Unsurprisingly, Melanie walked away with the title of "America's Favorite Dancer" (or, more accurately this season, "Nigel Lythgoe's Favorite Dancer") after beating Sasha (runner-up), Marko (third), and Tadd (fourth). Nothing about the way this finale played out was shocking or interesting. Melanie was the favorite from week one, and she won. It was expected, but it was the proper outcome as well. Melanie was the strongest dancer of the competition, though I (and many others) took issue with how much she was challenged to show adaptability and/or range. But she was the best of the final four, so she rightfully deserves her title.
I have to comment on the judges' picks for their favorite routines of the season. Some I agreed with (Ashley & Chris's Broadway, Melanie & Sasha's jazz, Melanie & Neil's contemporary, Caitlynn & Pasha's Argentine Tango), but some were just ridiculous: Sonya's Geisha girls? Miranda & Robert's woodpecker hip hop? Melanie & Marko's lyrical hip hop? And no one chose what was easily the season's best choreography and performance in Melanie & Marko's Dee Caspary contemporary piece with the light bulb? What a joke.
Then there was yet another Sonya routine with the entire top twenty performing. It was certainly more visually interesting than her couples routines have been lately, but it's still too much of the same. Especially in an episode where her choreography was showcased three other times.
By far the best performance of the entire episode was Matt Flint's tap number with Nick and Jess. Matt was the most recent winner of the show's UK incarnation, and after seeing him perform the US version should be ashamed of some of their past winners... because they've got nothing on this guy's talent and charisma. Matt was utterly charming, and the tapping was fantastic. It was so nice to finally see a tap routine on the show that used the music instead of fighting it, that added those elements of camp inherent in tap while still making it look timely and fresh and (of course) entertaining. Nick was especially impressive, considering how early he went home; I would've much preferred he traded spots with Jess in the competition. I mean, Nick has no training other than in tap and he was doing more consecutive turns than Jess and with just as strong a center. Craziness.
All in all, this was by far the most disappointing season of the show. I know there are people out there who think it was the best ever, but I strongly disagree. The range of genres was so limited that by the time the top ten were selected I was totally bored with the show. I don't like that the judges continued picking who would go home up until the finale (once it was top ten, the dancer with the lowest votes usually went home... hence "America's Favorite Dancer," in that America was supposed to be choosing). And I didn't like the lack of diversity among the dancers chosen for the twenty slots. There was one tapper, one ballroom dancer (both of whom were eliminated in the second week), and one Broadway dancer; the other seventeen were hip hop, jazz or contemporary. And the choreography has become stilted as well. The show lost its greatest choreographer, Mia Michaels, and overused the choreographer they hoped could take her place, Sonya Tayeh. There are plenty of working choreographers out there who would kill to have their work featured on the show; seek them out! Stop using the same ones over and over, creating the same effect and emotion week in and week out. Change it up.
Sunday, August 14, 2011
Thursday, August 11, 2011
Week Nine: Top Four Performances
This was one of the worst episodes I can recall of the entire series. The guest judges were uninspired and completely useless, and the performances were mind-numbingly boring. So let's get to the final cutting of the season.
Saturday, August 6, 2011
Top Six Elimination Performances
Top Six Group Performance (Choreographed by Justin Giles)
I get the fantasy, the whimsy Justin Giles was going for. But it came across as more campy and ridiculous than fantastical for me. The movement was cliche, the concept confusing. I kept thinking of Fern Gully, only without the humor.
Eliminated Dancers: Caitlynn, Ricky
We all knew it was going to happen, but that doesn't mean I'm happy about it. I know people who think that Caitlynn has no personality, but I disagree. She may not have the "warrior princess" vibe Sasha has or the stage presence Melanie has; but Caitlynn proved herself to be adaptable. Sasha and Melanie didn't really ever have to prove that because they were constantly given genres and pieces suited to fit them, rather than having to suit the genre or piece themselves. And I think that's reward-worthy. Look at Tadd: that's exactly why he made it through to the finale, because he took on different styles and adapted well to them. He has more of a personality than Caitlynn, but Caitlynn has more inate dance talent than Tadd.
Plus there's a very small part of me that never loved Sasha because she was picked for the top twenty over her sister.
I get the fantasy, the whimsy Justin Giles was going for. But it came across as more campy and ridiculous than fantastical for me. The movement was cliche, the concept confusing. I kept thinking of Fern Gully, only without the humor.
Eliminated Dancers: Caitlynn, Ricky
We all knew it was going to happen, but that doesn't mean I'm happy about it. I know people who think that Caitlynn has no personality, but I disagree. She may not have the "warrior princess" vibe Sasha has or the stage presence Melanie has; but Caitlynn proved herself to be adaptable. Sasha and Melanie didn't really ever have to prove that because they were constantly given genres and pieces suited to fit them, rather than having to suit the genre or piece themselves. And I think that's reward-worthy. Look at Tadd: that's exactly why he made it through to the finale, because he took on different styles and adapted well to them. He has more of a personality than Caitlynn, but Caitlynn has more inate dance talent than Tadd.
Plus there's a very small part of me that never loved Sasha because she was picked for the top twenty over her sister.
Thursday, August 4, 2011
Caitlynn vs. Sasha
I've been thinking a lot about how last night's performances panned out, and I have to say I'm angry. Because Caitlynn has worked harder to prove herself on this show than Sasha has, but Sasha will undoubtedly end up in the finale with Caitlynn sent packing.
Aside from the judges all praising Sasha endlessly week in and week out, she has also not truly been challenged in the way many of the other dancers were this season. Let's look at Sasha's styles over the course of the show. Keep in mind that Sasha is a contemporary hip hop dancer, a label she gave herself (not one I'm making up to prove a point). She considers both contemporary and hip hop to be "her" genres. So let's see:
Week 1: Contemporary
Week 2: Hip Hop
Week 3: Contemporary
Week 4: Hip Hop
Week 5: Paso Doble and Jazz
Week 6: Hip Hop
Week 7: Quickstep and Jazz
Week 8: Contemporary and Waacking
Sasha has only performed 2 ballroom routines and has pulled contemporary 3 times and hip hop 3 times. So she's danced outside her comfort zone a total of 5 times in 11 performances, though that's counting jazz (close to contemporary) and waacking (close to hip hop) in those remaining 6 dances. She has never had a week where she was completely and utterly out of her comfort zone, as there was always at least one style close to her own. She clearly has hardly been challenged by new genres; and let's not forget that her partner in weeks 1-5 was weak, so she looked even better dancing next to him. Sasha has been in the bottom only once, so she only "danced for her life" one time.
Now let's look at Caitlynn, a contemporary dancer who had to fight from the very beginning when her partner was injured in the first week and unable to perform with her.
Week 1: Jazz
Week 2: Contemporary
Week 3: Samba
Week 4: Contemporary
Week 5: Hip Hop and Jazz
Week 6: Argentine Tango
Week 7: Hip Hop and Foxtrot
Week 8: Samba and Jazz
Caitlynn has performed 4 ballroom routines (twice as many as Sasha) and has pulled her own genre twice. So she has danced in a style other than her own 9 out of 11 times, including jazz (which is close to contemporary). Last week Caitlynn had two styles completely different from her own. She was in the bottom three times, having to "dance for her life" as many times.
Looking at this, Sasha was clearly given some favoritism (and not just in relation to Caitlynn, but to all the girls; Caitlynn just happens to be her direct competition tonight). The same argument can be made against Melanie, who has also rarely been challenged; she's been give her own style 3 times and only 2 ballroom routines as well. Melanie is constantly given these "storytelling" pieces, whether they are contemporary, jazz, hip hop or Broadway. Caitlynn is often given more abstract pieces and more abstract choreographers (she has never worked with Nappytabs or Tyce, two of the series' staples).
I can see the odds, over the course of the entire season, stacking up against Caitlynn, and it upsets me. In a season where the dancers and choreography were very vanilla (I don't know what else to expect when 80% of them are hip hop or contemporary dancers), I'm finally caring about a contestant; because I've seen her fighting, and I've seen her improving. I wrote one week that Caitlynn kept falling out of her turns during her solos; the next week, she stopped falling. Caitlynn has danced for her life three times now and proven herself good enough to stay each time. I see her drive and her focus and her passion, and I want all of that to be rewarded with a place in the finale.
With Sasha, we see a dancer to started strong and stayed there. There has been no real impetus to get better, because she's been called amazing and a favorite since the very first week. She hasn't really had to fight for anything while she's been on the show, and she hasn't really had to prove herself much. Because the judges think she's great and want her in the finale (and have wanted her there since the start), so that's where she'll be. And it's a shame.
Aside from the judges all praising Sasha endlessly week in and week out, she has also not truly been challenged in the way many of the other dancers were this season. Let's look at Sasha's styles over the course of the show. Keep in mind that Sasha is a contemporary hip hop dancer, a label she gave herself (not one I'm making up to prove a point). She considers both contemporary and hip hop to be "her" genres. So let's see:
Week 1: Contemporary
Week 2: Hip Hop
Week 3: Contemporary
Week 4: Hip Hop
Week 5: Paso Doble and Jazz
Week 6: Hip Hop
Week 7: Quickstep and Jazz
Week 8: Contemporary and Waacking
Sasha has only performed 2 ballroom routines and has pulled contemporary 3 times and hip hop 3 times. So she's danced outside her comfort zone a total of 5 times in 11 performances, though that's counting jazz (close to contemporary) and waacking (close to hip hop) in those remaining 6 dances. She has never had a week where she was completely and utterly out of her comfort zone, as there was always at least one style close to her own. She clearly has hardly been challenged by new genres; and let's not forget that her partner in weeks 1-5 was weak, so she looked even better dancing next to him. Sasha has been in the bottom only once, so she only "danced for her life" one time.
Now let's look at Caitlynn, a contemporary dancer who had to fight from the very beginning when her partner was injured in the first week and unable to perform with her.
Week 1: Jazz
Week 2: Contemporary
Week 3: Samba
Week 4: Contemporary
Week 5: Hip Hop and Jazz
Week 6: Argentine Tango
Week 7: Hip Hop and Foxtrot
Week 8: Samba and Jazz
Caitlynn has performed 4 ballroom routines (twice as many as Sasha) and has pulled her own genre twice. So she has danced in a style other than her own 9 out of 11 times, including jazz (which is close to contemporary). Last week Caitlynn had two styles completely different from her own. She was in the bottom three times, having to "dance for her life" as many times.
Looking at this, Sasha was clearly given some favoritism (and not just in relation to Caitlynn, but to all the girls; Caitlynn just happens to be her direct competition tonight). The same argument can be made against Melanie, who has also rarely been challenged; she's been give her own style 3 times and only 2 ballroom routines as well. Melanie is constantly given these "storytelling" pieces, whether they are contemporary, jazz, hip hop or Broadway. Caitlynn is often given more abstract pieces and more abstract choreographers (she has never worked with Nappytabs or Tyce, two of the series' staples).
I can see the odds, over the course of the entire season, stacking up against Caitlynn, and it upsets me. In a season where the dancers and choreography were very vanilla (I don't know what else to expect when 80% of them are hip hop or contemporary dancers), I'm finally caring about a contestant; because I've seen her fighting, and I've seen her improving. I wrote one week that Caitlynn kept falling out of her turns during her solos; the next week, she stopped falling. Caitlynn has danced for her life three times now and proven herself good enough to stay each time. I see her drive and her focus and her passion, and I want all of that to be rewarded with a place in the finale.
With Sasha, we see a dancer to started strong and stayed there. There has been no real impetus to get better, because she's been called amazing and a favorite since the very first week. She hasn't really had to fight for anything while she's been on the show, and she hasn't really had to prove herself much. Because the judges think she's great and want her in the finale (and have wanted her there since the start), so that's where she'll be. And it's a shame.
Week Eight: Top Six Performances
Next week is the finale, and most of the dancers brought their A-game in preparation for it.
Friday, July 29, 2011
Top Eight Elimination Performances
Top Eight Group Performance (Choreographed by Tyce Diorio)
This was actually a very nice opening number. But I'm a little worrie about Tyce and clown thing; this is the second clown piece he's choreographed on the show, not to mention the circus piece from The Wiz he did two years ago. But the overall picture was very pretty, though a little eerie and kind of sad. There wasn't much to the choreography at all, a lot of standing around and watching the rope-ography and some very basic lifts. But it was quiet and not too over the top like the group performances tend to be, and it wasn't overchoreographed the way Tyce's group performances tend to be. A decent start to the evening.
The Bottom Four: Jordan, Caitlynn, Jess, Tadd
I hate you right now, Gaga. If she didn't say how much she loved Ricky last night, he would be in the bottom. He should've been the one going home, but he lives to dance another week. Blech.
Jordan's solo was flat-out boring; Jess's was a bunch of turns; Caitlynn's wasn't too thrilling either, though the plie attitude turn was kind of awesome; and Tadd's was insane.
It was no surprise to see Jordan going home, despite how much the judges love her. Clearly she's just not someone the audience is in love with, as she's been in the bottom more than she hasn't. I was shocked, however, that Jess was sent home. I kind of never thought it would happen, but I'm so happy it has. There was just something about him that totally turned me off, and, as awful as it may sound, I'm glad to not have to see him dance next week.
The Guest Dancers: The LXD
This group is the most entertaining to ever be featured on the show, and I enjoy watching them year after year. The fact that they do all of those tumbling passes completely in sync, those amazing isolationists, the "big picture" choreography... it's all awesome. I wish Christopher Scott would choreograph like this for the show.
Oh, but don't bother watching their web series... it doesn't make any sense.
This was actually a very nice opening number. But I'm a little worrie about Tyce and clown thing; this is the second clown piece he's choreographed on the show, not to mention the circus piece from The Wiz he did two years ago. But the overall picture was very pretty, though a little eerie and kind of sad. There wasn't much to the choreography at all, a lot of standing around and watching the rope-ography and some very basic lifts. But it was quiet and not too over the top like the group performances tend to be, and it wasn't overchoreographed the way Tyce's group performances tend to be. A decent start to the evening.
The Bottom Four: Jordan, Caitlynn, Jess, Tadd
I hate you right now, Gaga. If she didn't say how much she loved Ricky last night, he would be in the bottom. He should've been the one going home, but he lives to dance another week. Blech.
Jordan's solo was flat-out boring; Jess's was a bunch of turns; Caitlynn's wasn't too thrilling either, though the plie attitude turn was kind of awesome; and Tadd's was insane.
It was no surprise to see Jordan going home, despite how much the judges love her. Clearly she's just not someone the audience is in love with, as she's been in the bottom more than she hasn't. I was shocked, however, that Jess was sent home. I kind of never thought it would happen, but I'm so happy it has. There was just something about him that totally turned me off, and, as awful as it may sound, I'm glad to not have to see him dance next week.
The Guest Dancers: The LXD
This group is the most entertaining to ever be featured on the show, and I enjoy watching them year after year. The fact that they do all of those tumbling passes completely in sync, those amazing isolationists, the "big picture" choreography... it's all awesome. I wish Christopher Scott would choreograph like this for the show.
Oh, but don't bother watching their web series... it doesn't make any sense.
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Week Seven: Top Eight Performances
This week's performance show was a bit excessive, with two guest judges (one being the queen of excess herself, Lady Gaga) and twelve performances, three of which were hip hop and five of which were some type of contemporary or jazz. It got to be exhausting after a while, especially coming off of the long day I had, so forgive the inherent bitterness.
Friday, July 22, 2011
Top Ten Elimination Performances
Let's discuss this All-Star situation, because I'm pissed. Why did the producers get me so excited by bringing back Chelsie and Brandon, only to dump them after one episode? And are they now going to be introducing a new crop of dancers every week? Becuase they're going to run out of "all-stars" pretty quick; they're already kind of scraping the bottom of the barrel with next week's selection. So next week's all-stars will be: Ivan (season two); Jaimie, Anya, Pasha, Lauren, Neil (season three); Ade (season five); and Lauren (season seven). And no, you're not the only ones who completely forgot who Ivan is: he's a hip hop dancer who finished fifth in season two (ahead of Allison and Dmitry!), but I guess because he hasn't been in the spotlight much since then... I just kind of forgot he existed.
Top Ten Group Performance (Choreographed by Josh Bergasse)
By far the most successful Broadway group routine this show has done (not counting Mia's "One" from season five, which I didn't personally care for but I know has a following... that was contemporary, despite its music being from a Broadway show). There was never a moment of boredeom, as there tends to be for me in these group numbers, and the choreography itself managed to be both classic and modern musical theatre. I hope Josh Bergasse is brought back to choreograph for couples this season; his style is fresh and much better than Tyce Diorio's.
The Bottom Four Contestants: Clarice, Jordan, Mitchell, Ryan
I totally forgot that the bottom three of last season was done because only one dancer was eliminated each week, so I was initially surprised that four dancers would be in the bottom. But none of the four dancers surprised me. I think since there had to be two girls in the bottom, Clarice was an obvious choice next to Jordan. Mitchell got screwed with a bad routine last night, and I'm glad to know I'm not the only one who doesn't really understand why Ricky is so highly praised.
It's upsetting that Mitchell is eliminated, since I think he's the strongest dancer out of the remaining men. And it's not at all upsetting or surprising that Clarice, with her inability to not smile and her seeming lack of sense of humor, is eliminated as well. Looking back, I'm shocked she even made into the top ten; but I think she got by because she was paired with Jess, who clearly has a following of tween girls.
I'm not even going to comment on the guest dancer, because it was so weird and boring that I fast-forwarded through it.
Top Ten Group Performance (Choreographed by Josh Bergasse)
By far the most successful Broadway group routine this show has done (not counting Mia's "One" from season five, which I didn't personally care for but I know has a following... that was contemporary, despite its music being from a Broadway show). There was never a moment of boredeom, as there tends to be for me in these group numbers, and the choreography itself managed to be both classic and modern musical theatre. I hope Josh Bergasse is brought back to choreograph for couples this season; his style is fresh and much better than Tyce Diorio's.
The Bottom Four Contestants: Clarice, Jordan, Mitchell, Ryan
I totally forgot that the bottom three of last season was done because only one dancer was eliminated each week, so I was initially surprised that four dancers would be in the bottom. But none of the four dancers surprised me. I think since there had to be two girls in the bottom, Clarice was an obvious choice next to Jordan. Mitchell got screwed with a bad routine last night, and I'm glad to know I'm not the only one who doesn't really understand why Ricky is so highly praised.
It's upsetting that Mitchell is eliminated, since I think he's the strongest dancer out of the remaining men. And it's not at all upsetting or surprising that Clarice, with her inability to not smile and her seeming lack of sense of humor, is eliminated as well. Looking back, I'm shocked she even made into the top ten; but I think she got by because she was paired with Jess, who clearly has a following of tween girls.
I'm not even going to comment on the guest dancer, because it was so weird and boring that I fast-forwarded through it.
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Week Six: Top Ten Performances
Neil Patrick Harris is my new favorite judge from this season for two reasons:
1. He told Tyce Diorio his choreography and concept sucked (in so many words).
2. He told Jess to drop the twatty attitude and stop being so stupid (in so many words).
1. He told Tyce Diorio his choreography and concept sucked (in so many words).
2. He told Jess to drop the twatty attitude and stop being so stupid (in so many words).
Thursday, July 14, 2011
Top Twelve Elimination Performances
Let's talk about the Emmy nominations; the show was nominated for an amazing eight Emmys, including their first ever nomination for Outstanding Reality Competition Series. Plus three of my five favorite routines of last season were nominated for Outstanding Choreography: "Boogie Shoes" by Mandy Moore, "Mad World" by Stacey Tookey and "Outta Your Mind" by Nappytabs. Travis Wall and Mia Michaels were also nominated, and everyone's nominations were for multiple works. And let's not forget that Cat Deeley finally got her due, scoring a nomination for Outstanding Host of a Reality Series. She's the most likeable host on television, and I'm ecstatic that she was finally nominated. I'm so happy to see this show finally getting some recognition, even if it was more deserved for stronger previous seasons. But better late than never!
And how exciting are the group of all stars?! Can't wait to see season one runner-up Melody; Chelsie Hightower, my favorite from season four; and Brandon, one of the best dancers the show has ever had. The others are Allison (season two); Pasha (season three); Twitch and Comfort (season four); Kathryn (season six); and Robert (season seven). I wish they could've coerced Billy and/or Jakob, but oh well.
Top Twelve Group Performance (Choreographed by Kelly Abbey)
Despite some fantastic musicality, this performance was hideously boring. Nothing happened in the opening twenty seconds or so, and only half the dancers were dancing at any given moment. Why can't these choreographers figure out a way to use all of the dancers? They don't all have to be doing the same movement, but why are so many of them constantly just standing on the sidelines waiting for their part to begin?
The Bottom Three Couples: Caitlynn and Mitchell, Ryan and Ricky, Sasha and Alexander
No real surprises here; I know Jordan and Tadd made it through on the strength of their contemporary piece last night, even though it's said that Sasha and Alexander have ended up in the bottom in the week where they finally started to gel as a couple.
Based on solos, I too would've sent home Ryan and Alexander. It's not that either of them were bad, but the others just set the bar higher. Mitchell's solo was nothing short of amazing, and even I can't deny how good Ricky's solo was as well. Alexander's had some great moments (the aerial into an arabesque was ridiculous), but he also stumbled a bit. And Caitlynn finally danced within her limitations, not falling out of her turns for once or flailing like a mad woman across the stage. Sasha's wasnt all that impressive, but it was very strong. Ryan's was just a little confusing, and her hair was a major distraction from the movement.
So neither elimination was entirely surprising, especially given how the show has worked out so far. Ryan has constantly been in the bottom despite some strong showings, and Alexander was carried through the first four weeks by a strong partner.
The Guest Dancer: Jason Samuels Smith
Okay, did anyone else find it awkward that none of the tap sounds in the introduction were actually coming from the stage? They were on the recording. Oh, and Melinda from last season was shoved in there in the background (the one in green shoes). The dancing itself was impressive, but the sound just killed it all for me. Why, oh why, can't anyone just freaking tap? It got better as the routine went on and the sound cut out, but what was with that intro? Annoying.
And how exciting are the group of all stars?! Can't wait to see season one runner-up Melody; Chelsie Hightower, my favorite from season four; and Brandon, one of the best dancers the show has ever had. The others are Allison (season two); Pasha (season three); Twitch and Comfort (season four); Kathryn (season six); and Robert (season seven). I wish they could've coerced Billy and/or Jakob, but oh well.
Top Twelve Group Performance (Choreographed by Kelly Abbey)
Despite some fantastic musicality, this performance was hideously boring. Nothing happened in the opening twenty seconds or so, and only half the dancers were dancing at any given moment. Why can't these choreographers figure out a way to use all of the dancers? They don't all have to be doing the same movement, but why are so many of them constantly just standing on the sidelines waiting for their part to begin?
The Bottom Three Couples: Caitlynn and Mitchell, Ryan and Ricky, Sasha and Alexander
No real surprises here; I know Jordan and Tadd made it through on the strength of their contemporary piece last night, even though it's said that Sasha and Alexander have ended up in the bottom in the week where they finally started to gel as a couple.
Based on solos, I too would've sent home Ryan and Alexander. It's not that either of them were bad, but the others just set the bar higher. Mitchell's solo was nothing short of amazing, and even I can't deny how good Ricky's solo was as well. Alexander's had some great moments (the aerial into an arabesque was ridiculous), but he also stumbled a bit. And Caitlynn finally danced within her limitations, not falling out of her turns for once or flailing like a mad woman across the stage. Sasha's wasnt all that impressive, but it was very strong. Ryan's was just a little confusing, and her hair was a major distraction from the movement.
So neither elimination was entirely surprising, especially given how the show has worked out so far. Ryan has constantly been in the bottom despite some strong showings, and Alexander was carried through the first four weeks by a strong partner.
The Guest Dancer: Jason Samuels Smith
Okay, did anyone else find it awkward that none of the tap sounds in the introduction were actually coming from the stage? They were on the recording. Oh, and Melinda from last season was shoved in there in the background (the one in green shoes). The dancing itself was impressive, but the sound just killed it all for me. Why, oh why, can't anyone just freaking tap? It got better as the routine went on and the sound cut out, but what was with that intro? Annoying.
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