Category — Australia So You Think You Can Dance

In sad news popular reality dance shoe So You Think You Can Dance Australia won’t be renewed next year, meaning Season 3 will be its last.  The show struggled in the ratings this in its new time slot of Wednesday and Thursday nights.

The Daily Telegraph reveals that Fox 8 will be screening an Australian version of the show Got To Dance.

The article states:

Got To Dance will begin filming in Oz later this year, with plans for it to air on Fox 8. The latest TV dance comp will fill the void left by SYTYCD, which has been officially killed off after three series – just as we reported last month.

Currently a judge on the popular British version of Got To Dance, Garcia is tipped to headline the local version while he’s in Oz to star in the upcoming stage version of Tap Dogs.

Got To Dance will follow a competition format but unlike SYTYCD, which was open to solo dancers up to 35 years of age, groups or individuals of any age can enter.

The English version has been a solid performer here in Australia for Fox 8 and a big hit for digital channel Sky1 in the UK, attracting an average of one million viewers.

Channel 10 have not ruled out in bringing the show back. Personally I think putting it in the Sunday timeslot, plus tweak the judging panel, then it would be a ratings winner again.

Never fear the contestant’s and judges are still around with season 1 winner Jack Chambers to star in an Australian version of the musical Hairspray, choreographed by Jason Coleman, and Season 2 winner Talia Fowler currently performing in Fame.

Matt Lee is also currently tripping the light fantastic in Mary Poppins.

I hope this means that Channel Ten might think about screening the US version of the show again, as apparently this season is a cracker where ten of the contestant’s have appeared on previous seasons.

In sad reality TV news it is looking like So You Think You Can Dance Australia may not be getting renewed for a fourth season. It did not rate well this year, however they had changed the screening night from a Sunday to a Wednesday night.

The Daily Telegraph says that nothing has been decided and there will be an announcement in October.

Also in a later article in the same paper they say one of the issues is the animosity between judges Jason Coleman and Matt Lee. Why did I not know about this? But it might explain the lack of repartee between the pair this season. Maybe because Matt stepped it up this year and took over Jason as the judge who made the relevant comments.

Anyhow I think they are being hasty, sack Bonnie and bring in new personnel plus put it back on a Sunday would easily see this sagging souffle rise again.

PS This blog post is dedicated to Neil. LOL.

This Friday on our TV screens we will see the 100th episode of So You Think You Can Dance, which is the one that Katie Holmes performs on. I think in the US this attracted mixed reviews, but really who cares it will be a must see show.

If you cannot wait until next Friday to watch it here it is.

If they ever need a new lead for Chicago the Musical she shows she would be able to do it.

Katie has also been taking dance lessons at Jason Coleman’s Ministry of Dance in Melbourne. Source Sunday Telegraph

The Australian version of the show has announced it’s audition dates for Season Three.

Go to the official site for more details.  Good luck.

Talia Fowler the winner of So You Think You Can Dance Australia has now received part of her prize by performing on the Finale of the original version of the show in the US. See her performance above.

She will now have some new career opportunities to look forward to as 9.5 million viewers tuned into watch the season finale.

Talia who was battling jetlag performed a contemporary number an article in Daily Telegraph states. At this stage I have not found out who choreographed it.

Congratulations to the cast and crew of So You Think You Can Dance Australia for winning the Logie award for Best Reality TV Show. A deserved win.

Talia the ballerina is the first female to win So You Think You Can Dance Australia.

Here is some interviews about her SYTYCD journey, and her future.

Here is the Who Magazine

and the one from TV Week.

It appears she wants to turn into a contemporary dancer and will use the money to assist her to get into a company overseas. Good luck to her, and I am looking forward to seeing her dance on the finale of SYTYCD later in the year.

In the Daily Telegraph Talia who won So You Think You Can Dance Australia last night talks about the expectations of ballerina’s to maintain a slim body shape.

She also states feels she would like to be a contemporary dancer in an overseas company to stretch her technically and artistically.

And the best dancer wins…..

Australia got it right, as I think they did last year on So You Think You Can Dance. I loved the way Jason Coleman said how he had wanted her to win. “I wanted the best person to be wearing the green and gold, and I think we have got it.”.

Matt Lee said something intelligent tonight ” Kelley Abbey you are a freak”. It was was an amazing opening number with a pre-record, and then going into a live dancing. I thought Kelley managed to get the characterisation of Penny perfectly. She made sure she was was jiggling her boobs at the camera.

I hope Nigel Lythgoe did see the routine as she deserves to get some choreography spots on the US version of SYTYCD Season Five.

Bonnie Lythgoe, is so cute when Nigel is around. She is obviously still madly in love with him, and that is amazing after over 30 year together. She said yesterday in Daily Telegraphs she was flying back to US to be with him. So they must be back together.

Also props to Natalie Bassingthwaite  for being such a great host this year. One hundred per cent improvement from last year. Much less scripted, relaxed, and no crazy eyes. I hope she is signed on for next year. Only issue for tonight was she looked like she was channelling Sandi from Grease on prom night.

Lucky for the producers the top 4 favourite routines voted by the public on their website managed to showcase one of the top 4 in each. Hmm.

Ben was the first to be eliminated, this was to be expected if you were looking at the polls, he never gained any traction.  I love the way they kept panning the camera to his girlfriend in the audience. She is stunning.

Amy was the next to go, and we had the predicted top 2.

Talia danced Charlie off the stage in the jive number, and I loved how Nat B explained that the dance had been rehearsed with all the possible top 2 combinations. Just so the conspiracy theorists *Raver blushes and looks to floor* don’t go off about they must have known Charlie and Talia were top 2 etc etc.

However I would have loved to have seen that routine being done my two boys or two girls, obviously the lifts would not have been in it.

AND THEN TALIA WON!!!! Fully deserved and she will get to dance on the final of SYTYCD in the US. Maybe this may motivate Channel Ten to fasttrack the series from the US. Fingers crossed.

Tomorrow I will write an overview of my thoughts of Season 2 of SYTYCDA. But what a great series it has been.

It is compulsory in TV Week to have a SYTYCDA article in every week. Not that I am complaining, but this one really shows their desperation for a new angle.

Last year’s top four give their opinion on who will win.

Kate says Ben or Charlie.

“It’s so hard for me to pick one favourite – I’m really torn. Ben trained at my dance school and he’s also a fantastic dancer, so I have to give him some support. But I have to say that from the top 20 show, I’ve thought that Charlie would win. His partnership with Penny was what made us all fall in love with him.

“They were really strong and reminded me a lot of Demi and Jack, so it’s no surprise to see  Charlie in the top four. He nails everything  plus, he seems unaffected, too. His personality comes across on screen – he seems like a nice guy who just loves to dance and I really warmed to that”

Demi says Talia’s My Favourite:

“Talia is my favourite – I think she’s amazing and she really has the ‘It’ factor. Talia has embraced all the different styles and she really puts it out there with all of her performances. I’d love for her to win, not only because I’d like to see a girl take it out, but also because she works hard and has a great personality.

“I relate to her being outside of her comfort zone and she comes across so well on TV. When I met her, I was like, ‘Oh my gosh! Hi, Talia!’ It’s a bit weird – I’ve become just like any other fan! Talia knows exactly who she is – she’s real and that’s what I like about her.”

Rhys says Amy Make Me Go “Wow”:

“I think it’s hard to pick who Australia is going to decide is the favourite. Technically the dancers are totally intheir element and are bringing it every week. But, for me, the most stand-out, technical dancer, the one who really makes me go,”Wow!” is Amy.

“She’s pretty much faultless. She’s so specific and seems confident in her ability which in turn makes her partners confident, as well – she’s always there for them. Plus, I find Amy as a person really gorgeous. She’s gritty and down-to-earth and quite real and humble. In general, I think the girls have the guys licked this year.”

Jack says This Year Is All About The Girls:

“While all four have proven themselves worthy and versatile, for me, the winner needs to be a really strong soloist who’ll hold their own on the American SYTYCD stage.  They only have one chance to prove themselves – America won’t have time to get to know them the way Australia has. Personally, I think the the strongest soloists are Talia and Amy. Ben’s a charismatic performer and Charlie’s hard-hitting, but I feel that the girls have the edge.

“Amy has the maturity to represent us over there and Talia has an amazing presence – when she dances, she makes you want to look at her. It’s a great quality to have and something a soloist needs.”

Now if I was a conspiracy theorist I would say the producers of So You Think You Can Dance were pimping for Talia to win.

Here is why:

• Two contemporary routines when she has barely had one throughout the competition,
• One of those routines had a pointe shoe in it. Pointe shoes have never been on a routine either here or on the US SYTYCD was always go to give the ballerina an advantage,
• She got the tango which is sexy, and she has no problems dancing in heels,
• Also got the lucky last spot in the solo’s so the last person we see dancing from tonight’s episode, and
• Jason Coleman was talking her up.

Not that I have a problem with that, as I think people should vote for the best dancer, as we don’t want to be embarassed as country in front of 14 million US SYTYCD viewers.

People should vote on the following criteria:

• Technique,
• Stage prescence,
• Looks,
• Sexiness, and
• Charisma.

Now I won’t harp on about the judges AGAIN, however it would appear I am not the only one that finds Bonnie Lythgoe irritating. I swear I saw Matt Lee grimace when she started talking about the Talia and Ben Tango routine.

Also Sarah Boulter appeared to roll her eyes when Bonnie Lythgoe gave her a compliment.

And before Season 3 can Matt Lee go and see a hypnotist to stop him from say “As Jason said”…

The top four show is always the highlight of the competition, I did not think all the routines popped tonight but it was throughly enjoyable. Speaking of pop I notice Nacho was again sidelined tonight, with the hip hop routine given to Travers Ross and the group routine to Supple.

Talia and Charlie – Contemporary – Duffy – Warwick Ave

Debbie Ellis Linart choreographed a routine about a break up around a park bench.Mmmm is this a rip off from the Mia Michael’s piece where Travis and Heidi danced a routine around one but that was about finding love…

On viewing the US one it is pretty different apart from the prop.

Have a look at it here:

By the way Mia’s trip to Australia has been cancelled. (See the second last comment in this blog post.)

I thought Talia was brilliant in this routine, and Charlie did well dealing with all these lifts, but it was not a routine that really showcased him. It was a great dance to watch. Talia must have emotionally connected with it as she was teared up at the end.

Judges gave it the thumbs up, with amazing said three times, if anyone out there was doing the SYTYCDA drinking game. Yes chug whenever you hear the word amazing said. Beware you will be paralytic by the end of the show.

Talia and Ben – Tango – Sarah Vaughan – Whatever Lola Wants

Fabia Robles choreographed this tango for this pair. Tahlia had no problems dancing in heels as she revealed last week in TV Week  she only owns one pair of flats.

This tango sizzled, I must admit a bias as these are my two favourite dancers. I am not discounting Ben from winning this.

However Jason gave the routine to Tahlia as she was more intense than Ben.

Ben and Amy – Hip Hop – Kanye West – Coldest Winter

I want Amy’s jacket for winter. Are poms poms in this year? Just an aside saw a pair of ski pants on someone yesterday, that bought back some repressed memories. Poor buggers looked like they were going to melt with all their winter gear under the hot lights.

I was uninspired by the Travers Ross routine as can be seen by my thoughts on the upcoming winter fashions. I get the feeling the judges are not going to put the knife into anyone tonight. Sorry incorrect – good on you Jason for saying what I was thinking much more articulately than I could.

“It didn’t get me, it did not grab me, it did not go anywhere.” he said. Also he saw she hit her head on the floor.

Amy and Charlie - Samba – Sergio Mandes with the Black Eyed Peas.

Leanne Bampton This is the first time Charle and Amy have danced together in the comp. Sorry the Samba is meant to be sizzling and sexy and neither of this pair sell sex it was like a brother and sister dancing. Was Charlie wearing a Mormon uniform?

This routine is not going to help either of them win the competition.

Ben and Charlie – Broadway – Billy Idol – Dancing With Myself

Cameron Mitchell did a routine which was a tribute to Gene Kelly.  A pity one of them was not playing Donald O’Connor. Did anyone else feel this routine was laboured? Was it the choreography or dancers? Probably a bit of both. Actually I think it showed up Charlie’s weaknesses, Ben couldn’t really showcase himself either. Jason thought Ben was more effortless but he thought Charlie’s lines were better.

Amy and Talia – Contemporary – Adam Free Land & Sarah Vaughan – Fever

Sarah Boulter did this highly original, yet clever routine where they had to wear one point shoe and one stiletto. It was fantastic. Both girls were great. I just find Amy’s expressions on her face do not seem to come as naturally as they do with Talia.

Jason said Talia’s line is a little bit longer, but he said Amy has more maturity in the performanceship.

I really liked the idea of them having to randomly pick out a song for their solo’s, it gave it an added dimension.

Charlie’s Solo – Kings of Leon – Revelry

Mmm I am not a great lover of hip hop, but this could appeal to the younger voters. I feel a bit sorry for Charlie after a flawless competition he just seem to to hit his straps this evening.

Amy – Miley Cyrus

Amy’s routine showed her performance savvyness. Like Idol where they say big notes win votes, in SYTYCD the difficult technical moves get people picking up the phone, even though they may not necessarily be put together in a professional performance. I did like her routine, only issue for me is the same expression on her face throughout. No light and shade (sorry getting ready for Idol and quoting Marcia Hines).

Ben – Coldplay – Viv La Vida

I thought his choreography really suited the music. He also was smart like Amy and did moves that brings the applause from the audience particularly the flips and tumbles. He also seemed to try and connect to the audience.

Talia – Rhianna – Take A Bow

I thought she danced beautifully. However she did not do what Ben and Amy did, so had a nicely put together routine, however only a few spectacular moves.

Matt Lee, and Bonnie just gave their usual praise.

At least Jason Coleman decided to give them a critique of each one. Here is a summary of Jason’s thoughts.

Charlie –  ”A reality TV dream, you have done an amazing job in this competition.”

Amy  – “Your an incredible dedicated, discipline dancer and performer who I have the utmost respect for.”

Ben – “I think of you as a thoroughbred race horse, your discipline and dedication to your craft”

Talia – “You have grown and grown since you started, and I think you have peaked in the last few weeks, as a good athlete does.”

I think anyone could possibly win it, but I think Talia and Charlie appear to be the favorites. Amy was done no favours tonight with a Samba and Hip Hop routine so will struggle.  As I said previously Talia either lucked out tonight or their was some producer manipulation to ensure she was showcased favourably.