Thank Goodness for Tivo!!

How much do I love my Tivo?! It recorded a Meet the Top 20 SYTYCD special last night, just for me! Hurrah!! I am SO glad my sweet Tivo knew about it! Talk about an awesome night! Let's briefly forget about the disaster that Cat is wearing (ack!), how much I dislike Nigel (ick!), how long ago this episode was filmed (grr!), and how I'm missing Mia already (argh!). Let's focus on the dancers!
First up it's a Wade and Amanda Robson concept, choreographed by Wade (what does that mean??). Does conceiving the dance consist of texting on camera? Because that's all I saw Amanda doing. That aside, the routine is off the hook! I am totally drawn to a few of the dancers, most notably Billy Bell (argh! Why did he have to get sick?!) and Nathan (but that's just 'cause he was front and center, I think).
Next up, the hip hoppers and I'm . . . just sort of impressed. I really really LOVE Russel (the krumper), but I'm still not feeling Legacy and I don't even know who that other guy is. NappyTabs' style of hip-hop is a little too much of the 'burbs for me (and you know I've got some serious street cred!).
Contemporary with Tyce is next. I hate Tyce, but despite that I like the routine. There is a great jump in the middle and I'm hooked. Bravo.
Now we're on to my beloved Sonya, who cracks me UP! She definitely does NOT know how to be sexy, but thankfully is able to teach it to the jazz girls. Kudos to the girls, too, for rocking out the jazz routine. Sometimes Ellenore seems a bit off to me, but overall a nice routine, and I loved the jazz hands.
The tappers are INSANE and I am bitter against Nigel for setting them up to be eliminated early on. Why can't they teach other dancers tap? They've had Bollywood, two-step (shudder!), krump, and classical ballet on the show and expected the dancers to pick it up. I don't think it would be more disastrous than having a hip hopper try to waltz. Curse you, Nigel!
I am anticipating a nice 80's routine from Mandy Moore and she knocks me for a loop with a current song! Who introduced you to our decade, Ms. Moore?! As I mentioned earlier, I am totally infatuated with Billy Bell (sobs!) and so am drawn to him for most of the routine. His moves are insane and I am SO bummed that he's not going to be in this season. And why did they replace him with a hip-hop dancer? Why not my Mr. Checker-Pants? I think we should have a viewer selection season, where we can vote in all of our favorites from past seasons who didn't win (Natalee, Billy, Mr. Checker-Pants will be some of my favorites).
Finally we end the night with a samba. I am not a fan of the Di Lellos, but this routine was nice! Ryan seemed a bit out of control a couple of times, but maybe because he was twirling two girls around like a madman! Nice way to end the evening.
Here are my final bullets:

• What do we think of the new stage? I'm missing the staircases already.
• Paula Abdul guest judging?
• Adam Shankman as the new permanent judge?
• Mia Michaels' exit?
• Billy Bell's exit (sobs!)?
• Are the judges eliminating a couple without letting us vote at all? Is that they way it's always been done?
• What was up with Cat's dress? Yikes.

Laurie Ann Diva??!!

Whoever said that there are no stupid questions obviously never asked Laurie Ann Gibson anything. The AUDACITY of asking her a question!!! Shame on you, talented dancer! That being said, I have a lengthy list of stupid questions for her and the rest of the judges/choreographers:

1. Where'd your headphones go, Crazypants?
2. Why do you look so tortured after teaching super-talented kids so-so choreography?
3. Nigel, why are you still standing up and pacing?
4. Do they purposefully keep the dancers up all night before sending them to Mia?
5. Mia, why are you so nice and centered? Did they make you be that way?
6. How much do I love you, Adam Shankman?
7. How much do I loathe you, Tyce Diorio? Argh!!! Billy Joel? Really?
8. Must we be subjected to gross gross GROSS pictures of ankles popping out of their sockets? Yech!

Okay nerds: what are your questions? Are we all in agreement that Laurie Ann Gibson needs a talking to?

*NEWSFLASH* Is Mia leaving SYTYCD? Did anyone else read her Tweets?! What is going on??

Vegas, Baby!

Cat rules. Seriously.

I am CRUSHED that my Mr. Checker-Pants was cut last night!!

I can totally do this jump. Fo' realz.

I love this guy!

Other bullets:

• Why was Nigel standing up half the time during Vegas week?
• Where is Sonja during these auditions?
• Where is the dude from last season whose boss wouldn't let him out of his contract?
• Why does everyone insist that I watch Glee?????? Leave me alone!
• How much does Tyce annoy me (if you guess correctly, he must annoy you just as much)?
• What is with the Legacy love-affair?
• Did they have to show that girl's toenail come off? Eck.
• Why on EARTH did Nigel let the stripper through?? Gross, Nigel! You are too pervy!
• The New Orleans bounce looked a little too much like just wiggling your legs around and nothing else. Or is it just me?
• Where are those Theatre Arts (notice the fancy spellin') ballroom dancers?
• WHERE IS NATALIE????????????
  

Let's get going on the discussion!

Sweet Victory!

I totally believe the Nigel conspiracy theories, which is why this victory is so sweet! Take that, Nigel! Congratulations Jeanine! There was an article today (click here) about Jeanine that makes this victory even sweeter. Go Jeanine!

Bullets:

• There IS a Nigel conspiracy!
• Louis Van Amstel had way too many numbers in the judges favorites. I still hate that one waltz and don't get why there were sooooooooo many waltzes this season. Where's the crump? Cha cha cha?
• Why on earth is Lil' C a guest judge? Did he even choreograph this season? I didn't think so.
• Love Cat's dress! What was that green dress with the crazy hair last week?
• Why was Mia laughing hysterically through her entire Chorus Line dance? Did anyone else see how into it Tyce was?
• Why on EARTH did Kayla and Evan get a jive in the finale? Is this for real? Remember when they used to draw the names AND the dances from a hat? I don't believe for a second that it's still random!
• ZZZZZZZ. . . oh, I'm sorry: the shameless plug for Fame put me to sleep!!
• What is with Laurie Ann Gibson and her headphones?? You're trapped in the 80's; we get it already! Go hang out with Mandy Moore!
• Still sad about Natalie going home in Vegas. Will she be back in the fall?
• Why were they chanting Evan's name on Wednesday? Here's the reason straight from an audience member: “…the amount of criticism the judges gave Evan became torturous (they cut a lot of it from the actual show) to the point where everyone felt so bad they started chanting Evan’s name.” Yet more proof that Nigel stinks.
• Still not enough proof that Nigel stinks? Last week Brandon reruns his audition piece and the judges give him a standing ovation. This week Evan does a variation on his audition piece and the judges call him on it.
• Final nail in the Nigel stinks coffin? His pervy, dirty-old-man comments he's been making to Jeanine and Kayla all season. Ew!
• What is with the massive Travis love affair? Yes, he did a great dance, but TONS of ballroom dancers have come back to the show to choreograph, too. Where's the love for my sweet Dmitry? Pasha?

Finally, I need to discuss this Nigel conspiracy of Angie's. I can't get over how he went on and on about how this show is not So You Think You Can Choreograph, but then every week he waxes poetic about the choreographers. He tells the contestants they need more personality, but doesn't let them speak or show it. He critiques the choreography and not the dancers. He practically drools in the laps of Tyce and Mia and then bags on the Russian Folk and hip hop choreographers that HE hired (remember how "disappointed" he was in hip hop this season? Where was Nappy Tabs at the finale? Were they in the audience?).

Okay, rants are over. Here is my rave: September 2nd is so close that I don't even need to reprogram my Tivo! Hurrah! See you all in a few weeks! Here's hoping that Natalie will be back to win in season 6!

SYTYCD Coffee Talk

I'm a little verklempt right now. Talk amongst yourselves. I'll give you a topic.

Janette was totally robbed! There IS a conspiracy, Angie!!! Katie Holmes is neither a singer or a dancer. Hok and Jaime ROCK! Cat's dress was blinding. Wade Robson still has some moves.

Discuss.

Here's a video to get the discussion juices flowing!

Wow.

I loved this dance, and have watched it several times. Any favorites for you guys?

Phew!

For a moment there I was actually nervous they were going to keep Tony! He's gone and so is Paris. What do we think of the bottom three? What do we think of our first week of SYTYCD competition?
See you on the flip side!