Comments on: SYTYCD July 17. A simmering sense of tragedy.

By: thespine11

thespine11 — Sun, 20 Jul 2008 02:44:20 +0000

Yes, I heard him talk about “my assistants.”

Just thought it was more hooey than hoofer.

By: Joanna

Joanna — Sun, 20 Jul 2008 01:18:43 +0000

Nigel was “assisted” by Chuck Maldonado, one of the hottest hip-hop choreographers in the business right now, and by Suga Pop, one of the foundationsl figures in popping/locking from the Rock Steady Crew. So my guess is that Nigel chose the song, blocked most of it with ideas for the basic moves, and let his esteemed assistants work with the dancers on the details, especially the stepping part. So he had the sense to work with the best, and the result did showcase the guys in a rousing hoofer routine. I liked the dancing, because I got to see the guys finally next to each other doing some of the same moves, and showing their personalities. I do think they are all bone tired.

By: thespine11

thespine11 — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 15:59:30 +0000

Hmm, well, yes, of course it’s a dance show.

But I think Kherington showed more variety of talent, while Comfort can ONLY hop her hip.

Which is why she was retired in the first place.

I think looks played a part in the public’s myopic voting.

I agree with you about Mark.

He looks a little tired to me. There could be fitness issues here…

See, the thing about Gev is that I don’t think it’s right to kick off someone who has produced at least some total excellence.

Whereas Twitch, for example, has not inspired once.

Now, Joanna.

What about Nigel’s choreography?

By: Joanna

Joanna — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 15:00:15 +0000

PS: I totally agree about Tyce’s vapid choreo for Mark/Kherington. It was insulting. He was too busy having Will and Katee jump in and out of the stupid boat, another routine I didn’t like.

By: Joanna

Joanna — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 14:54:24 +0000

If this were a beauty contest, Kherington’s ouster would have been a problem, but it is actually a dance show/popularity contest, and the dancing actually matters to at least some in the audience. Given the body of her performances in the show and the fact that she was as bad as Twitch in their ballroom routines, I wasn’t sorry to see her get cut at this stage. She was too uneven, and a terrible partner to both Twitch and Mark. The fact that she was so inarticulate didn’t help.
All of the remaining women, with the exception of Comfort, have been consistently better dancers in partnership and in at least some of the solos. Comfort finally delivered the hip hop performance with Twitch that people had been waiting for, but she’ll go next.
I was so sorry to see Gev go; he’s been the one who has shown the most growth as a dancer, something that appeals to the audience, and his solo last night was absolutely on fire. He and Chelsie had the best performances, in my eyes, on Wed. I think Gev is also the first b boy to show real versatility in the dance styles, but Joshua (while focusing more on other hip hop styles) has outdanced him in many ways. With the exception of Twitch, the others are just as good or much better dancers. The guys as a whole have had a stronger field than the women this season. And too many people still see b boying as “just tricks” and not a “real” form of dance, although I disagree, and thought Gev’s last solo displayed all the musicality as well as the athleticism that the best b-boying is about.
At this stage, the show displays its tension between “America’s best dancer” vs. “America’s favorite dancer” and the dancers in the audience will complain bitterly about how popularity trumps dance in the end (Danny losing to Sabra last year). But from now on, the performances will have to be stellar, and if Mark doesn’t bring it next week, he’ll be out next, even though I think he’s marvelous and Twitch should be the one to go.
My prediction for the final four: Joshua, Will, Katee, Chelsie. Wish Mark would be there, and if he draws Katee or Courtney as a partner, he may be. If Mark gets Comfort, you will know the fix is in, and the producers want him off the show.

By: Judy C

Judy C — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 05:32:48 +0000

Er, sorry, dude. Twitch isn’t prettier than anyone except maybe Shreck. But especially not cuter than little Gev. So being “outprettied” is obviously not a valid explanation for Gev getting the ax. He’s gone cuz someone had to go – and he’s a short, hip hop dancer. They’ve got two perfectly good hip hoppers left, one, Josh, is taller, and has had some formal training.

The other, Twitch, is a crowd fave, even if he is as ugly as home made soap.

And Mark and Will are tall and elegant, well, Will is elegant, Mark is just plain amazing, and both have had the years of training that the judges so like to gush over.

So, that leaves Gev. Honestly, I think its just that simple.

BTW, I agree, Gev’s solo was a total show stopper.

And I also agree that Nigel’s turn at choreography was just awful, even painful – for everyone. OMG! He’s giving a bad name to England, Broadway, TV, male dancers, dancing in general and even teeth with that crap! I think he must be feeling threatened by LilC’s eloquent comments and sharp observations, so he pulls out his trump card, and shows us he’s not just a one trick judge. Will someone please call INS to check this guy’s green card? He needs to go away.