nigel lythgoe-related stories
Posted Jun 29th 2009 8:01PM by Jason Hughes
Filed under: Other Reality Shows, OpEd, So You Think You Can Dance
Don't look for it this week. As Nigel says, these things take time. At least they should take time. I'm glad
So You Think You Can Dance is
trying to put together a Michael Jackson tribute special. I'm even more glad that executive producer Nigel Lythgoe is trying to take the time to do this right. While everyone seems to be trying to throw something together right away, Lythgoe says that it'll happen if and when it happens. Plus, I'd sure rather see a
SYTYCD tribute than tonight's
re-airing of the MJ American Idol episode.
The more cynical among us may see it as a chance to cash in on the death of the King of Pop, but considering Jackson's significance into the world of popular dance, it makes perfect sense. Lythgoe's even trying to pull in Paula Abdul to help choreograph some aspect of it. I wouldn't mind seeing some synergy between
American Idol and
So You Think You Can Dance, considering that Fox is setting them up to air in opposite half-seasons;
Dance in the fall, and
Idol after Christmas.
Continue reading SYTYCD trying to pull together a Michael Jackson tribute special
Posted Jun 26th 2009 3:57AM by Jason Hughes
Filed under: Other Reality Shows, OpEd, Episode Reviews
(S05E09) Oh my god, a group number? Who knew?
Group Number - "I Know You Want Me (Calle Ocho)," Pitbull (Hip-Hop, Dmitry Chaplan and Napoleon & Tabitha) Cat got a more dramatic entrance after this busy little number. I found myself enjoying the piece as we got into the middle of it. The beginning seemed overly long with the close-ups of the dancers undulating around in the dark. It was more posturing than dancing at that point. But when we got into it there were some nice moments, though no particular breakout stars.
Which actually sums up some of the problems with this season so far. Brandon is a force to be reckoned with, and I like Ade but I think by this point last season I was already seeing a lot of fun personality from Twitch, Joshua, Katee, Chelsea, Courtney, Gev and so many more. Where are those strong dynamic and unique performers this year? We have a lot of great dancers, but a real dearth of stars.
Continue reading So You Think You Can Dance: 2 of 16 Voted Off
Posted Jun 25th 2009 12:42AM by Jason Hughes
Filed under: Other Reality Shows, OpEd, Episode Recaps
(S05E09) Things were getting too exciting during the competition episodes, so the producers brought in Toni Basil to join Nigel and Mary on the panel. Even though it's a big deal to be receiving a prestigious award, I still found myself dozing off when she started talking about it.
This year, the competition is so tight that it's hard to figure out who's going to be in the bottom three from week to week. So many of the contestants are really impressive in picking up the different styles, and that continued tonight.
What also continued was couples who were great last week being not so great this week. And there are still so many couples that there are only a few favorites sprinkled throughout. In other words "What have you done for me lately?" is in full effect. So what did they do?
Continue reading So You Think You Can Dance: Top 16 Perform
Posted Jun 21st 2009 1:19PM by Michael Pascua
Filed under: Other Reality Shows, OpEd, So You Think You Can Dance
As a big fan of the
X-Files and
Reality TV, I love thinking about and reading conspiracy theories about eliminations. While re-watching the audition episodes of
So You Think You Can Dance I noticed during Adam Shankman's
fake audition, Katee Shean critiqued him. Below her it read "runner up."
Wait a second. She was second runner up. Shouldn't it just say "finalist" or "second runner up" instead?
I know I'm thinking too hard, but I created an interesting theory about Katee. Maybe the producers knew she was the actual runner up, but thought that wouldn't make good television. They placed her in third and gave her money to compensate. Here are some points of interest.
Continue reading Was Katee Shean actually the runner up on So You Think You Can Dance?
Posted Jun 12th 2009 12:22AM by Jason Hughes
Filed under: Other Reality Shows, OpEd, Episode Reviews
(S05E06) The show opened, as usual, with the group number. And because The Black Eyed Peas' "Boom Boom Pow" isn't getting enough airplay,
So You Think You Can Dance threw the band a bone and used it for this Shane Sparks piece. Unfortunately, with 20 dancers on stage it's hard to make the piece not look like a bit of a mess. Sparks' choreography was pretty good, but I don't think the dancers were all equally up to the task.
When the majority of your dancers are not familiar with the style you're using, it must be even harder to put these things together. This isn't to challenge them, nor is it for votes, it's just supposed to be for entertainment. Unfortunately these numbers aren't as impressive until later in the season. At least they're superior to those awful group numbers they force on the
American Idol contestants.
Continue reading So You Think You Can Dance: 2 of 20 Voted Off
Posted Jun 11th 2009 12:41AM by Jason Hughes
Filed under: Other Reality Shows, OpEd, Episode Reviews
(S05E06) Not to be a hater, but my favorite thing about this first performance episode was the complete and total lack of Mia Michaels anywhere on the show. Now I actually enjoy some of her work as a choreographer, but her horrendous judging and her personality, in general, are becoming very off-putting to me. But we don't have to even think about her tonight because we got the delightful Adam Shankman on the panel instead.
I like Adam because he's got such an upbeat personality, but he's not afraid to criticize when necessary. And when he does, he gives constructive criticism to generally improve the dancers. Tonight he revealed that Katee, Joshua, Ivan and Twitch all have roles in the new movie he's working on:
Step Up 3-D.
Continue reading So You Think You Can Dance: Top 20 Perform
Posted Jun 5th 2009 12:42AM by Michael Pascua
Filed under: Other Reality Shows, OpEd, Episode Reviews, So You Think You Can Dance
It's difficult for any summer reality show to emotionally connect with the audience, because there's less effort to watch. Unlike
American Idol,
So You Think You Can Dance has no big dance related prize. Don't tell me that touring with Celine Dion is anywhere near a multi-album contract. Dancers will eventually have to retire because their bodies can't take it.
The show finally made the cut from 32 to our top 20. I'm a little surprised how laid back Lil' C looks, and how he votes against these dancers. Most of the cuts were obvious and no one really has me emotionally tied at the moment, but I've made some snap decisions on what little impressions I got.
Continue reading So You Think You Can Dance: The Top 20 Revealed
Posted May 29th 2009 12:18AM by Jason Hughes
Filed under: Other Reality Shows, Episode Reviews
(S05E03) L.A. saw Adam Shankman joining the esteemed Nigel Lythgoe and Mary Murphy. At one point he was coaxed onto stage to perform with one of the would-be contestants, where he proved that he can still hoof it. As a bonus treat, we got to see several of the finalists from last season, including winner Joshua and runner-up Katee, critique him and give him a ticket straight through to Vegas. It was a fun diversion from the true auditions.
Mia Michaels, who showed up in Seattle, is one of the most brilliant choreographers on the show, bringing some of the most exciting contemporary routines we've seen. Which reminds me that I want to see more contemporary dancers lift their left leg instead of their right one. Just mix it up people. You can do it.
Continue reading So You Think You Can Dance: Los Angeles and Seattle Auditions
Posted May 28th 2009 12:22AM by Jason Hughes
Filed under: Other Reality Shows, Episode Reviews
(S05E02) This week we get four hours of
SYTYCD. Four cities over two nights with tons of great auditions and some disastrous ones. In fact, the ratio of good to bad was perfect tonight. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy a train wreck as much as the next person, but I enjoy even more seeing something that makes my jaw hit the ground. And we got plenty of that tonight. Already, I'm excited about the season to come.
In Miami, Nigel and Mary were joined by Tice DiOrio while it was Lil' C that offered wisdom in Memphis. The show kept moving at a nice clip, quickly burning through two hours. In fact, it wasn't until my recording stopped that I realized the show had gone over. And it's not even a live show!
Continue reading So You Think You Can Dance: Miami and Memphis Auditions
Posted May 23rd 2009 8:10AM by Jason Hughes
Filed under: Other Reality Shows, OpEd
As a former male dancer, I understand Nigel's point about the male and female roles in partner dancing. And Mary's confusion in figuring out how to judge Misha Belfer and Mitchel Kibel, two guys who partnered on a samba. The roles of each partner are very clearly defined in that form of dance, and they are traditionally gender specific. What didn't work out as well was Nigel's pithy little jokes. He went the easy route saying things like the boys "might actually like it" about dancing with girls, even though they've done so in the past.
What you have to consider is he followed that up by telling a contestant who performed in a bizarre lion costume with lightsabers that she was clearly from a different planet. So I think it's more a matter of poorly considered attempts at humor than that
Nigel Lythgoe is a homophobe, as he's being accused now by GLAAD. He attempts to spice up the show and make it entertaining with his little comments. We all say stupid and insensitive things that we don't mean from time to time. Maybe it needed to be edited out before broadcast.
Continue reading I actually understand what Nigel was trying to say on SYTYCD
Posted May 22nd 2009 12:25AM by Michael Pascua
Filed under: Other Reality Shows, OpEd, Episode Reviews, Episode Recaps, So You Think You Can Dance
"Your metal rod is showing" – Sonya Tayeh(S05E01) Screams and potential contestants wailing to the cameras start off our show. What did I get myself into? Cat Deeley preps us that we have thousands of dancers, six cities, lots of tears, and one obsessively screaming judge. I guess we don't get an explanation as to what happened to Joshua, other than making it to the opening credits. Whatever did happen to Step Up 3D? Let's hope it doesn't go straight to DVD.
We started the night with New York City's auditions, specifically in Brooklyn. Cat does the Brooklyn Dance while more people dance for the camera. Our judges today are Nigel, Mary, and Tabitha & Napoleon, our favorite lyrical hip-hop choreographers. The dancers still have the same process for auditions: win (straight to Vegas), lose (rejection) or draw (choreography round where the judges will make their decisions).
Continue reading So You Think You Can Dance: NYC and Denver Auditions
Posted Aug 25th 2008 10:20AM by Jane Boursaw
Filed under: Programming, OpEd, American Idol, Music and Variety, TV Squad Lists, So You Think You Can Dance
It's sad when you can't remember who won the last American Idol. Oh yeah, David Cook. And we're avid fans around this house, too.
Simon Cowell probably remembers, but, apparently, he's as bored as the rest of us. In a TVGuide.com story, he says of Season 7, "I was a little bored ... I think [last season] the talent was great, and the ratings were great, I just think it could be more interesting and controversial."
That's why he plans to mix it up a little come January 2009, when he'll be taking a larger role in the show, perhaps compensating for executive producer Nigel Lythgoe stepping back to focus on his other show, So You Think You Can Dance.
Simon's not saying how he'll shake things up, but I have a few ideas:
Continue reading Simon Cowell to shake up American Idol - I've got some ideas for him
Posted Aug 8th 2008 7:41AM by Kristin Sample
Filed under: OpEd, Episode Reviews, So You Think You Can Dance
(
S04E23) It all comes down to this. The season has been a bit underwhelming at times compared to seasons past, but it did indeed have its fantastic moments. I'm sure I won't soon forget Twitch and Kherrington's Viennese waltz or Katee and Will's pas de deux.
Still standing at the end is a girl who is the ultimate underdog, a girl who would've quit, a guy with absolutely no formal training, and a guy who was #21 last season, just shy of making the top 20 dancers. Let's talk about the season finale of
So You Think You Can Dance. For Real!
Continue reading So You Think You Can Dance: Season Finale
Posted Aug 7th 2008 8:23AM by Jason Hughes
Filed under: Episode Reviews, So You Think You Can Dance
(S04E22) The two night season finale is here and there are only four dancers left. On the guys' side we have Joshua and Twitch, two hip-hop dancers with very different styles. The girls are representing contemporary and jazz this year, with both Katee and Courtney. I can't say I would have expected this top four at the beginning of the season, but with the range of talent we had this year, it was hard to guess who might make it here.
With Mandy Moore joining Nigel and Mary on the judging panel, we were treated to a two hour extravaganza of dance dance dance! Each of the four finalists danced no less than five separate times, sometimes with only a commercial break between them. Those whiners at
American Idol talk about how exhausting that show can be, but can you imagine the physical strain these dancers go through? Especially as they ramp up to a show as demanding as this finale. Thankfully, it was packed from beginning to end with amazing numbers and amazing dancing!
Continue reading So You Think You Can Dance: Top 4 Perform
Posted Aug 4th 2008 7:00PM by Kona Gallagher
Filed under: Industry, American Idol, News and Gossip, So You Think You Can Dance
It's been several years since I've cared about the outcome of
American Idol. The contestants are all starting to look the same to me and half the time I get them confused with people on
Top Model. Apparently, I'm not alone. While it's still a ridiculously high-rated show, Last season's
Idol did experience a ratings dip. Now,
even its executive producer is jumping ship.
Nigel Lythgoe has produced
Idol for seven seasons, but according to sources, he's grown tired of the singing competition and has said privately that he's "not passionate about it anymore." Instead, Lythgoe is going to spend more time with his
other successful Fox competition show,
So You Think You Can Dance. This comes on the heels of news that
Fox has picked up Dance for a 5th season.
Even though
SYTYCD is a summer show, it attracts a good audience and a lot of buzz. Plus
its stars are adorably crazy, as opposed to Paula Abdul crazy. Which show is your favorite? Are you still devoted to
Idol, or does
Dance take the formula and do it better?
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