Holy Cow what’s happened to So You Think You Can Dance?!

March 30th, 2010 by soullldiva

In a follow-up to my post about big changes on So You Think You Can Dance, producer and judge Nigel Lythgoe held his press conference via phone yesterday.Nigel Lythgoe reveals changes on SYTYCD

Here’s the big change:

The reason that there will not be a top 20, only a top 10 is that the top 10 contestants will be paired with dancers from past seasons of So You Think You Can Dance. WHOA! WHAT?

I am so conflicted on how to think about this. On one hand, I love the pairings, the camraderie, the melding of two personalities into one duo. And I also love seeing so many dancers and their individualities as they develop and bloom into even better dancers and artists. On the other hand, the show would no longer be So You Think You Can Dance. It would morph into So You Think You Can Dance With the Stars (stars being the past pro dancers who now have celebrity status).

I do love the past contestants, It would be really cool to see them again after they have been out “in the real world” for some time. What have they been doing? Have they increased their skills? Are they as personable as before (or limp dishrags)?

A change this big can only signal one thing in my mind: the show is having troubles with ratings. This will most certainly boost it. But for how long? I don’t know if I like the change, I will have to experience it in season 7. But I sincerely HOPE that it WORKS. I want to keep dance on national television, so that it can continue to influence us–give us that injection of aesthetics, art and creation that this world needs so desperately.

Nigel, you’re playing your hand–will So You Think You Can Dance win? I hope so.


Drama, Flirting and Bus Loads of Kennedys on Dancing With the Stars

March 30th, 2010 by soullldiva

Oh, it was SUCH an interesting week on Dancing With the Stars. And we’re only in week two! I don’t think I’ve ever seen so much drama from both stars and pros. Tears, walking out, and little pouting rounded out the week. Frankly, it kind of exhausted me to just watch it.

In these early weeks with so many stars, I like to look back at all the dances and think who I am going to vote for. And THAT’S who I’m going to highlight in my post. We’ll see if that surprises and intrigues you. Hopefully so.Dancing With the Stars Season 10

Once again, I was surprised by Shannen Doherty. She can dance, even if she throws hissy fits every once in a while. It’s good for her partner Mark Ballas to push her into doing the harder stuff, and it shows in the performance. Their Jive was super hard, and she had fun doing it and really engaged the audience. Plus I loved her outfit. She just needs to be a little sharper in those flicks and kicks. Judges’ scores: 7-6-7

Nicey Nash did not fail me, she is still my favorite star on the show. Her ability to handle everything with charm and humor really helps her get through her rehearsal time (“When did I become a white man?” she quips when partner Louis Van Amstel tells her he wants to be her “mirror”). Could she do as well in her Foxtrot as she did in her Cha Cha Cha? Their performance was light, airy, used a great song (“I Love You I Do” from Dreamgirls), had great choreography and was just lovely. Carrie Ann made the comment that Nicey knows why she’s moving. It’s the difference between “I’m pointing right at you!” versus “this is the part where I lift my arm up because my pro told me to.” A++ in my book! Judges’ Scores: 7-7-7

It seems that Erin Andrews has real dancing talent and ability. Her solo moments in her Foxtrot with Maks were so really amazing, I almost couldn’t believe it. For someone with no prior dance experience, for her to turn with those lovely arms is a testament to natural talent (and I will give credit to Maks, too). Usually someone does well in the beginning, but the arms are limp, or the toes not pointed, knees bent, that sort of thing. She was really stunning, and their Foxtrot was sweet. Judges’ Scores: 8-7-8

Pam Anderson–darn if she doesn’t know how to get a character (and I’ll grant you Marilyn Monroe isn’t a stretch for  her) and keep it in, even after the dance and getting her scores. First of all, you will probably never see one moment of drama from this woman. She really knows how to just try things, do it or mess up and go on with a little giggle. She looked lovely and like a dead ringer for Monroe. Their Foxtrot was solid and very good. Smooth, easy, sexy and smashing. I loved it. And Tom Bergeron said her Marilyn was so good that “a bus load of Kennedys just showed up.” Judges’ Scores: 7-7-8

And those were my votes for the night. Needless to say, I don’t care for drama very much and found myself rolling my eyes a little bit. Of course, I am not in their shoes and putting it all out there for the world to see on the dance floor. But some of it’s just necessary. Yes, I’m hinting at Kate and Tony. Tony was the big man there and accepted responsibilty. But really, no more, please.

You may ask “But why is she not talking about Nicole and Derek’s Jive?” Yeah, wow! Two 10′s in the second week! Technically well done, sharp, sexy, and the audience loved it. For me, though, it wasn’t really exciting. It was unbelievably fast, in my opinion almost too fast. Too frenetic, too pushed. I dunno, I just didn’t get it. Nicey’s Foxtrot was so much more enganging than Nicole and Derek’s Jive. But that’s just my opinion, let me know what you think!

Who will be leaving the ballroom in the first elimination? We’ll all have to wait until tomorrow!


Big Changes for So You Think You Can Dance??

March 29th, 2010 by soullldiva

Looks like there are changes in store for the next season of So You Think You Can Dance–I at least hope that it’s a change back to the OLD STAGE ;o)So You Think You Can Dance

Judge and Producer Nigel Lythgoe has been tweeeeeting away about “shocking changes” for his show, and they include a shift back to rotating judges (I always liked new blood on the panel each week), only one person eliminated per week, different partners for the dancers every week with the dance styles being chosen for them and the last is the kicker. NO TOP 20.

I don’t know about shocking, but they are certainly big changes. Like I said about the judges, I did like a new choreographer coming in every week (even if they were just from their pool of choreographers). It changed up the predictability of what might be said. The only one person being eliminated per week is most likely tied to the no top 20 item. Might they only choose a top 10? Hmmm, but that makes no sense–when they have odd numbers one person will have to dance with two people (intriguing, though).

I agree with the change that the dancers will no longer be “choosing” their dance styles out of a hat. Even though it will take the randomness of drawing traditional Russian dancing out (that was an odd one), it will give the dancers more likelyhood that they will be given a dance that they look great in. Hence, better ratings.

But…then…where will the real competition be? Nigel Lythgoe has given me much to ponder. I believe he’s holding a press conference today on the changes, so I will return with more news!


“Interpretive Dance” + America’s Next Top Model = FASHION!

March 25th, 2010 by soullldiva

I haven’t ever blogged about America’s Next Top Model before, and I’ve watched it ever since they swathed cheap fabric on fold up tables for the judges’ panel in season 1. I love this show–and not for the drama. I will fast forward through every stupid, rediculous, head-shaking, screaming match in the models’ house to get to the photo shoots. I am super facinated with how difficult it can be to get a good shot, and the art and skill it takes. So many people put down models because they think they don’t do anything. But it’s really not easy, even for the “gifted” ones.

And if there ever was an expert for these girls, it’s TYRA. Even at her heaviest (and she’s super svelte now), she gives the most amazing face and she talks about techniques that work–I’ve seen it work! Tyra is a model among models, she knows the business and she’s smart enough to create a continuation of her career even if her runway days are over.

Tonight on ANTM, we got a treat when they brought an Alvin Ailey (what!) dancer in to coach them on different dancing styles that they were to incorporate into their photo. It was very fun and interesting to watch. I think that dancing is a great thing for a model to have under their belt, it can give them so much movement and grace to add to their arsenal. But again, modeling is HARD:

The best pictures were these two:

Jazz Dancing on America's Next Top Model

Jazz

Interpretive Dance on America's Next Top Model

Interpretive Dance

The Interpretive Dance picture got the best picture of the night in judges’ panel, and I agree. The combination of just enough modeling know-how with just enough dance feeling gave a really good picture where you see a dancer (and a pretty, flowy dress). Well done to her.


Just a bit of randomness…

March 24th, 2010 by soullldiva

Pardon me while I exercise a bit of randomness:

a dollar sign is the cheesiest

Thanks!

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