So You Think You Can Dance Quick Kicks: Rating the Top 11
Obligation #1: I have to remind you to watch this damn show. It's effing good. You'll remember it later. You'll cry a bunch. You'll call your daughter in college and she'll know all about it. Obligation #2: It's been stated before, but So You Think You Can Dance would be better if the judges voted on who's eliminated instead of the home viewers. We can't trust couch potatoes in Tuscaloosa to pick a superior between Alex Wong, Billy Bell, and Kent Boyd! Hell, we can't trust TV critics at Movieline to do it. I'm uninformed, don't make me ruin lives! At any rate, SYTYCD's Top 11 faced off in a live competition round last night, and one routine even garnered the title of "Best Performance Ever." Tumble with us as we disagree and break down each performance in "quick kicks."
· Mia was right that Billy concentrated more on the length of the movements in his routine than the energy itself. But "Footloose" is a voter-summoning anthem for the ages. He's in.
· Cristina's twisted, studied, slow "Starstruck" performance didn't wow me like it wowed the judges. It was different enough to be memorable, but not powerful enough to be great.
· I effing love Jose. His general ebullience and popcorn-pop bounce always result in a charmingly energized romp. I adored his little angry face too.
· Adechike's performance didn't just suffer from a lack of chemistry with his seriously heated-up partner; it suffered from the weakest choreography of the night. "Office sex" isn't going to make anyone dial in, y'know? Even with that weird Frou Frou-ish cover of "Addicted to Love."
· Melinda knew an enormous smile wouldn't compensate for her un-happenin' footwork, but you can't blame the tapper for trying.
· I understand Alex Wong's performance of "Hallelujah" had its pangs of greatness -- the swoops and throes and visceral shakes were all fully realized. But I cannot get behind Mia Michaels's assertion that it was the greatest performance in the show's history. "Hallelujah" is cloying. And the choreography was maudlin and obvious, particularly the fist-clenching and "dying" moments. And as for the dance itself, it just wasn't that difficult. I could go on! I need to not go on.
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Melinda was doomed from the start. She is just not that likeable. Did you notice she received the weakest applause at the beginning? Oh, and of course she was on a soap opera and of course she wants to be a "musician."
I think I'd like her more if Cat wasn't trying to kick the "er" at the end of "a" names. An "It's Melinder!" introduction would make her much more endearing.
OH! And I have no idea why Twitch has not become a massive star already. Someone needs to snatch him up. If he can act (can he?), he has the charisma to be the next Will Smith.
Florence and the Machine's "Addicted to Love" cover is fantastic (as is most of their stuff) but I don't think it was the best choice for that routine either.
Thank you, thank you for talking about SYTYCD. Such a great show--talented contestants, amazing choreography, and thoughtful judging. (Plus, I heart Adam Shankman.) And YES! to everything you said. I will also add that Lauren's choreography was crap, too. WTF is up with cheesy 80s teen movie music and red leather couches? Lameness. Loved Robert's dance perhaps best of the night, but his Gaspy McFakersons reaction shots were awful. He's dead to me now. Anyone know what happened to Wade Robson? Such an amazing choreographer.
I think the judging is stellar on SYTYCD too. In fact, I'm going to do a post on how it's the best judging on TV sometime soon. It's about time these guys got the props they deserve, right?
Just listened to that "Addicted to Love" version away from the show. Agreed, it rules.
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