I think I'm on overload...

...I may need to dance it out.

The nice thing about So You Think You Can Dance in the past has been that there is always a breather between seasons, and with the Canadian version wrapping up as the American one takes the stage again I'm finding it a little hard to concentrate on what's going on. Not having ever really been a fan of the reality genre, I've found that this is the one show that has kept me interested but if they keep this up....well they may lose me in the shuffle.

For visual stimulation, see below to watch the intro/photo shoot for the new top 20.

-enjoy!

Got you all fired up with your Tabitha and Napoleon complex!

So, what was wrong with the show last night!? Cat looked creepy in that shiny garbage bag, it was worse than the crap outfit she wore last week. Ellen looked crazy. I kept thinking she couldn't move her face properly because of botox. My dad thinks they just didn't do her make up very well. Mary looked subdued, but she needs to shut up. Mia is Mia and I love her more and more.

Group Routine
Travis is my god. Yeah, he's hot. The camera work for the routine was the most pathetic ever and I couldn't even concentrate to watch the dancing. It really made it difficult to watch. I didn't notice Brandon at all.

And Siobhan says: I think I might have liked this dance if I could actually see it. Whoever was working the steady-cam for Ade's flips needs to be reminded that they're not Scorsese and it's not about the shot but the dancing. Unless it's a crappy shot in which case it's ALL about the shot.

Evette (or Janvan if you prefer)
I wasn't too sure of this partnership. Evan is cute. Janette is sexy. Sometimes it just ends up awkward. It's like Travis and Martha, it was often awkward. The Sonya jazz had some nice moments and Janette looked super fierce. Once again the song didn't seem very Sonya-esque, I'm surprised you didn't mention this. And again it was another remix. They really have been picking on Evan and it doesn't seem valid most of the time. I wasn't surprised Mia said that Janette was her favourite of this season... she is a fantastic dancer. The rumba did seem awkward, on both parts. There was a move when she went down his side with a spin, which I remember Chelsie doing--and Chelsie did it so much better. Plus Janette's solo was weak. Why didn't she do any of her Salsa dancing... she needed an up tempo song to really make her remember what she did. All I remember is that I was bored.

And Siobhan says: Evette sounds cutesier...which I think is appropriate in view of the diminutive stature of the couple. Seriously, how do they manage to stand beside Cat without laughing hysterically. I think that if they stuck together there would be more trust. I think it might partially stem from the fact that she doesn't do contemporary so she doesn't necessarily know how it's supposed to feel but with the Latin dances she knows exactly how her partner should feel in relation to her, which may cause doubt. Problematic. I didn't think they made a very good couple. Bottom two for sure.

Branine
So, this partnership is the bane of my existence. I hate Brandon. I hate Brandon. I hate when he smiles. I hate when he tries to be sexy (like in his awkward-to-watch-because-he-treats-it-like-porn solo). The Waltz really sucked. It was awful. I was glad they were called out on it. I was more focused on whether Brandon used the word ponder properly in the video clip. I thought you had to ponder a question, or something specific. Can you really ponder squirrels

And Siobhan says: I think you can technically ponder squirrels, it's just not used? Also, this partnership is the bane of everyone's existence; especially the dancers. Have you ever seen two people dance so completely separated? The waltz was terrible (that dress was not flattering, and I really wanted it to be because they really haven't figured out how to dress Jeanine, and that sucks). I really liked the Lorianne routine but as you mentioned the song choice could have been better.

Melade
Did Ade seem slightly annoyed to get Melissa again? Is that why he seemed awkward and clumsy during the cha cha? Gotta love Melanie Lapatin! Ade's solo was much better than last week and I appreciated that Melissa tried something a little different. It seems like her age is making it more difficult for younger viewers to relate to her. Now, for the second dance I didn't pay any attention to the intro video because I think Tyce is a cancer on the program. I realized it had to have been about cancer because Melissa was wearing the head scarf. It seemed clunky and awkward to start and then all of a sudden it was just WOW and I wanted to cry. I wasn't surprised with the judges reactions. It seems like everyone has been touched by cancer. I thought Mia's crying was beautiful, and it made me have a new appreciation for the routine she did with Lacy and Neil.

And Siobhan says: I'm not going to lie: I cried. But not because of the routine, only because everyone else was crying. Honestly, they couldn't have driven that point home any harder. Shot of Melissa crying, cut to Tyce tearing up, cut to Nigel unable to speak, cut to Melissa again because Ade's not crying. Cut to Ellen, who still looks stunned, yet touched. Cut to Mary who's crying (big surprise). Cut back to Tyce, who looks more upset. Cut to Mia. Cut to Tyce crying. Cut to Mia. Cut to Melissa. Cut to tears....cut to... Cat. Standing in the middle of it all; the ice queen. I have new found respect.

Kayson (I'd call it Jayla, but there was a girl on ANTM named Jayla... and she was a bitch)
So how lucky am I to get my two favourites together?! I never got Travis and Natalie. But they got stuck with Tyce and Shane Sparks... two of the most underwhelming choreographers this season! I think my problem with Tyce is that his Broadway routines have featured really boring songs that just fail to catch my attention. This number worked better and I would say that it is the best he has done all season but it's still a far cry from what he's done in the past. The hip hop was definitely the best Shane Sparks has done all season, but I don't know if I'd say the best ever. But there were some pretty amazing parts to it. I definitely loved the beginning and the end.

And Siobhan says: I was super excited for you when I saw these two together. Thing is, I think it actually turned out to be a pretty solid partnership. Honestly, I don't think that they'll be in the bottom this week. I am, however, so over Kayla that it hurts me physically. They need to stop talking about her like she's already won. That said, if she and Brandon end up in the final two...you know which girl I will switch my allegiance to.

Bottom two girls: Melissa and Janette.
Bottom two guys: Evan and Ade. (or whatever he said)? I was really impressed with the new choreographer and how she dealt with Jeanine wanting to cry. But I think the song really ruined the routine and all the hardcore bullshit she was talking about during the video clip. I haven't re-watched it with a different song because A) Jordin Sparks is awful. B) The song (called "Battlefield") just makes me think of "Love is Battlefield". C) Brandon is awful.

Going home: Evan and Melissa!

So Siob and I agreed on the bottom two. And we were so wrong. I only had one right! I really wanted to pick Janette to go home after her lousy night, but just didn't have the balls to pick the Natalie over Allison Top 8 elimination! I shall miss Jason and his hotness!

SYTYCD... without a doubt!

Merci to Siob for allowing me access to her mighty blog!

Adissa
I am really going to miss these two performing together. Melissa is rock solid. She is amazing. Ade is also great, but I think he is often outclassed by how beautifully Melissa moves. He's so insanely powerful, but sometimes I think it gets lost in translation. I liked their disco, but after how quick Doriana had Branette do their disco this one seemed a little less exciting. I think Melissa looked incredible in her outfit though! In terms of the waltz I thought Melissa looked fantastic and that I was really glad they used a MJB song, even though the waltz would be more suited to a different kind of voice. I often wonder why Ron Montez choreographs the waltz when Jean Marc choreographs a lot of other ballroom routines. I love Jean Marc, and I love seeing France. Can they become my surrogate grandparents? Would he be offended? I wasn't terribly surprised that they were in the bottom three, but I knew that they wouldn't be going home. Melissa looked amazing in her solo. But do we think a ballerina can win the competition? It's like a swing dancer winning. I think a lot more screaming girls can relate to a pretty ballerina than a gangly swing dancer like Benji.


Kaylono
So, their first routine was the best of the season. Without a doubt. It was classic Mia. But I'm waiting for Mia to do something that just makes me want to rewatch the dance over and over and over again. Their emotions were amazing during the dance and I quite loved watching it. I do love Kayla, but I'm not crazy about Kupono. Their second dance was not good. The choreography was weak. I think it's important for the choreographer to give the dancers insight into the dance and not expect them to come up with the emotions on their own. They definitely needed to express something emotionally and didn't, but the judges were a bit too harsh. I really do not like this new Broadway choreographer. I'm sure she's an amazing dancer. But she definitely isn't working on this show. I don't miss Tyce, I think he's getting a little stale. Maybe time to move on and try someone else. Give someone new a try! I was really glad they were not in the bottom... but if they had only done the second dance they sure would have been!


Jaitlin
Do I really think Caitlin should have gone home? No. Did she deserve to go home? Yes. Should she have tried harder on the show. Without a doubt. She and Jason were both disappointing for the first 5 weeks of the show. They have way too much talent to be riding the middle of the pack. Jason, please let me notice something other than your hot body. The foxtrot was beautiful and Caitlin looked gorgeous, but it wasn't amazing. Mandy Moore's jazz routine deserved better. Caitlin looked like she was ready to go home, like she had had enough of Nigel being overly harsh on her. I was disappointed, but I really need the next few weeks to have AMAZING dancing.

Phinine
You know I hated Phillip. I'm so glad he's gone. He's amazing at what he does and should be applauded for it. But he is not a technical dancer and shouldn't become one. He should use what he does and do the best he can. Maybe I'll like Jeanine now that he's gone. She seems like a bigger girl. Does she have wider hips? Or is she just built stronger? I don't like the outfits she wears to do her solos... how there are patterns cut out and exposing her midsection. The Russian folk dance could have been killer. The choreography should have been different but I don't think they performed it like they enjoyed it. I'm sure they did it well, but there was nothing to make the routine exciting. Nigel definitely should not have badmouthed the choreographers, and it should have been edited out of the footage. The jive wasn't any better, Phillip looked AWFUl with that open shirt/awkwardly placed tie. He looked like he was a 10 year old boy who realized he's extremely gay and wants to perform a Broadway medley for his grandma. Thank god Melanie is back. She adds the sex.

Evandi
The hiphop was recycled NapTab. It wasn't good. They both looked awful. The idea of her being pregnant didn't really come across in the dancing... probably a fault of the choreography. I liked the song. It just reminded me too much of the Bleeding Love routine, which I didn't want. I actually thought they did a better job with the samba than with the hiphop. I was glad Pascha and Anya choreographed. I'd love to see them perform it! I'm glad that they were safe, but they really need to step it up next week with new partners.

Brandette
I hate him.

Results show: I don't like that they won't be showcasing other talent anymore. I don't want to watch audition footage that will be reshown during the fall season. Kelly Rowland sucked. Maybe one of the worst television performances ever. After watching the solos I would have kicked off Jeanine and Phillip. Just glad that he's gone.

Next week:
I want to see:
Jeanine and Brandon.
Jason and Melissa.
Randi and Kupono.
Evan and Jeanette.
Kayla and Ade.

I'm pretty sure I have a sickness...

...and the solution is more So You Think You Can Dance. Oh yes, the girl who HATES reality TV is obsessed with this show. I like to pretend that it's a healthy obsession (yes I know that's an oxymoron) but more often than not I'm aware that I like the show a little TOO much. Why am I admitting this? Well it has come to my attention that I'm a bit of a hypocrite when it comes to my beliefs regarding film/tv and music...

I'm just trying to say: we all have our thing and mine involves the reality TV love child of Survivor and Dancing with the Stars.

Ah well.

EDIT: (July 3rd) Because I KNOW there are people as sick for this show as I am and because Matt and I generate so much content on a weekly basis that I think is HILARIOUS and well worth sharing please prepare yourselves for Mattobhan's weekly SYTYCD rant. Enjoy.

So You Think You Can...is back

So I decided to post the critiques my friend Matt and I have been passing between us as we generate A LOT of content that could be interesting if you like this show. If not, please skip.

Overall I think that the season is going to be killer because I think that the level of dancer they managed to find is incredible. That said, they seem to have loaded the dice on this one because everyone got a style that at least one partner was fairly comfortable with...I suppose that's acceptable; so long as they don't continue the trend. As strange and uncomfortable as the crappy routines are, they make you that much more excited when the couples really hit it hard. Remember Jamie Bayard's last solo dance in Season 3? That made most of the rest of the season less awkward by comparison (look to the right for associated discomfort).

Philnine (Phillip and Jeannine) - I actually really loved this routine (because I have a crush on Tabitha and Napoleon; even though he looked like he was trying to be a male Marilyn in the preview) but I can see where my friend Matt's coming from with the dislike of Phillip. I still like him now but can see my affection waning if the judges continue to praise him the way they do.
P.s. I did think it was adorable how excited they were to be safe this week...though that might have been all about her jumping on him.

Asulio (Asuko and Vitolio) - She has dancer-tude. I HATE dancer-tude. Some of the cheerleaders I have met used to have it and the women who danced chorus in my mom's shows...it's a certain smugness that just pisses me off. Which bothers me cause I thought she was really cute when I first saw her and her partner and I haven't experienced dancer-tude coming through much on this show. She has crazy hips though. He is a little irritating...I can't decide, maybe he'll grow on me. YES to the Tyce annoyance that has been expreassed by many friends...he's universally irratating; though sometimes I like his routines. This one gets an F.

Karlathan (Karla and Jonathan) - They're pretty cute although Matt's right about him...I really think he has a certain awkwardness to him when he's trying to be sexy. Not impressed by Karla. With all the experience she has she should be better. Just my thought. Mary needs to shut her trap.

A lot.

Evandi (Evan and Randi) - I loved this routine! This is what I mean about Tyce's routines being hit or miss for me. The moments of ticking between the smoothness just killed me. I have the HUGEST summer crush on Evan. Like BAD. She is a little awkward. We'll see if she gets more comfortable. How old is she?

Pony (Paris and Tony) - AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

HAAHHAHAHAHAHA. Yeah, I thought it was pretty good on my first pass but then I watched it again. Hmm...I agree, worst of the night.

Caitson (Caitlin and Jason) - I like Caitlin a lot...I think her stuff is really interesting. That said, I didn't think this was a very good Bollywood routine...I liked it, but I wasn't impressed the way I wanted to be. I like him lots though, I think they're both strong and I'm excited to see what they do next.

Brannette (Brandon and Jeannette) - I was not as bored as I was expecting to be but I have now discovered that I bow to peer pressure and no longer enjoy Brandon as a result of the judges hating on him so much. Also, Jeannette is SOOOO Miami...and it's great!

Kupley (Kupono and Ashley) - I like Ashley's energy and I think Kupono is quirky and fun :)

MelAde (Melissa and Ade) - I'm not surprised that Matt's loving on Melissa ;) I also share Matt's dislike of the pick in Ade's hair but the routine was beautiful. Just GORGEOUS. And the song choice really helps. Adam Shankmen and Mary both needed to shut up after that though. It's like the screaming models on ANTM times a thousand. Brtual.

Kaylax (Kayla and Max) - My housemate walked in halfway through this routine and got so distracted she couldn't finish her sentence and had to sit down and watch until the end. It was good. The thing is, Kayla's dress, was part of it I think. Who knows...

It's predictable but I'm super excited about Wednesday :D

-Siobhan