in his group were lucky to have him. Actually, I hope they keep both him and Evan. They are both equally good with Evan being the shyer one. Ryan can really shine on this show.
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6-04-2009 @ 8:03PM
Nornny said...
Natalie kind of had a second chance by even making it to Vegas a second time. If the judges cut you once already, I don't think you deserve any second chance. Natalie knew the expectations of her and what was to come. Her rehearsal of Sonja's piece was SO STRONG, i don't know why she got all smiley during performance time.
She could not be more gracious though, which made my heart break even more. To be cut when you're a returning favorite must be immensely devastating and humiliating. How she smiled and showed no sense of bitterness through that was beyond me.
Cat Deely is the PERFECT host. She has so much fun with all the contestants.
I feel like Ricky and Asuka will both go through. I think they've really downplayed that pair in editing last night (I don't recall them getting the dreaded "They've been inseparable..." edit), whereas all the other pairs had major screentime and all got split up ("the dream is alive" edit and previews seem to imply the judges cut one of the brothers too).
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6-04-2009 @ 11:32AM
Sarah said...
all of my favorites except Brandon are gone... i'll still watch, but i too was confused as to how some got a second chance (Silky and Tony) and some were cut due to a one time slip, even though they have already proven to be excellent dancers (Gabi i could understand, but Natalie?!). the judges decisions seemed to be rash and inconsistent.
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6-04-2009 @ 12:24PM
GUCCIGRL said...
I think Kelsea Taylor should have made it. I didnt even see her last night???? Did anyone see her dance last night?
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6-04-2009 @ 3:13PM
Jessica said...
I am extremely disappointed in the show for them to cut Natalie. She is an amazing dancer, she's got a great personality and made it all the way to the last round last year. So obviously she has the talent...then why didn't at least call her to dance for her life?? I think this show is 75% about good dancing, 25% of good looks. The fact that they got rid of Bianca the tapper proves this point. Her and Natalie should NOT have been cut. My faith in this show is so deflated now...
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6-04-2009 @ 4:07PM
George said...
I grew increasingly annoyed as other dancers were given "second chances" in the wake of Natalie's (IMHO) unnecessarily harsh cut. Perhaps they're setting the stage to bring her back... or building drama for her return in the fall season. I can't help thinking that if they're already dismayed at the quality of the dancers who made it to Vegas, they're going to have slim pickings come fall.
Viewing numbers will be higher in the fall, so perhaps they're holding back some of the strongest dancers so they have a really impressive Top 20 for their fall debut.
Regardless, the judges seemed downright grumpy compared to past seasons.
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6-04-2009 @ 4:33PM
Xina said...
Maybe this is just me, but Natalie didn't seem to have the passion. She danced her solos beautifully, but the choreographed dances, just didn't seem all that. I would rather see a good dancer with a lot of heart than one with great technique and no heart.
that said...are people saying Natalie is ugly?
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6-04-2009 @ 5:12PM
ashley said...
this show wuhs ok until that thing happend =0
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6-04-2009 @ 5:38PM
Kirk said...
That was brutal, and, I thought, pretty awesome. Probably too early to tell who will be a standout, for me, but it was great to see how hard the judges make it for dancers to qualify for the show... last season, I missed the early cuts, so I didn't have a sense of how much of an opportunity it is for the dancers that make it through!
I'm a musician, and pretty much never have to go through that sort of thing, so it's pretty wild to watch people put through that sort of cattle-call ringer... intense, and great TV, IMO.
Plus, the amount of constructive, specific criticism on SYTYCD is something I think we could see more of on other shows (cough Idol cough cough).
I actually wrote a bit about last night here:
http://murfinsandburglars.com/2009/06/04/so-i-thinkim-glad-im-not-a-dancer/
Cheers!
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