So You Think You Can Dance News Update

The LA Times Show Tracker was backstage at Thursday night's elimination show.



Nigel has a feminist blog mad at him for something he said this week. Yes, just this week.



Adam Shankman has signed with Disney to produce a male cheerleader comedy, Matadors.

Friday's News Update

The LA Times tells us what we didn't see during the results show. Nigel made a "shocking" announcement backstage that puts Thayne and Comfort in the same club that Shauna, Jesus, Hok, and Anya were in last year!
Thanks to reader GerritV for the link.


This is Natalie, by the way. Helping Ted out. :)

SYTYCD News Update

The Shankman dishes on this season's contestants for LA Times. Thanks to GerritV for the link.



EW's Adam B. Vary was at the Monday performance show taping. Apparently, Nigel couldn't even remember one dancer's name:

I realized why this season's been such a nonstarter for so many viewers. There's been no Dominic, no Sara, no Ivan — no appealing underdog who's shown real, true improvement and growth week to week, allowing us a sense of progression throughout the season. All the dancers have either remained at the same level they started at — and that includes the out-of-the-box fabulous Joshua — or have faltered slightly since Vegas and the top 20. It's appeared to me that the judges have been working overtime to make Jessica this season's ''story,'' to set her up for some impending moment of triumph, but they've piled on so much at this point that she could just as easily crumple under the pressure. (Behind-the-scenes tidbit No. 3: It really didn't help matters when Nigel had to re-record saying Jessica's name a few times during the first ad break because, as he mouthed to someone off stage, he'd plumb forgot it when they were filming his comments.)

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Dance critic Rachel Howard, writing for the Voice Of Dance:

So You Think You Can Dance doubled the ante this week with each of the top seven couples dancing not one, but two routines. Everything became twice as clear: Who’s brilliant and who ought to go home pronto; who’s holding their partners back (and I don’t mean just Jessica); and whose technique ain’t going to cut it. The hip hoppers are at a growing disadvantage now, training-wise, and yet, two of them are emerging as serious contenders, while the other two have probably stretched their crossover talents to the limit.

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Still catching up.

Wade Robson Won't Be Back For Season 4

We have confirmed the rumors with multiple reliable sources. Emmy-winning choreographer Wade Robson will not be returning for the fourth season of So you Think You Can Dance. It's also confirmed that Shane Sparks will not be returning. Expected to fill the void are former contestant Travis Wall, returning choreographer Mandy Moore, and film director and choreographer Adam Shankman.

UPDATE: In this interview, Mary Murphy mentions that Wade will be one of the choreographers on season 4, so maybe there's still hope for Wade fans.

SYTYCD News Roundup

Movmnt Magazine's latest issue shipped today, so subscribers should receive it shortly. It will also be available at Barnes & Noble stores nationwide. This issue features a foldout poster of some of our SYTYCD favorites. BSYTYCD readers are invited to join Movmnt's new social network. Check it out.

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The Dallas News has a report from the first season 4 auditions. Apparently we'll be seeing more of The ShankMan this season. Did you know he directed Hairspray?

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Southern Methodist University hosted the auditions and has a slideshow on their site.

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The Lifetime network jumps on the dance reality bandwagon with Your Mama Don’t Dance, though it sounds like it should be named Dancing With Somebody's Mom (Or Dad). Hmmm, does that studio look familiar?

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Actress and Mom Mira Sorvino talks about why she loves So You Think You Can Dance:

I love that show. It's so silly, but I love dancing, and it's one of the only shows on T.V. that I feel like I can watch with my three year old and my one-and-a-half year old because there's nothing violent about it, nothing scary, even the criticism is not really mean. Sometimes I feel like American Idol, they're so vicious, that it almost sets up a bad message for kids that they have to be perfect otherwise people are going to mock them painfully. And I think Dance has such a spirit of fun to it and my daughter calls them princesses, because of the sparkling dresses they wear, and she gets very excited when one of them is wearing pink.

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We have 3 stories from Australia from which we learn that host Natalie Bassingthwaighte (Oy, that name!) has a dance background, that Australians don't have much front but they do have heart, and that there was so much dance talent that the top 100 had to be stretched to 142.

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Choreographer News

I find this fascinating. Mia Michaels will be teaching at Spinfest, a gathering of drumcorps and colorguard participants.

Story and background LINK
Short video LINK

I wonder if she'll have drumcorps members leaping into each other's arms.



SYTYCD guest judge/choreographer and Hairspray director Adam Shankman will choreograph the Spice Girls comeback tour.

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I understand he almost wasn't hired because "he choreographs like he thinks he already has the job".

Worthy Of Note

Shoes On Powerlines watched their first episode of So You Think You Can Dance last night, and has some...um...interesting suggestions:

Before the dance, they have to spin the wheel of misfortune! Most spaces will have nothing on it, but if they are unfortunate enough to land on a “bummer tile,” they could have some of the following misfortune applied to their dance: partner gets replaced by cadaver, must dance blindfolded, partners switch shoes, song changed to Kriss Kross’ “Jump (Gonna Make Ya), or you must dance while holding a small goldfish bowl (spilling disqualifies).

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Our blogging buddy Beckylooo bestows us with her unique insights:

All right, first things first. I’ve had it with the Camera Department. There’s the door. Use it. And while I haven’t given you fair warning, Electric? Get out. Go. You disgust me. Don’t try to sneak out the back, Wardrobe! Get over here. I want to look you in the face when I tell you your services are no longer required. And since I’m on a roll, Shankman. Aren’t you needed over on Step Up: The Sequel?

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Another blogging friend, Carissa, has some strong opinions on all aspects of the show, and doesn't mind sharing. We don't mind reading.

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Thanks to our outstanding readers and commentors, Blogging So You Think You Can Dance is Google's Blogger.com Blog of Note for today. We're honored you take the time to visit.

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Shankman Returns

Adam Shankman returns to So You Think You Can Dance this week to judge the top 8. (I think he directed a movie, or something.) Guests for Thursday's results show include African master dancer/musician Titus "Jimmy" Fotso (bio) and iTunes/Myspace favorites OneRepublic, performing Apologize.


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A Week Of Danny

Between a New York Times article and guest judge Adam Shankman's comments, we've talked a lot about Danny Tidwell this week. Our friend Beckylooo posted the video below to her blog. It's a Danny we haven't seen on the show. Read her article here.


We blogged a post by Jennifer Garam at WriteousChicks. She has responded to some of the feedback she received:

I have gotten some feedback on my recent So You Think You Can Dance post regarding arrogance and humility as it pertains to Danny. Specifically, that lack of humility gives off the impression that you think you are better than everyone else, and that Danny will not be as likable to America i.e. the voters if he is arrogant. I take this to mean that if Danny comes off as overly-confident or “arrogant,” he will be punished by the voting public for displaying this kind of behavior, and that their votes will go to someone else. And sadly, this may be true.

In response to these comments, I’d like to make the distinction between arrogance and confidence. As I’ve written, I don’t find Danny to be arrogant. For example, I don’t think saying that he was surprised to find himself in the bottom 3 was an arrogant statement, I think it was truthful.

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Top 14 Elimination Show Recaps

Brett Love at TVSquad:

Ya see, here's my problem with this explanation. Remember way, way back a whole 2 weeks ago? According to the judges, Jesús was given the boot because he was outdanced in the solos. The solos were the thing, right? But not now. Now it's all about the season as a whole. The hell? The thing is, even looking at the season as a whole, I'd still put Shauna ahead of Anya. Lack of growth? Really?

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Spill recaps the show:

We’re saying goodbye to two more dancers tonight, and hopefully one of them is Cedric — talented soloist, mediocre partner. But first, tonight’s group dance. It’s set to You Can’t Stop the Beat from Hairspray, as part of the whole marketing push that landed Adam Shankman on the show as a judge. But — but — they used this song for a dance last year! Repeats are lame! Plus, this Queen Latifah version is definitely not as good as the other one they used. The choreography isn’t that special, either. Thumbs down for Shankman. Where’s Tyce Diorio when you need him? Also, I love how they put Danny in the front of all the group routines. He probably won’t win, but he’s totally the best. Cat’s continuing her weak attire streak in a frilly powder-blue sixties dress and tightly pulled-back hair. We conclude by watching some rehearsal footage of Adam Shankman acting like a crazy person. Sigh, theater people. He’s got some killer splits though.

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People actually wager on the show. Hok and Lacey are given the best odds to win it all.

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Daemon's TV has all the clips and song list.

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Early Recaps

TVGuide community blog:

The show begins immediately with some razzle dazzle in the form of Cat's dress. It's like fireworks threw up on her. Here comes the Top 14 dancers! Pasha! Oh how I've missed you most of all. The guest judge for this week is the director *and* choreographer of the hopefully fun movie Hairspray, Adam Shankman. Today is Nigel's birthday and he tries to defend their choice of booting out Jessi. Whatever.

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Gray at Fame or Famine:

Pasha’s opening was kind of uninspiring…and I gotta say the feminist in me was a bit annoyed by the fact that the women wore revealing, low cut outfits while the guys wore t-shirts and form-hiding clothes. Either both sides should be sexy, or both should be baggy, but come on, let’s not quite so blatantly play the cheesecake card.

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Tapeworthy's Vance:

Okay. I know it's only been 2 weeks since our last new episode of So You Think You Can Dance but it seems like it's been WAY TOO LONG. FOX, don't ever put SYTYCD on a midseason hiatus again. In the meantime, 2 new choreographers join us. Let's hope they are better than the disco botox lady.

Includes all the clips.
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Top 14 Performance Show - Some Quick Thoughts

What does guest judge Adam Shankman have against Chinese and Italian people? Why food, not people? Huh?

Cagney & Lacey...I'm sorry, Kameron & Lacey. I almost forgot he was on stage. I couldn't take my eyes off her. I know it's hard for some of us to warm up to her (I'm still not sure why), but she really is an amazing dancer and performer.

Cedric & Shauna. In this case, I found myself watching Cedric, He acquitted himself quite well, and FWIW, I never thought his foxtrot was THAT bad. I guess there were a couple of glitches, but it was...
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nice to see him get some judge love for a change. I'll have to watch it again to give Shauna a fair appraisal. Their wardrobe matched the dance style well.

Danny & Anya. Didn't Anya look great as a blond? Congratulations to Tyce, it was beautifully choreographed. I thought he used both dancer's strengths well, without beating us over the head that he was doing it. We love Anya here, and hope she's safe tomorrow night. Danny too.

Pasha & Sara. For the first time, we could see Pasha winning this thing. He channeled the best of Benji. We agree with Nigel, it was magic. Sara held her own, more than we had seen before.

Dominic & Sabra. Again, you could fill a laboratory full of beakers and Bunsen burners with all the chemistry goin' on. Go Shane! Go Sabra! Go Dominic!

Hok & Jaimie. Apparently, Jaimie can't do anything, including playing basketball, without doing that high leg thing. Nice job by choreographer Toni Redfern. If Mia Michaels choreographed waltzes, I think it would look something like this. I guess I'm a latent waltz fan. Pasha & Jessi's smooth waltz, and Danny & Anya's Viennese waltz are among my favorite routines of the season. This wasn't quite in that class, but it was enjoyable to watch.

Neil & Lauren. Wade Robson is the couple whisperer, but I'm not sure even he can fix this couple. The music and movement reminded me a bit of Jesus & Sara's Cabaret Hoover, though a bit more pleasant. It seemed more performance than dance. Is that a bad thing? I'm not sure yet.

Cat, The Fashion Icon

Here's one fashion blog that loves Cat Deeley. They have a photo of her on the red carpet at last night's Hairspray premiere. We understand that most, if not all of the top 14 were there too. It figures, since Hairspray Director/choreographer Adam Shankman will guest judge tonight's show.

Our real star of the evening, however, has to be Cat Deeley. Since leaving good old Blighty for sunny LA she's been endearing herself to the American public, and with outfits like this one we can see why. The Brummy lady looked stunning in a shimmering gold sequined dress worn with strappy tan sandals, a thick gold bangle and big teardrop earrings. Our love affair with Ms. Deeley continues...

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Welcome To The Sixties

Hairspray director Adam Shankman will be the guest judge when So You Think You Can Dance returns on June 11th (top 14 show). He's also set to choreograph the opening group number on the results show on June 12th. If you haven't seen it, here's the official trailer.


Some cast members are interviewed at the MTV Movie Awards. That's Adam between Nikki Blonsky and Elijah Kelley.


Here's the movie's official site.