So You Think You Can Dance 5/22

[jehma]

That was great! Mary & Mia had me laughing the whole time and Mia's Freudian slip was hilarious. I'm glad they didn't show too many bad dancers and the audition episodes seemed to flow faster than I remember in previous seasons. I didn't mean to watch the first few episodes (I usually enjoy it more as it gets later int he season), but I was enjoying it so much that I didn't turn it off.

That last dancer was really something. I can't imagine he'll be able to do anything else, but he was incredible to watch.

[murgatroyd]

That was (to steal a phrase from Mia Michaels) a-maz-ing.

Just a freakin' good audition show, with a LOT of really good dancing in it. A dollop of silly dancers for contrast, but this time, not too much. And wasn't it great to see our buds Hok, Dominic, and Travis? And I think I also spotted one of the other guys (Jesus?) from last year in the audience. Just a sweet intro to the show this year. Great way to whet the appetite for the competition to begin.

The show has enough mileage now that we're seeing some dancers come back for their second and third auditions. So for me that brings in the 'watch somebody grow from year to year' fun of being a long-time figure skating fan.

The good news about the repeat auditions: Twitch is back! (He was the one that missed out at the final Vegas cut last year when they decided to put Hok on the show instead.)

And Erica Gee is back. Nice give-and-take between her and the judging panel, as they talked about how goofy her audition was before and how she had learned from her experience. Will the third time be the charm?

The bad news about the repeat auditions: 'Sex' and his loony mom actually flew out to LA to audition there. Oy vey. Hysterical comments from Mia about his growth from the earlier auditions.

Fun stuff: Travis leading choreography!

Factoid: 'stupid' is 2008's version of "ridiculous"

Nigel introduces the 'hot tamale trolley'.

A fabulous, very musical performance from Kherington Payne (pronounced 'Carrington' -- I think I got the spelling down right).

But oh, my god, Robert Muraine.

What the F is Shane Sparks going to say when he sees this kid, because we've seen it before, Shane telling guys that 'you are the sickest popper I've ever seen' -- but this guy, OMG, he is by far the sickest popper I've seen in the auditions to date.

And the whole interplay with Nigel handing him his ticket -- holy crap, was that fun. You know Nigel really likes someone's dancing when he starts imitating their moves from the judges' table, and this is the best episode yet.

Once again I am impressed with the tenderness and affection and encouragement the judges give to some of the dancers who come to audition -- dancers who are passionate about their dancing, who often know that they aren't going to make the cut, who just want to be seen and recognized in that one audition.

Next in the rotation: Salt Lake City, then it's off to Texas.

(p.s. yes, I take notes, that's why I can post stuff with people's names)

Jan

[murgatroyd]

Originally Posted by jehma

Mia's Freudian slip was hilarious.

That was just too funny. But I can see (especially after watching the previous seasons' audition rounds) why the judges might want to fortify themselves with a couple of glasses of wine to get through the day.

I know what it's like to sit there and judge people all day -- I've been in my chair for two full sections of ice dancing compulsories with two different dances. It is grueling -- especially when you are watching a lot of BAD dancing.

And Nigel had his little joke again with one of the sad sacks where he had Mia and Mary tell the victim they weren't good enough so he could then say 'well, I was over-ruled, I would have sent you to Vegas'. You can see why some of the dancers who get bounced go away saying 'f--- them' -- but you also have to wonder just HOW bad those dancers must have been.

Fortunately they aren't showing us so many this year. They've finally gotten a clue that it is better to showcase the brilliant ones, or the level of people auditioning has gotten so much higher that they don't want to waste the time on the horrible ones except to make an example of them.

Jan

[jehma]

On the Fox SYTYCD web site they list the choreographers as:
- Mia
- Tabitha & Napoleon
- Jean Marc Genereaux
- Tyce Diorio (my kids call him twice the oreos)
- Mandy Moore

Not listed - Dan Karaty or Shane Sparks. I hope that doesn't mean we're not going to see them this season! I looked for Wade Robson's name too, but I think he fell into the guest choreographer category and I don't think it means we won't see him at all.

[JoBeth66]

I'm wondering if Fox flew "Sex" out to audition. I mean, he CAN'T be for real. "My fans"??? And he's studied with "numerous" choreographers and teachers for many years? Just not buying it.

I'm so glad we saw less of the "bad" auditions, but I'd still like to see MORE auditions and less 'human interest' and 'behind the scenes' stuff. I don't care about the chick playing soccer - for the time they spent on that, they could've shown a few more auditions. They sent 30 dancers to Vegas, and we didn't see all 30 of them - that would only be 30-45 minutes out of a 2 hour program, which leaves plenty of time for fluff and "interviews" and a few bad auditions, etc.

Oh, and if that "Snuggle" happy dance is going to be pervasive, I'm gonna be ticked.

I have to go back to time-shifting the auditions.

[TheDewAddict]

Right before Nigel told Kherington that Dominic looked like he was falling in love with her from the stands, I told my wife the same thing. She's very pretty, and that smile while she's dancing - wow. She sort of reminds me of Molly Sims.

That last dude - wow again! And watching that whole routine with Nigel handing him his ticket, that was hilarious. When it looked like they were going in for a hug/kiss, my wife and I lost it. That was probably the funniest thing we've seen on TV all season long.

[Cearbhaill]

Originally Posted by jehma

- Tyce Diorio (my kids call him twice the oreos)

We call him "Tasty Oreo".

Glad to have this show back , although I could have used a couple of days to come off my American Idol high.

Why they continue to televise "Sex's" auditions is beyond me. At least his mother didn't get as much air time as last year- the woman is delusional and 100% of what's wrong with that boy. It's one thing to encourage a child to pursue their dream against all odds, but you also need to make sure reality makes an appearance in their thought processes as well. Gently steering them in the same direction their talents lie is not always a bad thing.

[firerose818]

I'm so glad this show is back! Last year was my first year watching, and I was hooked! I really look forward to Jan's commentary during the season to help me understand what I am watching.

I really liked the first audition of the show - that girl was really intense. And you could tell that Mia was already choreographing in her head for this girl. I also thought the Freudian slip was hysterical! And the last guy was truly amazing!!

[markz]

Originally Posted by murgatroyd

(p.s. yes, I take notes, that's why I can post stuff with people's names)

Jan

I on the other hand am like "Wow, when that one guy did that one thing...it was cool!"

I don't know anything about dance, but do like this show just to see the incredible moves! And the hot girls!

I cracked up with that Freudian slip! Man was that guy arrogant? I wouldn't be able to stand to be in the same room with him. What an asshat!

I still have to watch the second half of the show. I started it too late in the night to finish watching it.

[jradosh]

I really hated that Italian guy, except that he provided the best material for the judges. Besides the Freudian slip, the whole "wow, she really jumped on him", "can you blame her" comments were great. And Nigel's dressing-down of him was spot-on.

[kh92463]

That last guy almost didn't look human - it was like I was watching a computer animation...totally awesome. I re-watched it a few times. I don't think he'll get far in this competition but I sure hope that's not the last we see of him.

Blind girl - gotta give her credit and the judges were very fair to her.

Sex - ugh.

Italian guy - totally gave me the creeps.

[jehma]

Originally Posted by markz

I on the other hand am like "Wow, when that one guy did that one thing...it was cool!"

+1

It's always nice to read the posts here from those that actually know something about dance, since my reactions to the dancers come from a point of total ignorance. I love this show, though. I've watched every season. Most people think of it as Idol's poor cousin, but IMO it's so much better.

[Jebberwocky!]

good stuff all around. going to be a good season.

I'm already in love with one (soccer girl) of the dancers

[newsposter]

I dont watch this show but it was on when i turned on the tv and so i got to see sex in action. ignoring that for the moment (this show is obviously a knock off of AI auditions), can someone tell me if Mary has a disability of some sort? I find it hard to believe anyone could keep their mouth in a fixed fake smile position and it's horrible that someone stained her teeth so white that she glows in the dark. she looks totally unnatural. I'll assume she was born with the laugh though and cant help that.

i literally couldnt watch more of the show because of her and her alone. I tried watching another contestant but afterwards the mary factor came into play and i turned it off.

[Penny Lane]

I love Mary. Sometimes she can be a bit much but she makes up for it in her genuine interest in trying to help the dancers in her critiques. You can tell she really enjoys her job and she makes me laugh.

[Cearbhaill]

Originally Posted by newsposter

i literally couldnt watch more of the show because of her and her alone. I tried watching another contestant but afterwards the mary factor came into play and i turned it off.

Try downing a few cocktails before the show. IMO the only way to tolerate Mary is to meet her on an even playing field

[Havana Brown]

That was such an entertaining show!!!

I was busting out laughing! And yes, I cackle like Mary!

I was laughing at the Freudian, but couldn't stop laughing at the last guy when he was getting his ticket from Nigel. That guy was just, stooopid. I hope he's able to do other things too.

[newsposter]

Originally Posted by Cearbhaill

Try downing a few cocktails before the show. IMO the only way to tolerate Mary is to meet her on an even playing field

oh geez, i'm not a drinker..i guess i cant watch....

[quote=Havana Brown;6313121]
And yes, I cackle like Mary!
/QUOTE]

you do? Well I wanted to one day maybe meet you but now..my hopes and dreams have been quashed ...you cant be as bad as her though i'm sure..and you dont have that pasted on smile from all the pics i've seen on here

[Havana Brown]

[quote=newsposter;6313535]oh geez, i'm not a drinker..i guess i cant watch....

Originally Posted by Havana Brown

And yes, I cackle like Mary!
/QUOTE]

you do? Well I wanted to one day maybe meet you but now..my hopes and dreams have been quashed ...you cant be as bad as her though i'm sure..and you dont have that pasted on smile from all the pics i've seen on here

But when I laugh you KNOW I'm having a good time.

[murgatroyd]

Originally Posted by jehma

On the Fox SYTYCD web site they list the choreographers as:
- Mia
- Tabitha & Napoleon
- Jean Marc Genereaux
- Tyce Diorio (my kids call him twice the oreos)
- Mandy Moore

Not listed - Dan Karaty or Shane Sparks. I hope that doesn't mean we're not going to see them this season! I looked for Wade Robson's name too, but I think he fell into the guest choreographer category and I don't think it means we won't see him at all.

Shane was judging for '[Randy Jackson Presents] America's Best Dance Crew' (which is coming up again on MTV in June, check it out) so that may be taking up a lot of his time.

I think rotating choreographers keeps the show fresh, and I'm all for it, but if Wade isn't on this season, I will really miss him.

P.S. to Rose -- I love that you like my posts, but do bear in mind that I don't know very much about dance. I'm in the same boat as the street dancers -- I have picked up a lot on my own, and I can appreciate good dancing when I see it, but I have no training or technique. I just know what I like.

But if something I said can show you 'the way in' to enjoying the program more, that's great.

What else?

On my previous comments about the judges knocking back booze -- when Mia said she 'wasn't sure how many glasses of wine she had had before [watching 'Sex' and thinking he had improved from the previous year]' -- his second audition was the year she had watched him at home on TV. (Mary, on the other hand, sure seems to be snockered some of the time she's on the show.)

Jobeth: the thing I appreciated about Mia challenging David [taking my cue from Nigel to stop calling him 'Sex'] about his training -- she asked him to name names. And he wouldn't, or couldn't, do it. Suppose for the moment that you went to [studio X] and tried to take lessons there, and you were so hapless, they wouldn't take you. A person who was brazen might say they had 'trained at studio X' or had 'taken [lessons] from [dancer X]' simply because they had once been in the door. And David couldn't even come up with a name -- so what does that say?

I too wish they would spend less time on behind-the-scenes stuff and more on the dancing, but they must feel the non-dancing-geek viewers need a break from the auditions. It's a pacing thing.

TheDewAddict: when Robert Muraine went up to get his ticket and they embraced at the end, I couldn't help thinking of Hok and Jamie's slow-motion embrace at the end of last season's flower-and-hummingbird routine.

Speaking of which, if you FF through the credits, go back and watch -- they've put in a bunch of stuff from last season.

newsposter: This show is by the same producers as AI, which explains the format of the audition rounds. People have said that Mary Murphy has had way too much plastic surgery, which may be why her face is so messed up. Yes, it's creepy, but I refuse to miss out on the other good stuff just because of Mary, so I put up with her. YMMV.

Rewatching now as I'm saving to VCR -- boy it was fun watching Ricky Sun and Asuka Kondoh.

Jan

[coolpenguin]

I'll echo others and really hope the last guy is able to pick up other styles. He is off the hook!

so happy this is back!

[Cainebj]

Does anyone know what the regular airing schedule is for the show?

This week it's on Mon, Wed and Thurs
- but I can't tell if Monday is an repeat or first airing.
The episode guide numbers don't seem right...

Monday is listed as 401, Wed is listed as 403 and then Thurs is listed as 405...

Even Fox.com is confused...

[dvdapex]

I hope that the Golden Inferno (the "jump-stylist" with the yellow mask) comes back as an evil villian with a black mask (the Dark Inferno?) and blames the judges for what they turned him into. Also, it'd be even cooler if the Dark Inferno could really dance.

Sorry, I have to do something to keep Mushroom Head (mia) out of my mind.

[murgatroyd]

Originally Posted by Cainebj

Monday is listed as 401, Wed is listed as 403 and then Thurs is listed as 405...

According to the ads that were running on the first episode, this coming Monday is a repeat of that show (401).

My guess would be is that they may have had plans to run each day of the auditions as separate episodes, so that day 1 of LA = 401, day 2 of LA = 402, day 1 of Salt Lake City = 403, day 2 of Salt Lake City = 404, etc.

But as I said, this is only a guess.

Jan

[newsposter]

Originally Posted by murgatroyd

newsposter: This show is by the same producers as AI, which explains the format of the audition rounds. People have said that Mary Murphy has had way too much plastic surgery, which may be why her face is so messed up. Yes, it's creepy, but I refuse to miss out on the other good stuff just because of Mary, so I put up with her. YMMV.


Jan

I dont mind any surgery at all, or are you saying that's why the permanent smile? Then i get it. Poor girl. But the laugh would kill me too

I can put up with 'most' anyone. I even sat thru an ep of flavor of love once in my life. But i cannot sit thru an entire show with mary. Perhaps i could just FF to the dancing and ignore commentary

[Cainebj]

Originally Posted by murgatroyd

My guess would be is that they may have had plans to run each day of the auditions as separate episodes, so that day 1 of LA = 401, day 2 of LA = 402, day 1 of Salt Lake City = 403, day 2 of Salt Lake City = 404, etc.
But as I said, this is only a guess.

Thanks Jan - that's a guess that makes a lot of sense

[murgatroyd]

Originally Posted by newsposter

I dont mind any surgery at all, or are you saying that's why the permanent smile? Then i get it. Poor girl. But the laugh would kill me too

I can put up with 'most' anyone. I even sat thru an ep of flavor of love once in my life. But i cannot sit thru an entire show with mary. Perhaps i could just FF to the dancing and ignore commentary

In earlier seasons, some people have guessed that Mary has had too many face-lifts and/or too much Botox, and that's why half of her face doesn't seem to move anymore. Nerve damage is another possibility. I don't think it is Bell's Palsy, since that usually affects one side of the face and not the other, but if she has had surgery, some nerve damage could be involved.

Using the mute button or FF through Mary's comments might be the way to go.

Jan

[madscientist]

I can't wait to watch this (need to wait for my wife and daughter to get back from a camping trip). I think this show is fantastic. It's head and shoulders above AI. These people have so much talent and work so hard: to learn completely new dances every week is incredible, especially since no one can be familiar with all the different styles they do. And the choreographers are often amazing! Living near Boston I've been to a number of dance shows, both ballet and modern, plus musicals of course, but I've never seen any single dance as cool as Wade Robson's Ramalama (Bang Bang) zombie dance the group did a couple of seasons ago. It still makes me smile just thinking about it. That was the one and only time I was wishing I could actually be at one of those reality shows instead of watching via TiVo.

A little Mary goes a long way but she does kind of grow on you: she gets so into it. My wife does an impression of her that has me rolling on the floor. Plus the thing that saves her is how really talented she is and that she does give great critiques, and that she's not afraid to slam people when they don't do well. Unlike, for example, Paula on AI who's (IMO) just a waste of a chair.

If you don't want to see great dancing and showmanship just because of Mary that's cool with me. Just FYI, though, she's not on all the time. In SYTYCD they have different judges for different cities during the auditions and they also have different judges for different nights once they start the contest. Mary is there often but not always.

[Ment]

Kherington Payne, she has that hot girl-next-door look that is going to have all the boys clamoring to be her partner not to mention her good dancing. She does look a bit like Molly Sims with maybe some Jamie Lynn Spears. Payne will last a few rounds..

[KMan]

Robert Muraine's SYTYCD audition is on break.com:

http://www.break.com/index/i-think-he-can-dance.html

Dancer's like him simply amaze me, I have no clue how the human body can do some of the things these dancers do.