I'm sure New Yorkers (and other cities that have been plastered with USA's ad campaign) have noticed the piercing blue eyes on the posters for the new show White Collar which premieres on USA this Friday, Oct. 23rd at 10pm (BravoCanada starts airing it a week later starting Fri. Oct. 30th).
Well, that's Matthew Bomer (Chuck, Traveller) and he stars as a white collared criminal con artist who escapes prison 3 months prior to release to chase after his girlfriend, only to be caught by Fed Tim DeKay. Some deal is cut and Bomer is out under DeKay's watch and working to help solve con crimes. It's a fun concept that lets Bomer play a smooth criminal who not only wins the trust of a rich lady (the regal Diahann Carroll in a re-occuring role), but manages to help DeKay catch some criminals.
USA seems to be doing well with these male oriented breezy-feel shows (Burn Notice, Royal Pains) and White Collar, while not as zippy or humourous as Burn Notice, follows in the same crime fighting vein with an overarching story and what looks like a case of the week to solve.
In addition to the excellent Tim DeKay, the ensemble is filled out with Tiffany Thiessen (forever Kelly Kapowsky to me, but does a nice subtle job here) as DeKay's wife, and Willie Garson (Stanford from Sex and the City) as one of Bomer's connections.
While I didn't love the pilot, I enjoyed it enough to keep with it for now, and it's fun to see Bomer smooth talk his way around his con games, with DeKay sadly keeping watch. It's a nice start for the show to build upon so it can still go either way, but so far the cast and the relaxed feel for the show seems like perfect USA fare. They sort of seem to be making well made shows that once would have been syndicated, only now are made with more intelligence and charm.
White Collar gets *** stars for now, though it has potential to easily go up or down. And if Royal Pains is any indication, it go easily go up. RP had a shaky pilot but got better very fast, and turned out to be an enjoyable summer show.
So You Think You Can Dance - Vegas Auditions - Revealing the Top 20 - Ep. 609 Judges in Vegas Week: Nigel Lythgoe, Mary Murphy, Adam Shankman, Debbie Allen, Tyce DiOrio, Mia Michaels
It's a great looking group this year, though I'm starting to feel old after noting that this seems to be the youngest group they may ever have had. There seems to be quite a few 18 and 19 year olds. And so many are crushworthy. Seriously, I feel slightly dirty.
Here they are! The So You Think You Can Dance Season 6 Top 20:
Ariana Debose Dance Specialty: Contemporary Hometown: Newbern, NC Currently Resides: Wake Forest, NC Age: 18 First Impressions: Seems nice enough if maybe a little bland. Let's hope more airtime will help.
Ashleigh Di Lello Dance Specialty: Latin Ballroom Hometown: Orem, UT Currently Resides: Orem, UT Age: 26 First Impressions: I don't hate her like everyone else on the boards right now, but bitch did marry a hottie and she really needs to control her showface. It will get irritating really fast. Plus, she's basically the replacement for the girl that turned the Top 20 down. So was she really not originally going to make the cut? (Or was it just the way they made it for her husbands dramatic purposes?)
Bianca Revels Dance Specialty: Tap Hometown: Detroit, MI Currently Resides: Los Angeles, CA Age: 20 First Impressions: I loved her in previous seasons so I'm glad she's FINALLY in the Top 20! Plus, She seemed just as, if not even MORE excited when her fellow tappers made it through. That is sweet!
Billy Bell UPDATE: Sadly, apparently Billy had to drop out for health reasons. So Brandon Dumlao is in instead. Dance Specialty: Contemporary Hometown: West Palm Beach, FL Currently Resides: New York, NY Age: 19 First Impressions: He's a bit young but I think I may ask him to marry me. Or at least dance that last solo he did again and again in front of me. That was seriously breathtaking.
Channing Cooke Dance Specialty: Contemporary Hometown: Haverhill, MA Currently Resides: Haverhill, MA Age: 18 First Impressions: In theory I should like her but I feel sort of indifferent to her, even though I remember liking her auditions.
Ellenore Scott Dance Specialty: Contemporary/Jazz Hometown: Santa Cruz, CA Currently Resides: Brooklyn, NY Age: 19 First Impressions: I like her face, but that's all I got so far.
Jakob Karr Dance Specialty: Contemporary Hometown: Windermere, FL Currently Resides: New York, NY Age: 19 First Impressions: Loved his audition, loved that he's bff with Jeanine.
Karen Hauer Dance Specialty: Latin Ballroom Hometown: Valencia, Venezuela Currently Resides: Queens, NY Age: 27 First Impressions: Seems nice enough but I got nothing.
Kathryn McCormick Dance Specialty: Contemporary Hometown: Augusta, GA Currently Resides: Burbank, CA Age: 19 First Impressions: Same as above, seems nice but don't really have any impression at this point.
Kevin Hunte Dance Specialty: Hip Hop Hometown: Brooklyn, NY Currently Resides: Brooklyn, NY Age: 23 First Impressions: I like this dude! For a Hip-Hopper, doesn't seem to have that cocky swagger that I hate.
Legacy Perez Dance Specialty: Hip Hop/B-Boy Hometown: Miami, FL Currently Resides: Los Angeles, CA Age: 28 First Impressions: Legacy sometimes has that cocky swagger, and then sometime he cries. So I'm still split on him. Helps that he's totally hot.
Mollee Gray Dance Specialty: Jazz Hometown: Orem, UT Currently Resides: Upland, CA Age: 18 First Impressions: Seems irritatingly sweet.
Nathan Trasoras Dance Specialty: Contemporary Hometown: Downey, CA Currently Resides: Downey, CA Age: 18 First Impressions: Sweet and tasty. Oh lord he's only 18. I feel dirty now. At least he's an AMAZING dancer so that my crush isn't totally shallow.
Noelle Marsh Dance Specialty: Contemporary Hometown: Sanford, NC Currently Resides: Sanford, NC Age: 18 First Impressions: I think I liked her? Can't remember now, which may be the problem.
Pauline Mata Dance Specialty: Jazz Hometown: West Covina, CA Currently Resides: West Covina, CA Age: 19 First Impressions: Despite her injury in the final rounds of the auditions, I'm kinda rooting for her.
Peter Sabasino Dance Specialty: Tap Hometown: Philadelphia, PA Currently Resides: Philadelphia, PA Age: 22 First Impressions: The rugged tapper seems charming, although I'm not sure how far he will actually go, and the judges already warned him that he needs to pull up his other styles to keep up.
Phillip Attmore Dance Specialty: Tap Hometown: Pasadena, CA Currently Resides: Los Angeles, CA Age: 25 First Impressions: Of everybody, Phillip seems like the cockiest guy, on the other hand, I can understand his outburst during the group routine so I'm willing to overlook that and give him a blank slate.
Russell Ferguson Dance Specialty: Hip Hop/Krump Hometown: Boston, MA Currently Resides: Boston, MA Age: 20 First Impressions: Seems so genuine and hard working without an ounce of attitude. The humility and the fact that he's rocked all the styles, especially for a Krumper, is winning me over BIG time!
Ryan Di Lello Dance Specialty: Ballroom Hometown: Springville, UT Currently Resides: Orem, UT Age: 28 First Impressions: Hello biceps!
Victor Smalley Dance Specialty: Contemporary Hometown: Miami, FL Currently Resides: Miami, FL Age: 21 First Impressions: He's apparently not Puck. At least he changed his hair, now I can maybe think of him as his own self.
So You Think You Can Dance Canada - Final 4 Performance Night - Ep. 222 Judges: Jean-Marc Généreux, Tré Armstrong, Blake McGrath, Luther Brown
Top 4. A strong group too. Maybe one of the strongest. I would switch out Everett for Austin but Everett has got some PERSONALITY and I still love him.
But seriously, after this performance night, I'm still torn between who should win, who will win, and it almost makes me mad that Tara-Jean, Vincent and Jamie Rae all won't win, since each are deserving of the title.
Alas, we will have to wait until Sunday's (9pm EST) 2 hour finale (with what might be the last Mia Michael's choreographed routine for this show, plus Kenny Ortega will be back as well), but as you can see below, it was an AMAZING final performance night that didn't really help make any clear choice since EVERYONE upped their game.
Top 4 Group Dance - Everett, Jayme Rae, Tara-Jean, Vincent Style: Theatre Cabaret Choreographed by: Tony Meredith & Melanie LaPatin Song: "Theme for Gypsy (Shivas Regal)" - Sonny Lester and His Orchestra Grade: B+
That was fun and quite different from what we're used to from Tony and Melanie! Though what was with the half naked men in the background playing coatcheck?
Okay, so the judges favoured the girls here more than the guys but maybe my own biases prevail but I found myself watching Tara-jean and Vincent's side more, and then Vincent and Jayme Rae more when they switched up, which is to say, basically, I thought the girls and Vincent did great, but Everett, while I adore him, was slightly lacking.
On the other hand, TJ and Vincent have a slightly unfair advantage since they've just worked together for the last 2 weeks, while Jayme Rae and Everett haven't. And when Everett was back with TJ, it showed that TJ has really grown since the first few weeks and now seemed to carry the weight.
Okay, usually I think Vincent has been the best Hip-Hopper this season (outside of the Hip-Hoppers) but I think Everett did a better job here. Loved the shoe swap with one red and one white. Cute!
Still, love these two and I think that was such a fast Hip-Hop and they did a great job for such a fast style. As Tre says, Everett's stamina stayed strong but either way, these two seemed to have a nice chemistry together.
Here's the video of Everett and Vincent's Hip-Hop:
Tara-Jean Popowich & Everett Smith Style: Jazz Choreographed by: Sean Cheesman Song: "Say (All I Need)" - OneRepublic Grade: A-
Okay, that wind was a bit cheesy. I was loving it up until that point. Luckily then there was the toe thrust and we were back in the game. That was really cool!
Here's a perfect marriage of song and dance and with TJ selling it, and Everett's natural charms, it ended up being a beautiful piece (minus that slightly wind cheese moment). I think TJ still showed stronger skills, and Everett still has some awkward, less smooth moments, but on the other hand, remembering that he's a tap dancer, he's done a tremendous job growing into this style.
Here's the video of TJ and Everett's Jazz:
Jayme Rae Dailey & Tara-Jean Popowich Style: Mambo Choreographed by: Tony Meredith & Melanie LaPatin Song: "Ran Kan Kan" - Tito Puente Grade: A
Was I the only one thinking about Betty and Veronica?
So shaky shaky and so dazzling! And those heels! Seriously. These two girls are amazing. They would have kicked ass in any other season and already won the damn thing. It's kind of sad that no matter what, at least one of these two WON'T win.
Here's the video of Jayme Rae and Tara-Jean's Mambo:
Jayme Rae Dailey & Vincent Desjardins Style: Contemporary Choreographed by: Stacey Tookey Song: "Can't Stop Thinking 'Bour You" - Martin Sexton Grade: A+
WOW. HOLY. WOW. AMAZING. WOW. HOLY COW. WOW.
Jayme Rae. WOW.
Vincent. WOW.
It's hard to believe that Vincent is a ballroom dancer and not a contemporary dancer after seeing that. He's SOOO versatile and has been all season, but watching him do Stacey Tookie's choreography was just heaven. Pure heaven!
And if there was any doubt about Jayme Rae, um, WHY WOULD YOU HAVE ANY DOUBT? She's fricken AWESOME.
Why can't BOTH of them win? Seriously?
Here's the video of Jayme Rae and Vincent's Contemporary:
That was supposed to be cheese. But it SOOO wasn't. It was so classy, smooth, controlled, swaggered, elegant and just plain AMAZING TOO.
Vincent just had that edge and manly swagger to pull it off, and Tara-Jean just sparkled and swung around like a disco ball.
My heart is actually beating hard after watching that. WOW!
Here's the video of TJ and Vincent's Hustle:
Jayme Rae Dailey & Everett Smith Style: Samba Choreographed by: Eric Caty and Kelly Lannan Song: "Run the Show" - Kat DeLuna Grade: A-
Okay, Everett still struggles just a bit with the lifts but his leg work is great and his smiling face always saves whatever flaws he may have. That being said, I couldn't take my eyes off Jayme Rae and her red frilly dress. By the second half, I barely noticed Everett was even there.
Here's the video of Jayme Rae and Everett's Samba:
The Solos
Everett Smith Song: "Style" - Cameo Grade: A- I still love Everett's solos and forget what a great tapper he is. His showmanship is still through the roof and his smile and positive aura are always welcoming.
Jayme Rae Dailey Song: "Radiaciones Arrabaleras" - Bailongo Grade: A+ I've mentioned this before but I had been disappointed by JR's solos through the season only cause I KNEW she could do so much more, but every week, they got better and better as she figured out how to perfect them. Well, NICE TIMING because that was not just HER best solo, but an AMAZING solo period, and just in time for the final performance night!
Vincent Desjardins Song: "Land of 1000 Dances" - Wilson Pickett Grade: A+ No guy has done ballroom solos like Vincent. SO FAST. SO Much ENERGY. He's like a Ballroom Rock and Roll star. As much as I loved Pasha and Dmitry and Francis, Vincent has always managed to make his ballroom solos look edgy and modern.
Tara-Jean Popowich Song: "Bleeding Love" - Boyce Avenue Grade: A Still such the sparkplug. I think TJ's had the biggest growth and really got great during the Top 10, and her solo's have been fabulous in the second half.
Here's the videos of the solos:
- - - - - - - - - - - - - The Final Roundup:
Best of the Night: Jayme Rae and Vincent's Contemporary Second Best of the Night: Tara-Jean and Vincent's Hustle Third Best of the Night: Jayme Rae and Tara-Jean's Mambo
Um, I just realized that leaves JR, TJ and Vincent tied with 2 dances apiece. What a way to help decide.
Best Male of the Night - Overall: Vincent Desjardins Best Female of the Night - Overall: Jayme Rae Dailey
Predictions: Should Be: (#position from last week in parenthesis): Fourth: Everett (4) Third: Tara-Jean (2) Second: Jayme Rae (3) First: Vincent (1)
Will Be: Fourth: Everett Third: Jayme Rae Second: Vincent First: Tara-Jean
Though I think it's going to be really close. And I think anyone can really take this. And if Jayme Rae, Vincent or Tara-Jean wins this, I'll be happy. (And even Everett winning won't give me a fit). Seriously, we can't award a three-way tie for 1st place?
The Good Wife (Season 2) CBS/Global 10pm ****1/2 (Low: 4)
Mondays
Tuesdays
Wednesdays
Thursdays
Fridays
Saturdays
Tapeworthy Shows On Hiatus
Grade system
***** - 5 Stars TAPEWORTHY AND WILL watch it LIVE for fear the recording will mess up. Do not attempt to call or try to make plans during this time.
**** - 4 Stars Tapeworthy and I will TRY to watch it LIVE
*** - 3 Stars Tapeworthy, will watch it live if I'm around but if not, will catch it later in the week.
** - 2 Stars Might tape it to watch later as long as I have space and no conflicting shows that have higher priority.
* - 1 Star Won't tape it but if I need something to watch while I fold my laundry (and I'm done all my tapes), I will watch it (ie. Reba).
0 - 0 Stars Will NOT turn on the TV for fear of coming across this show. (ie. According to Jim).
Grades only reflect current new airings. Does not necessarily apply to previous seasons. Grades are subject to change at any moment. Apologies to TV Gal for half borrowing her system.
Well, that's Matthew Bomer (Chuck, Traveller) and he stars as a white collared criminal con artist who escapes prison 3 months prior to release to chase after his girlfriend, only to be caught by Fed Tim DeKay. Some deal is cut and Bomer is out under DeKay's watch and working to help solve con crimes. It's a fun concept that lets Bomer play a smooth criminal who not only wins the trust of a rich lady (the regal Diahann Carroll in a re-occuring role), but manages to help DeKay catch some criminals. 
In addition to the excellent Tim DeKay, the ensemble is filled out with Tiffany Thiessen (forever Kelly Kapowsky to me, but does a nice subtle job here) as DeKay's wife, and Willie Garson (Stanford from Sex and the City) as one of Bomer's connections. 
While I didn't love the pilot, I enjoyed it enough to keep with it for now, and it's fun to see Bomer smooth talk his way around his con games, with DeKay sadly keeping watch. It's a nice start for the show to build upon so it can still go either way, but so far the cast and the relaxed feel for the show seems like perfect USA fare. They sort of seem to be making well made shows that once would have been syndicated, only now are made with more intelligence and charm. 
