soyouthinkyoucandance-related stories
Posted Jul 3rd 2009 11:46AM by Michael Pascua
Filed under: OpEd, Contestants, Episode Reviews, So You Think You Can Dance
(S05E12) We're welcomed to the show by Cat Deeley lamenting Thursdays. I'm often confused by Cat mentioning the dancers dancing their "own style." It must have been a
Donyelle rule. I guess we'll never see Karla channel her inner
Boogie Bot.
The sound quality was off tonight, proving that part of the show was live; when they transitioned from live to the clips, you could hear the echoes. The biggest culprit was the transition to Kelly Clarkson; the audience applause didn't sound the same at all.
Continue reading So You Think You Can Dance: 2 of 14 Eliminated
Posted Jul 2nd 2009 12:43AM by Michael Pascua
Filed under: OpEd, Episode Reviews, So You Think You Can Dance
(S05E11) You know that there is going to be a lot of unnecessary fluff when there are seven couples and two hours to fill. The show decided to give us highs and lows of the dancers. Damn time wasters. Did anyone notice the credits took twice the amount than they normally do?
Our guest judge was Mia Michaels who admitted that her harsh opinion of Brandon has changed. Cat in her hot fuchsia dress mentioned a "big announcement" near the end of the show, as if she didn't want us to switch over to
America's Got Talent. Unfortunately, it wasn't
Michael Jackson related.
Continue reading So You Think You Can Dance: Top 14 Perform
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 1:04PM by Nick Zaino
Filed under: Other Reality Shows, OpEd, The Amazing Race
I'm not a fan of reality shows. I know that's not a bold statement to make, and that reality shows are a fairly easy target. But I think they're boring after the first episode, for the most part. You pretty much know how it goes from there. Which one of the needy, self-esteem deficient bachelorettes the arrogant bachelor ends up with doesn't interest me (nor the opposite - which arrogant idiot catches the fancy of the bachelorette). Talent shows are usually just as bad, preying on their contestants' desperate need for recognition, and with wildly erratic and cynical judging.
So it's a surprise to me that there are two reality shows I actually do enjoy. There is
The Amazing Race on CBS, which is currently in between seasons, and
So You Think You Can Dance, which is in the beginning third on Fox. Generally, I don't feel stupid watching these two shows. I don't feel like I'm wasting my time. In fact, every once in a while, I feel like I'm learning something.
Continue reading Reality shows for people who hate reality shows
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 3:04PM by Michael Pascua
Filed under: Other Reality Shows, OpEd, American Idol, Host, So You Think You Can Dance
The summertime is when I could get a breath of fresh air from
Ryan Seacrest. By the end of
American Idol, I'm just hoping that Ryan would stop interviewing contestants and just get to the singing. Eventually the confetti falls, we have a winner, and Ryan Seacrest disappears from my television until January.
So You Think You Can Dance rolls around and we're greeted by the wonderful Cat Deeley. I have to admit that she's light years ahead of Ryan Seacrest. She may not be as witty as
Tom Bergeron, but she brings a flair to her hosting duties.
Continue reading Why Cat Deeley is better than Ryan Seacrest
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 19th 2009 12:24AM by Michael Pascua
Filed under: Other Reality Shows, OpEd, Episode Reviews, So You Think You Can Dance
(S05E07) I'm happy that I'm not investing money on
So You Think You Can Dance. Three of the best couples last week became the bottom three, dancing for their lives.
We started off the night with a poorly shot routine. It is never good when you can see a camera man on the right taping, then switch to a shot where he magically disappears. At least try to convince America that this portion was pre-taped. Also, with the Maori-like face paint, I couldn't tell Ashley from Asuka.
Continue reading So You Think You Can Dance: 2 of 18 Voted Off
Posted Jun 18th 2009 1:28AM by Michael Pascua
Filed under: Other Reality Shows, OpEd, Episode Reviews, So You Think You Can Dance
(S05E07) Shane Sparks, you sly devil. Somehow he managed to choreograph two routines and allow his face to be shown. That's great because Shane has provided some of the best hip-hop choreography this show has seen. Unfortunately, this episode didn't show any of it.
Cat Deeley starts off the show on an odd note. I didn't know that wrapping my living room drapery over one shoulder is fashionable. The order of the show threw me off, because they put the best performances in the middle and the bad ones on the ends.
Continue reading So You Think You Can Dance: Top 18 Perform
Posted Jun 17th 2009 3:25PM by Michael Pascua
Filed under: Other Reality Shows, OpEd, Dancing With The Stars, TV Squad Lists, Casting, So You Think You Can Dance
With the second week of competitions tonight on
So You Think You Can Dance, I wanted to point out a trend:
reality dance show contestants can't leave television. Several contestants and a few choreographers have jumped ship and have appeared on other reality shows.
The jump basically can plant an already established fanbase onto a different television show. One great example is Ty Murray on
Dancing with the Stars. I'm not sure what the percentage of votes for Ty came from fans of Chelsie Hightower and her work from
SYTYCD or his charm, but he definitely benefited from someone who knew to make routines that were camera friendly.
Continue reading The reality TV dance show scorecard
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 Jun 4th 2009 2:04AM by Michael Pascua
Filed under: Other Reality Shows, OpEd, So You Think You Can Dance
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.
Continue reading So You Think You Can Dance: Vegas Part 1
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