So You Think You Can Dance
 

Anyone else watching? I'm loving it!

I watched this last night.

I understand this is reality and what sells, but it just kept bothering me though when they would say while you are the best dancer we are casting a show, so we are going to pick someone better looking to cast.

Plus they kept talking about how they wanted variety, but they really seemed like they were just looking for one type.

I watched the first hour. I liked it; it was much more mellow than AI.

As someone who has taken dance, and has danced, I could barely watch it. I was too embarassed for some of those people. I liked that part (my favorite was the guy who wasn't masculine enough!). But that's about all I liked.

I thought it was boring, and I just didn't like it. Of course, I really disliked AI, Survivor, etc. Any reality show pretty much (except Project Runway of course!).

Fox has found the formula that works, and kudos to them for sticking to it. But goodness, couldn't it be something that WON'T drop my IQ at least 10 pts. every time I watch it?

I watched a little bit of it. Just happened to be flipping channels and there it was.

I don't know if it will get the same attention as AI, but whatever Nigel wants to spend his money on is okay I guess.

But what is the point of the show? Is there some massive dance contract you get at the end? And for what?

I kinda felt sorry for the Ribbon Dancer. But the guy goes to freakin' Julliard. I don't think he needs this show to have a decent career.

I laughed when that woman who made it to AI's Hollywood and got booted continued on to Hollywood for this thing. Can we say desperate for attention?

Pop-n-lock girl was freaky... and not in a good way.

It'd be interesting to see what this show turns into. Like are the contestants given themes each week too? Be kinda rough for someone to break out into modern jazz when their strength is breakdancing.

We'll see.

I watched it last night too!!

First off, and I am sure no one noticed this, but the host of the show at the beginning had lipstick on only half of her top lip and not on the bottom at all!! I know I am weird for noticing it-- but when she first came on I noticed something just didn't look right!! Maybe it is the latest thing-- but there was no rhyme or reason to it-- and later on she had gloss on both lips so there is nothing wrong with her lips!!

On to the show-- it is ok. I am not going to be too upset if I miss an episode here and there-- where with AI I never miss!! Some of the dancers were great and other were not so great-- even some of the ones who made it on to Hollywood!!

I do not have a favorite yet- although the kid from Julliard was great, but since he didn't make it I can't follow him!! The pop and lock girls facial expressions totally freaked me out!! Maybe I will follow Erin now that a I know a fellow GCer knows her!!

I will watch until at least they get in to the competition and see if I like it better then!!

I have a BFA in Dance and have danced professionally in NYC. I thought the show was interesting, and I'll probably watch again, but I don't see the point in it. What is their prize anyway?

I have to agree that they are NOT taking the best, but Nigel does say, "we're casting a show". And that happens in normal NYC auditions. A lot of times you might be the best dancer, but you might not get the part because you don't have the right look.

I was disappointed to see so many jazzy/hip hop type dancers. I'd love to have seen some more ballet, tap and modern - as in Jose Limon, Martha Graham real modern. NOT "lyrical" or "interpretive".

And lastly, the thing that really annoyed me, and it's probably silly, but the girl in the brown outfit who did the "interpretive" piece - she did that kick with her foot flexed a few times and he commented on how "people don't know how much harder that is..." Actually, it's physically easier. It makes you use the proper muscles (your hamstring as opposed to hiking it up with your quad) and often makes it go higher.

$100,000 and an apartment in NYC for a year

I have not heard about this show. As a former dancer, it might be interesting to watch what channel/night/time does it come on?

You know, I admit that I thought it was going to be stupid, just like many reality shows. But I actually like SYTYCD. In fact, I think that it is better than American Idol.

as someone who has 3 left feet and holds it against her parents that they never put her in dance class, I like the show. But then again, my brain is quite open to mindless semi-entertaining crap on tv this summer

Okay that prize seems like it would kind of suck in the end. I say that because the prize doesn't give the winner an "in" to some broadway show or to Julliard or something. It's like saying "here's money and an apartment oh but you have find your own way in".

Look at it this way (and I'm using movies as an example because it's pretty much the same thing), you can't be in a movie unless your a member of SAG and you can't be in SAG unless you've been in a movie. (BTW I was told this by my drama teacher in high school who is actually a member of SAG. I believe he was in a independent film so that he could join SAG).

With that being said, if you look at playbill.com it will list auditions and to do Broadway one has to be equity (which I think is the SAG of Broadway). So unless they have an open casting call you can't audition, but if it's appointments only, you're screwed.

Obviously not living in NYC I wouldn't know about how many open casting calls there are, but it just doesn't seem like such a fair trade off in the end, IMPO.

Well, there are tons of open casting calls in NYC for different things. However, many of the dance ones involve industrial shows (dancing next to a car at the auto show etc.), which are fine but not anyone's dream I'm sure; or small modern companies that don't pay anything; hip hop dancers for an unknowns video, etc. BUT, when you don't have to pay rent, you can go take as many classes as you can and that's often where you get noticed - by someone who has a company, or is choreographing a show, etc.

As far as the union, often there are Equity only calls. Anyone can go, but the Equity members are seen first. If you are lucky and get to dance, AND you make it, you then can join Equity b/c you've been cast. Also, some Equity shows have open calls - like touring shows of Barney, Sesame Street Live, etc. So everyone gets seen there and you join the union once you begin with the show.

[/lesson on NY dance scene] :)

thanks for the info sweetie

I've got a questions for the dancers out there. I noticed that a lot of the guys that weren't doing hip hop were still doing a lot of flips and tumbles and whatnot. Is this some sort of a requirment to learn or incorporate into a performance.

To me, throwing in gymnastics into a modern dance routine seems a bit distracting. But it seems like every guy not doing hip hop did some sort of a tumble.

I watched again last night and the guy/girl best friend duo were beautiful. I liked him a bit more than her because he had a bit more fluidity, but he needs to push his shoulders down a bit more (my biggest fault so I notice it in others a lot). They both will be wonderful in Mia Michels class - she was the larger woman with the short blond hair that they showed in the previews for the season. I auditioned for her once when she was choreographing Madonna's last tour. She does some fun stuff. I also liked the guy with the spikey hair who was part of the b-boy group. He looked pretty good in the choreographers stuff, too.

KDAngel:
Did your friend make it through? They didn't doa very good job showing all the people who made the cut.

Was happy to see a lot more studio time this week. Think it's dumb to have 2 different hip-hop classes. LOL at the 2 girls who had "injuries" but were able to bust out their freestyle no problem. And I would have preferred to see more of the dancers who did make it than the ones who didn't, but maybe next week.

I'm not a huge Blake fan... I think he's TOO good to be in the competition. If he's already a pro-dancer, why does he need this show to get noticed? But I'm sure that dancing is way different in terms of singing with regards to contracts and such.

Hey, what happened to that other "lyrical" dancer boy that Nigel thought had bad pants for his audition... and then he changed later that day? He kinda reminded me of the other dude that came in with Melonie. I didn't see him in the finals so I'm assuming he got cut before the finals. But I missed part of the final 24 show.

Anyway... anyone else think having to wait a whole week to see who was voted off seems a little lame?

i've taught dance for twenty years and I am so excited to see this kind of show.

I was worried that it might be hip hop/ street dance only, cause that is what the general public likes, but there is so much more to dance!!!

I am very impressed with the people who have made the finals and I am excited that the general public can see what dance is truly about.

I'm getting a bit bored with this show. I think it has sorta lost it's appeal to people in the general public like me with no dance training.

Allan, you seem like a nice guy, but you've pretty much done all that you can do. You just don't have the training or the natural ability to do what you need to do and it really showed it tonight.

I kinda like this show, but I think it drags on far too long (like AI).

Note to the producers: Give the results in a timely fashion and don't take 7 minute commercial breaks.

Or hell... make it TWO different shows! No need for this hour and a half crap. What a concept!

Allan is a one trick pony. Boy has a good personality, but that lyrical number from tonight was just awkward. Poor Melody.

I don't even think that Allan's moves were so terrible, but the routine totally didn't fit him and Melody. The lifts and parts where they were embracing and/or close to each other looked so awkward and uncomfortable because of the size difference.

I can't believe they chose Artem and Ashle for the bottom two over Nick and Camila. I'm bummed that Artem and Jamile are in the bottom together because they are my two favorite guys. I think Artem is the only guy with enough style and grace to do ballroom and Latin...and Jamile is the only one who has been pushed into some of the more difficult routines.

I have a new found hate for the producers and Blake. There is no way in hell that Blake has "randomly" selected lyrical EVERY SINGLE WEEK! And that Jamile gets stuck in at least one ballroom dance a week.

And they were the final two and he won! Guess even if I'm not actively dancing right now, I still know my stuff. ;) I also have to say, by the end he was much better with his shoulders. And his turning talent is other-worldly - we're talking Baryshnikov worthy. Mia even said she thought he might eventually be a "legend"!

Well, maybe it will inspire me to go take class more so maybe I can see him. I'll be sure to report if I do! :cool: