SYTYCD s.7: the year of the boy

just. beautiful.

Um.  Billy Bell is great in his solo, but actually, I can’t stand him.  Any other genre – there’s this cockiness that comes through.  But I think tonight the dancing has been pretty awesome:

Adechike and Lauren: hip-hop that threw us a nerdy curve and finally got Adechike’s personality on the floor.

Ashley and Ade: contemporary that tugged at my heart.  The connection between these two, made me watch this routine again. [shout-out DVR!]

Robert and Courteney: Sonia Tayeh jazz that totally fits those two – great quirks, great work.

Here’s where things got weird.  The girl I can’t stand – the one I think shouldn’t have even been on this season?  Melinda.  but I thought she actually did pretty well on the salsa.  She and Pasha shook their cares away, and she even extricated herself from her own dress.  And the judges crapped all over her, saying they made a mistake keeping her last week.

Well, duh.  Too late now, though.

And…um..just gotta say…Alex is the only fellow who consistently makes me say wow.  Out loud.  His ending for his solo was the best I’ve ever seen on SYTYCD.  Ever.

Lauren and Neal:  Lauren is a Broadway baby.  She pushed through a wardrobe malfunction and I thought she did well.

And now – I gotta say something about Meanie Michaels.  She’s talking about Melinda’s pigeon toes?  Then she says that Lauren’s gotta work on being more feminine because she’s “so athletic”?  Where do you even get off, Mia?

Billy [Blech] and Kathryn: Stacey Tookey’s concept and choreo were unbelievable.  Billy was obviously the technician in the beginning of the piece, but he got better.  Not great.  But um – what are the judges doing calling him the “most exciting things that’s happened to dance in a long time”?  His ego doesn’t need anymore inflating.

Jose and Anya: OMG.  That’s all I have to say.  The judges really wanna keep him, but wow, this was so ugly to watch.  I couldn’t.  Meanie went ahead and just told him that he wasn’t a good dancer.  This, I disagree with – he’s a good dancer, just not great at ballroom.  WTF?  He was somehow helped by coming from Miami???  I can tell you that living in Miami wouldn’t help me at all…

Kent and Allison:  Jazz by Mandy Moore.  I think Kent did all the moves, but I can’t be sure since I can never take my eyes off of Allison.  The only part that was really believable between the two of them was the very end.  It almost seemed like the choreo was just a joke.  I like Kent, but I think he’s just too green.

my two lovahs - being awesome together

Here I’d just like to take a moment and talk about how homophobic this show is.  Benji and Travis did a 2-dude routine  years ago (Season2) – what is the freakin’ big deal?  Why does every same-sex dance partnership have to be a big miration?  Because Nigel and Mia and Mary [these 3 in particular] have some serious issues with gender roles.  SERIOUS.  Give the dancers [and America] a break!  We’re not all as close-minded as you.

Alex and Twitch: Alex was a little stiff  at the beginning, but man when they got into it, he was straight up awesome.  And then it got even better, to the point where I was actually screaming.  Obviously, he was immensely helped by the hand-holding routine from Napoleon and Tabitha.  They tailored that piece to him, and while it wasn’t anything near ballet, it incorporated his strengths and his story to put him in the best light possible.  He was no slouch though.  He did those moves.  I still love Alex like crazy.  And I see no reason to stop.  I would marry him if it weren’t for that persistent idea that he might be gay.  And of course Twitch might get jealous, since he was my former betrothed.

carnival of me

I’ve been woefully unmotivated to write, recently.  A host of reasons have contributed, not least of which the fact that I didn’t get to talk to my best friend for longer than I ever have since I was about 4 yrs old.  Never underestimate the meaning of friendship.

I’ve been following the various race@school debacles happening at UCSD and now Missouri and I don’t really have much left to say.  Other than the succint: “Post-racial, my eye!”

I actually wasn’t super-concerned about the thing at Missouri, even though they’re pursuing it as a hate crime.  But I realized that may have just been due to my own lack of context.  I spoke with a coworker about it and he was very upset.  He told me that he remembered his mother picking cotton – as her job – when he was a kid.  He also remembered her not being able to go to work one day because the Klan was burning the fields.

It’s kinda crazy to me that this stuff was happening in the last 50 yrs, but I suppose it should be, considering what’s happening today.  We haven’t come as far as we like to think we have.

My work-spouse has been gone for all of one week and I barely know what to do with myself at work.  Besides work.

Having a buddy sure makes a difference.

Speaking of buddies, I found out that a very old friend will be moving away.  Far enough that it’s likely I won’t see him…much, if at all.  We’ve been through all kinds of things together so even though we’re not as close now as we once were, it stings that he’s leaving.  Some more unenlightened acquaintances liked to imagine that we would marry.  This is highly unlikely, but I suppose I should never say never.  One of us could have a stroke and become a different person.  You never know.

Since the olympics have been on [and I’m not into the winter olympics], I’ve watched a bunch of movies.  My recommendations?

Amreeka: a great story about a Palestinian woman and her son who move to America right around the time “shock’n’awe” starts.  Realistic, but still fun, with a great heart.

Mame: Definitely read the book first [Auntie Mame by Patrick Dennis], and then enjoy Lucille Ball, Bea Arthur, and Robert Preston in a musical that may have you singing along the first time you watch.  Lucille Ball *makes* this movie – and she’s at her most attractive here, I think.

Dakota Skye: indie rom-com ostensibly about a girl, but also a lot about the boys she likes.  Still, how cool would it be to actually be able to always tell when someone’s lying to you?  This one was right up my alley.

Phoebe in Wonderland: indie with some big names [Felicity Huffman, Bill Pullman, Elle Fanning (Dakota’s lil sis)] plots the story of a family with two precocious little girls.  Phoebe is enamoured with the story of Alice in Wonderland, and as the movie unfolds you begin to understand her.  Excellent!

I loved them all, and wouldn’t rank them…except for maybe Dakota Skye.  That was more of a guilty pleasure for me, but I still really liked it.  Everything else was fantastic!

I love how specific netflix is with me, now that they know me, my #1 recommended category is: Movies Featuring a Strong Female Lead.  =)

i live here. ugh.

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Reality TV: all 6th grade, all the time

who ARE these guys? and why Dsquared2? redundant much?

I started watching Launch My Line because of RueLaLa.  They sent an email that I must’ve gotten late because I totally missed Dan Karaty being on the show.  I like him.  And I wonder what his clothes looked like.  I actually think it’s kind of a horrible premise – to just grab a bunch of people who don’t know anything about the nuts and bolts of fashion [i.e. sewing] and pair them with a bunch of people who have the skills and training and are trying to make it in the design world.  THEN, they make the folks who have no clue boss the other ones around.  Oh yes – drama is guaranteed with a formula such as this.  But from the episode I started watching, a particular pairing was incubating a tempest that finally broke on last night’s show.

the CEO

Marilyn Crawford, a lady I’d never heard of until this show [which I’m not totally proud of cuz she seems a little awesome – but just a little], is the CEO of PrimeTime Omnimedia [some kind of marketing company for famous people? I dunno – I didn’t really get it, but the website looks successful.].  She hasn’t gotten where she is by resting on her laurels, and now that she wants to design clothes, she’s definitely going after it.  She is hampered by the fact that she knows absolutely NOTHING about clothing construction.  She’s kinda taking the I Believe I Can Fly Design approach, by deciding that if she can dream it, her seamstress (Coco) can do it.  But it’s also a Nebuchanezzar approach because she has no idea how to really communicate that dream to Coco.  She speaks her mind, but is mostly concerned about the bottom line and getting things done.  She has actually done well in the competition – her clothes generally tend to come out the way she wants them, and as of the beginning of last nights ep, she’s in the top 6 teams.  I believe she is most hampered by her lack of knowledge and lack of time to really soak up the vocabulary and information that would make her more of an asset for her team.

is Kliks her last name? I have no idea.

Coco Kliks is another lady I’d never heard of until this show.  I haven’t seen any of her own work before tonight, but what I see looks cool.  She seems to be a driven artist – so she has become successful in her own right, but her personality is artistic.  Completely NOT CEO-like.  Her fashions convey her personality in girly, trendy, becoming clothes.  Cute is actually the word I’d use for most of what I’ve seen.  From what I’ve seen in Launch My Line, her work is well-done and well-made.  But Coco doesn’t respond well to having a boss who doesn’t know how to communicate what she wants.

Many of the other *actual* designers have problems with their apprentice/boss hybrids, but the dynamic between Coco and Marilyn is particularly special.  On the first ep I watched, Marilyn and Coco got into it because of their communication disconnect, leading Coco to leave the workroom and let Marilyn try to work things out for herself.  Crazily enough, the dynamic duo is still on the show.  Last night’s ep highlights another communication nightmare between the two of them, with Marilyn stating that Coco is uncooperative.  Feelings are hurt, and the ultimate backlash from Coco is “Well, if you wanna go ahead with the project without me – you can.”

Things don’t devolve immediately – but it gets kinda bad.  They resolve the initial issue with very clipped but grown-up tones.  Marilyn doesn’t seem to be able to articulate OR draw what she wants.  Coco can’t sew if she doesn’t have some idea what to make.  Coco makes suggestions that Marilyn’s not happy with – Marilyn makes suggestions that Coco says are “construction nightmares”.  And then:

M – (resigned) Ok.  Why don’t we just do what you suggested.
C – (gesturing to a sketch) This one?
M – (matter-of-fact) Yeah, cuz everything I come up with – you can’t construct it.
C – (sarcastic) Sorry, Marilyn, I so suck, don’t I?
M – (ignoring her) Let’s just do that.
C – (continuing on) Is that the point you wanna make?
M – But it’s no need of me to design if you can’t construct it. (matter of fact, again) It makes no sense.

Oh yeah, btw – Marilyn’s style is business glamour, and Lady Gaga came by to tell everyone to incorporate red vinyl in their outfit.  Whee!  Coco and Marilyn spent an awful amount of time jawing back and forth so they decided to just come back the next day [with 5hrs left to work] and throw something together.  Great idea, right?  Hmmm.  Not quite.  The two of them were eliminated.

I’m not sure if it was the editing or if this is how these ladies really are, but there was a lot of artificial hand-holding and feelings-sharing as they both tried to keep their composure and not call each other names.  It just reminded me of 6th grade.

Guess 6th grade makes good tv.  I’ll miss them.

People’s Choice 2010: All Hail the Queen

La held it down for the opening of the show – her dress was awesome and perfect for her.  Great choice for host.

So…these are the best awards in my mind – cuz they give the awards to the people I would vote for.

Talk Show: Ellen

Movie Comedy: The Proposal

R&B Artist: Mariah [wearing a dess she could barely walk in – cuz she probably thought Bey would win, like I did.  Where was Kanye?]  BTW – there were only women nominated for this one – what’s that about?

Looks like walking is a difficult thing to do on this show – Kate Walsh had a rough time going down that slanted walkway.  I can’t really blame her though – those heels are high.

Comedic TV Actor: Steve Carell [I was torn between him and NPH]

Comedic TV Actress: Allyson Hannigan

Here I’ll take a moment to discuss the new Robin Hood movie coming out.  um…really?  Hasn’t this been done ad infinitum?  It doesn’t look like anything new, either.  Supremo boring is what I got from that trailer.  I didn’t see Prince of Thieves and I won’t see this one.

Fave TV Comedy: The Big Bang Theory.  Srsly?  Ok.

But the 20th season of Survivor in 10years, that’s a feat.  I think I might watch this season.

Mary J has been on a lot of shows lately, performing this same song: I Am.  It’s starting to come across as desperate – at least to me.

Country Artist: Carrie Underwood.  This is probably one of the first times that I’m not completely thrilled with her dress.  There were dudes and ladies in this category…so I’m glad she won.

TV Drama Actor: Hugh Laurie.  Boo.  Corrollary – Fave TV Drama: House.  Boo.

Wow.  Clash of the Titans also looks like something I’ll skip.  0/2 on the movies.

Queen La’s white dress is awesome, too.

wish I had pics of her dresses

Know what?  I don’t think G.Lo is funny anymore.  Too many nasty jokes.  And offensive.  But it is telling that the 5 women nominated are all white.  When will we get some serious leading ladies of color?

Fave Movie Actress: Sandra Bullock.  I do like her.  A lot.  So I’m glad.

Fave Action Star:  Hugh ‘Wolverine’ Jackman!  Yeah!  He really is hot.  And an awesome Wolverine.

Loved Queen’s piece with Edward *barf* Cullen.  She is funny and I love her.

Fave indie Film: Inglourious Basterds

Breakout Movie Actor: the requisite Taylor Lautner.  He is a hot boy.  Even if he’s not quite legal.

But I don’t get the Miss People’s Choice.  What is that?

Fave male artist [WTF? Who came up with these categories??? Eminem, Tim McGraw, John Mayer, Keith Urban and Jason Mraz?]:  Keith Urban.  Good for you, fella.

Cobra Starship and Nicole Scherzinger…instead of Ms. Waldorf?  Nicole can probably handle the live performance better, but BlairLeighton Meester is still trying to get her music taken seriously…I wonder what’s up.

Fave Web Celeb?  Er.  Ashton Kutcher?  This should’ve hands down been Andy Samberg.  Even ff this IS a stupid category.

***Random Thought:  Jennifer Garner should totally help end Heroes.  She’s been with him ever since Felicity.****

Fave New – TV Drama: Vampire Diaries.  Eh.  TV Comedy: Glee!  WOOOOOO!  But this is really weird.  What’s with the pizzas?  It’s also very disconcerting to see that one guy standing up.

LL is definitely looking excellent.  He looks like he hasn’t aged since the 80s.  Except that he’s more ripped.  HOT!

Fave Female Artist: Taylor Swift.  Surprise surprise.  She’s wearing a cute dress but it almost looks too big.  And I kinda feel like her eyes are tiny.  But I love her music.  It’s fun!

People’s Choice has really been revamped – with a charity [Children’s Safe Drinking Water] and handing out pizza and a Miss People’s Choice?  It’s all over the place.

I’m kinda surprised Lady GaGa hasn’t been mentioned on this show.

Fave Movie Actor: Johnny Depp.  Also Actor of the Decade.  I so wished Ryan Reynolds would have a chance.  He is SO way hotter.  Sacha Baron Cohen is really hot as his natural self – even if he IS a bit bothersome in character.  Anyways, Johnny.  Great actor, but I basically only like the Pirate movies and Finding Neverland.  I just like what I like.

The show was rushed and disjointed with a few good moments – kinda like this post.  Maybe when it warms up a lil bit my brain will thaw.

the AMAs: kid sister shares time in the spotlight

For Jermaine (who was trying to sing along, but didn’t know the words):

Everywhere I go, every smile I see
I know you are there – smiling back at me
Dancing in moonlight I know you are free
Cuz I can see your star shining down on me

Janet is a star.  And she’s still got it.  I can’t imagine what she’s been through this year, but she brought the best opening sequence I’ve seen at the American Music Awards in a while.

Paula Abdul is up next in a beautiful black dress and looking completely present – is she hosting?  Well, she’s presenting the first award…

Fave Pop/Rock Group: BEP collects their 6th AMA.

Haven’t actually seen Veronica Mars in a minute – but she gets to give Rascal Flatts their best Country group award for the 4th straight year.  And Pete Wentz  kinda creeps me out.  Which is fitting I guess, cuz watching his wife on Melrose Place, she kinda creeps me out, too.

Maybe it’s cuz my life is just barely winding down from the crazy, but I’m feeling particularly snarky.  Daughtry doesn’t usually get any love from me, since I’m not really into the rock bands that all sound the same to me.  ffwd.

Shakira’s performance starts off cool with the steppers, and then her hair’s kinda cool – she kinda looks like she’s going for Mariah’s look.  But I’m trying to figure out if I’m actually hearing her voice or not.  Adam Lambert seems totally into it, which actually ups his stock in my estimation.

Keith Urban is definitely one of the cutest country artists there are – I guess that’s why he doesn’t have to wear a hat.  Kiss A Girl is ok, but..uh…ffwd.

Reba McIntyre is definitely looking better than she did on SNL last night…she introduces Kelly Clarkson – the one, true Idol.  I love Already Gone.  It’s just a great song.  And I love Kelly Clarkson.  So it’s great.

Fave Pop/Rock Female Artist: Taylor Swift – she’s at Wembley Stadium for a show tomorrow night – cool.

A. Rod, Jay-Z, Alicia Keys – New York State of Mind.  I love this song.  I can’t even explain it.  I even get why Lil Mama jumped up on stage at the MTv Awards.  Solange, Taye Diggs, they’re into it – Leona Lewis is barely head bobbin’ – Melissa Etheridge is feeling this more than her.  Whitney’s proving there’s still a little Bobby left in her, and Perez Hilton is surprisingly rhythmic.  This is probably the hypest song of the year.

Alternative Rock Band: Green Day.  Second time they’ve won this one.  Short n sweet thank yous – the way I like ’em.

Ok. Wait.  What?  Kate Hudson is wearing something crazy.  It basically makes her look like a boy.  I just saw way too much of her chest.

You know what?  The Black-Eyed Peas are fun, party music, but I kinda don’t understand them.  Their performances always seem so odd.  I just don’t get it.  They kinda seem like grown up versions of iCarly – cuz of how nonsensical they seem, sometimes.  But I. Love. Boom Boom Boom.  Seth Green seems to like it, too.  That was the craziest mashup I’ve seen in some time – It Takes Two To Make A Thing Go Right and Smells Like Teen Spirit?  Crazy.  But it worked.

Soul/R&B Male:  Michael Jackson.  With Jermaine and his family accepting, because he hadn’t yet been inappropriate enough.  By the way, I actually think Jamie Foxx should’ve won, but I understand why MJ won.  It’s not necessarily undeserved.

Country Male:  Keith Urban.  First AMA – congrats.  ffwd.

Soul/R&B Female: Beyonce.  Couldn’t be there.  Awww.

Ne-Yo does a song from the Princess and the Frog?  YAY!  I love him.  He intros RiRi wearing a modified suit from The Fifth Element.  How can you not love the line – “I’m such a freakin’ lady”?

Carrie Underwood performs and it looks like she’s wearing  a look by Carol Hannah (of Project Runway fame).  I definitely feel like I saw that as the first look on her Bryant Park collection.  She’s the second voted Idol to perform tonight, third alum to sing, and 4th to grace the stage, as Kris Allen presented.  Paula is pleased as punch.

Then Lady Gaga performs and it is…to be expected, I guess.  I don’t know what that strap over her privates is. but it’s weirdly distracting.  Her voice is really good though.  When she plays the piano things are nice, except the camera’s obsession with her crotch being fed by the fact that her legs are spread w-i-d-e open.  I suppose it’s true that without all of her eccentricities she probably wouldn’t be famous at all.

PS – I still don’t like Perez Hilton.

Drake, Kid Cudi, Jeremi, introduce Mary J.  Why did Drake have to say it was his mother’s fave woman in the world?  I guess it’s nice.  But…it definitely spotlights her age.  Though Mary’s looking dang good.  And her voice is SO much better!  Her performances have really improved.

Ahh – so that‘s Colby Callait.  She wasn’t feeling NY State of Mind.  Eh.  And Gloriana wins Breakthrough Artist.

Who is Gloriana?

I thought Keri Hilson shoulda won.  But Country does have very devoted fans.

J. Lo’s singing again?  I like this song.  But I do not like the outfit.  Those shorts are AWFUL!  And then they – they – made it worse!  They put some kind of strange skirt looking thing over it!  Throw on your Louboutins and get thee to a stylist, Jenny-from-the-block!

Samuel L. Jackson presents International Artist of the Year to Whitney.  I wonder what is required to win this.  I’m amazed that the Bodyguard soundtrack is still the number 1 soundtrack – I thought sure it’d be Titanic.  But Whitney has come back and I’m happy.  She looks great.  And she sounds great.  You know that choir is so proud of her.  I think most every Black person in America is proud of Whitney’s comeback – and that she’s no longer with Bobby.  She wasn’t built to break.  You go Whitney.  Ooh – and Bobbi Christina is cute, now?  Everything’s coming up roses for Whitney, now.

Fave Country Female: Taylor Swift.  She’s still up?  How is she gonna be ready for the concert?

Fave Pop/Rock Male: It’s a shame MJ died this year.  For so many reasons.  He’s now won 23 AMAs.  Jermaine’s Muslim?  I thought they were Jehovah’s Witnesses.  It would’ve been nice to see TI spank Em, though.  I dunno if it would’ve happened, but I woulda loved it.  So I’m gonna say that’s how it would’ve gone.

Alicia Keys has brought back all the 90s dances, and that dude dancer she’s got is in-cred-i-ble.   And a lil bit hot.  But unbelievably talented.  She’s wearing some craziness, but then, that’s what she does.  I like this song, too.  Have you ever tried sleeping with a broken heart?

Seth Green intros Em and Fitty.  It’s kinda disgusting to me to see girls singing along with Em, seeing as how he’s so woman-hating in his music.  Not that I don’t kinda like that second song he was doing.

Now Timbaland is kinda cool but also bananas.  I’m glad he’s still hanging with Nelly Furtado – that’s cool.  I dunno who the other girl is.  But the zombie thing is a little bit cool.  With a not-so-subtle Thriller reference it’s cute.

That little Hobbit fellow from FlashForward kinda gives me the creeps.  But I would also be jumping up and down to intro Green Day singing 21 Guns.  I love this song.  And I love how these guys are old and married with kids now, but they’re still great.

Wow.  I had no idea Keri Hilson was that tall!  Or..that Toni Braxton was that short.  They present fave Rap/Hip-Hop Male:  Jay-Z.  So…who would be nominated for the female version of this award?  Is there even a female version?

Ryan Seacrest had time to present?  How many jobs does he have?

Artist of the Year:  Taylor Swift.  She won 5 tonight.  I kinda thought she’d win.

And now Adam Lambert performs.  Isn’t it a lil over the top to grind into a dude’s face?  The lyrics are actually right on – “do you know what I’m about to do?”  I was never really a fan, so excuse me if I think his 15min are up.  I still think he’d be better in a more Freddie Mercury role.  I’m watching the folks by the stage and everyone just looks like they’re staring.  They’re all clapping now, but…he still weirds me out a little.

Oh, and 9 awards were given out earlier, with Jay-Z winning a couple, Michael winning a few, and Taylor winning a few.  But I didn’t see a Rap/Hip-Hop category for the ladies.  Come back Eve – we miss you!

 

 

 

 

 

sytycd: all tapped out

Like me.

Right now at work, I am pretty much drained, every day.

And the folks in the bottom 6 on the results show tonight seemed the same way.  Nobody had a good solo.  Nobody.

But I’m cool with who they kicked out.

***********************This Just In*************************

I know I broke up with Heroes.  But.  I didn’t delete it from my DVR yet.

So I skimmed through this week’s episode tonight and lo and behold!  The Haitian has a name!

René

Nonchalantly uttered by Claire, as though we all should’ve known his name.  Whatever, Heroes.

too little, too late.

sytycd s.6: feel the spirit?

Hum.  Um.  A Tyce piece taken from The Color Purple isn’t really sitting well with me.  Apparently we’re supposed to be watching a church/dancing piece taken from the stereotypical Southern Black church tradition.  And Nigel suggested that Bianca has actually danced like this in church.  That’s something.  Cuz having lived in the South for most of my life, I don’t know…um…anyone who dances like that in church.

Not that it doesn’t happen.  I know that it does.  Maybe not so much that style…but it happens.

The problem was…that…it was FULL of problems.  Church dancing with pirouettes needs to go a lil more Polly.

But the church thing wasn’t the only moment made of some FAIL tonight.

The Bollywood number was so haphazard for that fellow.  (I’m not totally getting to know them yet, since there are still so many.)  He looked kinda crazy from start to finish, really.  And his leaps toward the end were bizarre.  But Mollee surprised me in the beginning of that one, her turns were so strong, she stole the stage IMO.

Phillip Atmore is an excellent tap dancer.  He’s an excellent tap dancer.  An excellent tap dancer.   REALLY bad at the samba.

Ellenore’s dress for the tango was AWFUL!!!AWFUL!!!AWFUL!!!  And then got stuck on her heel, besides being uggamugga.  And while I was watching that dance – I started to wonder, is the dress supposed to be attached to the shoe?

But I LOVED Legacy and Kathryn’s work with Stacy Tookey.  Best dance of the night, bar none.  Amazing, really, considering that I’ve hated Legacy from day one.

Two tappers are in the bottom tonight, and it’s hurting.  Because “there’s not enough time” (according to Nigel) to teach the dancers tap, so they will never get to perform their own styles.  Why is tap the only dance form that can’t possible be learned in the short time required for all the other dance styles?   Bianca’s going home and I”m super sad about this, but kind of saw this coming.  Wah wah wah.  I hope she gets some real big opportunities from this.  But I’m still pissed.  Both tappers are gone.  Too bad we couldn’t have voted.

 

sytycd notes: season 6 gets down to bidness

My work life has been hell lately, and so, I’m thankfully home – instead of at work, like I was last night [until 11:50].  But I am catching up on SYTYCD and ooh, wee!  It’s the good, the bad, and the U-G-L-Y.

Russell

the good
With three tappers this season, I’m happy, but apprehensive – I don’t think the show is really equipped to showcase tap.  They haven’t really proved themselves, yet.

I’ve been loving this krumper, Russell since his very first audition.  He somewhat reminds me of Joshua – just in his untrained ability to wow me with his take on every style.  And I want him to win, win, win!

Seeing Dave Scott back on the show is loverly, and I’m hoping for more from him this season.

Mary Murphy is as crazy as ever and, while she’s still weirding me out, all I can say is – Yabba Dabba Doo!  Is she on pills?

Travis Wall’s choreo has me all twitterpated.  I was never a real fan, cuz I got this hint of attitude during his season, and I’ve always been a Benji fan…but my, oh, my. Bianca and Victor really turned it out IMO.  I”m not sure why Bianca didn’t get as much love from the judges but I thought the piece they did was incredible, romantic, and beautiful – and her part was lovely, all the way around.

the bad
Well, Mollee and Nathan’s disco was cute, but not nearly deserving of such rave reviews when the transitions were as herky-jerky as they were.  I really like them as a couple – but let’s be real, please.  Doriana Sanchez’s choreo is always 90mph, but they still looked like they were counting steps!

NappyTab are still on the show.  Period.

Injuries/Illness.  What’s up, y’all?  Everybody’s getting hurt this season.  And apparently, it’s not the kind of thing you can dance through [a la Donyelle and everyone else who soldiered on in past seasons].  Noelle needs an MRI, Billy left due to illness [whenever I hear this, my first thought is always mono] – what is up?!

the U-G-L-Y
The fact that ANYone, ANYwhere thought it might be a good idea to use the Glee version of Push It, for a ChaCha number.  I got the dry heaves.

The fact that Russell was in the bottom 4 dancers.  Um…what?  These judges are crazy.  I still don’t get that, cuz Nigel was right when he said that Fred Astaire would NOT be krumping up there on that stage.

So – I’ll be watching this season.  And I can’t wait to see Paula Abdul choreograph a piece on this show.

And here’s a reminder of what 80s ladies rap was all about:

it’s not chipped, we’re not cracked: a letter to Heroes

Oh we’re shattered. [MC – Memoirs]

Dear Heroes,

I’ve been a little busy lately, and it seems that you thought I was just letting it all slide.  I wasn’t.  I was just getting around to this letter, as it’s been a long time coming.

This may not mean much to you since I’m not a die-hard-fan kinda girl, but you’ve let me down.  To tease me with prospects of awesomeness and then slowly kill off almost every person of color on the show?  Even major characters?  That is NOT the way to my heart.

I loved you so much I volunteered to review your best and worst moments.  Those were good times, even when they weren’t such good times.

But as time went by, echoes of DL, Monica, and even that vortex guy only grew louder in my head.  I don’t have the time or inclination to follow web-posted storylines, just so I can keep up with characters that somehow don’t deserve to make the cut on the small screen.  Year after year, the man who came to be known as the Haitian, continued to be known as the Haitian.  Even after visiting Haiti!  Because having one magical negro wasn’t enough, Usutu got to be a plot device for a while, getting name checked on the show only after he was decapitated!  Two cute Asian guys (one a little bit hot) get to play the buffoon occasionally, while propping up what we finally found out was the MAIN storyline last year.

And I’m losing interest.

Watching the few women of color that appear, disappear – sometimes without any explanation – while the blondes almost always have their freaky coercive and inappropriate sexual assaults?  Not my idea of a good time.  There was the slight incest scare with Claire and Peter, the Puppetmaster scenes, the Sylar/Claire puppetmaster scene, various power plays with every Ali Larter character…and then of course, our good friend from the current season, carnie-tatt-girl.

You really value me so little?

Almost every woman I know who ever watched no longer does.  Why should we?  If we want to see skeevy dudes planning & executing various forms of domination over women, we can just watch the news.

When things were new and fresh, I thought this was the start of a cool show.  And it was.  And this is the end.

Men and women of color on your show continue to be use as props with little more than one-dimensional backstories.  Seriously.  Where is freaking Mohinder?

Becky and the new Usutu are not enough.  The cop and the doctor are not enough.  Angela is not enough.  Portraying your first lesbian while simultaneously painting her as an SWF stalker?  Not even close.

My head hurts when I watch, I think of better storylines when I’m half-awake, and I’m just tired.  I feel like Syfy could’ve done a much better job with the show.  Or maybe Animal Planet.  QVC even.

Good night and good luck, Heroes.  And so I say, with a yawn,

When I break – I break. (MC –  Up Out my Face)