‘So You Think You Can Dance:’ Vegas Week, baby, yeah!!!
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- June
- 4
It was the annual Vegas bloodbath on “So You Think You Can Dance,” the week when Nigel, Mary and the show’s increasingly long list of guest judges/choreographers (Adam Shankman, delightful; Lil C, useless) ruthlessly slash 170-plus dancers down to the contest’s Top 20.
And when I say “slash,” I almost mean it literally. Did this season’s Vegas Week seem unusually brutal to you?
In particular, Mia Michaels seemed crankier than usual: She was practically salivating as she threatened dancers with her new catchphrase, “I’m a cutter.” By the end of her contemporary boot camp, I was half-expecting her to shank somebody right up there on the stage.
So, yes, the judges were harsh, especially on those dancers who they’d built up based on their city-by-city auditions.
But how to explain their super-quick rejection of poor Natalie Reid (who deserved a better explanation than being merely “disappointing”), yet giving second and even third chances to folks like Gabi Rojas (who couldn’t even master basic steps in several choreography rounds) or Tony Bellissimo (who was allowed a do-over of Mia’s routine instead of dancing for his life)?
Sure, a sobbing Tony made it through to the semi-finals after working his well-shaped butt off. But then there were seemingly less talented others, like popper Phillip Chbeeb, who’s among the last 36 dancers despite Adam’s giggles that he couldn’t stop popping throughout the ballroom routine.
And I might get slammed for this, but try as I might, I just can’t get on board the love train for the Kasprzak brothers. Based on the trailers shown for tonight’s Top 20 reveal, it seems that the judges will likely only choose one of them to move on.
But from what I’ve seen so far, the contest wouldn’t benefit much from either “flea hopping” Evan or Nerdology’s Ryan. (Although I have to admit that Nerdology’s number was pretty fun: It actually told a story, unlike the rest of the mostly horrific group routines, and seemed even reminscient of some of Tabitha and Napolean’s past dances.)
However, best of luck to you, boys, and if you make it through, I’m happy to be proven wrong.
And speaking of siblings, let’s talk about the Kinney sisters. I suspect that the judges’ ultimate choice to keep Caitlin and dump Megan had a lot more to do with being, shall we say, camera-friendly?, than actual dance ability.
After all, Megan flew to safety round after round, while Caitlin was asked to dance for her life and then BARELY mustered enough of the judges’ votes to stay put. Yet, fast-forward to the end, it was Megan who got canned.
Sure, the judges SAY they see “potential” in Caitlin, but perhaps they also saw a sinewy blonde with a great backstory (she’s only been dancing for a few years, and has come back from hip replacement surgery).
Meanwhile, Megan is more talented, but comes across as a slack-jawed potato face. Sorry, Girlfriend, I was pulling for you, but even I couldn’t watch another second of you vacantly watching your sister perform with your mouth hanging open. All I could think was: Shut. Your. Trap.
Anyway, the Top 20 will be announced tonight: Is there anyone YOU think is a lock?
(Photos courtesy of FOX)
This entry was posted
on Thursday, June 4th, 2009 at 8:14 am by Heather Salerno.
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Thanks for your blog! I was trying to recap the show for my husband, but I could tell by the Megan look on his face that I was not capturing the drama of it all. I, instead, found your blog and read it allowed. He laughed much. I want to show him the Nerdology routine. Does anyone know where to view it online?