So, I've been so busy at work, and so far behind on my TV that I'm still playing catch up with the fall season, that I haven't really talked much about the new shows presented at the Upfronts for the coming 2007 Fall TV Season other than the initial announcements and my knee-jerk reactions.
Still, the show I (and what seems like everyone else in the blogosphere) am looking forward to most is ABC's Pushing Daisies and I've been meaning to post the preview here so well... here it is.
Oh Big Brother, Big Brother, What shall we do with you?
So the best summer trash TV starts next Thursday, July 5th on CBS and Global (in Canada) at 8pm. (With plans to air Thursdays at 8pm, Sundays at 8pm and Tuesdays at 9pm).
Big Brother is back in season 8 (EIGHT? Did anybody really think this would last 8 season way back when Chicken George and company were about to form their coup?)
The contestants/housemates/nutballs were announced yesterday and there is a video below showing the contestants/housemates/nutballs interviews. There's already the gay evil one (Joe) although a few of the guys look kinda gay and is there a female who isn't a waitress or a host? I'll show the profiles of everyone next week since no one will remember if I publish it at this point.
Hello friendly neighbour Americans, you dissapointed me last night with your SYTYCD votes and for not making Spring Awakening a complete sold out show (though it's doing MUCH better now, but still. It deserves to be at 100.1% Sold Out) so it's time for you to make up for those moments of mental relapses and watch the continuing Season 6 of Degrassi: The Next Generation on The N starting tonight at 8pm. Especially since Season 7 is already in the works with more life issues to come.
The episode is Free Fallin' Part 1 and starts what is essentially part 2 of Season 6 (with 7 more episodes) which The N split strangely because here on CTV, we started the season later but finished the season a few months ago now.
Anyways, basically, Paige flakes out of school and starts burning books and all. Not on purpose of course. Or is it? You know, Management and Economics textbooks can do that to people so can we really blame her? Did I mention it is also the Thanksgiving episode? A little behind aren't we? Plus, if you are a fan of Paige's brother Dylan, enjoy him while you can over the next few episodes...
The opening Top 16 Group Dance was choreographed by Tyce DiOrio to "The Lioness Hunt" from The Lion King Broadway Cast Recording . Here is the video clip:
Plus Company (which closes this Sunday. GO SEE IT BEFORE IT CLOSES) may get a PBS Great Performancesairing which would totally be amazing since it's the best version I've seen (okay fine. I've only seen one other version and only heard 2 other versions on CD).
I found these links to the performances from the Top 20 and Top 18 Weeks of So You Think You Can Dance Season 3 in case you wanted them (uh. like Lacey and Kameron's Contemporary from Week 1 which I have watched WAY too much). I have no idea if these files are clean or what not. I just found the links. No claim to anything. Do what you want at your own risk.
The Judges are: Nigel Lythgoe, Mary Murphy and special guest judge Debbie Allen here to plug her own academy. Debbie Allen!? FAME! I'm gonna live FOREVER!!!(Remember how I thought NOW is the right time to bring Fame back? And throw in a few of these dancers. Travis Wall would be PERFECT in one of the roles!)
So onto the dancing!
Sara Von Gillern and Jesús "Chuy" Solorio - Krump - choreographed by Lil C. - "It's Okay (One Blood)" - The Game
Here is the video clip of Sara and Jesús’ Krump routine:
At best, we have Montana Martin Iles, the girl with attitude who I didn't want to like, yet then had her little speech about realizing her chance at her dream and working hard and all that crap, except this time somewhat believable. Then she sang and it was like some weird rock Chrissie Hyde meets Bjork thing. Read: Not very Idol like and thus very interesting, despite sometimes annoying french accented words still spewing from her mouth. Sorry. I can't help it. The french accent while singing annoys me. Still, she's stranger than Jacob Hoggard which will make this interesting (though Jacob had more pop qualities and thus probably an easier time reaching mass markets).
Mila Miller was okay as sort of a 75% version of Erykah Badu, and Carly Rae Jepsen annoys me as a person (she seems to be born from the world of the Disney Channel. No one can be THAT happy) but still has a quirky but pretty voice to be really cool. Martha Joy was competent at singing the big ballads but that was so 10 years ago now that it felt really old.
Everyone else? Even worse than the boys. Annika Odegard could belt those big brassy lines but couldn't sing any other range. Christine Hanlon started off strong and could also do the big notes but trembled in anything subtle or quieter. Tara Oram, Khalila G, Scarlett Burke look good (and by good I mean made up with loads of makeup) but I already forgot their performances. Naomi-Joy Blackhall couldn't hit a single note but at least she tried to rock out in some crazy Bowie-like Pinball machine (I know. That's The Who. I'm talking generational).
And the absolute worst? Maud Coussa-Jandl. Whatever the judges saw in her at the auditions, had better come back quick, because even the judges didn't know what to say with last nights performance.
Still, at this point, can we just give the whole damn thing to Greg Neufeld now and save us the trouble?
Highlight below if you want to know who is dancing what tomorrow, as well as another incident happening right now.
According to Rickey.org and Duckyxdale:
1. Jesus & Sara: Krump with choreographer Lil C. 2. Cedric & Shauna: Contemporary with choreographer Mia Michaels. 3. Kameron & Lacey: Quickstep with choreographer Tony Meredith. 4. Danny & Anya: Hip-Hop with choreographer Dan Karaty. 5. Dominic and Sabra: Rumba with choreographer Jean-Marc Generaux. 6. Neil & Lauren: Tango with choreographer Jean-Marc Generaux. 7. Hok & Jaimie: Jazz with choreographer Wade Robson. 8. Pasha & Jessi: Cha Cha with choreographer Tony Meredith. — "Jessi fainted! Jessi was diagnosed with some sort of heart-condition and if she is not able to dance solo on Thursday, she will be eliminated. " - Rickey
Though, didn't this happen last week too with Jessi?
Instant Star Season 3 starts tonight at 9:30pm on CTV (it has already aired on The N in the states). What's Instant Star do you say? And where were Seasons 1 and 2? Who cares. Just watch Season 3. It's all that matters...
And if you can't get into our Instant Star Jude Harrison (winner of Instant Star, the show within the show much like the Idol series) and her flip flopping between hunky producer Tommy and her childhood pal Jamie, then watch it for the great look of the series. Plus Tyler Kyte (above right, with Alexz Johnson as Jude) stars in the show too and I loved him since his days as kid host on the Canadian-made Popular Mechanics For Kids (though his counterparts, Elisha Cuthbert (24), Jay Baruchel (Knocked Up, Undeclared, Million Dollar Baby), and Vanessa Lenghies (American Dreams) have all seem to have done slightly better over in Hollywood).
The series is made by the same folks who make Degrassi: The Next Generation, though it's much less controversial and far more soapy.
Tonight's premiere sees a nice big ol' cake fight between Jude and her new rival nemesis (and Instant Star 3 show-within-a-show winner) Karma.
And yes, I think she should be with Jamie (Kristopher Turner, above right with Tommy, Tim Rozon). (Jamie is the Noel to Jude's Felicity, which is weird since on Felicity, I thought she should be with Ben).
Oh, also trivia note, the house and pool they use for the Bar Mitvah scenes is apparently Prince's house (as in the artist formerly known as...) while he was in Toronto.
Well, so long Creature Comforts. CBS pulled it off the schedule. See my eyes roll. Why do I even try to be supportive?
So I ended up checking out the boys on Canadian Idol. Last year I checked out of the show because there was only ONE GOOD SINGER in the whole Top 10 and alas, she won. This year, they let the singers accompany themselves on instruments, thus enticing a new and possibly different group of singers to the auditions.
I'm not sure it helped.
Only Greg Neufeld was actually really good and he made last years Top 22 and was consequently voted off early on. Now he gets a second chance. Fair or not, last years bootee is now the strongest boy. That can't be a good sign can it?
Jaydee Bixby is cute enough and all in a prepubescent way and sings much stronger than one would imagine his frame would allow, but there's something creepy and Children of the Corn about him that keeps him from fully able to be a star.
Liam Styles Chang was better than I anticipated.
Dwight D'eon was half decent if not the child spawn of Chris Daughtry.
Everyone else was either boring or worse, especially Derek Hoffman who perpetuated the notion that all punkers do is yell into the microphone, and he didn't even do a good job at that, and
Clifton Murray, who was the Abercrombie choice to begin with, all style, no substance. Works for A&F ads, not so much here.
Tyler Mullendore was just WEIRD and
Matt Rapley was a tepid black soul singer (one black male in the whole competition and that's ALL we could find in Canada?)
Meanwhile, I still can't really tell Justyn Wesley apart from Brian Melo.
Oh yeah, and there was Andrew Austin. I already forgot about him.
Well, there's definitely no Blake Lewis here, which is too bad. I know we tend to go for quirkier in Canada but some of these choices are ridiculous. While others are just plain boring this year. What happened to picks like Jacob Hoggard, Rex Goudie, Melissa O'Neil or Eva Avila? Then again, I've complained about the complainers of American Idol, that usually the top 12 always has a bunch of losers still so who am I to say?
Well, Fox AGAIN burns off one of its funniest comedies. Are we even surprised at this point? May I need to remind you of Arrested Development? The Tick? Andy Richter Controls the Universe? Kitchen Confidential?
Fox shoves 3 more episodes last night, and not even in a row, of The Loop, a comedy that started off with 7 great episodes of its short first season (which made #13 on my Best of TV 2006 list), and now this week, Fox burns off the last 3 episodes of this 10 episode second season. And we know it's not coming back because star Bret Harrison is the lead in the upcoming CW show The Reaper, one of the shows getting good buzz and good reviews for the fall season.
So last night, our belovelent hero Sam Sullivan (Bret Harrison, above) overdonates to a charity but becomes part of the aviation boys club. Sam writes a loving tribute letter about Meryl (Mimi Rogers) and wins her a lady business award that she doesn't want, and Sam okays a product placement deal with Stride gum to be plastered over Trans-Alliance airlines.
Sounds simple enough.
It's not. Somehow, we get great disses on corporate America and especially the aviation world (the price fixing and the cost cutting savings with turnaround time was hilarious because it's so true). We get fake penises, a lemonade stand with a grown man, Sam being chased and shot in the head, and digs at jetblue and Southwest.
Also, Stride's a real gum?
Well, at least I'm glad to know the cute and very funny and likable Bret Harrison will be on a new show this coming season, even if it's on The CW which I'm currently at war with. I just wish Philip Baker Hall and Mimi Rogers can join him since they devour their roles as the top 2 execs at Trans-Alliance, and I love that Mimi Rogers can play the strong female exec role without being harsh or evil or military like. Darcy hasn't been as funny as the first season, with her antics being a little TOO over the top, but for a comedy that is usually over the top, that's saying a LOT.
Still, I have a feeling this show will grow with the DVD's and I'm sure half my friends will say 2 years from now... "have you seen The Loop? I'ts so funny! Are there more episodes?". And I will reply back "No you DOLT because no one watched it when I told you to watch it when it was actually on TV years ago and then it got cancelled. Meanwhile, Two and a Half Men is STILL on the air. It's all YOUR FAULT". I know I will say this because people have been NOW telling me about GREAT shows that they've just discovered. Shows like Six Feet Under and Arrested Development and Veronica Mars andScrubs. Seriously. Do my friends live in CAVES? Why am I friends with these people again?
Okay, my laptop just completely died on me, my sisters computer just died. WHATS GOING ON??? So this won't be as comprehensive as I would have liked and I'll try to expand in the morning at work (where my computer THERE went on a bit of a fritz earlier this week.I'm CURSED) and add all the song lists and video clips.
The opening Top 18 Group Dance was choreographed by Shane Sparks to Wade Robsons "It Was All In Your Mind". Here's the video clip.
In an actual shocking results, the Bottom Three were:
Pasha and Jessi.WHA? That was one of my favorites, if not THE favorite routine of last night. Shauna and Jimmy Faina and Cedric
Shauna - "Everything" - Lifehouse
Faina - "Do You Love Me" - The Contours
I was so sure it would be Cedric and Shauna going home but Shauna danced for her life (later reiterated by Nigel) and Faina was sent home with a unanimous decision. Which is kinda good cause while Faina was a better dancer than Shauna (but slightly here and again, hard to compare since styles are so different), I liked Shauna more.
Jimmy - "Veins" - Charlotte Martin
It was NOT unanimous for the boys, where Pasha was criticized for a weak solo (again. WHA? I thought it was the best one) but was safe. Mary voted to keep on Jimmy. Mia to keep on Cedric (huh? why? he's so limited and unlike Ivan last year and what looks like Neil and Dominic this year, doesn't look like he will grow and stretch much beyond his Hip Hop skills.) Nigel has the tie breaking vote and he decides to keep Cedric. SAY WHA? OH NO THEY DID NOT just do that??? Jimmy is gone?
What's WITH TODAY??? Cursed I say. Cursed.
Jimmy was SO GREAT in last week's Broadway and so bouncy and delightful to watch this week. In fact, isn't it odd that Faina was the stronger of her and Cedric and SHE'S OUT? (Not that I would have any other girls leave but still, you get my drift right?) And as much as I like Shauna, Jimmy was a little better of the two of them, and he's OUT???
So unfair. Anyways, I'm guessing at this point though, every week is going to be painful. Far more than last year. Plus, the choreographers need to step it up now, because I think things are so close at this point that a cool routine or a boring one will make or break a dancer on this show now.
Really, this was the boy of LAST summer but Justim Timberlake is only NOW releasing "LoveStoned/ I Think That She Knows" which is the best song on the album Futuresex/LoveSounds .
Here's "Waitin' for the Wonderful" from country's Aaron Lines that was released last year. He has cute songs but really, the whole point is just to watch him in the videos.
Canadian Country band Emerson Drive has never really lived up to its potential. Good look (again, cute-ish songs at best, REALLY cute lead singer who kinda looks like US Queer As Folk's Gale Harold), good vocals but their songs are always a little bleh. Here is their new song "Moments" which is actually from this year but sounds slightly dated but whatever, it's their best attempt so far at a hit, and it's really for the visuals again.
1. The fall show Sam I Am starring Christina Applegate, Jean Smart and Sookie St. James (er... Melissa McCarthy) is changing the title of their show to Samantha Be Good because Dr. Seuss' estate was not too happy with the allusion to "Green Eggs and Ham".
2. Boston Legal dropped Julie Bowen, Mark Valley, Rene Auberjonois and Constance Zimmer. Say wha? Part of the charm was watching these 4 play with the big boys (Shatner's Denny Crane and James Spader) and girls (Candice Bergen), plus, Bowen and Valley certainly added to the hotness factor. Instead, John Larroquette is joining the cast.
3. Heroes has castDavid Anders(Sark on Alias)as ancient samurai warrior Takezo Kensei, Hiro's childhood hero. You know, because the blond haired hunk is SO very asian.
4. Isaiah Washington says T.R. Knight is the one that should have been fired. Classy. If T.R. hadn't played his cards so perfectly, I may have actually believed Isaiah, 6 months ago, but sorry dude, you lost.
After last week where we find ourselves with possibly the strongest Top 20, I'm excited so let's get right to it!
Judges - Nigel Lythgoe, Mary Murphy, Mia Michaels
Lauren Gottlieb and Neil Haskell - Hip Hop - choreographed by Dave Scott - "The Way I Are" - Timbaland feat. Keri Hilson
I really like this couple. It wasn't the most attention grabbing dance but it was fun and Neil and Lauren did it well and I thought Neil did it a bit better (hmm... which Mia is saying right now! I LOVE YOU MIA MICHAELS... Wait. If you're a judge, that means we don't get a dance from you. Crap). Each dancer is super cute as I said last week but this time the judges agree with me and enjoy them so hopefully they are safe.
Here is the video clip of Lauren and Neil's Hip Hop routine:
Jessi Peralta and Pasha Kovalev - Jazz - choreographed by Tyce DiOrio - "Stiff Jazz" - dZihan and Kamien
I love Pasha as he has been one of the few standouts I've remembered from the auditions, so I'm SO happy that he hasn't flamed out like some previous years expectations. The two were beautiful in another fun and quirky little piece but totally different from last weeks Smooth Waltz. Again, like Neil before this, I think Pasha the boy was slightly better than Jessi but they were both so good that I'm getting into the nitty gritty at this point and I shouldn't be during the Top 18 weeks. That's amazing. We should only be getting nitty gritty in the Top 6, but these two are so great that we can already concentrate on the details.
Here is the video clip Jessi and Pasha's Jazz routine:
Jaimie Goodwin and Hok Konishi - Samba - choreographed by Jean-Marc Genereux - "Bang Bang To The Rock n' Roll" - Gabin
I feared that Hok might be a one-trick pony but after tonight. Apparently not. That totally surprised me. Jaimie was beautiful though not tecnically perfect and while Hok was a teeny bit stiff in like a few moments, it was still damn amazing for the Hip Hopper at this early in the game.
Sabra Johnson and Dominic Sandoval - Contemporary - choreographed by Mandy Moore - "I'll Stand By You " - The Pretenders
At first I thought it was a little clunky. Decent job but with such strong players this year, it might not hold up. But it got better and better and better and there was some neat choreographer and Dominic and Sabra PULLED IT OFF in the end. Oh man, and Mia agrees. Woo! Considering we had lost Ricky to him last week, she was proud of him! Hmm... now I don't know who might be in my bottom list. Crap. Always loved Sabra but like Nigel said, hopefully she won't slip through because she's so gentle and elegant yet cute like a little pixie.
Here is the video clip of Sabra and Dominic's Contemporary routine:
Faina Savitch and Cedric Gardner - Fox Trot - choreographed by Hunter Johnson - "You're The Boss" - Elvis Presley & Ann-Margret
It was a cute enough dance. There are moments when I think they were stiff, then they have nice moments together. Cedric seemed more like he was following and playing catch up, while Faina started off slightly weak but seemed to gracefully get into the dance more but it might be too little too late to compensate for Cedric.
Here is the video clip from Faina and Cedric's Fox Trot:
Lacey Schwimmer and Kameron Bink - Broadway - choreographed by Tyce DiOrio - "Overture/ And All That Jazz" - Chicago Soundtrack
So, I've re-watched last week's Contemporary rountine a few too many times now and this couple, thanks to Mia Michael's routine, may have edged themselves into my favorites so far, so tonight will prove if this continues. And continues it does! (Heidi in 'da house). Chicago has such a famous routine that it is hard to forget but while the routine wasn't the best (it's hard to beat Bob Fosse), I think Kameron and Lacey knocked it out of the park again. While Mia wanted Kameron sassier, I like that he confidently holds his strong sexy male persona while jazzying it up on stage.
Here is the video clip of Lacey and Kameron's Broadway routine:
Anya Garnis and Danny Tidwell - Viennese Waltz - choreographed by Hunter Johnson - "You and Me" - Lifehouse
Man, there's no real clunkers this year that it is getting harder to judge. Anya was so smooth, and while Danny lacks a bit of that passion I see in Pasha, Danny still nicely trotted around the stage and both made another one of these usually boring traditional ballroom types into something quite nice.
Here is the video clip of Anya and Danny's Viennese Waltz routine:
Shauna Noland and Jimmy Arguello - Hip Hop - choreographed by Dave Scott - "U Sexy Girl" - Fat Man Scoop feat. Elephant Man and Jabba
Jimmy outdanced Shauna and the stepping was a little weak and slow (was that choreographed that way?), but I will Shauna the benefit that they were quite in sync. Still, Jimmy seemed to pop out more and seemed just a bit bouncier and more excited to be here. I actually thought Shauna did better last week doing Broadway much like Nigel but unlike Mia.
Here is the video clip of Shauna and Jimmy's Hip Hop routine:
Sara Von Gillern and Jesús "Chuy" Solorio - Paso-Doble - choreographed by Jean-Marc Genereux - "We Will Rock You (bonus remix)" - Queen
These two are smooth when they need to be. Hit the beats hard when they have to. I have no idea if they did it correctly but it was amazingly entertaining and I find Sara has some glow about her where I find myself just wanting to pinch her cheeks and hug. I always feel that Jesús is going to disappoint but so far, he's two for two in NOT disappointing me making this pairing that I didn't think would work, totally score in my mind.
Here is the video clip of Sara and Jesús' Paso Doble routine:
Best Pairing of the Night - : I honestly don't know right now. I'm going to have to sleep on it and re-watch the clips. Almost everyone was great tonight. I'll repost in the morning with my favorite(s?) of the night
Worst of the Night - Faina & Cedric
From now on, it might just come down to the luck of each pairing getting a good choreographer and choreography that will determine their fate because at this point, everyone is doing amazingly well even on dances totally opposite their specialty. I'm now totally impressed two weeks in a row. I didn't think anything could top last years Top 10 but this is just so much fun this year!
Well, the reviews are out in London and they pretty much match Toronto's reviews from last year.
The Lord of the Rings The Musical (don't laugh. Or actually. DO) opened in London England at Theatre Drury Lane and the Times and Guardian liked it (each giving 4/5 stars each) and the Telegraph , the Sun (the SUN? even the SUN didn't like it? now THAT'S a bad sign) and Independent did not like it. While I was trying to be positive about the show, my sentiments pretty much mirror The Daily Telegraph's review. It's not a bad show. Not like We Will Rock You. I liked it way more than Wicked and The Producers. Still, there were a TON of problems, the whole thing did NOT live up to expectations, especially in this day and age when we've all seen Cirque de Soleil and expect something that actually wows us. The music is decent, but not entirely hummable or memorable and the story is a complete mess. It's mildly entertaining but it felt like it should have been even grander, which at over 3 hours, is not a good sign.
So when the producers blamed Toronto critics and audiences for its demise last year (apparently we didn't "get it". Their words. Not mine), I wanted to see how the British press would react. So now that it looks pretty divided, I feel quite satisfied. Yes, Canadians weren't wrong on this. (But the need to prove that to the international world makes us so...well..., Canadian). Here's The Toronto Star's Richard Ouzounian's review of the new version where he compares the changes. (Check out Richard Ouzounian break the stuffy critic mould when he recountsEvil Dead The Musical from the Splatter Zone).
The good news is Michael Therriault as Gollum (above), the lone Canadian left in the production, is being singled out in most of the reviews as one of the (if only) best things in the production.
So, I've been so busy at work, and so far behind on my TV that I'm still playing catch up with the fall season, that I haven't really talked much about the new shows presented at the Upfronts for the coming 2007 Fall TV Season other than the initial announcements and my knee-jerk reactions.
The episode is Free Fallin' Part 1 and starts what is essentially part 2 of Season 6 (with 7 more episodes) which The N split strangely because here on CTV, we started the season later but finished the season a few months ago now. 
Anyways, basically, Paige flakes out of school and starts burning books and all. Not on purpose of course. Or is it? You know, Management and Economics textbooks can do that to people so can we really blame her? Did I mention it is also the Thanksgiving episode? A little behind aren't we? Plus, if you are a fan of Paige's brother Dylan, enjoy him while you can over the next few episodes...
Here is the video clip of Sara and Jesús’ Krump routine:
And if you can't get into our Instant Star Jude Harrison (winner of Instant Star, the show within the show much like the Idol series) and her flip flopping between hunky producer Tommy and her childhood pal Jamie, then watch it for the great look of the series. Plus Tyler Kyte (above right, with Alexz Johnson as Jude) stars in the show too and I loved him since his days as kid host on the Canadian-made Popular Mechanics For Kids (though his counterparts, Elisha Cuthbert (24), Jay Baruchel (Knocked Up, Undeclared, Million Dollar Baby), and Vanessa Lenghies (American Dreams) have all seem to have done slightly better over in Hollywood).
Tonight's premiere sees a nice big ol' cake fight between Jude and her new rival nemesis (and Instant Star 3 show-within-a-show winner) Karma.
And yes, I think she should be with Jamie (Kristopher Turner, above right with Tommy, Tim Rozon). (Jamie is the Noel to Jude's Felicity, which is weird since on Felicity, I thought she should be with Ben).
Only Greg Neufeld was actually really good and he made last years Top 22 and was consequently voted off early on. Now he gets a second chance. Fair or not, last years bootee is now the strongest boy. That can't be a good sign can it?
Liam Styles Chang was better than I anticipated.
Everyone else was either boring or worse, especially Derek Hoffman who perpetuated the notion that all punkers do is yell into the microphone, and he didn't even do a good job at that, and
Clifton Murray, who was the Abercrombie choice to begin with, all style, no substance. Works for A&F ads, not so much here.
Tyler Mullendore was just WEIRD and
Matt Rapley was a tepid black soul singer (one black male in the whole competition and that's ALL we could find in Canada?)
Meanwhile, I still can't really tell Justyn Wesley apart from Brian Melo.
Oh yeah, and there was Andrew Austin. I already forgot about him.
So last night, our belovelent hero Sam Sullivan (Bret Harrison, above) overdonates to a charity but becomes part of the aviation boys club. Sam writes a loving tribute letter about Meryl (Mimi Rogers) and wins her a lady business award that she doesn't want, and Sam okays a product placement deal with Stride gum to be plastered over Trans-Alliance airlines.
So unfair. Anyways, I'm guessing at this point though, every week is going to be painful. Far more than last year. Plus, the choreographers need to step it up now, because I think things are so close at this point that a cool routine or a boring one will make or break a dancer on this show now.
I feared that Hok might be a one-trick pony but after tonight. Apparently not. That totally surprised me. Jaimie was beautiful though not tecnically perfect and while Hok was a teeny bit stiff in like a few moments, it was still damn amazing for the Hip Hopper at this early in the game.
Man, there's no real clunkers this year that it is getting harder to judge. Anya was so smooth, and while Danny lacks a bit of that passion I see in Pasha, Danny still nicely trotted around the stage and both made another one of these usually boring traditional ballroom types into something quite nice.
These two are smooth when they need to be. Hit the beats hard when they have to. I have no idea if they did it correctly but it was amazingly entertaining and I find Sara has some glow about her where I find myself just wanting to pinch her cheeks and hug. I always feel that Jesús is going to disappoint but so far, he's two for two in NOT disappointing me making this pairing that I didn't think would work, totally score in my mind.
The Lord of the Rings The Musical (don't laugh. Or actually. DO) opened in London England at Theatre Drury Lane and the Times and Guardian liked it (each giving 4/5 stars each) and the Telegraph , the Sun (the SUN? even the SUN didn't like it? now THAT'S a bad sign) and Independent did not like it. While I was trying to be positive about the show, my sentiments pretty much mirror The Daily Telegraph's review. It's not a bad show. Not like We Will Rock You. I liked it way more than Wicked and The Producers. Still, there were a TON of problems, the whole thing did NOT live up to expectations, especially in this day and age when we've all seen Cirque de Soleil and expect something that actually wows us. The music is decent, but not entirely hummable or memorable and the story is a complete mess. It's mildly entertaining but it felt like it should have been even grander, which at over 3 hours, is not a good sign.
The good news is Michael Therriault as Gollum (above), the lone Canadian left in the production, is being singled out in most of the reviews as one of the (if only) best things in the production.