So You Think You Can Dance - Just Gaga For The Six Dancers

Top 6 Week - Performance Night and Results Night, The Cut From 6 to the Final 4
Judges: Nigel Lythgoe, Mary Murphy, and Adam Shankman

It's the semi-finals, the last week before the So You Think You Can Dance season 4 finale! WHAT? ALREADY? Doesn't it feel a bit early this year? (I know they are trying to avoid the juggernaut of the Beijing Olympics but whatever, this feels a bit fast doesn't it? What am I going to do for the rest of August?) I'm combining the performance and results night recaps this week since I just got back home from Asia (plus my blog was fricken blocked by Blogger for review to make sure it wasn't a spam blog... WHA? ARGH... so this will get posted whenever they "review" me).

And it's the final 6. The final cut to the final 4. In a year when I want all 6 of the finalists to win! Oy, this is going to hurt. The performance show was only an hour long but man can they pack such amazing dances in, in possibly one of the best all round episodes all season. Last week, I gave the most "A"'s in one week but this week was even BETTER!

Courtney Galiano and Mark Kanemura
1st Performance
Style: Viennese Waltz - Choreographed by Jason Gilkison
Song: "The Time Of My Life" - David Cook

You know that moment when you get to take a deep breathe and you feel happy and relaxed and there's nothing in your head except the feeling of joy? I just had that while I watched this routine with two of my underdog favorites, Mark and Courtney who are just so romantic and cute with each other I want to just squeeze them!

Grade: A

Here's the video clip of Courtney and Mark's Viennese Waltz performance:


2nd Performance
Style: Jazz - Choreographed by Sonya Tayeh
Song: "The Garden" - Mirah

I'm not sure what I was just watching or that I should even BE watching, since it seemed like I was being a peeping tom! Cause Courtney and Mark are HOT together! The choreography was perfect for Mark's quirkiness and Courtney's energy and it was weird and wonderful and I wish it went on longer.

Grade: A+

Here's the video clip of Courtney and Mark's Jazz performance:



Katee Shean and Joshua Allen
1st Performance
Style: Contemporary - Choreographed by Tyce DiOrio
Song: "All By Myself" - Celine Dion

I know there's going to be a repeat pairing but this is almost unfair to the other dancers since Joshua and Katee are like the powerhouse couple to start with and now they get to show off their spectacular chemistry again that it gives them a great advantage. Add a Tyce DiOrio routine that was actually quite amazing, and you would have thought that Katee and Joshua had been dancing together all their lives!

Grade: A+

Here's the video clip of Katee and Joshua's Contemporary performance:


2nd Performance
Style: Paso Doble - Choreographed by Jason Gilkison
Song: "Filet" - Le Reve(Original Soundtrack)

Hot damn! It's hard to make the Paso Doble look easy and entertaining but kudos to Gilkison for a great routine, some nice fancy lighting and Katee and Joshua for dancing the heck out of it, as always! One little thing though, is that Joshua looked SO serious trying to stay in character against the overdramatic music that it was a little bit funny.

Grade: A

Here's the video clip of Katee and Joshua's Paso Doble performance:



Chelsie Hightower and Twitch
1st Performance
Style: Mambo - Choreographed by Tony Meredith and Melanie
Song: "Ahora Me Toca A Mi" - Victor Manuelle

It was a great performance that had a bit of hesitations and it seemed like there were three moments where Chelsie and Twitch almost double checked they their partner had their backs but I'm talking details here because the competition is so tight that it calls for it.

Grade: B+

Here's the video clip of Chelsie H. and Joshua's Argentine Tango performance:


2nd Performance
Style: Hip Hop - Choreographed by Napoleon and Tabitha Dumo
Song: "Control" - The Vitamin String Quartet

I thought that was a GREAT routine from Napoleon and Tabitha again, but I felt it was danced at 98% and not the 100% that is needed now to differentiate themselves from the Top 6. It was AWESOME but not AWESOME!, you know? Or am I being TOO picky now?

Grade: A-

Here's the video clip of Chelsie H. and Twitch's Hip Hop performance:



Each dancer also had to perform a solo:

Chelsie Hightower - Solo
Song: "When I Grow Up" - Pussycat Dolls

Not as good as her usual solo's and basically more of the same as her usual solo's so slightly disappointing on such an important night in the competition.
Grade: B

Here's the video clip of Chelsie H.'s performance:


Twitch - Solo
Song: "Midas Touch" - Midnight Star

I finally felt like that solo was a whole routine and the best Twitch has done so far!
Grade: A

Here's the video clip of Twitch's performance:


Katee Shean - Solo
Song: "Can't Stop" - Maroon 5

What an aptly chosen song! I Can't Stop thinking about you, Katee!
Grade: A

Here's the video clip of Katee's performance:


Joshua Allen - Solo
Song: "Like That" - Memphis Bleek

I still hope for a more coherent solo instead of a set of tricks, but oh what a set of tricks he has!
Grade: A-

Here's the video clip of Joshua's performance:


Courtney Galiano - Solo
Song: "Rock Your Soul" - Elisa

She sure rocked MY soul! I LOVE Courtney now and is proving herself the fighter in this competition!
Grade: A

Here's the video clip of Courtney's performance:


Mark Kanemura - Solo
Song: "Bum Like You" - Robyn

Finally Mark takes his shirt off! Not his greatest solo and his "story" wasn't enough to cover the fact that he uses very few "tricks". Still, I love his style and energy and his body is pretty smokin' too!
Grade: A-

Here's the video clip of Mark's performance:



Best Pairs Dance of the Night:
Courtney and Mark's Jazz and Katee and Joshua's Contemporary
Best Pair of the Night:
Katee and Joshua and Courtney and Mark
Best Solo by a Male: Twitch
Best Solo by a Female: Courtney

Bottom Four Predictions:
Mark and Courtney just based on history.
Twitch and Chelsie just based on gut feelings and that Katee and Joshua are kind of unstoppable.

Going Home Predictions: Mark (NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO though I've said that 3 weeks in a row now and just maybe, MAYBE he will get to stay despite the underdog vibe) and Courtney (NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO)

Individual dancers in order of Favorite to Least for this week (which is a combination of performance and likability and how it gets added to the past) (Last week's ranking in parenthesis):

1. Courtney (1)
2. Katee (2)
3. Mark (3)
4. Joshua (4)
5. Chelsie (5)
6. Twitch (7)

Or really, 1. Courtney/Katee/Mark/Joshua/Chelsie/Twitch

So, the results are going to be painful no matter what happens, but at least we get a Top 6 Group Dance first!

Top 6 Group Performance
Choreographed by Mandy Moore
Song: "The Rose" - Bette Midler

I wish it were a bit more synchronized but considering they had all of a day or two to learn it, it was still beautiful and enchanting and I loved the whole thing and I can't wait to see it live on the tour (assuming I can even get tickets when they go on sale this weekend, since I couldn't get decent seats during the presale).

Here's the video of the Top 6 Group Performance:


Everyone danced solo's this week for the results:

Courtney Galiano - Solo
Song: "Almost Lover" - A Fine Frenzy
Grade: A-

Mark Kanemura - Solo
Song: "Wind It Up (Original Neptunes Mix)" - Gwen Stefani
Grade: A+

Katee Shean - Solo
Song: "Beautiful Disaster" - Jon McLaughlin
Grade: A

Joshua Allen - Solo
Song: "I Can Make You Dance" - Zapp
Grade: B+

Chelsie Hightower - Solo
Song: "The Girl's Gone Wild" - Travis Tritt
Grade: A-

Twitch
Song: "Don't Worry, Be Happy" - Bobby McFerrin
Grade: A-

They don't announce the bottom 4, but instead send one person back to safety though they may not have pulled the most votes. So the 4 dancers left standing were Courtney and Chelsie and Twitch and Mark, leaving the re-teaming of Joshua and Katee completely safe, as expected.

Lady Gaga performs "Just Dance". I like this song. I don't love it, but it's fun enough to be considered as one of the songs of the summer. I'll have a post about that soon... if I'm still allowed to.

In the end, Courtney was safe (love Chelsie but YAY for Courtney!) and Twitch gets to continue to the finals, leaving Mark and Chelsie as the last casualties before the finale. Sigh, I'll miss Mark and Chelsie had so much spunk and just a burst of energy that she will be missed.

So long Chelsie Hightower


Mark Kanemura



That leaves the Top 4 as Joshua, Katee, Courtney and Twitch! Um, I don't know who to root for. Everyone? Demographically, this year will be the first no matter who wins. Black guy? Asian girl? White girl? Neat! I guess if I had to pick I'm leaning towards Joshua or Katee or Courtney... but between the three, I almost don't care who wins because they all deserve it!

So see you for the finale!

Thanks to krunkyou for the video uploads.

For More So You Think You Can Dance:
Check here for the most Recent current postings and Latest News on SYTYCD

So You Think You Can Dance - Season 4:

Top 8 Performances, Results 8 to 6
Top 10 Performances, Results 10 to 8
Top 16, 14 and 12 Weeks Recaps by Vance again
Top 12 Performances, Results 12 to 10 - Guest Blogger Linz McC
Top 14 Performances, Results 14 to 12 - Guest Blogger Linz McC
Top 16 Performances, Results 16 to 14 - Guest Blogger Linz McC
Top 18 Performances, Results 18 to 16
Top 20 Performances, Results 20 to 18
Introducing the Top 20

Auditions:
Callbacks in Las Vegas - The Top 20 Revealed - What Happens In Vegas
Milwaukee, WI - How The Midwest Was Won
Charleston, South Carolina and Washington D.C. - S.C.D.C. The New Electric (Boogaloo) Term!
Salt Lake City and Dallas - Yeehaw Utah!
Los Angeles - It's Time To Put On Those Dancing Shoes Again Kids!

So You Think You Can Dance - Season 3:
Live Tour - Toronto, Pasha's Solo Video, Neil's Solo Video
Finale - Winner Result
Top 4 Performances - Finals
Top 6 Performances, Top 6 Results
Top 8 Performances, Top 8 Results
Top 10 Performances, Top 10 Results
Top 12 Performances, Top 12 Results
Top 14 Performances, Top 14 Results
Top 16 Performances, Top 16 Results
Top 18 Performances, Top 18 Results
Top 20 Performances, Top 20 Results

For So You Think You Can Dance Season 2:
Favorite Video Clips
Song List Live Tour 2006 - Toronto
Live Tour 2006 - Buffalo, Pics, More Pics

More After the Jump...

And I Thought She Was Just Voluptuous

I saw a lot of Broadway celebrities over my week in New York that made ME excited (but most people will be like... who? like Danny Burstein (South Pacific), wife Rebecca Luker (Mary Poppins), Larry Pressgrove! ([title of show]), and Brian Kerwin (August: Osage County) at A Catered Affair, Robin de Jesus (In The Heights) and Elaine Stritch at Damn Yankees, Alexandra Socha (Spring Awakening), Barrett Foa (Spelling Bee, Avenue Q) and the dude that played Boq when I saw Wicked last December all at South Pacific, Lin Manuel Miranda (In The Heights) at Virgin Records, Noah Wiesberg (South Pacific) and Seth Stewart (In The Heights) on the streets, all in addition to stagedooring to stalk adore Jeff Bowen, Hunter Bell, Heidi Blickenstaff, Larry Pressgrove, Susan Blackwell and Michael Berresse at [title of show], Cheyenne Jackson, Jane Krakowski and the hot chorus boys at Damn Yankees, Jackie Hoffman, Kerry Butler, Curtis Holbrook, and Mary Testa at Xanadu, Mary McCormack, Bradley Whitford, Katherine Hahn, and Christine Byranski at Boeing Boeing and Emily Bergl and Tom Cavanagh at Some Americans Abroad)!

We also saw Will Farrell come out of the Boeing Boeing door.

But I also bumped into (almost literally) Jerry O'Connell and Rebecca Romijn at The 39 Steps and I thought, boy, I didn't realize Rebecca was pregnant. Then my friend informed me she's not. Voluptuous then?

Apparently I was right! She WAS a little pudgy (but I'm speaking in model terms, she was still beautiful and skinny by regular standards).

By the way, they are a TALL GOOD LOOKING COUPLE. DAMN THEM. Does this mean they will have ugly kids as karmic payback?

Rebecca was at LEAST my height (I'm 6'1") and Jerry was a good 3-4 inches taller than her. Holy cow he's tall. What happened to the short and pudgy Vern?

Still, with the baby weight (and TWINS?), Rebecca was still totally hot looking.

(Twins!? Does that mean it was inseminated? Cause that is TOO much a coincidence for EVERY celebrity to have twins. No? I know it must be the "thing" to do in LA but you can't WILL twins like you can order the latest must-have-purse can you?)

More After the Jump...

So You Think You Can Dance - Spoilers Six Pack

Because RedLasso is currently shut down, and I poorly timed my working trip this week, I won't actually be able to watch So You Think You Can Dance until Thursday evening when the results will be on already so my posting this week will be late.

So as a small gift to bide your time, I give you the spoilers for this weeks new Top 6 pairings and dances (since the performance episodes are filmed on Mondays) which I've hidden after the jump:

Adam Shankman is the third judge again.
Courtney and Mark - Viennese waltz (Jason Gilkison from SYTYCD Australia) and Jazz (Sonya Tayeh)
Katee and Joshua (Again?) - Contemporary (Tyce DiOrio) and Paso Doble (Jason Gilkison)
Chelsie and Twitch - Mambo (Tony and Melanie) and Hip Hop (Napoelon and Tabitha)

Lady Gaga will be the musical guest on the Top 6 results episode on July 31st

Um, Courtney and Mark together? Mark paired up with the bottom girl AGAIN? Katee and Joshua AGAIN? Seriously, they sure are trying to prove my conspiracy theories correctly here aren't they?

For More So You Think You Can Dance:
Check here for the most Recent current postings and Latest News on SYTYCD

So You Think You Can Dance - Season 4:

Top 8 Performances, Results 8 to 6
Top 10 Performances, Results 10 to 8
Top 16, 14 and 12 Weeks Recaps by Vance again
Top 12 Performances, Results 12 to 10 - Guest Blogger Linz McC
Top 14 Performances, Results 14 to 12 - Guest Blogger Linz McC
Top 16 Performances, Results 16 to 14 - Guest Blogger Linz McC
Top 18 Performances, Results 18 to 16
Top 20 Performances, Results 20 to 18
Introducing the Top 20

Auditions:
Callbacks in Las Vegas - The Top 20 Revealed - What Happens In Vegas
Milwaukee, WI - How The Midwest Was Won
Charleston, South Carolina and Washington D.C. - S.C.D.C. The New Electric (Boogaloo) Term!
Salt Lake City and Dallas - Yeehaw Utah!
Los Angeles - It's Time To Put On Those Dancing Shoes Again Kids!

So You Think You Can Dance - Season 3:
Live Tour - Toronto, Pasha's Solo Video, Neil's Solo Video
Finale - Winner Result
Top 4 Performances - Finals
Top 6 Performances, Top 6 Results
Top 8 Performances, Top 8 Results
Top 10 Performances, Top 10 Results
Top 12 Performances, Top 12 Results
Top 14 Performances, Top 14 Results
Top 16 Performances, Top 16 Results
Top 18 Performances, Top 18 Results
Top 20 Performances, Top 20 Results

For So You Think You Can Dance Season 2:
Favorite Video Clips
Song List Live Tour 2006 - Toronto
Live Tour 2006 - Buffalo, Pics, More Pics

More After the Jump...

Got Burned This Summer? Tell Me About It!

Michael Westen got burned. Have you been burned? What did you do about it?

Don't forget the contest I'm running for a Burn Notice prize pack to celebrate Season 2, currently airing on USA Network on Thursdays at 10pm. (and to celebrate that it landed in my top 10 in the Best of TV for the 2007-2008 TV Season!)

You have until this Thursday to email me (at thehues at gmail dot com) to tell me about being burned and what you did about it before I pick a winner!

Don't forget to send me your name and where you live. All residents of the US and Canada are eligible.

USA NETWORK's hit series BURN NOTICE returns Thursday, July 10th at 10pm/9c. Why was Michael Westen burned? And what's he gonna do about it? The answers every Burn Notice fan wants begin to take shape with the Season Two premiere. The new season also welcomes Battlestar Galatica's Tricia Helfer as well as existing cast Bruce Campbell and Sharon Gless. Join other fans on the official Facebook Fan Page or visit the official site at burnnotice.usanetwork.com.

One winner will receive a USA Network Burn Notice Beach Bag filled with:
§ Burn Notice Book
§ Branded Towel
§ Branded T-Shirt
§ Branded Frisbee

More After the Jump...

Canadian Idol - I've Actually Been Watching

...albeit on fast forward but I've been watching all the performances this year when they started with and imbalance of more guys and than girls in the Top 24 (I think it was 15 to 9), and now we only have one girl left, and lots of scruffy rocker guy types. And Gavin Rosdale was the guest mentor this week. I know he doesn't do much these days except be Mr. Gwen Stefani but he's actually kinda cool, so how the heck did Canadian Idol land him?

Okay, I don't mind most of the people left on Canadian Idol, particularly the only girl left Amberly, Mookie and Earl (and Drew and Sebastien are cute and all... and uh...) but seriously, does anybody even come close to the polish of Theo Tams? (I'm not even going to acknowledge Mark Day since I can't believe he's still in the competition)

Theo Tams seems so much more professionally prepared and polished than the others. Plus bonus points for being completely open about being gay and even making a nod to an ex-boyfriend on one of his songs. I don't see that happening on American Idol anytime soon, which is a sad statement.

Anyways, I found all the clips of Theo Tams past performances which are posted after the jump:


Theo Tams - "Apologize" - Timbaland feat. OneRepublic - Top 24 Week:


Theo Tams - "Collide" - Howie Day - Top 20 Week:


Theo Tams - "Bubbly" - Colbie Caillat - Top 16 Week:


Theo Tams - "Silly Boy Blues" - David Bowie - Top 10 Week:


Theo Tams - "No Woman No Cry" - Bob Marley - Top 9 Week:

More After the Jump...

The TV Blog Coalition - Sitting Is Far More Fun Than Getting Shot

So much to tell, so little time. Even though I'm only working one job now (as opposed to my usual two full time jobs), life has been crazy hectic (but in a good way where no one will feel sorry for me) and I have lots to rant and rave about but hopefully I'll get back to the regular blogging soon.

Meanwhile, the good news is that even though I basically sat in theatres all week in New York, (12 shows in 7 days!!! A record? No? [title of show], Xanadu, Gypsy, South Pacific, Damn Yankees, The Plant That Ate Dirty Socks, Bash'd, Hair, Some Americans Abroad, The 39 Steps, A Catered Affair and Hair again because it was that good), I lost 5 lbs. Woo!!! I like this theatre diet!

The bad news; when I actually did get some exercise playing paintball this past weekend (in my guys weekend for a bachelor's party that included watching a Jays game), I got shot right in the neck under my adam's apple (in a blaze of glory as the last man standing on my team). That was my macho moment and now I'm done. I'm going to go back to the theatre and/or TV. In fact, I had to run and go watch Mamma Mia! and WALL*E just to lower the testosterone level again.

Anyways, check out what the other TV bloggers were talking about this past weekend:

Buzz's adventures at the TCA press tour included interviewing Brian Baumgartner, hanging out on the ER set, getting some scoop on Chuck's second season, and much more! (BuzzSugar)

Plattie celebrated the opening of The X-Files movie with a look back at the pilot that started it all. (Pop Vultures)

A new Heroes Webisode hit the intertubes this week but who cares when the same week Wake up Call by Hayden Panettiere, which is the highest of high comedy, also debuted. (Scooter McGavin's 9th Green)

Vance thinks So You Think You Can Dance is totally "A"ces! (Tapeworthy)

Following some of Jay Leno's unfortunate antics at a press event, Dan decided to tell a story to illustrate the importance of bowing out with class. (TiFaux)

The TV Addict has this year's 2008 San Diego Comic Con Covered [The TV Addict]

Raoul tried - and failed - to get into Generation Kill (TV Filter)

More After the Jump...

Don't Get Even, Get Madder - Mad Men Is Back For Season 2!

Even though everyone is away on vacation or outside bbq-ing, don't forget that season 2 of Mad Men starts again this Sunday (July 27th) at 10pm on AMC in the States AND for the first time in simulcast, A-Channel (CTV's offshoot channel) in Canada as well!

And since the ACTUAL ratings are way lower than the buzz level, it is time for everyone to catch up with what all the critics and bloggers are talking about because sometimes, they may actually be right and know what's good for you! (Hey, that's my mantra... "I" know what's good for you... har har (evil laugh). I placed Mad Men in my Top 10 for the Best of TV for last season!). And though Emmy doesn't always get it right, the 16 nominations probably should tell you something.

Season 2 starts off on Valentine's Day 1962, a few months ahead from when we last left off and with John F. Kennedy Jr. is now running The White House. Oh the sets! Oh the costumes! Oh the drama and intrigue and the smoking! Here's the trailer for Season 2:

Jon Hamm as Don Draper

January Jones as Betty Draper

Christina Hendricks as Joan Holloway

Elizabeth Moss as Peggy Olson

Vincent Kartheiser as Pete Campbell

John Slattery as Roger Sterling

More After the Jump...

So You Think You Can Dance - Just When Things Were Getting Comfortable

Top 8 Results - The Cut From 8 to 6

Sorry I'm a little late with this but it has been a weird and tiring day AND on top of that, RedLasso which had all the videos finally suspended their service due to lawsuits from 2 big networks (I knew the site was too good to be true), so no more stable videos again. ACK. I just realized it means I won't be able to see the show when I'm overseas again next week. ACK... I'll have to wait until I get back Thursday night... stoopid laws...

Meanwhile, it's the Top 8 results night and with everyone I've been talking to or reading from basically loving different people, it's been quite amusing to see the party lines split.

Top 8 Group Performance
Hip Hop - Choreographed by Chuck Maldonado
Song: "Universal Mind Control (UMC)" - Common

Um, I LOVED everything last night but I didn't love this Hip Hop as much as I would have hoped. Maybe it's because I'm tired and cranky from returning from my vacation in New York (and depressed because I had to go straight to my neighbours' funeral... RIP Emme (again, it's been a very odd and rollercoaster of a day))

So my bottom four predictions were:
Mark
Will
Comfort
Chelsie

with Comfort and Mark going home.

So the bottom 4 dancers actually were:

Comfort and Courtney for the girls.
Twitch and Will for the boys.

How awesome is Cat Deeley when she had to comfort Twitch who was truly in shock? Seriously, how is she NOT nominated for Best Reality TV Host? (Or the show on a whole for that matter?)

The bottom dancers all get to perform again but the end decision had been already made.

Comfort Fedoke - Solo Dance
Song: "Like This" - Mims
She may be the weakest girl left but there's a spunk about her I still enjoy and I'm glad she survived this long at least!

William Wingfield - Solo Dance
Song: "Closer" - Goapele
I know, he's the best dancer the show has had but like I said last week, his seemingly cold (by comparison to the rest of this years cast, though NOTHING like last years FRIGID Danny), he loses out the most on the personality front and on this show, you need BOTH. Still, he had the best solo last night but so did Gev last week so it seems to be a bad trend doesn't it?

Courtney Galiano- Solo Dance
Song: "Passion" - Kreesha Turner
I know I've been loving Chelsie and Katee and both have been very consistent but hasn't Courtney been rocketing skywards over the last few weeks? Not like she was ever bad either, but she's been superb lately and her solo's are always energetic and ... ahem... "passion"ate and with her totally stealing the show last night even in her pairs dance, I'm a bit surprised/saddened she's here in the bottom 2.

Twitch- Solo Dance
Song: "Hollywood Swinging" - Kool and the Gang
If Twitch did all his solos like THIS, then he might have been actually safe. I love Twitch but I've said it before, his solos are his weakest points, relying too much on those ego chest pumps, just as Joshua does too (though last nights at least lessened that part).

Finally the results are revealed:

Comfort is out, which is not really a surprise.
Will is out, which slightly is. I'm not surprised Mark is safe since we assumed he was in danger and Mark fans (which include me) probably voted out in droves (I didn't so Will lovers, don't blame me, blame yourself for not voting more) though Mark's shocked reaction that he was safe was still hilarious. Still, I thought Twitch would be the one to go IF Mark fans were able to save him and of all the black guys left in the competition, Twitch is the most interesting person but the weakest of the bunch. Energetic yes, and his huge size can help cover up things that Comfort couldn't but Joshua and Will are better if you broke it down to details but alas, people warmed up to Twitch more. And in this show, warmth and likability can be everything. Was America wrong? I don't think so. Maybe a little early, but in the end, my favorite two guys of late (now that Gev is gone) is Joshua (who mostly partners better than Will (who is a bit selfish in a way) and Twitch (who is just trying to keep up sometimes)) and Mark (who is just far more interesting to watch despite his less fancy trickworks and technique). (Of course, I say this all with a grain of salt because I'm overblowing the minutest differences in a fairly even playing field this year. Usually it's a lot more obvious who should be staying and who should be going at this point but this group is making us dig deep for reasons to stay or go! And that's a good thing!)

So long Comfort Fedoke (again)(to "Come Home"-OneRepublic)

So long William Wingfield (to "Love Remains the Same"—Gavin Rossdale)

Does this mean Debbie Allen can come back!?

For More So You Think You Can Dance:
Check here for the most Recent current postings and Latest News on SYTYCD

So You Think You Can Dance - Season 4:

Top 8 Performances
Top 10 Performances, Results 10 to 8
Top 16, 14 and 12 Weeks Recaps by Vance again
Top 12 Performances, Results 12 to 10 - Guest Blogger Linz McC
Top 14 Performances, Results 14 to 12 - Guest Blogger Linz McC
Top 16 Performances, Results 16 to 14 - Guest Blogger Linz McC
Top 18 Performances, Results 18 to 16
Top 20 Performances, Results 20 to 18
Introducing the Top 20

Auditions:
Callbacks in Las Vegas - The Top 20 Revealed - What Happens In Vegas
Milwaukee, WI - How The Midwest Was Won
Charleston, South Carolina and Washington D.C. - S.C.D.C. The New Electric (Boogaloo) Term!
Salt Lake City and Dallas - Yeehaw Utah!
Los Angeles - It's Time To Put On Those Dancing Shoes Again Kids!

So You Think You Can Dance - Season 3:
Live Tour - Toronto, Pasha's Solo Video, Neil's Solo Video
Finale - Winner Result
Top 4 Performances - Finals
Top 6 Performances, Top 6 Results
Top 8 Performances, Top 8 Results
Top 10 Performances, Top 10 Results
Top 12 Performances, Top 12 Results
Top 14 Performances, Top 14 Results
Top 16 Performances, Top 16 Results
Top 18 Performances, Top 18 Results
Top 20 Performances, Top 20 Results

For So You Think You Can Dance Season 2:
Favorite Video Clips
Song List Live Tour 2006 - Toronto
Live Tour 2006 - Buffalo, Pics, More Pics

More After the Jump...

Teen America

I've been seeing this poster for the last few months plastered hugely on the side of a local multiplex along with other multiple storied poster of much bigger Hollywood fare and I've been wondering what the heck it is.

American Teen is a documentary by Academy Award winner Nanette Burstein that follows 5 different high school students in their last year of high school, each typifying the different stereotypes (The Geek, The Jock, The Heartbreaker, The Rebel, The Princess). They are calling it the real life The Breakfast Club.

Which one were you?

I love these realistic looks at youth. Possibly why I love Friday NIght Lights.

I'm also intrigued by the fact that this is getting the big screen treatment. It opens today, July 25th, in selected cities and then slowly rolls out elsewhere soon after. I'm extremely curious about this movie.

The trailer and photos are after the jump:



Colin Clemens - The Jock

Hannah Bailey - The Rebel

Jake Tusing - The Geek

Megan Krizmanich - The Princess

Mitch Reinholt - The Heartbreaker

More After the Jump...

So You Think You Can Dance - "A"ight Is Enough

Top 8 - Performance Night
Judges: Nigel Lythgoe, Mary Murphy, and Toni Basil

So I was thinking I've been pretty nice on everyone and that I'll need to get meaner with my ratings and harsher on the dancers to start differentiating them from each other since at this point, I still love all the boys and all the girls (yes, even Comfort to a degree, although I did do a double take when I totally forgot that Gev and Kherington were no longer in the competition and realised I had only moved from the anger phase to the denial phase).

And then they all performed last night. And I just started handing out A's and A-'s as you'll notice below. Maybe I was still high from seeing Hair in the park, but I was loving EVERYTHING from this week. Even Comfort and Mark doing the Fox Trot! Which wasn't the total disaster I thought it would be, especially when pairing up the bottom 2 dancers in a dance most people never get right in the first place... (and which leads me to believe the conspiracy theories out there but more on that later).

Anyways, if I DO get nitpicky, I will say that in a few pairings, I think the girls outrocked the guys but other than that, everyone had a good night whether it be in the pairs, solo or both!:

Courtney Galiano and William Wingfield
1st Performance
Style: Samba - Choreographed by Jean-Marc Genereux and France
Song: "I Fell In Love With The DJ" - Che' Nelle

Will is a great dancer and though sometimes his smiley mug might seem a bit plastered on, his moves are pretty great and you can't really knock it. That being said, I barely noticed him because Courtney danced the storm off him and took all the eyes away and onto her yellow backless dress. Holy smokes, Courtney is fighting to keep in this and I'm in awe!

Grade: A-

Here's the video clip of Courtney and Will's Samba performance:


2nd Performance
Style: Hip Hop - Choreographed by Napoleon and Tabitha Dumo
Song: "Like You'll Never See Me Again" - Alicia Keys

It was great but I didn't think it was as great as the judges and thought Will was a split second out of step. Or Courtney too fast? I watched it again and I think Will missed it a few times by a split second. Or maybe I was a bit too nitpicky here?

Grade: B+

Here's the video clip of Courtney and Will's Hip Hop performance:



Katee Shean and Twitch
1st Performance
Style: Contemporary - Choreographed by Mia Michaels
Song: "Mercy" - Duffy

At first glance, Twitch didn't have all that much to do except to kiss Katee, slam the door on Katee (was anybody else half afraid someone was going to get hurt with that contraption?), and drag Katee away, but after a second viewing, I did notice Twitch danced it well in the second half, but really, this choreography was all Katee again and for a reason.

Again, maybe the show is stacking the deck for Katee but she also keeps living up to the promises and her performance with Twitch was sizzling!

Grade: A

Here's the video clip of Katee and Twitch's Contemporary performance:


2nd Performance
Style: Broadway - Choreographed by Tyce DiOrio
Song: "Sweet Georgia Brown" - Bubbling Brown Sugar (Original Soundtrack)

Pretty great dancing again on a pretty good (but not great) choreography (again, am I the only one that is always slightly disappointed by Tyce's choreography?).

Grade: A-

Here's the video clip of Katee and Twitch's Broadway performance:



Comfort Fedoke and Mark Kanemura
1st Performance
Style: Hip Hop - Choreographed by Napoleon and Tabitha Dumo
Song: "Parthy People" - Fergie feat. Nelly

That was AWESOME and I'm so glad Mark rocked it hard. Oddly pairing the bottom 2 together (hmm...) DID spark the fire underneath them because this was one of my favorites of the night.

Grade: A

Here's the video clip of Comfort and Mark's Hip Hop performance:


2nd Performance
Style: Fox Trot - Choreographed by Jean-Marc Genereux and France
Song: "Lady Luck" - The Brian Setzer Orchestra

The judges came down hard on them but I, though no technical expert, thought it was pretty delightful and thought they did a pretty good job. Yes, Comfort could have exteneded her hands a bit and there were a few misteps but overall they hit their marks and looked graceful enough to fool me.

Grade: B+

Here's the video clip of Comfort and Mark's Fox Trot performance:



Chelsie Hightower and Joshua Allen
1st Performance
Style: Argentine Tango - Choreographed by Dmitry Chaplin
Song: "A Los Amigos" - Forever Tango (Original Cast)

Again, whereas Mark is so unique that he stands out on his own, Joshua is a great dancer, like Will and Twitch, and become strong male partners but sometimes get lost besides their sexy counterparts and again here, the dance was programmed to showcase Chelsie and Joshua got the bum end of the stick. So that the judges only noticed his bum. (ba da bum...) I did notice he was a bit clunky when he tried to turn Chelsie but other than that, I think he did a solid job, at least when my eyes weren't on Chelsie who was fabulous as always!

Grade: A-

Here's the video clip of Chelsie H. and Joshua's Argentine Tango performance:


2nd Performance
Style: Disco - Choreographed by Doriana Sanchez
Song: "Everlasting Love" - Gloria Estefan

Like Tyce, Doriana is a bit overated and usually has one GREAT routine our of the 4 she's given and I didn't LOVE this one either but it was good and Joshua and Chelsie disco'd the heck out of it so that it was still fun to watch.

Grade: B+

Here's the video clip of Chelsie H. and Joshua's Disco performance:


Each dancer also had to perform a solo:

Comfort Fedoke - Solo
Song: "I Got This Down" - Simian Mobile Disco

I know Nigel later criticized her solo's but I actually thought this one seemed planned and choeroegraphed the most of all her solo's which made for a better routine. I think I would have still preferred Kherington to be here over Comfort but she sure shows why she deserves to still be here.
Grade: A-

Here's the video clip of Comfort' performance:



William Wingfield - Solo
Song: "Get Up Offa That Thing" - James Brown

That was great! Totally threw some performance and personality into his dancing which is sometimes a bit lacking from the highly technical and versatile dancer! I wanted more!
Grade: A

Here's the video clip of William's performance:



Katee Shean - Solo
Song: "Taking Chances" - Celine Dion

More of the same contemporary stuff, rolling around, flicking away yada yada... but when you do it the way Katee does it you sort of can't blame her for going with the same old same old.
Grade: A-

Here's the video clip of Katee's performance:



Mark Kanemura - Solo
Song: "Creator" - Santogold

Like I said last week, he doesn't have as many tricks to rely on or any of the fancy stuff that usually oohs and aaahs us but I always feel like he has more of a choreographed routine put together that makes his solo's more cohesive but I guess that's the only way to put his unique personality on display properly.
Grade: A-

Here's the video clip of Mark's performance:



Chelsie Hightower - Solo
Song: "Damaged" - Danity Kane

She just turned 19??? ONLY? Well, at least everyone gaping and gawking at her is not illegal or anything. It's always hard for a ballroom dancer to impress in the solo's but she still manages to.
Grade: A-

Here's the video clip of Chelsie H.'s performance:



Joshua Allen - Solo
Song: "Shawty Get Loose" - Lil Mama feat. T Pain & Chris Brown

Last week I thought he relied too much on the pumping chest thing and he still did it a bit but at least he threw in a better overall routine for the bulk of it and finally impressed me with his solo.
Grade: A-

Here's the video clip of Joshua's performance:



Courtney Galiano - Solo
Song: "Where I Stood" - Missy Higgins

Courtney really is fighting/dancing her way to the top isn't she? I thought it would be between Katee and Chelsie but I think Courtney is not having any of that and proving herself to be worthy of the final 4.
Grade: A

Here's the video clip of Courtney's performance:



Twitch
Song: "Go to Work" - KL

Like Joshua this week, Twitch finally proves himself to me in his solo without relying on some of the pumping tricks.
Grade: A

Here's the video clip of Twitch's performance:



Best Pairs Dance of the Night:
Katee and Twitch's Contemporary and Comfort and Mark's Hip Hop
Best Pair of the Night:
Katee and Twitch
Best Male in a Pairs routine: Mark in Hip Hop
Best Female in a Pairs routine: Courtney in Samba or Katee in Contemporary
"Worst" Pairs Dance of the Night:
Comfort and Mark's Fox Trot or Chelsie and Joshua's Disco (and really, both only got a B+ with me so this was a tough night to pick a loser)
Best Solo by a Male: Will
Best Solo by a Female: Courtney

Bottom Four Predictions:
Mark and Comfort just based on history.
Will and Chelsie just based on gut feelings.

Going Home Predictions: Mark (NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO) and Comfort (Wait, didn't I say this last week?)

Individual dancers in order of Favorite to Least for this week (which is a combination of performance and likability and how it gets added to the past) (Last week's ranking in parenthesis):

1. Courtney (3)
2. Katee (2)
3. Mark (5)
4. Joshua (8)
5. Chelsie (2)
6. Will (6)
7. Twitch (9)
8. Comfort (10)

Or something like that. Honestly, it's all pretty much tied for 1st and 2nd at most really.

For More So You Think You Can Dance:
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So You Think You Can Dance - Season 4:

Top 10 Performances, Results 10 to 8
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Top 12 Performances, Results 12 to 10 - Guest Blogger Linz McC
Top 14 Performances, Results 14 to 12 - Guest Blogger Linz McC
Top 16 Performances, Results 16 to 14 - Guest Blogger Linz McC
Top 18 Performances, Results 18 to 16
Top 20 Performances, Results 20 to 18
Introducing the Top 20

Auditions:
Callbacks in Las Vegas - The Top 20 Revealed - What Happens In Vegas
Milwaukee, WI - How The Midwest Was Won
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Salt Lake City and Dallas - Yeehaw Utah!
Los Angeles - It's Time To Put On Those Dancing Shoes Again Kids!

So You Think You Can Dance - Season 3:
Live Tour - Toronto, Pasha's Solo Video, Neil's Solo Video
Finale - Winner Result
Top 4 Performances - Finals
Top 6 Performances, Top 6 Results
Top 8 Performances, Top 8 Results
Top 10 Performances, Top 10 Results
Top 12 Performances, Top 12 Results
Top 14 Performances, Top 14 Results
Top 16 Performances, Top 16 Results
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For So You Think You Can Dance Season 2:
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Song List Live Tour 2006 - Toronto
Live Tour 2006 - Buffalo, Pics, More Pics

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