On last night's special Monday episode of So You Think You Can Dance, producer/judge Nigel Lythgoe displayed an empty chair, just in case, he said, a special guest decided to grace them with her presence. The chair was marked with the name "Paula Abdul." (On a side note, SYTYCD was on basically in place of House -- how can such a popular show go on break so often?). The current slate of judges, including Lythgoe, Mary Murphy, and Adam Shankman (in for Mia Michaels), seems perfect. Other than the fact that I wish I had the technical know-how to develop a filter that would detect when Murphy is about to sound like a claxon and automatically adjust the volume of my TV, I enjoy all three judges. And, as I've said before, I actually feel like I'm learning something from the show when they critique the dancers. When they need another voice, they have Debbie Allen, the sometimes overly loquacious Lil C, and a few others who can easily step in.
What, exactly, would Abdul add to this mix? She has a background in dance, and probably knows dancing better than singing. She's also a big name again thanks to American Idol. But having seen her on Idol, I'd prefer Dance stay with its current slate, and not use the Paula chair.
On Idol, Abdul was the cheerleader, the one who would stand up for/coddle the hopeful singers. Dance doesn't need that. The judges seem to be genuinely interested in the development of every dancer they see, whether at early auditions or in the final 20 (with the exception of the inevitable loonies and delusionals, and even then, they mostly have fun and roll with the bad performances).
They offer what seems to my untrained ears as useful advice, even if it might seem harsh, but always make it clear the intention is to move the dancer forward artistically.
If Abdul can change her style a bit and fit with that dynamic, great. But if not, Dance doesn't really need another judge.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
10-27-2009 @ 2:10PM
Katers said...
Adam Shankman isn't in for Mia Michaels; he appears to be in for the rotating set of judges that occasionally including Mia, but also Debbie Allen, Lil' C, Tyce, etc. Adam Shankman was announced to fill that rotating chair long before Mia MIchaels announced she was leaving.
I do love Paula, and actually think that her skills might be better used on SYTYCD--I think she is more respected as a dancer than she ever was as a singer.
But I will kind of miss the rotating judge parade-- Debbie Allen's warmth and then Lil' C, who is just a little bit nuts but I love it. I'm being open-minded, though!
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10-27-2009 @ 4:21PM
Summer said...
Are they doing away with the rotating slot? I thought that they were just adding another permanent slot, increasing the total to 4. (I assumed there was no rotating/guest judge last night because it wasn't a competition show). I'll be a little disappointed if that's not the case - I always thought Shankman was best of the rotating judges, but wouldn't want to lose the others as guests.
As for Abdul, if they are keeping the rotating chair, I can see her working in that role (plus, it wouldn't pull someone off choreography duty for that week).
10-27-2009 @ 3:37PM
tina beana said...
If she does this or not, it'd still be ok since she's still making money with everything. She even has her own exercise mats from G2 Fit
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10-27-2009 @ 4:02PM
Ladytex said...
Adam Shankman was not in for Mia Michaels, nor is he in the rotating cast. He was appointed the third permanent judge between the two seasons.
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10-27-2009 @ 4:54PM
bp said...
Mia Michaels will not be on this years show. Her (quite amazing) retirement number was on the final of SYTYCD Canada this last Sunday.
also it seams sadly, Mia suffered a back injury while in Canada.
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10-27-2009 @ 6:55PM
unc69dmo said...
There is absolutely NO REASON to use this robotic "say nothing" on SYTYCD.....
I used to praise the SYTYCD judges when i blasted the annoying chix on AI.......the last thing i want to do is have to start holding the remote again so i can hit the mute when she opens her mouth.......i would just DVR/ fast forward.....every episode...
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10-28-2009 @ 1:21PM
TI said...
Boo
10-29-2009 @ 10:17AM
Gordy said...
Mia injured her back practicing for the VMA Michael Jackson Tribute with Janet Jackson, Tina Landon, et al.
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10-30-2009 @ 3:28PM
am_hollitz said...
I like Adam Shankman; he is a great fit for the permanent judge slot, but I also miss the rotating judges (or at least, I miss Mia Michaels, Debbie Allen, and some others--NOT Lil'C though).
I just wish I knew why Mia retired... rumours were floating its because she's going to be a permanent judge on SYTYCD: United Kingdom. But now apparently it's because she's injured?
Speak up Mia! Inquiring fans want to know why you retired so abruptly.
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