Category — So you think you can dance

Good news for the male reality TV fan with news Kendra Wilkinson is in town promoting the fourth series of her show. Personally I don’t think the show about her everyday life is that engaging, the former playboy bunny does appear to be quite sweet.

A cocktail party was held in her honour Monday night in Sydney.

The other person in town is the thinking man’s babe and host of So You Think You Can Dance, Cat Deeley. She is in town to spruik a Playstation 3 game, and guys she is single. She recent broke up with boyfriend Michael McMillian. (Source: Daily Telegraph)

Which of these ladies do you find the more appealing?

I would have loved to be a fly on the wall when this audition on their version of So You Think You Can Dance was shown on their screens. Not sure how mothers would be explaining this to the under 12′s.

Personally like Santa I don’t believe it is real, however it certainly got the judges excited. This guy manages to do spins lying face forward down on the floor without using his hands. And how does he do this? Well you will have to watch to decide whether it is real or a magical illusion. By the look on the judges faces they were hoping it was real.

The opening number was brilliant for once the twitter chick from Channel Ten/or Fremantle were not over selling it.

It was a the dancers in a montage from iconic films, and just as I was wondering who choreographed, it was revealed it was Jason Gilkison – of course. He also acknowledged Matt Lee and Bonnie Lythgoe’s assistance and input with it.

Speaking of Bonnie, she has done a bit of a “Dorian Gray” and looks younger then she did three months ago when the series started. She was looking particularly funky tonight.

And if I was a betting woman this will be the last time we see her on the judging panel. I think they will change personnel next year.

I was not a fan of the top four Alice in Wonderland routine, the costumes were great but I am not a fan of hip hop. But I did like Juliet Verne’s top Ten dance.

No surprise that Phillipe was the first of the top four to be eliminated. Obviously that Daily Telegraph story about him being the favourite to win was bollocks.

The Hairspray musical looks like it is going to pop. Jason Coleman is going to be the choreographer and auditions start soon. The question is how many SYTYCDA alumni are going to be in it. I bet Ivy is definitely one.

Bonnie Lythgoe will be busy also she is going to be directing Cinderella in LA. Also Matt Lee will be in Mary Poppins in Melbourne.

No surprise that Robbie and Jessie H were top two, so the Shire vote did not cancel one of these two brilliant dancers out. It was nice to see the two best friends there.

No surprise that Robbie won, but I would have been happy with either. I am curious to know which prize he will pick. The Australian Dance Theatre is the best fit for him, but hairspray would be fun, and travelling around the US for 6 months with Jason Gilkison would be fabulous.

I am sure both Jessie and he have fantastic dance careers ahead of them.

Phillipe From So You Think You Can Dance Australia Is Single

The Courier Mail reveals SYTYCDA top 8 dancer Phillipe is single.  This news may get him to top 4.

So You Think You Can Dance – Changes To Occur In The US Version

Australian SYTYCD producers take note, Nigel Lythgoe has tweeted about changes to the show. He said partners will change each week, and only one person will be eliminated at a time. I don’t know how they are going to do partners if there is an odd number of contestants (Source Inside TV)

Exit Interviews for So You Think You Can Dance  For Matthew and Jess, and Renee and Heath

Here is the exit interview  with Matt and Jess from Who Mag 

Here is the exit interview with Heath and Renee from Who Mag

Gordon Ramsay Bags Out Jamie Oliver

This footage on gossip website TMZ shows Gordon bagging out Jamie Oliver. It is vaguely amusing.

Simon Cowell To Win An International Emmy

Reuters says Simon Cowell will win an Emmy for having reshaped television and music in the 21st century. Some people might think this is not a positive thing.

Paige Mills Eliminated From American Idol

Paige Mills reveals she knew she was bad in an interview with LA Times Blog

Also Diddy will be a mentor next week.

Richard Branson Has Been Branded Sexist In His Reality TV Show

The reality TV show following some Virgin (the airline) Air Hostesses around the world has been labelled sexist the Daily Mail says.

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Found this on You Tube from SYTYCD UK version of the show, this is there first season. With Cat Deely as host and Nigel Lythgoe as one of the judges. I really liked this routine, however I don’t know who the choreographer was.

The Mandy Moore over the table dance routine is replicated in the UK version. I must say I think I preferred the Neil and Sabra version. But the two UK dancers are hip hop and break dancers so they did a great job. Unfortunately the US version has been removed from YouTube.

The other question is what has happened to Nigel Lythgoe’s hair style?

Shane Sparks the hip hop choreographer on So You Think You Can Dance, and also America’s Best Dance Crew has been arrested on child molestation charges.

He is being held in lieu of $590,000 bail. I wonder if SYTYCD producer will cough up the bail bond?

The Los Angeles district attorney’s office filed an eight-count felony complaint today against Sparks, alleging multiple lewd acts upon a child, starting in 1994. It identified the victim as a girl who was younger than 14 years old when the incidents began. (Souce: News11)

Shane Sparks is not the first So You Think You Can Dance  choreographer to be charged for sexual misdemeanors. As Alex Da Silva was charge with sexual assault.

For the first time I thought So You Think You Can Dance was really manipulated with for the advantage of one dancer – Melissa.  Now I know the way the dancers are presented in the pre-interviews help us form a view, but I thought tonight it was completely biased.

Does anyone else think it is strange that supposedly the dance styles are picked t random, but Melissa managed to get a ballet number. Rigged? Definitely. Does that meant there will be other people required to dance to ballet in the weeks to come, something I am not opposed to. But as I suspect this will be the  first and last time we see it this season. I thought Nigel had the hots for Melissa now it is confirmed.  I think she was a good enough dancer to not have that bit of favouritism, and she has had a dream run so far on the show.

Also Jeanine a contemporary dancer hit the bottom three this week, and she is yet to get to dance her style. It would be nice if she was handed her genre on a plate  next week so she can showcase her talent.  In fact I was a fan of Melissa’s, but after this week the gloss just became a little less shinier to me.

Speaking of a love/hate relationship Mia Michael’s was on the judging panel last night. In season 2 I did not like her, but in the previous seasons I have, but I thought her ego was slightly out of control this episode.

So she finally decided to bequeath Brandon with some positive remarks, for those who missed Las Vegas week, she was quite critical of him. Now she thought he was amazing. I was surprised she said this before he even danced, as I thought her love of Brandon would occur after she had choreographed him and he had interpreted her work.

I must say even though Mia pissed me off a bit this episode, she does put her money where her mouth is as her choreography is mesmerising.

Janette and Brandon -  Jean Marc Genereaux and his wife France – Cha Cha – Hush Hush – PussyCat Dolls

Jannette was like a little fire cracker as she should be as she is a salsa dancer, and Brandon was an amazing partner. I really like both of these dancers, Janette is uneffected and relaxed, and Brandon is going to be hard to beat in this competition.

“Best cha cha I have ever seen on this show,” gushed Nigel Lythgoe.
“Janette you made it look exciting” said Mary, and predictably she put them on the hot tamale train. Mia Michaels said “So much ability and potential that I am not going to be satisfied …your going to love me…you are amazing.” said Mia on Brandon, and “you are on fire” she said about Janette.

Kayla and Kupono –  Sonya Tayeh - Contemporary – “Eyes On Fire” - The Blue Foundation

I really like Sonya as a choreographer it is always so interesting and entertaining.  This pair were captivating in this gothic/vampire routine.

“So much technique thrown into a very modern routine,” Nigel said.

“Electric feel to it,” Mary Murphy, and they got to stay on the hot tamale train.

“Sonya best piece ever  on this show,” anointed Mia and “Kayla you commit to everthing,”

Evan and Randi – Joey Dowling – Broadway – Sweet Charity

These two were paired up because they were the shortest in the competition, they are just so cute. Evan reminds me of a better looking version of  SYTYCD Australia Season 1 winner Jack Chambers. Joey the choreographer is full on, I am not sure if it her height or her demeanour . She scared me and I was watching it on TV.

I loved this routine, Evan danced it so well, though Nigel was disappointed with him and thought he should have done more with it. However he still thought they were in his top 10 dancers.

Caitlin and  Jason – Brian Freidman – Jazz – Creator Santigold

Caitlin is not one of my favourites to much rhythmic gymnastics and not enough personality, I was amazed she got put into the top 20. Jason I forget about him until I see him each week. I just did not get into the routine as much as I would have liked as it was great choreography, but both of these dancer lack charisma. 

“Have to commit yourself 100% and you both did that,” Nigel Lythgoe said. He also thought Caitlyn was dressed like a condom which was weird considering the dance was about an alien impregnating the last human on Earth.

Mary did not like it much, but Mia did “Danced well, and enjoyable.”

Jeanine and Phillip – Napoleon and Tabitha – hip hop – Love Lockdown – Kanye West

They were chained together for the routine, and it really did not add to it. I find NapTab choreography a bit on and off, tonight I did not think it was the greatest routine. However I really hoped this pair were safe.

Mia agreed with me, she implied that she did not see the point of the chain.

Melissa and Ade – Thordel Christensen – Pas De Deux – Romeo and Juliette – Prokoviev

See the beginning of my post for my view of this routine. Yes it was beautifully danced, but there was some agenda behind this so they were able to say this was the first time classical ballet was danced on the show.

Nigel Lythgoe predictably gushed and said “superbly done”.

Mia loved it was a black and white Romeo and Juliette. “You cannot fake classical ballet.” I love the way Mia thinks she is so PC but when she was talking about Jean-Michael’s and Frances quick step she only acknowledged Jean-Michael’s contribution. Mia has said previously she does not get on with women. I still think she is saying that to kill the gay rumours. By the way she is straight.

Karla and Vitolio – Jean Michael and Frances – Quickstep – Puttin’ On the Ritz – Rufus Wainwright

This quick step was well danced, but the chemistry for me was not there.

“Finally getting your personality out there,” Nigel said.

Then it was onto the elimination show where Mia was revisting the ’80′s and she looked like she had just been reincarnated from a Human League video clip.

Bottom three were Vitolio and Karla, Kayla and Kupono, Phillip and Jeanine. I thought Karla’s solo was fantastic, but since it was her third week in the bottom three she was eliminated. And Vitolio who had been told last week he was gone if he was in the bottom three again also was punted.

here is an exit interview with Vitolio, and here is an interview with Karla.

The opening group number popped literally. It was a hip hop number that was fast and feisty, they did not say who the choreographer was.

I must have been in a semi-coma for the audition, and Las Vegas episodes as I recognised less than 10 of the top 20. Tonight the judges were the usual Nigel Lythgoe and Mary Murphy with special guest Adam Shankman. I like Adam he is a bundle of enthusiasm and personality. However, hate the attempted comedic crap between Nigel and Mary.

First up were Jeanine and Phillip. Their choreographer’s were NapTab (Tabitha and Napoleon), which meant they were doing a hip hop routine. I always wonder whether NapTab ever get sick of each other considering they work and live together, maybe they give new meaning to the term co-dependent.

The routine was about a couple having to deal with anger issues before going to bed. I know some people think NapTab are the second coming in hop hop choreography, but I find them a bit dull. Except for the fantastic sci-fi opening routine they did this season for So You Think You Can Dance Australia.

However they danced it well and in unison. Also I must confess Phillip is an early favourite of mine. The judges loved it. Mary seemed particularly excitable this first episode.

Asuka and Vitolio were doing a broadway routine choreographed by Tyce DiOrio.  Asuka has ballet and latin ballroom so if she can get a fan base could go far.  Really loved these two dancers, however was not blown away by the routine, probably to slapstick for me.

One of the reasons I like Adam Shankman as a judge was he manages to articulate what he is thinking very well. He said “because it followed the previous emotional routine, this character performance felt a little artificial.”

Mary was disappointed, thought they played it safe. Nigel thought there personalities were not in it.

Karla and Johnathan – Cha Cha with choreographer with Tony Meredith to the music of Lady Gaga. They both looked like they were having such a great time, even though it was not technically excellant. This pair have likeability. And the teenage girls are going to go crazy over Johnathan as he is the David Archuleta of the competition.

I was a bit disturbed when Mary Murphy said she like her Cha Cha rough, “if it is not rough it is not fun.” I just don’t think of Mary in that way.

Randi and Evan danced a jazz number choreographed by Tyce Diorio.

Randi has auditioned three times and finally got through. Evan has personality and charisma, but he is short. They both danced beautifully. Evan is one to watch he reminds me a little tiny bit of Benji Schwimmer.

Paris and Tony got a hip hop routine with Napoleon and Tabitha. Does anyone else think Nap Tab routines are similar? It did not suit Tony’s hip hop style at all. All rather dull. As Mary said it will not be memorable.

Caitlin and Jason  were dancing a Bollywood number by Miguel .

SYTYCD Australia has a lot to answer for introducing Bollywood to the show, and now the US show has picked it up. Confession Caitlin is not my favourite dancer, in fact I think she does more “tricks” then actual dance. However her gymnastic’s background really helped in this routine her hand stand was amazing. As Adam Shankman said “You guys rocked!”

Janette and Brandon dancing the foxtrot to a LouisVan Amstel. Brandon has a huge fan base already if he does not make top 10 I will be gobsmacked. This was a nice routine well danced with their personalities coming through, but no mind blowing moments.

Mary is the only women in Hollywood to admit to botox. She also loved the routine

Ashley and Kupono danced a jazz routine by Wade Robson. The routine by Wade is as usual existential, about crash test dummies.  I love Wade he is such an amazing choreographer. Routine of the night. Costume and make up senstional as well. Could have watched it over and over. Wade was on SYTYCD Australia and he was given 30 seconds screen time. How wrong was that?

Adam Shankman thought Wade was “One sick puppy” and they were “technically perfect”.

Melissa and Ade danced a contemporary Mandy Moore routine. Amazing lifts that were done well. Lucky for ballerina Melissa she got a contemporary routine first up, as I think she could struggle in other genres.

Adam Shankman thought “It was so special” and Mary gave it a scream.

Kayla and Max danced a samba by Louis Van Amstel. Louis has known back from Max since he was 14 years old. It was fantastic, it sizzled on screen.  Mary put them on the hot tamale train.

Now onto the Elimination episode:

Bottom three were Tony and Paris, Asuka and Vitolio, and Karla and Johnathan.

Vitolio’s solo was amazing, Tony’s was entertaining but not much technique, and Paris lumbered around the stage. Asuka thinks she is a sex kitten, and Karla is a strong dancer. Johnathan thinks he is a mini Dimitri.

Paris and Tony were eliminated, and I am not unhappy with that. Tony has amazing charisma and stage prescence he will turn up somewhere.

Just one thing can we have Adam Shankman on every week?

Have Nigel Lythgoe and the team got the Season 5 Top 20 right? Well chat amongst yourselves about the routines, dancers, choreographers and judges.

I will also be posting a recap after the show.

The auditions are over, they have been to Las Vegas, and now Season 5 has its Top 20. Tonight on Channel Ten at 8.30pm the Top 20 shows commence and the eliminations begin.

The top 20 are: Jeanine Mason, Phillip Chbeeb, Asuka Kondoh,Vitolio Jeune, Karla Garcia, Jonathan Platero, Randi Evans, Evan Kasprzak, Paris Torres, Tony Bellissimo, Caitlin Kinney, Jason Glover, Janette Manrara, Brandon Bryant, Ashley Valerio, Kupono Aweau, Melissa Sandvig, Ade Obayomi,  Kayla Radomski, and Max Kapitannikov.

A surprise  and shocking early elimination from the Las Vegas was Natalie Reid who had performed one of the best auditions this season. In fact how she was cut ahead of the very ordinary Caitlin Kinney is beyond me.

Uber choreographer Mia Michaels was not happy with the inclusion of amazing dancer Brandon Bryant. I suspect this is a bit of a set up. She of course by the end of the season be his biggest champion etc, etc.

One thing that I found interesting that Mia said in the auditions, was that she does not usually connect with women. Was she trying to put those gay rumour to rest for once and for all?

Nigel Lythgoe spoke to TV Week recently and said expect to see Jason Gilkison and Kelley Abbey on the show this season, and of course our Australian winner Talia will be on the US show’s season finale.

I will commencing recaps of the show tonight, as well as having an open post on the show at the request of a regular Reality Ravings reader.

Australian viewers should be aware the show is running a few weeks behind the US, so if googling beware if you don’t want to stumble across any spoilers.