Oh, no ! Just when I was a bit relieved to be done with (how many?) 4 months of "American Idol" obsession, I saw that this show was starting up. And I really (really really) swore I would not get sucked in and start watching. Nope. I was determined. NO MORE undiscovered talent getting discovered on my agenda this year. But, then [sigh] ... I saw this a few nights ago. I was so stinkin' impressed that, now, I'm all wrapped up in it . Will these two dancers win anything? I don't know (the whole lot of the contestants are sensibly amazing), but I'll tell ya, that was one fantastic dance indeed. Different, watchable, and a perfect fit for those two to try. Great stuff! Anybody else watching the program this year? Jeesh. I hope so . I think I'll be glued to the TV for the whole summer now. I'm hoping I won't be the only one ...

Guilty. haha. I watched Idol and SYTYCD both for the first time last season. I was always in the "anti-reality tv" camp but gave Idol a shot. I still don't like the audition shows for Idol...people being stupid just to get on tv. But I enjoy both shows now.

Anyway, I think the talent on the show this season is far better than last year. Jason and Caitlin's Bollywood routine from a couple weeks ago was simply amazing. Evan and Randi's routine you linked was pretty amazing as well. I actually look forward to the show each week.

Oh, yeppers, right there with ya, Dave.

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Anybody else watching the program this year?

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Oui, oui, Monsieur.. What a wonderful performance that was..

Unfortunately we are only just at the Vegas stage over here but I am really enjoying the show so far.

I have heard that our Australian SYTYCD winner Talia Fowler will be dancing at the finale of the US show this year.

I am so totally addicted to this show. Have been since Season 2. Great dancing, great choreography, and a real, tangible prize (money). It brings out the long-ago lost, frustrated ballerina in me. I loved that dance you linked to (Mia Michaels is fantastic). I'm also fond of the ballerina (Melinda or Melissa?) this year. That couple have had several good performances.

Although I could do without the Mary Murphy screeches - need to hit the mute button whenever she talks.

Y

Possible "SPOILER" for west coast people!

I really can't believe that Vitolio got sent home over Kupono. I honestly thought Kupono would be gone by now. His solo was horrible tonight, but I guess the performance from last night got him through. My favorite couple is still Phillip and Jeanine.

Guilty of watching as charged. Another dedicated non-reality watcher completely hooked on Idol's sister show.

1. Cat Deeley is simply the best hostess of any of this type of programming.

2. As a judge Nigel Lithgow's critiques put Simon Cowell to shame. Very direct, but never in that rude, patronizing way.

3. The talent is incredible.

4. The choreography is like nothing else on TV. They've already won Emmys in past seasons. Nothing compares to Mia Michael's modern routines.

5. Luck of the draw and doing the best with who and what you pull out of the hat. Because that can make you or break you. Brandon and Janette haven't ever been in the bottom three and they've had an incredible run of getting stunning routines. All upbeat, fast and memorable. I feel the opposite has happened for Kayla and partner(s). It's been said she's a judge and choreography favorite (and her dancing is incredible) but it seems each week she draws a dark and overly complex routine just avant guarde enough to be somewhat of a mess. I hope she gets to do something upbeat and fun in the coming weeks or she won't last. -- It wouldn't surprise me they kept Kapono just so Kayla didn't get thrown in with a new partner.

Anyway, I really like the show and was glad to hear Fox picked it up for the coming fall season. First time it won't merely be a summer replacement for Idol.

That quickstep really is the dance of death, isn't it.

One thing that bothers me, though (and maybe this is just my ignorance), but the judges just seem to accept every crappy choreography as if it's wonderful and blame the couple for not "doing more" with it. Every once in a while I see their point, but other times I just know that the couple is in the bottom because the choreography was so bad. Just my opinion...

Does anyone know who decides on the costumes for the routines? I've heard a few judges criticizing the choices - how much control does the couple actually have?

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ysmay, I agree with you about the judges falling all over the choreography all the time. Sometimes the choreography is just plain bad or too weird.

I think the counter-argument by the judges would be that as a professional dancer you are going to get poor choreography and you have to find a way to present it to make it "look good". I don't know.

I often wondered about the costumes as well. I watched all last season, and this season so far and I don't think they've ever said who actually does the choosing.

There were a lot of great routines tonight. The Argentinian Tango is simply one of my favorite dances so I was very taken with Brandon and Jeanette's version. Their final jazz routine was terrific too, so I have to agree with Nigel, they were my favorites tonight. And I think they are a good example of just dancing the heck out of anything they are given.

I want to see our homegrown kid, Kayla do well, and on the technical aspects no one does it better. But she seems to be lacking the charisma other girls are bringing to the table. Janine isn't as good of dancer but she has such fun that it takes the audience along.

Not sure who will leave tomorrow but I can see where the people who are strong in just one aspect - Phillip with hiphop, Evan with Broadway, and Melissa with ballet are going to have tougher and tougher assignments to keep up with the others who have more training. But I can't begin to guess who will go because I'm usually wrong with how the judges view the dance offs...

It was quite the night, indeed. Brandon and Jeanette were outstanding and definitely two of the dancers to beat.

Based on the past and who struggles to get the votes, if I had to pick the two I feel are going home, it would be Kaitlin and Jason. But really, it would be anyone's guess.

I also really enjoyed tonight's performances. Is it me, or are the dancers better than the ones last year? The choreography looks much more difficult as well. Guys should have to start lifting weights about a month before they even audition - I can't believe some of those lifts!

I also thought Brandon and Jeanette were dynamite tonight. This week, there wasn't anyone that I thought did poorly, so I wouldn't want to predict who will go this time.

Y

Another thing I like about this show is you can't say any one dance style is going to dominate the show. Last season there were 3 hip hop dancers in the top ten. Both the final two dancers were hip hop dancers. With Phillip's elimination this week, there are no hip hop dancers in the top ten this season.

This is one heck of a top ten this season though...wow.

pyonir, I wonder if the "Producers of the Show" (isn't Nigel really the head honcho??) had decided, not 12 on tour, only the 10 if Phillip would've been eliminated or if Jason would've gone? Though I do agree Phillip struggles on the technical aspects of nearly every form of dance, Jason's style isn't unique with both Brandon and Adai far better than he is.

So. Any guesses how the kids get paired up next week? The only one I think we will see is Brandon/Kayla. I don't think Evan is very tall so it might be Melissa there. I don't know, anyone else?

Tredici, I thought the same thing about bringing 12 on tour. They know for a fact they will sell more tickets with Phillip, than without. He's pretty popular and already has a bit of a following, despite ending up in the bottom three a couple times. With no other hip hop dancers that were left, I think the producers saw that they didn't want to lose that revenue.

I believe Nigel is the Executive Producer. So somewhat, yeah, he is. But I think he still needs to get the ok from the other producers as a formality really.

As far as pairings, I really don't know! I agree that Brandon/Kayla would be a great pairing to see. Evan will be a tough one to pair...because he is so short. lol. Should be interesting.

meh. I think the voters got it right this first week. Mainly due to that terrible Paso Dobla. Maybe the choreography was beyond them, but it was really poorly danced. I wasn't wild about the "Hair" Broadway dance, but thought Melissa and Brandon at least gave it all they could. I wish they would put away the waltzes now. Seems like it's hard to compete with the other more upbeat routines.

I did forget they drew names out of the hat for partners. Funny how they put Evan in higher heels and had Kayla pretty much barefoot.

Congrats on the Emmy nominations for Choreography. I think that is what is bringing the big names to the show. A little recognition is always nice.

The dancer I think has made the biggest push of late is Janine. Doesn't hurt that she is gorgeous, either. In the boys Brandon stands out as the strongest dancer to me but Evan seems to be a favorite.

I'm glad this show is getting a shot at a regular fall lineup.

I think the voters did as well. I liked Randi, but their Paso Dobla was pretty bad. I think a lot of it was that Kupono didn't have the strength for the lifts. The waltzes are just a kiss of death in my opinion. They aren't well received by the core audience of the show (at least the people that call in to vote) so will always carry fewer votes.

My favorite girl happens to be Jeanine, has been for a while. And you are right Tredici, she is gorgeous. I think Evan is a great dancer in his own style and really enjoy his solo's. I still think the last guy, whether he wins or it's a girl, will be Brandon.

Please take a moment and watch the video with the article. I've not been a fan of this show, but this dance simply took my breath away. Make sure you watch the entire video, from the rehearsal through the live performance and the critiques. Anyone who has been touched by cancer, either yourself or through a friend or family member, will be amazed.


Ade and Melissa - Breast Cancer tribute

SilverMoonsong,

I have watched that performance repeatedly and I choke up at the end every time. Partly because of how beautifully it is danced, and partly because of how painful the lyric is "Take it away". I can't imagine anyone who has been diagnosed with cancer or any person knowing them not having that exact thought. Or plea.

Also an example of how powerful choreography can be and I won't soon forget that routine.

Now, for the 100th Episode on Results Night. I enjoyed the past dancers returning to do the 'Emmy' dances and wish they would've caught us up a bit more on what those folks are doing now.

Might just be me, but after the huge commercial buildup, I found the Katie Holmes bit to be, well, meh. Her singing was all right but she is no Judy Garland and the dancing was pretty much 101 stuff. She seems like a nice person but guess I was expecting something to really knock my socks off and that didn't come close.

Yea! Tomorrow night is Wednesday and more great dancing.

No surprises for me in the finale. And four incredible dancers who I could easily make a case for each one, and would have no problem with any of them taking the title.

I've thought from the start Evan has a good chance simple because he's so likeable and there is something so endearing about him. Plus the Gene Kelley style of dancing is still so engaging.

Brandon's solo on Wednesday night was simply spectacular. He is such a powerful dancer you can't take your eyes off him. One of the few guys who often overshadows his female partners and that is hard to do.

Janine and Kayla. Both powerhouses, and beauties. I think Janine is more popular, Kayla more precise.

I'm glad the show is coming back in the fall. One of very few I look forward to watching.

I was actually surprised that Evan got in over Ade. Figured Evan had a big following because of his likability but still didn't think he'd get in the finale. I should have guessed it though, since I had grown to like Ade's dancing. lol. Usually my favorite dancers get sent home.

Janine is my favorite dancer left, however I wouldn't be surprised to see any of the four take it. I think Brandon remains the favorite. If he comes up with another solo like this weeks...wow.

Tredici, can't really disagree with you on anything. Just looking forward to the finale now.

I also am looking forward to the fall season already. I enjoy this show more than Idol and more than just about any other show I watch (not including sports).

Yea! Another sports fanatic. Tapping toe waiting for NFL Preseason to start...

I'm anxiously awaiting the finale as well. I'm really excited that Evan made it through to the final because I am a big fan of his dancing style. He has the best personality of the male dancers. But, wow! Brandon's solo just blew everyone away. I can't wait until Wednesday!

When Evan does his solo it always just reminds me of watching "Singin' in the Rain" when I was younger. If they ever did a remake of that movie, he'd be a pretty good choice for Gene Kelly's role. He's a great Broadway dancer.